Astronomy Ireland Public Lecture Report
"Our Extreme Universe:
Ireland's Role in Gamma-Ray Astronomy"
By Dr John Quinn, School of Physics, UCD
Monday, 9th August 2010 at 8:00p.m.
Trinity College, Dublin
| Order DVD HERE |
On Monday evening, August 9th, members and Friends of Astronomy Ireland gathered together in Trinity College Dublin to hear Dr John Quinn of the School of Physics, UCD, speak on the topic of gamma ray astronomy. The talk was informative and comprehensive, and Dr. Quinn began the evening with an overview of the history and discovery of cosmic and gamma rays.
Following this he delved into the development of gamma ray telescopes and detectors - and then we got to the high point of the night - the objects they are used to study. We were taken on a fascinating journey into a universe of supernova remnants, neutron stars, pulsars and black holes. We were shown glorious images of the Crab Nebula, Eskimo Nebula, and listened to recordings of some of the faster pulsars known to exist. Dr Quinn also described how white dwarf stars can pull material from a nearby giant, eventually causing a huge nova that can release gamma rays. Another source of gamma rays are the extreme active galaxies called quasars and blazars, that eject unfathomable amounts of material and radiation from their cores.
Following this excellent lecture, guests took part in a lively question and answer session that finished up at the social reception in the Lombard Inn, with some food and drinks.
Be sure to order your DVD copy of this amazing lecture now!
View photos taken by John Hackett and Eamonn O'Fearcháin at the lecture here.
DVD
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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: August 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) |
Acknowledgment: Astronomy Ireland would like to thank the TCD Astrophysics Research Group for hosting AI public lectures in Trinity College Dublin.
