LT makes impact in Slovenian Parliament
05 February 2010
Dr Andreja Gomboc, former fellow of LJMU's Astrophysics Research Institute, delivered a lecture to the Slovenian Parliament entitled 'Us and the Universe.'
The lecture focused on the Universe and astronomy, with Dr Gomboc explaining that many questions remain open and can only be answered with the help of modern 
technology, such as the LJMU-owned Liverpool Telescope (LT).
She informed the Slovenian Parliament about the capabilities of the world leading telescope and said the LT was a perfect model for robotic astronomy that her country may wish to follow.
Again referencing the LT, in particular results from RINGO, Dr Gomboc's lecture also focused on Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs), which she described as one of the hottest topics in modern astronomy and astrophysics. She explained how GRBs are unpredictable, short in duration and the most powerful explosions in the Universe since the Big Bang.
She also explained how observation of GRBs is based on high technology, using satellite detection, immediate transfer of data and robotic telescopes. She outlined the importance of GRBs in finding the cause and expansion of relativistic explosions, the development of stars, the formation of black holes and the study of the early Universe, since, due to their enormous power, they illuminate otherwise weak distant early galaxies.
During her lecture Dr Gomboc also expressed her satisfaction that young people are very interested in astronomy, which also increases their interest in the study of natural sciences. However, she also pointed to worrying data that the proportion of female astrophysicists or, in general, female physicists in Slovenia has hovered around 10 percent for decades. Dr Gomboc also added that, on average, European countries have four to 12 astronomers per million inhabitants while Slovenia has only two.
Dr Gomboc stressed that, in addition to a mere handful of professional astronomers, Slovenia can boast a number of amateur astronomers who, by means of public observations, lectures and exhibitions in the International Year of Astronomy, have brought the Universe closer to the attention of the general public. They would bring it even closer if Slovenia allocated funds in the future for setting up a planetarium, added Dr Gomboc.
