Jim Al-Khalili is Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Surrey and also holds the Chair in the Public Engagement in Science.  He is well known as the presenter of several excellent TV science programmes. Jim began by explaining that he was born in Baghdad and his father had the foresight to leave Iraq and […]

Gilbert is Chairman of the Society for the History of Astronomy (SHA), erstwhile leader of an MSc course at Imperial College, and famed for his work at Greenwich with Airy’s Transit Circle. Gilbert began by explaining how he came to work as an astronomer.  He became interested in the subject at the age of 11, […]

This lecture was presented by Dr Carolin Crawford, an astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge and a Fellow of Emmanuel College Cambridge.  She is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s programme “Home Planet”. Her presentation focused on a number of amazing images of nebulae, how to read and understand them; and also to […]

This was a lecture delivered by Prof Richard Crowther who is currently in charge of International Relations at the UK Space Agency, having previously been at the Space and Technology Facilities Council.  He began by explaining the consequences of human space activities. These include: a greater appreciation and understanding of Earth and Space; many unique […]

As part of the Flamsteed Society Christmas Party evening at the Royal Observatory Greenwich on 6 December 2010, a presentation with the title “Astrobiology: the hunt for alien life” was given in the Peter Harrison Planetarium. Dr Dartnell is an Astrobiologist from University College London, looking for life beyond Earth.  Lewis is also a science […]

Unfortunately, there is no meeting report available for this lecture.

On 4th October, a very large audience of Flamsteed members was delighted to listen avidly to Prof. Ian Morison’s update on the SETI investigation (the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) and to receive his personal views on the probable outcome of this ongoing research. Thanks to the tube strike, Ian joined us after a five hour journey from Manchester, […]

‘How we reached the Moon’ — well-trodden ground (as it were), and Jerry has given this talk many times before.  But he makes it very fresh and most interesting, and the Flamsteed audience loved it. Jerry traces the story of manned spaceflight starting with a reminder that manned, powered, flight only began at all just […]

The Society returned to familiar territory for its annual picnic gathering held on September 3rd.  Around 20 people came along to the Astronomer’s Garden behind the Observatory for a very congenial chat over sandwiches, nibbles, and the odd glass of favourite tipple.  It was also a chance to meet the newest member, the new little […]

Unfortunately, there is no meeting report available for this lecture.