We meet on the 3rd Wednesday each month from 8pm to 10:30pm at the Society's clubrooms in Burwood to discuss a Cosmology topic of the month, which includes a question and answer session around the table. (Topic is listed on Website week before meeting)
Members of all levels are welcome to attend and are incouraged to ask questions (if they wish).
Coming Meetings:
Wednesday 15th September 2010 "Can Exo-Planets Support Life?"
Wednesday 20th October 2010 Wednesday 17th November 2010 Wednesday 15th December 2010 Wednesday 19th January 2011
Wednesday 16th February 2011 Wednesday 16th March 2011 Wednesday 20th April 2011 Wednesday 18th May 2011 Wednesday 15th June 2011 Wednesday 20th July 2011
Topics for discussion generally are chosen from the following:
The Origin & Evolution of the Universe
(The Big Bang, The Early Universe, The Expansion of the Universe &
The Density of Matter in the Universe)
Formation & Structure of -
Stars, Solar Systems – Our Solar System, Kuiper Belt Objects & Oort Cloud,
Galaxies, Black Holes & Neutron Stars, Quasars & Super-Novae
Is there life elsewhere in Universe ?
Extra-solar Planets, The Drake Equation, Possible Life in our Solar System,
The Formation & Evolution of Life on Earth & Mass Extinctions (Cosmic Impacts)
Discussions are normally based on published articles from Scientific & Astronomical publications, but are descriptive in approach – No Formulas
For more info contact: Ross Berner
Phone: 9886 6679 (a.h.)
email:
Members can recieve info on topic by email by sending me their email address (to the above address).
Recommended Reading:
The Five Ages of the Universe (Inside the Physics of Eternity) by Fred Adams & Greg Laughlin. Free Press 1999.
Discusses the Evolution of the Universe from the Big Bang to its Conclusion. Book is a good read even for someone with a modest knowledge of Cosmology.
Just Six Numbers (The Deep Forces that Shape the Universe) by (Sir) Martin Rees. Science Masters 2001.
Sir Martin is Astronomer Royal and Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge. In this book he discuss the forces that shape our Universe and enable life.
The Last Three Minutes by Paul Davies. Science Masters 1994.
Paul lives in Australia and is the author of many books. In this book he discusses the fate of the Universe from beginning to end. 11 years is a long time in Cosmology (research), and the book discusses some concepts which today are not considered likely – such as The Big Crunch, but it is still good for background.
About Time (Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution) by Paul Davies. Viking 1995.
Covers aspects of Time in Relativity, Quantum Mechanics & Cosmology. Discusses the “Arrow of Time”, Black Holes and even how humans perceive time.
The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. Vintage 1999.
Considered the “bible” on String Theory, the theory which is considered the best candidate to “unite” Modern Physics. It is a difficult book for all but the experienced to read. The early chapters cover Relativity & Quantum Mechanics. It has also been released on Video, which is worth a look as it animates the illustrations in the book.
The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene Penguin Popular Science 2004
Latest book by Greene covers similar content to first book but has particular emphasis on the spacetime and cosmology. Includes discussion on how our perception of time & space has changed as physical theory has changed
The Magic Furnace The Search for the Origins of Atoms by Marcus Chown Random House 1999
Follows the journey of discovery finding out what atoms are and what they are made of and how they are made in Stars. Book is very easy to read even if reader has little scientific knowledge.
A Brief History of Time (From the Big Bang to Black Holes) by Stephen W. Hawking 1988 + revised edition 1998
A classic on Time, The Universe and Black Holes, from the leading authority on Black Holes.
Recommended Websites:
Covers string theory and how it relates to cosmology:
