Discover the intriguing ice worlds of the outer Solar System

18 Feb 2019 11:15 AM

An expert in planetary science is coming to Swindon later this month to give a free public lecture to schoolchildren and the public on the ice worlds that exist in the outer part of the Solar System.

Professor Geraint Jones, Head of the Planetary Science Group at UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory, has dedicated his career to studying the skies – from the behaviour of comets to the effects of solar winds.

He is now coming to Swindon to give a talk, the latest in a series of science events organised by STFC. This follows on from the talk by world-leading expert in natural history Professor Phil Manning in December last year.

Professor Jones said:

“Since the beginning of humankind, we’ve been looking to the skies to try to find out more about space, the stars and the planets. But it is only with the invention of the telescope, and more recently through sending spacecraft to planets and moons that we have been able to really get to grips with what is out there.

“Telescopes have become increasingly powerful and now astronomers can study up to 13 billion lightyears away, but despite this we still don’t know everything about the planets relatively close to home.

“In the outer Solar System, far from the warmth of the Sun, the surfaces of moons and dwarf planets are laden with ice. Although these worlds are incredibly cold, they harbour many exciting landscapes, from erupting volcanoes to underground oceans.

“I can’t wait to come to Swindon and talk to schoolchildren and the public about these intriguing ice worlds and how studying them can actually tell us more about life here on Earth.”

The lecture for the public is being held at New College in Swindon on February 28th at 7pm. To find out more about the public event, or to register, click here.

Professor Jones will also be giving a lecture for schoolchildren at an earlier time of 4pm. For further information about the schools event, including the support we offer schools to cover travel costs, contact our public engagement team.