“Tomorrow’s Universe – The Discoveries that will Change Science”

Professor Fred Watson AM
Honorary Professor
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Macquarie University

Date: Thursday, 18 September, 6.30–7.30 pm AEST
Venue: RSL Mittagong, Carrington Room
Entry: Members, $5; Non-members, $10 (cashless payments only)
All are welcome

Summary:  Astronomy today is going through a golden age with amazing new facilities exploring the Universe. The James Webb Space Telescope is rewriting the textbook on baby galaxies, while gravitational wave observatories are detecting vibrations in space caused by colliding black holes. But there’s much more to come, with gigantic new telescopes in the pipeline that truly boggle the imagination. What are these awe-inspiring instruments, and what will they reveal about the Universe’s deepest mysteries? And will Australian astronomers play a part? Join Fred Watson for this entertaining and fully illustrated look into the future of astronomy.

Fred Watson is an honorary professor in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at Macquarie University. From 2018 to 2024, he was the Australian Government’s first Astronomer-at-Large in the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Educated in Scotland at the universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Fred worked at both of Britain’s Royal Observatories before joining the Australian Astronomical Observatory as Astronomer-in-Charge in 1995. He led several projects in advanced astronomical instrumentation and large-scale spectroscopic surveys. Today, he is best known for his award-winning radio and TV broadcasts, books, music, dark-sky advocacy and the Space Nuts podcast. Fred has an asteroid named after him (5691 Fredwatson), but says that if it hits the Earth, it won’t be his fault.

Share link:

Share link: