Monthly Meeting

Gravitational Waves, by Prof. Malcolm MacCallum. 

Gravitational waves: a new window on the universe. 
Einstein first predicted gravitational waves in 1916. Only
after 1957 did it become clear they were really predicted
by general relativity. In the 1970s binary pulsar observations
provided strong indirect evidence they existed in nature.
Direct detection has only subsequently become possible.
Direct detections were first announced in 2016 and
won the 2017 Nobel Prize. Signals seen have already
provided much exciting astrophysical
information. I shall describe the nature of the waves, the
detection methods and the recent results.

There will be a break for refreshments and an update on recent astronomy news.

Members £2, non members £3.