The Lecture Programme is held in association with the School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast.
It runs from September until the end of April and is held in the Bell Lecture Theatre in the Physics Building, main campus, Queen’s University, Belfast. Meetings start at 7.30pm sharp and consist of a short talk given by one of our members followed by the main lecture, usually given by a Professional Astronomer.
The lecture over, light refreshments are available free of charge. At this time members are free to mix and discuss the latest astronomical news and events. The meeting finishes at 10.00pm.
Non-members are also welcome to attend!
2023/24 Dates are as follows:-
Sep 20: Prof Tom Ray, DIAS: JWST – Highlights of the First Year.
Oct 4: Robert Hill, NISO: Developing the N.I. Space Economy and Ecosystem
Oct 18: Richard Goodrich: Fear and Loathing in the Heavens: The 1910 Return of Halley’s Comet
Nov 1: Paul Evans: Apollo to Artemis – the next Giant Leap
Nov 15: Dr Elizabeth Butler, QUB: Solar mysteries ( Exact title TBC)
Nov 29 Dr Matt Nicholl, QUB (date TBC): Luminous Fast Coolers
Dec 13: TBA: (Two QUB Students?)
The 2022/23 Season marks a return to face to face lectures following the Covid-19 Pandemic.
This time we will meet in the Larmour Theatre which is in the same building as before but accessed by turning right just after the Whitla Hall.
The Larmour is much larger than the Bell and if our previous audience levels continue then there will be much more space for Social Distancing.
For those who are not yet ready to join us in a live situation our intention is to provide a recording of the lectures within a day or two where we can. These will be on our YouTube Channel where you will find an archive of many past lectures including those we ran on Zoom during the Pandemic.
We are currently finalising the Programme but the first two lectures are as follows:_
21st Sep: Dr Steph Merritt, QUB: “Last Horizons – the Edge of the Solar System” (synopsis below)
5th Oct: Prof Alan Fitzsimmons, QUB: “Moving an Asteroid – Did we do it?” (the results of the DART impact on Didymos)
Oct 19, Dr Marc Sarzi, AOP: Planetary Nebulae – their role in the Cosmic Distance Ladder.
Nov 2: Brian MacGabhann: The history of astronomy
Nov 16: TBC
Nov 30: Prof Jorick Vink, AOP: First Light with JWST
Dec 14: Prof Gerry Doyle, AOP: Title TBC
Jan 4: Prof Stephen Smartt, QUB/Oxford University: Title TBC