Are We Alone? The Search for Life Beyond the Earth

A discussion of the prospects of finding life, simple or intelligent, beyond our own planet. There is the possibility of finding evidence of life, past or present, on Mars or even below the icy crust of Jupiter's moon Europa. By observing the infra-red spectra of the atmospheres of planets in nearby solar systems we might even find evidence of simple life forms. Beyond our local galactic environment our only chance is to intercept a signal from another intelligent race - SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - a search in which the lecturer played a role in what has been the most sensitive search ever undertaken, Project Phoenix. Finally, Professor Ian Morison will give his own thoughts about how likely our quest will be achieved. (from gresham.ac.uk)

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Finding Life Beyond Earth: Are We Alone?
Astrobiology and Space Exploration

The Invisible Universe by Professor Ian Morison

We believe that 96% of the mass and energy content of our Universe is invisible. Some is in the form of Dark Matter whose presence we can only detect by its gravitational influence. The majority, called Dark Energy, appears to be ripping our Universe apart.

About the Lecturer
Ian Morison is Emeritus Gresham Professor of Astronomy and Fellow of Gresham College.

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Dark Matter and Dark Energy

Black Holes: No need to be afraid! - by Professor Ian Morison

Black Holes seem to have a bad press that is largely undeserved. The lecture will explain what Black Holes are, how we can discover them even though they cannot be seen and how Stephen Hawking has shown that they are not totally black!

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Black Holes

To Infinity and Beyond

An overview of the development of cosmology over the last 100 years from the Big Bang models of the Universe to the astounding revelation of recent years in that we have no real understanding of 96% of its content! Or even that our Universe could just be one small part of a Multiverse that extends beyond our imagination!

About the Lecturer
Ian Morison is Emeritus Gresham Professor of Astronomy and Fellow of Gresham College.

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400 Years of Telescope

Hubble’s Heritage by Ian Morison

The lecture will consider the legacy of both Edwin Hubble and the Space Telescope that bears his name - from Hubble's discovery of the expanding universe to the observations made by the Hubble Space Telescope that have, over the last two decades, given us new insights into our Universe.

About the Lecturer
Ian Morison is Emeritus Gresham Professor of Astronomy and Fellow of Gresham College.

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Edwin Hubble and the Expanding Universe
400 Years of the Telescope

400 Years of the Telescope by Ian Morison

A lecture to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first use of a telescope to observe the heavens by Galileo Galilei in 1609. The lecture charts the development of optical telescopes since then, the subtle ideas that are greatly improving their performance and how they are bringing ever-further parts of the universe within our reach.

About the Lecturer
Ian Morison is Emeritus Gresham Professor of Astronomy and Fellow of Gresham College.

Related Links:
Hunting the Edge of Space
Galileo's Battle for the Heavens