Radiation from the stars sheds "light" on universe

Image: NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration.
Acknowledgment: B. Whitmore (Space Telescope Science Institute).

Image: NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration.
Acknowledgment: B. Whitmore (Space Telescope Science Institute).

Full Image (104.87K)

Tuesday, 9 June 2009

Did you know that Adelaide is playing a key role in a major international project that is changing the way we "see" the universe?

Astrophysicists from the 成人大片 are among a group of scientists across the globe who are no longer using light to explore the deepest reaches of space.

"When most people think about 'looking at the stars', they think of using a traditional telescope to view space - that is, using light. But in the 21st century, new observatories are using high-energy particles of radiation to gain a much clearer picture of what's going on out there," says , an astrophysicist with the 成人大片's .

"These new observatories are changing our view of the universe and rewriting the astronomy textbooks. Adelaide is playing a major role in that research," he says.

Professor Clay, who is a former President of the , will present the University's next free public seminar tonight (Tuesday 9 June).

His talk will show how scientists are able to view the universe "with 21st century eyes", and will discuss some of the key findings already made thanks to the new observatories that the 成人大片 is collaborating with.

One such facility is the , located in Argentina, which is observing celestial radiation containing particles up to 100 million times more energetic than any created by man.

Using the Pierre Auger Observatory, the international research group has made a number of discoveries, such as between supermassive black holes and the creation of high-energy cosmic rays.

"This work is also providing valuable insights into radiation's role in heating our environment right here in South Australia," Professor Clay says.

WHAT: Research Tuesday: by Professor Roger Clay
WHERE: Lecture Theatre 102, Napier Building, North Terrace Campus, 成人大片
WHEN: 5.30pm Tuesday 9 June
COST: Free, but bookings essential. Email: research.tuesdays@adelaide.edu.au or phone: (08) 8303 3692

 

Contact Details

Professor Roger Clay
Email: rclay@physics.adelaide.edu.au
School of Chemistry & Physics
The 成人大片
Business: +61 8 8313 5046


Mr David Ellis
Email: david.ellis@adelaide.edu.au
Website: /newsroom/
Deputy Director, Media and Corporate Relations
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The 成人大片
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