PUBLIC TALK: WA on the threshold - new understanding, new discoveries and new opportunities with the SKA

An Inquiring Minds lecture by Professor Peter Quinn, Director of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR).

Mankind’s understanding of Nature is now at a point of crisis. More than 95% of the Universe we live in is composed of mysterious stuff - matter that is hidden from the view of our telescopes and a form of energy that is tearing the Universe apart. Our two most successful theories of Nature - the theory of atoms and the theory of Gravity - cannot together describe the Big Bang which formed the Universe 13.7 billion years ago. We need a new idea, a new concept that will provide us with a consistent picture of the evolution of our Universe and its contents. New ideas flow from discoveries. Our ability to explore, and map and make discoveries within our Universe is about to be exploded by more than a factor of 10,000. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope will revolutionize our view of the Universe. It will push the boundaries of our knowledge back in time to the formation of the first stars and galaxies. It will also push the boundaries of our technology and will provide new industrial, educational, scientific and technological opportunities in the 21st century.

Cost: Free, but RSVP required via http://www.ias.uwa.edu.au/lectures/pquinn

This lecture is co-sponsored with the ICRAR and the Institute of Advanced Studies at UWA.

This lecture is part of UWA’s Research week, which runs from 3-7 November. To find out more about the program and related activities visit www.research.uwa.edu.au