Astronomy public lecture

16 June 2008

On Thursday 19 June at 6.30pm, LJMU is hosting a lecture by leading astronomer Dr Bob Fosbury from the European Space Agency, who is well-known for his work on several large projects including the Hubble Space Telescope. 

During his lecture, Dr Fosbury will provide a rare insight into the modern imaging of the Universe both near and far, explaining how astronomers use these images to determine what is happening in the skies.

The lecture is taking place as part of this week's ASTRONET conference, which will help determine the future of European astronomy and space research, and is held in conjunction with the public exhibition of images currently being displayed around the Albert Dock.

Speaking about the lecture, Dr Fosbury commented: "Most of us have marvelled at the stunningly beautiful colour images of the sky produced by astronomers but how are they made and what do they tell us about the universe we inhabit? I'll be showing some of the impressive array of 'cameras' available to research astronomers, both in space and at sites on the ground. Using some of the images on display at the 'From Earth to the Universe' exhibition at the Albert Dock, I will be giving a brief but 13 billion lightyear scale tour of the Universe."

Mike Bode, LJMU's Professor of Astrophysics, said: "Bob Fosbury is a very accomplished astronomer who is very gifted in many ways, including the field of photography. His lecture promises to be extremely interesting to people at all levels, from those who have a basic interest in astronomy, to those who have studied the skies for many years."

The lecture, entitled 'How Astronomers Image the Sky', is being held at the University of Liverpool's Chadwick Lecture Theatre, Chadwick Tower, off Peach Street, Liverpool, and is co-sponsored by the Institute of Physics and the Royal Astronomical Society.

Admission is free and all are welcome.