Dr Anna Scaife
The University Of Southampton
The largest gravitationally bound objects in the Universe, Clusters of Galaxies are the Behemoths of astrophysics. Individually, Galaxy Clusters can contain up to thousands of galaxies and as a population they trace the large-scale structure, or Cosmic Web, that permeates our Universe. However, the individual galaxies within Galaxy Clusters make up only a tiny fraction of the overall material - more than 95 per cent of a Galaxy Cluster is dark matter and hot gas. This gas exists under conditions that are completely different from those we can create on Earth and so astronomers are able to use Galaxy Clusters as giant plasma laboratories, probing exotic environments. To do this we combine a wide range of techniques, from using X-ray telescopes at high frequencies to measure the gas temperatures in "relaxed" Galaxy Clusters, to using radio telescopes at long wavelengths to watch the violent processes that occur when these giant structures collide.
This talk will guide you through the anatomy of a Galaxy Cluster and illustrate how these objects relate to the wider structure of the Universe and the smaller structure of our own Galaxy. It will show you how astronomers measure the physical characteristics of these huge systems and how they are able to examine the detritus left in the wake of their interactions.
Time: 7.30pm to 9.00pm
Tickets – Adult £8.00, Concession £6.00. Please call 01477 571 766 to book tickets.
Pre-event dining
Our award winning cafe will be serving delicious pre-lecture dinners.
Why not indulge in an evening treat? Sittings are at 6.00pm, 6.15pm 6.30pm & 6.45pm.
Space is limited to 50 people.
Menu – book either one course or two
Shin of beef, horseradish mashed potato, roast winter vegetables. £15.50
Confit salmon, pickled ginger, haricot beans £14.50
Wild mushroom & tarragon Wellington, pickled walnut dressing & blue cheese. £10.50
Plum pudding parfait, salted butter caramel crumble, rum crème anglaise £6.95
Chocolate orange panna cotta, praline ice cream, £6.95
Pecan tart, confit Clementine's, vanilla bean ice cream, £6.95
Please email planetpavilioncafe@gmail.com to make a booking, and confirm your preferred sitting and choice of dishes above. Please note that space is limited to 50 people.
The cafe will be open for light refreshments to non diners.
