Detecting the most distant galaxies in the universe

When

30/05/2017    
7:00 pm

Where

68 Middle Street
68 Middle Street, Brighton, BN1 1AL

Event Type

Brighton Astro: Detecting the most distant galaxies in the universe

Date: Tuesday 30th May 2017

Time: Arrive from 7pm for a 7:30pm start

Location: 68 Middle Street, Brighton, BN1 1AL

Speaker: Ciaran Fairhurst, a Physics and Astronomy PhD student at Sussex University

One of the salient questions in Astronomy is “How far away is it?”. As our equipment both literally and philosophically has improved, this question has driven our view of the universe to completely change. From a flat disc in the centre of the universe below a static, unchanging heavens to the modern day view: that the universe is an ever changing mess in which we just happen to be along for the ride. During this talk Ciaran will try to talk about the how measuring distances is done, describe what kinds of celestial objects hold the records for farthest object, and briefly outline how to use a telescope as a time machine. Content warning: mild mathematics.