Science talk by former Astronomer Royal plus Star Trek screening

The Dark Side of the Universe: a science talk by the former Astronomer Royal Professor Malcolm Longair, followed by an exclusive screening of the film Star Trek (2009).

Science talk: Dark matter

Black holes, dark matter and dark energy are among the most important ingredients of our Universe, but don’t emit light and are therefore invisible. Former Astronomer Royal Malcolm Longair will describe why we’re confident that all three exist, and discuss their importance for fundamental physics. The talk will be profusely illustrated with recent results from a wide range of Earth-based and space telescopes, simulations and movies.

Professor Malcolm Longair CBE FRS FRSE was Astronomer Royal for Scotland from 1980-90, and is known to many for his televised Royal Institute Christmas Lectures “The Origins of Our Universe”. Malcolm has been director of the Royal Observatory Edinburgh and president of the Royal Astronomical Society. He grew up in Dundee and graduated from the University of St. Andrews, but his award winning research, which spans high energy astrophysics and cosmology, has taken him to the USSR, Caltech, Princeton and Harvard. He has published 8 books.

'Star Trek' screening: Red matter

'Star Trek' tells the incredible story of a young crew's first voyage on board the most advanced starship ever created: the USS Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all humanity.

The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock (Zachary Quinto), was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before!

Itinerary:
8pm: Talk begins
9pm: Exclusive screening of the film Star Trek (2009).