“Peering at the Sky with
Nature’s Telescopes”

Professor Geraint Lewis FRSN FLSW
Sydney Institute  of Astronomy
School of Physics
University of Sydney

Date: Thursday, 16 October, 6.30–7.30 pm AEST
Venue: RSL Mittagong, Carrington Room
Entry: Members, $5; Non-members, $10 (please note: cashless payments only)
All are welcome

Summary: Gravitational lensing, once a theoretical prediction of Einstein’s general relativity, has become one of astronomy’s most powerful observational tools. From Eddington’s 1919 eclipse expedition that first confirmed light bending around the Sun, to the discovery of Einstein rings and arcs revealing distant galaxies, nature’s own telescopes have allowed us to peer deeper into the universe than ever before. This talk traces the history of gravitational lensing and explores how the next generation of observatories—such as the James Webb Space Telescope and Vera C. Rubin Observatory —will sharpen our view through these cosmic lenses. With unprecedented resolution and sensitivity, these instruments promise to unveil the structure of dark matter, illuminate the early universe, and perhaps even shed light on the nature of dark energy, offering a glimpse into the future of cosmic discovery.

Born and raised in Old South Wales and passionate about astrophysics, Geraint Lewis spends his time unravelling the dark side of the universe, the dark matter and energy that dominate the cosmos. As a Professor of Astrophysics at the Sydney Institute of Astronomy, his research focuses on cosmology, gravitational lensing and galactic cannibalism, as well as exploring why our universe appears to be just right for complexity and life, publishing more than four hundred research articles. He also undertakes a broad array of award-winning science outreach, bringing the wonders of the cosmos to broad audiences through public speaking and writing, including publishing several world-renowned books on the mysteries of the cosmos.

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