First Light: the dawn of stars and galaxies

All students and staff welcome.

Speaker

Prof Jim Dunlop.

Abstract

Due to the finite speed of light, astronomers have the unique privilege of being able to look back in time, now reaching back almost to the beginning of our Universe. Within this exploration of cosmic history, a key and long-standing goal of astrophysics and cosmology is to discover and study the first objects that formed out of the previously smooth debris from the Big Bang. Crucially, this quest includes the search for the first stars and galaxies which lit up the Universe and created the elements required for life.

I will set the scene for this quest and review recent progress at the research frontier, culminating in a presentation and discussion of the latest results from the first two years of observing with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Until now the observational search for so-called ‘cosmic dawn’ was limited by the available technology. Now, given the remarkable performance of JWST, this appears to no longer be the case - we may finally be on the verge of discovering 'First Light'.

Refreshments

Meet at 16.30 in the Nucleus Building foyer for tea and cakes prior to the talk.