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"Direct
Dark Matter Searches" by
Professor Tim Sumner, Professor in
Experimental Astrophysics of the High Energy Physics
Group
Imperial College London.
Monday 9 June 2008 at 8:00pm
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Professor T.J Sumner is a member of the UK Dark Matter
Collaboration, he investigates evidence to prove the existence of
galactic dark matter formally known as "Weakly Interacting
Massive Particles". The Collaboration is one of four groups
around the world looking for WIMPs.
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There is a huge effort worldwide to make direct detection of a new
form of particle thought to make up the dark matter in the Milky
Way.
Experiments are carried out in deep underground sites looking for
tiny signals from these particles as they very very occassionally
hit target atoms in our detectors. A positive detection would
be a 'double whammy' of astounding importance for science as it
would not only confirm the nature of
dark matter but would also confirm supersymmetry as the way forward
for unifying gravity with quantum mechanics. The scientific
evidence for dark matter will be reviewed followed by a summary of
experimental activity around the world and finally focussing on our
own experiment, ZEPLIN-III, being carried out 1km underground near
Whitby in Yorkshire.
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Credit:
"Horizon" BBC
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Book seats HERE
Order DVD HERE
To get tickets by post send cash cash/cheque/postal order/bank draft and
a SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED (55cent) ENVELOPE to: Astronomy Ireland, P.O.Box
2888, Dublin 5.
Physics Bldg, Trinity
College, Dublin 2.
Near the Westland Row or Lincoln Place entrances MAP
of Campus
Directions and maps: How to get to Trinity
College
Map of area
around Trinity College
Admission: € 5 (€ 3 members and concessions)
This lecture is also available to members nationwide
on DVD, which you can order by credit card online HERE or by calling (01) 847 0777 (alternatively post a
cheque or postal order to: June 2008 DVD, Astronomy Ireland, PO. Box
2888, Dublin 5.) As a sample, a low-resolution version will be
available FREE on this website. DVDs of this and past
lectures are just €5 each (add €5 for P&P for any number of
DVDs).
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