Prof Brad Gibson: Polar Astronomy

Prof Brad Gibson, Director of the E.A. Milne Centre for Astrophysics; The University of Hull, returns to WADAS to introduce us to Polar Astronomy.

The harsh and equally stunning landscapes which define the polar regions of Earth are not immediately thought of as being ideal for conducting cutting-edge explorations of the cosmos.  Despite the challenges that such a remote location poses, astronomers have enjoyed spectacular successes in understanding the science of aurora and what they mean for life on Earth, uncovering the secrets of the highest energy particles streaming through outer space, searching for planets around distant stars, and indeed, shedding light on the origin of the entire Universe itself.  Come and enjoy an entirely new look at Astronomy from the Earth’s polar regions!

Image: An Iridium flare flashes above the South Pole Telescope. (These flares occur when the sun reflects off of the Iridium satellites used for remote communication in Antarctica.) by Keith Vanderlinde, National Science Foundation.