Space Weather and the Earth’s Magnetic Shield

Wednesday, 7th October 2015 – Space Weather and the Earth’s Magnetic Shield – Prof. John Shaw

The Earth’s magnetic field shields the Earth from the solar wind and high energy particles that are released from the sun during solar storms. Is the magnetic shield constant or does it change, can it collapse completely? What do we know about the behaviour of the magnetic field in the past? What could happen to civilisation if the field decreases? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in the ancient recordings stored in ceramics and rocks. John Shaw gave us a fascinating account of how the earth’s magnetic field protects us from harmful rays and particles ejected from the surface of the sun, and went on to explain what might happen if the magnetic field disappeared. He rounded off the talk by showing us how to make a DIY megnetometer, mainly using a handful of household objects.

Solar Eclipses

Wednesday, 3rd June 2015 – Solar Eclipses – Phillip Pendred

Last year Phillip talked to us about ‘Time’, or the measurement of time to be precise, illustrating his talk with some wonderful slides. This year he gave us a very instructive talk about Solar Eclipses – how they come about, why they last for varying lengths of time, why they don’t occur more frequently at any one place on earth and more.

Illustrated with computer simulations of the movement of the moon and earth in relation to the sun, he explained the various astronomical cycles that ancient observers used to predict eclipses, even without our modern understanding of the solar system.

Time – a brief history?

Wednesday, 7th May 2014 – “Time” – by Philip Pendred, who talked to us last year about Comets. This time, his talk concerned the way time was measured with particular regard to Astronomy (Solar time etc.); sundials; the equation of time and its derivation; the importance of timekeeping with reference to finding longitude; precession of the Equinoxes and the calendar and its adjustments.

I can give no better summary of the talk than to print this poem by Judy Ingman:

Measuring Time

Philip Pendred’s lecture was enthralling, as we were all to find
As we learned from the early Ancients the ways to measure TIME
And all about the water buckets, a device that’s called Clepsydra
Where servants counted buckets filled, a job of much fastidiar!

Time measurement throughout the ages, relied on the movements of the Sun
Candle clocks, sundials, and hourglasses, before the pendulum
Then we proceed through huge machines, until we come eventually
To atomic clocks measuring increments in our last twentieth century.

The question, what’s a  SECOND?  is answered, equal to tick, tocks
And thereby do we come to our watches and all our many clocks!
For accuracy we must measure the elliptical orbit of Earths’ way
With equinoxes and solstices, to determine a Solar day.

Well, the maths and its minutiae leave one gobsmacked to the core
And I don’t know if I can honestly claim to understand much more!
Except to say, to traverse the Sun, days number, three six five and a quarter
So that’s where Leap Year comes on in and rounds off the maths like it oughta!

But thank you Mr. Pendred for talking of Time and how it’s been measured
For it was an afternoon that informed us all, and one that will be treasured.

Thank you Judy.

Merseyside Astronomy Day

Liverpool John Moores University is once more holding the Merseyside Astronomy Day, on Saturday 26th April 2014 ( doors open 10:30 ) at John Lennon Art & Design Building ( off Brownlow Hill ), Liverpool L3 5RD.

“Hear about cutting edge research being carried out by some of the world’s leading astrophysicists.

The on-site cafe will be open for lunch, but you are welcome to bring your own food. We are also conveniently located near to a number of sandwich shops and cafes. There will also be a range of stands and hands-on activities for you to explore during the breaks.

Read more about it on our website www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/mad“

The Spectrum

Wednesday, 6th November – something a bit different!

This was a meeting inspired by a suggestion from Sylvia Dillon. Six members each gave a 10 minute talk on a different aspect of The Electromagnetic Spectrum:

Marguerita McBride set the scene with an overview of the spectrum, and the relation between wavelength and frequency.

Edmund Moynihan gave a potted history of early discoveries in relation to the spectrum, and of the scientists who made them.

Patsy Colvin concentrated on visible light and colour in chemistry.

Chris Procter talked about ultra violet vision in the animal kingdom, and how insects see the world differently to humans.

Alan Nolan outlined the use of electromagnetic radiation in communications – from long wave radio to microwave transmission.

Jack Brettle was last up to show us how modern astronomy benefits from observing the skies at different wavelengths, and combining the results to give a much fuller picture of the universe than simply using optical telescopes.

This was a somewhat experimental format, but most people seemed to enjoy it, and at least the frequent change of speakers kept the audience awake!

Nicolaus Copernicus

Edmund Moynihan, who gave us a delightful talk about Sir Isaac Newton in 2012, returned to tell us about “Copernicus and the Motion of the Earth”. Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was a Renaissance mathematician and astronomer who formulated a heliocentric model of the universe which placed the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the centre.

The publication of Copernicus’ book, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), just before his death in 1543, is considered a major event in the history of science. It began the Copernican Revolution and contributed importantly to the scientific revolution.

2013: Year of the Comets

Wednesday, 5th June 2013 – Phillip Pendred had a science career, specialising in haematology and blood transfusion, but has a wide range of other interests, including potholing, abseiling, cycling and dinghy sailing. Having spent 15 years in France following his retirement, he returned to the UK and is now a violinist in the Southport Orchestra!

However, it is his interest in Astronomy that brings him here to talk to us about comets. Appropriately, in 2013, it is predicted that a couple of bright comets will appear in our night skies, so come and learn all about comets with Phillip’s talk on 5th June. You might even learn how you can become a comet discoverer at home – without even moving from your armchair!

Astronomy Day

This event is now SOLD OUT

The Liverpool John Moores University Astrophysics Department is holding its 8th Annual Merseyside Astronomy Day on Saturday 27th April 2013.

The day combines a series of talks by professional astrophysicists with the excitement and interest of a day out at Spaceport. The talks are spread throughout the day with some time to explore the Visitor Centre, take in a “Dome Show”, talk to fellow enthusiasts or simply admire the views of the stunning Liverpool skyline. Entrance to all the talks is free, but normal costs to enter Spaceport will apply (£5.50 for concessions). Spaces in the talks are strictly limited, so we strongly recommend that you book your place in advance.

Talks
Dr. Ben Davies, Senior Lecturer at LJMU:
“How to make a Supernova”

Dr. Chris Davis, Astronomer in Charge for the Liverpool Telescope:
“Astronomy at NASA: Life after the Hubble Space Telescope”

Dr. Ross McLure, Reader in Astrophysics at the University of Edinburgh:
“Hunting the earliest galaxies in the Universe”

Prof. Carole Mundell, Professor of Extragalactic Astronomy at LJMU:
”Big Bangs and Black Holes”

Further information about the day can be found on the website: www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/MAD

Visit to Jodrell Bank

Tuesday, 5th July 2011

25 members enjoyed a most instructive visit to Jodrell Bank observatory. Despite the grey, damp weather, we were able to walk around and see all the telescopes outside, and even witnessed the main telescope rotating on both exes into position.

Exoplanets and the Liverpool Telescope

Tuesday, 5th April: Space is such a hot topic in science at the moment, with Brian Cox’s recent BBC TV series, “Wonders of the Universe” exemplifying the BBC’s commitment to popularising science, that we were particularly pleased to welcome Dr Andy Newsam.

Andy Newsam is Director of the National Schools’ Observatory and Reader in Astronomy Education at Liverpool John Moores University, and was the Institute of Physics Lecturer for 2009, which was also the International Year of Astronomy.

Andy gave a fascinating talk about the search for planets outside our own solar system (exoplanets) using various methods (Doppler Wobble, Transits and Interstellar Lenses), and how The Liverpool Telescope is playing an important part in this search effort.

Some links for further reading:

Exoplanets:
www.exoplanet.eu
www.exoplanet.org

Liverpool Telescope:
telescope.livjm.ac.uk

National Schools’ Observatory:
www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk