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Views of the Universe:
Astronomy and Culture
Wednesday March 31, 1999, 7-9pm Science in the Pub continues its 1999 Sydney season with a return to an astronomical topic, looking at the way our culture is enshrined within the way we view the Universe, and asking whether astronomy plays a role in defining what we believe in. We have two eminent astronomers from the Anglo Australian Observatory, Dr. Fred Watson and Dr. David Malin. Fred Watson Fred's own scientific interests are in the motions of stars and galaxies, and in the development of new instrumentation for astronomy. When time permits, he also carries out research on the history of optical instruments. He does the odd bit of writing and broadcasting and, like many astronomers, spends a lot of time wondering what the Universe is for (and why it is in such a mess). Fred's activities outside work centre on his family and his passion for music. Fred offers the following poem for Science in the Pub: Forbidden Lines The Universe, a largish
place, Back on Earth, it
took a while Then, in nineteen-twenty-eight,
Unfortunately, in
the street, Reference: I. S. Bowen, Astrophysical Journal, 67, 1-15, 1928. David Malin In these early times, before computers and sliced bread, the southern sky was almost unexplored. With access to two fine new telescopes, only a fool could fail to make exciting discoveries right from the start. In 1987 he found a funny faint galaxy which is now known as `Malin-1'. He has also given his name (more or less freely) to another class of galaxy he discovered, Malin-Carter ellipticals (galaxies with faint shells). It is also applied to a technique (`Malinisation'), which he does not understand, and to an asteroid, which he has not yet seen. He now spends his time making colour pictures of things which really only exist in black and white, and, as childhood slowly re-asserts itself, explaining them to people of all colours. He now needs a microscope to see almost anything. David offers us the following thoughts: A dotty universe The sky at night is
spread with spots Join the dots is the
game we play Stars don't smell,
they are beyond our reach; But if we find we
are short of facts Great legends abound,
mixing fishes and sex, David also offers us the following thoughts from Manilius (c 15 AD): Now learn what Signs
the several Limbs obey Manilius Astronomica Bk II, ll 453-465 trans Thomas Creech (London: Jacob Tonson 1697) 67.
`Science in the Pub'(TM) is an initiative of the Australian Science Communicators (NSW) and supported by the Australian Broadcasting Commission. It is staged from 7.00-9.00 pm on the last Wednesday of the month (Feb - Nov) at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel (also known as the Harlequin Bar), 152 Harris Street, Pyrmont, 2009. (Telephone (02) 9660 8146. UBD Map ref pg235 P10.) Dinner is available from the Thai restaurant attached to the pub. Parking is difficult-best at the Casino. SciPub has received two grants from the Science and Technology Awareness Program (an initiative of the Department of Industry, Science, Tourism), the most recent of which will be used for presenting Science in Your Pub during National Science Week 1999 in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne. For further information on `Science in the Pub' please contact Robyn Stutchbury on rstutch@ozemail.com.au of Peripatus Productions Pty Limited, 1 Carisbrook Street, Lane Cove 2066, Tel: 02 9427 6747, Fax: 02 9418 9605 Next Science in the
Pub session In Sydney the next session is during National Science Week: Wednesday 5 May: `Trekkies or Test Tubes: what turns kids on to Science?' with radio-astronomer Dr. Bryan Gaenslaer, Young Australian of the Year and Professor Mike King, School of Science Education, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga. |
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Science in the Pub, © 2000. Stutchbury, R, Burton, M. |