Institute Of Physics Schools Christmas Lecture In Conjunction With

The Department Of Physics - Swansea University

Tuesday 6thDecember 2016 - Taliesin Theatre

PROGRAMME

11.00am / Brief welcome and introduction by Professor Kenith Meissner, Head of Department
11:00am - 12:00pm / Lecture by Dr Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer, Royal Observatory Greenwich
“Life is Astronomical”
Most people would probably agree that astronomy is an inspiring subject, blowing our minds with astonishing facts about exploding stars, extrasolar planets and supermassive black holes while beguiling our eyes with awesome vistas of alien worlds and distant galaxies. But what have all these distant objects and esoteric theories got to do with our everyday lives here on Planet Earth? A surprising amount as it turns out: our familiar surroundings are full of profound astronomical connections and everything from the water in your taps to the iron in your blood, your holiday suntan to the vagaries of the British weather; all have their origins far out in space. Astronomy has also left its mark on our minds, from high art to popular culture, and even the smartphone in your pocket owes a debt to astrophysical research. To properly understand our own world we need to explore the wider universe of which it is an integral part. Life really is astronomical.
12:00pm / Lunch for school staff with members of the Physics Department
Room 504, 5th Floor, Vivian Tower, Campus Map Bldg. 11.2
1:00pm / Brief welcome and introduction by Professor Kenith Meissner,Head of Department
1:00pm - 2:00pm / Lecture by Dr Will Bryan, Associate Professor, Swansea University
“The fastest microscopes in the world”
We know microscopes take images of objects smaller than can be perceived with the naked eye. You have seen amazing pictures of the sharp fibres of paper, vicious looking insects and the inner workings of cells exposed. The majority will have been captured with electron microscopes, which use a continuous stream of electrons to image the very small.The idea of a "fast" microscope then seems a little confusing, as surely microscopes do "small"? Over the last few years, we have turned very short and extremely bright flashes of laser light into a similarly short bunch of electrons. We are now using such femtosecond electron pulses to make"molecular movies"and are watching electrons move.Until recently, the imaging possibilities we are nowrealizingwere impossible and you will be taken through the science behind this new frontier.
  • Both lectures will take place in the Taliesin Arts Centre – campus map no. 32
  • A Buffet Lunch will be provided for teaching and accompanying support staff in Room 504 of the Physics Department – 5th Floor, Vivian Tower at 12pm – campus map no. 11.2
  • Pupils will be able to purchase lunch in the various food outlets on campus.
  • Coaches will be allowed to drop off and pick up pupils and staff at the bus stop on the west side of Fulton House. There is a large car park available just a few minutes’ walk from the University campus. For those staff driving their school mini bus we may be able to provide parking on campus

PHYSICS SCHOOLS CHRISTMAS LECTURES

HOW TO FIND US

In case of difficulty please call Gill on 07584 049297