Featured Presentations

Decoding Our Colourful Universe: Rainbow fingerprints, spectroscopy, and data curation

Spectacular images of the Universe are everywhere, from fashion and music videos to advertisements selling everything from shoes to cars. They appear on our clothes, walls and screens as posters and wallpapers. Beyond their beauty these colourful images hold scientific meaning: they tell us how far away celestial objects are, what they're made of, and how they've evolved over time.

In this talk we'll explore how scientists use spectroscopy, the study of light's "rainbow fingerprints", to decode the cosmos. We'll also discover how this same technique is used here on Earth to detect fraud in food systems, and to test the claims made about your favourite astronomy-themed t-shirt.

Along the way, we'll take a behind-the-scenes look at how these spectral fingerprints are curated, preserved, and shared with astronomers around the world using powerful tools for comparing data and running analyses, all through Australia’s national astronomy data platform.

*Due to unforeseen circumstances, our previously scheduled speaker is no longer able to join us. Following the announcement of the winners of this years Astrophotography competition, Nuria Lorente will now be presenting Decoding our colourful Universe.

The Big Cosmic Q&A

Everything you’ve always wanted to know about space - but never had the chance to ask.

Have you ever wondered what happens inside a black hole, whether humans could live on other planets, or what astronomers actually do all day? This fun and engaging panel gives young space explorers the chance to ask real experts anything about the universe.

Meet the host and expert panellists joining this year's Cosmic Q&A for an evening of curiosity and cosmic conversation. Hosted by Mr Jack Nibbs and featuring Ms Claudia Fava, Associate Professor Devika Kamath, Professor Richard McDermid and Associate Professor Benjamin Pope.

Hear how they got into astronomy and space science, ask your biggest cosmic questions, and discover the many paths to a career among the stars.

Please note pre-booking for this session is essential.

Please note that children must at all times be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The engineering behind modern astronomy

Learn how our engineers make big science possible on the global stage.

Get some Insights into just some of the incredible cutting-edge technology being designed and built by Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) right here at Macquarie University.

Session Time:
7.30pm - 8.15pm

Location:
Theatre G25
17 Wally's Walk
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