The information encoded in the light emitted by stars, gas, and galaxies provides the key for understanding the Universe.For decades, astrophysicists have...

The Story of Light: Deciphering the Data Encoded in the Cosmic Light

Location:

Powerhouse Museum
2007 NSW
Australia

The Story of Light – Deciphering the data encoded in the cosmic light

Featuring

Dr. Alan R. Duffy

Alan Duffy

Astronomer & Science Communicator

Dr Alan R. Duffy is an astronomer at Swinburne University creating model universes on supercomputers to understand how galaxies like our own Milky Way form and explore the nature of the hidden universe; dark matter and dark energy.

He is a team member of two main surveys with the next generation Australian SKA Pathfinder and is Co-Investigator in the world's first dark matter detector in the Southern Hemisphere in Stawell, Victoria.

He is a regular on ABC Breakfast News and Ten’s The Project and is an experienced public speaker, ranging from amateur astronomy nights, school talks to TEDx at the Sydney Opera House. You can find him on Twitter as @astroduff.

He will participate in 'The Story of Light: Deciphering the Data Encoded in the Cosmic Light'.

 

Dr. Vanessa Moss

Vanessa Moss

Research astronomer

Dr. Vanessa Moss is an astronomer based at the University of Sydney, working as part of the ARC Centre of Excellence for All-Sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO). Rather than the light we see with our eyes, she uses radio waves to study hydrogen fuel in galaxies billions of light years away as well as in our home galaxy, the Milky Way. She considers herself as a modern-day explorer of the universe, loves visualising data of all kinds, schedules her work trips around basketball games, and works as a guide at Sydney Observatory with the hope of sharing her enthusiasm for astronomy and science with as many people as possible. You can find her on Twitter as @cosmicpudding. She will participate in the event, 'The Story of Light: Deciphering the Data Encoded in the Cosmic Light.'
 

Dr. Angel R. Lopez-Sanchez

Angel Lopez-Sanchez

Astronomer and Science Communicator

Dr. Ángel R. López-Sánchez is an astronomer and science communicator at the Australian Astronomical Observatory and the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Macquarie University. He studies how the gas is converted into stars in nearby galaxies and how this affects galaxy evolution. He also provides support for visiting astronomers to the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT, Siding Spring Observatory, NSW). Dr. López-Sánchez is passionate science communicator who continuously gives talks and public lectures, writes popular science writings and organizes stargazing activities. He is very active in social media, his Twitter feed is @El_Lobo_Rayado. He will participate in 'The Story of Light: Deciphering the Data Encoded in the Cosmic Light'.
 

Dr. Luke Barnes

Luke Barnes

Research astronomer

Dr. Luke A. Barnes is a postdoctoral researcher at the Sydney Institute for Astronomy. His university medal from the University of Sydney helped Dr. Barnes earn a scholarship to complete a PhD at the University of Cambridge. He has published papers in the field of galaxy formation and on the fine-tuning of the Universe for life. His book with Prof. Geraint Lewis, titled "A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely-Tuned Cosmos”, will be published by Cambridge University Press in mid-2016. You can find him on Twitter as @lukebarnes83. He will participate in the event, 'The Story of Light: Deciphering the Data Encoded in the Cosmic Light'.
 

Dr. Elizabeth Mannering

Elizabeth Mannering

Astronomer and ASVO Web Developer

Dr. Elizabeth Mannering studied the X-ray properties of the black holes, jets and environments of radio galaxies during her PhD. She is now a front-end web developer at the Australian Astronomical Observatory in Sydney, working on AAO node of the All-Sky Virtual Observatory (ASVO) project, which connects researchers to a wealth of theoretical and observational data from telescopes across the globe. Dr Mannering also works at the International Centre of Radio Astronomy Research in Perth, designing and building outreach tools to allow members of the public to interact with scientific data or explain difficult astronomical concepts in an intuitive way, engaging new generations of would-be astronomers. She will speak in the event, 'The Story of Light: Deciphering the Data Encoded in the Cosmic Light'.

 

Event Details

The information encoded in the light emitted by stars, gas, and galaxies provides the key for understanding the Universe.

For decades, astrophysicists have developed novel approaches to exploring the light of the Cosmos, most recently through data-intensive techniques, analytics and visualization tools to extract the information collected by extremely sensitive telescopes and instruments. Astronomers have been pioneers in developing data science techniques to make sense of this huge data deluge, many of which are now used in other areas.

In this event, four professional astrophysicists will discuss what astronomy provides in the context of exploiting big data:

  • The light and light-based technologies developed in Australian astronomy for both optical and radio telescopes; the tools, platforms, and techniques used for data analysis and visualization
  • How astronomers create simulation data
  • How some of these techniques are being used in other research areas and;
  • The major scientific contributions toward our understanding of the Universe.

Hear about the exciting challenges in detecting planets around other stars, learn about how galaxies form and evolve, what dark matter and dark energy are, how we search for extra-terrestrial life, and more. The the panel will happily answer any questions about the Universe, so bring yours along. 

Panel:

  • Dr. Vanessa Moss (CAASTRO/Univ. of Sydney)
  • Dr. Ángel R. López-Sánchez (AAO/MQU)
  • Dr. Luke Barnes (Univ. of Sydney)
  • Dr. Elizabeth Mannering (AAO/ICRAR)

Host by Dr. Alan R. Duffy (Swinburne University)

This event is presented by the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO)

 

*Booking and transaction fees may apply

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