Unsolved Mysteries of the Universe - Professor Ian Morison

TL;DR

Learn about upcoming astronomical instruments and ongoing research to uncover mysteries such as dark matter, dark energy, planetary formation, and the existence of other life in the universe.

Transcript

well it's about five - and is my won't I'm just going to say a few things before the lecture starts at one o'clock really to encourage you to look up into the heavens because the three things that I think might be worth looking out for in just the next few weeks between now and about Jan the fourth so the first one many of you will know about is th... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥮 Lunar eclipses provide opportunities to observe the moon turning various shades due to Earth's atmosphere.
• 💆 The Higgs boson is an important particle in understanding mass and the fundamental nature of matter.
• 🕶️ Dark matter is necessary to explain the gravitational effects within galaxy clusters.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can the presence of dust in the atmosphere affect the color of a lunar eclipse?

When there is a significant amount of dust in the atmosphere, it scatters light, making the eclipse appear darker and more greyish in color rather than the expected reddish hue. This was particularly evident during the eclipse following the Mount St. Helens eruption.

Q: Why is the detection of the Higgs boson important in understanding the concept of mass?

The Higgs boson is associated with the Higgs field, which is believed to give particles mass. By detecting the Higgs boson, scientists can confirm the existence of this field and gain a better understanding of the fundamental nature of matter.

Q: What is the evidence for the existence of dark matter?

Observations of galaxy clusters, such as the Coma Cluster, indicate that there must be more matter in these clusters than what is visible. This unseen matter, known as dark matter, helps explain the gravitational interactions within these clusters and the overall structure of the universe.

Q: What role does the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) play in understanding the universe?

The SKA is a future radio telescope array that will allow scientists to study the universe in unprecedented detail. It will help in detecting weak signals from the early universe, studying dark matter, and potentially detecting signals from extraterrestrial life.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lunar Eclipse: A lunar eclipse will occur on December 21st, which will only be partially visible in the UK. People will have the chance to observe the moon turning a deep reddish color during totality.

• Uranus Observation: Between January 1st and 3rd, Jupiter and Uranus will be in close proximity, making it an ideal time to locate and observe Uranus through binoculars. Even if it appears as a star-like object, it will still be a rare sighting.

• Quadrant Meteor Shower: On January 4th, a meteor shower called the Quadrantids will take place, which can be seen in the northeastern part of the sky around midnight. The absence of moonlight will provide optimal conditions for viewing.