Professor Ignas Snellen (Leiden Observatory, Leiden University)

Exoplanets and the search for extraterrestrial life

Thursday 27th August, 7:30pm
Larmor Lecture Theatre, QUB
Free Admission

REGISTER HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SEATS

A true revolution is unfolding in the study of planets orbiting other stars than the Sun. Soon we can start to search for life on planets like Earth. Do we know what to look for, and what to expect?

Professor Ignas Snellen from Leiden University is a world leading expert on the study of exoplanet atmospheres using ground-based telescopes. 

We expect this lecture to be very popular and seats will fill up quickly, so please register as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. More info on our Michael West Lecture wiki page.

With the Moon notably absent, this year's Perseid Meteor shower shows every chance of being an excellent one.

The shower is caused by the Earth passing through the debris trail of Comet 109P Swift-Tuttle which orbits the Sun with a 130 year period. The meteors hit the Earh's atmosphere comparitively fast, aprroximately 35 miles/sec or 120,000 mph and burn up at a height of around 50 miles. This year we are expecting a Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) of around 100 which is good.

We have chosen Weds 12th August for this event this year – it is actually the best night in terms of expected meteor numbers and the weather looks as if we might at least see something. Meet at 8:00pm for the Barbeque with observing from 10:30pm onwards.

The next popular IAA solar outreach day will be on Sunday 2nd August. 2.00 to 5.00. All the usual attractions – solar observing if clear, telescope display, meteorites to handle, exhibition of space & astronomy items. 'Telescope fixit service'. And of course the ever popular starshows by IAA members.