EUROPE’S TOP SPACE SCIENTIST VISITS ARMAGH
Armagh Observatory, 2 March 2009: As part of the celebrations for the united nations International Year of Astronomy 2009, St. Patrick’s week and UK National Science Week, the Armagh Observatory and the Armagh Natural History and Philosophical Society are jointly hosting a public lecture in the City. Professor David Southwood will speak on “Space in a Modern Society," in the Rotunda Lecture Theatre, St. Patrick's Trian, Armagh on Saturday, 14th March at 3:00 p.m.
Professor Southwood, making a return visit to Armagh, holds the position of Director of Science and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters in Paris.
Professor Southwood said: “With the start of the space age, both the universe and the Earth changed or — at least — mankind's perception of both dramatically changed. 50 years on we can wonder at the vast increase in our knowledge of the Earth, solar system, and the stars and galaxies that access to space has provided. Space did indeed give us our first capacity to look at our own planet in a truly global manner. It even allowed to manage things on a global scale. Who would have predicted in 1957 that now we would use space to navigate our cars? Not many. However, at the same time, how many back then would have been sure that by now we would have had a base on the Moon? Quite a few, no doubt. What then is space about: exploration, exploitation, inspiration, education, knowledge? And, why does a developed society need to care?”
Professor Southwood started working at ESA in 1977 as Head of the Earth observation strategy where he introduced the Living Planet programme. In 1999 he was appointed Regents Professor at the University of California Los Angeles, subsequently moving to Imperial College London. He has chaired a number of committees on space science in Europe, including the ESA Space Science Advisory Committee and the ESA Science Programme Committee.
David Southwood has published over 200 scientific papers and other articles. He headed the team that built the magnetometer onboard the NASA/ESA Cassini-Saturn orbiter currently orbiting the gas giant planet, Saturn.
This is a free public lecture open to all. In order to get a ticket to reserve your place at the lecture, please contact Mrs Aileen McKee or Ms Alison Neve at the Armagh Observatory, College Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DG. Tel: 028-3752-2928, E-mail:
ambn@arm.ac.uk;
asn@arm.ac.uk.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John McFarland at the Armagh Observatory, Tel.: 028-3752-2928; FAX.: 028-3752-7174; e-mail:
jmf@arm.ac.uk.
