Astronomy Ireland Public Lecture
"Black Holes, The LHC & The God Particle"
by Dr. Cormac O'Raifeartaigh, Waterford Institute of Technology
Monday, 14th June 2010 at 8:00p.m.
Trinity College, Dublin
About the Lecture
In this fascinating talk Dr. Cormac O'Raifeartaigh will present a brief history of particle physics, from the discovery of the atomic nucleus to the standard model of the elementary particles. An overview of the planned experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will also be presented, and their relevance to current puzzles in particle physics and cosmology explained.
The LHC is the world's largest and highest-energy particle accelerator, a synchrotron intended to collide opposing particle beams of either protons or lead nuclei. It is expected that it will answer the most fundamental questions of physics, helping in our understanding of the deepest laws of nature.
The main aim of the LHC is to find the particle that gives objects mass and weight: like why are stones heavy? Why is air light? How come walls are hard?
We currently understand the Universe to have four dimensions, but the LHC will see if there are more, as some people think!
Before the LHC was switched on, a lot of people were afraid that the machine would create black holes and "strangelets" - bizarre things that people thought might destroy the world. Scientists are now very confident that there is no danger of anything like this happening.
To find out more about this fascinating subject make sure to come along to the lecture. This lecture is definitely one to engross you. In the past it has proved to be most interesting of lectures and very successful.
The Speaker - Dr. Cormac O'Raifeartaigh
Cormac O’Raifeartaigh grew up always having an interest in science as his father was also a scientist. He also had an interest in music and languages but chose to take the scientific route as it could open a broad horizon of opportunities.
Dr. O’ Raifeartaigh obtained a PhD in physics from Trinity College Dublin and lectures in physics at Waterford Institute of Technology. He occasionally writes a diary on a scientific subject for The Irish Times and the popular magazine, Physics World. He is also the author of the well-known science blog ANTIMATTER.
He is a former Chair of the RAW debates at Science Gallery Dublin and is currently a science ambassador for Discover Science and Engineering, Ireland’s national science promotion programme.
Facts about the Large Hadron Collider
The interior of the LHC
Image courtesy of CERN
- The Large Hadron Collider is the largest particle accelerator in the world.
- It was built by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
- The LHC has a circumference of 27 km and was built at a depth ranging from 50 to 175 metres underground.
- Proton beams are steered around the LHC using magnets chilled to -271°C
- It takes 96 tonnes of liquid helium to keep the magnets at this temperature.
- At their current power the beams have the same energy as a 20,000 tonne aircraft carrier travelling at 8 knots (14.8 km/h)
- Stephen Hawking placed a $100 bet that the LHC will not find the Higgs Boson, claiming that "the most exciting result would be something we don't expect" .
Booking Information
| Date | Monday 14th June |
| Time | 8:00 p.m. |
| Venue |
Ed Burke Theatre Arts Building Trinity College Dublin Access can be gained via the Westland Row or Lincoln Place entrances. Click HERE for a building map of Trinity College campus Click HERE for Directions. Click HERE for Map of area |
| Admission | €7 (€5 Astronomy Ireland members and concessions) Places MUST be booked in advance |
| Booking |
Click HERE to book seats online.
Call (01) 847 0777 to book tickets over the phone using Debit/ Credit Card Send a cheque/ PO/ Draft, made payable to Astronomy Ireland to PO BOX 2888, Dublin 5. |
DVD
|
This lecture is also available to members nationwide on DVD.
To order a copy of the DVD simply: Order by credit/ debit card online HERE Call (01) 847 0777 Alternatively post a Cheque or postal order to: June 2010 DVD, Astronomy Ireland, PO. Box 2888, Dublin 5. Cost: DVD’s cost €7 each (add €5 for P&P for any number of DVDs) |
After the lecture there will be a social reception in The Lombard
and we encourage all of you to come along and have a chat with Dr. O'Raifeartaigh.
All are welcome to attend and food will be kindly provided by The Lombard.
Acknowledgment: Astronomy Ireland would like to thank the TCD Astrophysics Research Group for hosting AI public lectures in Trinity College Dublin.
