Magnets in the Sky - Gaensler. Free talk. Syd Uni 15 Oct.

[gary]

The University Of Sydney. Sydney Science Forum 2008.

Invitation

Magnets in the Sky: A New Window on the Universe
presented by Professor Bryan Gaensler

Come along on a fascinating journey across the cosmos as award-winning astronomer and former Young Australian of the Year, Professor Bryan Gaensler, opens the window for you to the magnetic universe. One of the more remarkable discoveries made by 20th century astronomers was that stars, planets and galaxies are all magnetic. These cosmic magnetic fields play a vital role in controlling how stars and galaxies form, age and evolve. Importantly, this naturally occurring magnetism regulates solar activity and space weather, protects the Earth from harmful particles, and is vital for the navigation of birds and other species. At this Sydney Science Forum, hear all about how we detect and study magnets in space, what creates astrophysical magnets, what role they play in the Universe's evolution, and how they have maintained their strength over billions of years of cosmic time.

Wednesday 15 October, 2008
5:45pm – 7:00pm
Eastern Avenue Auditorium, The University of Sydney

FREE, however bookings are required as seats are limited:
Register online at http://www.science.usyd.edu.au/outre...lecture5.shtml
or email ssf@science.usyd.edu.au with number of seats required
or phone (02) 9351 3021

About Professor Bryan Gaensler
Bryan is an Australian astronomer and former Young Australian of the Year (1999), and currently works as an ARC Federation Fellow in the School of Physics at the University of Sydney. He held a Hubble Fellowship at MIT from 1998 to 2001, and then took up an appointment in the Department of Astronomy at Harvard University in 2002. He is best known for his work on magnetars and supernova, and is the international project scientist for the Square Kilometre Array, a radio telescope for the 21st century which will answer fundamental questions about the origin and evolution of the Universe. He finds inspiration in talking to school students about science.

Faculty of Science Events
The University of Sydney

[CoombellKid]

Souds like it would be a very interesting talk. My only question is... what
would be the difference between magnetic and gravitational forces or are
they one in the same.

regards,CS

[gary]

Originally Posted by CoombellKid

Souds like it would be a very interesting talk. My only question is... what
would be the difference between magnetic and gravitational forces or are
they one in the same.

Hi Rob,

What a dilemma!. Live in the city and get really good talks. Live outside
of the city and get great dark skies.

Magnetism is associated with the motion of electric charge and described
by Maxwell's Equations whereas gravity is space/time curvature described
by General Relativity.

Take a moment's silence to mourn those Electrical Engineering undergraduates
who died, while in their second year, negotiating a punishing half year School of
Physics course in Electromagnetism, even though the School of Mathematics
will only get around to teaching them the maths involved a full session after the fact.

For the type of person who loves mathematics, does partial differential
equations for breakfast and likes to talk about 'div' and 'curl' down at the pub,
then Maxwell's Equations are exactly their cup of tea.

Anyway, I think Bryan's talk is guaranteed to have broad interest to all
science enthusiasts and somehow I don't think he will be holding a quiz
on Maxwell's equations afterwards.

[CoombellKid]

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Rob,

What a dilemma!. Live in the city and get really good talks. Live outside
of the city and get great dark skies.

And not to mention using a pointing device you invented , I'll take the
bush any day . I think I'll just keep looking up with wonder and leave
the partial differential equations for someone elses breaky bowl, mines more
of a plater of bacon and eggs with plunger coffee

regards,CS