Cafe Scientifique: Its dark materials

Modern astrophysics gives us a deep understanding of the lives and inner workings of individual stars. However, the dynamics of galaxies, collections of millions or billions of stars, present deep and longstanding mysteries. The behaviour of galaxies does make sense if we assume they are held together by “gravitational exoskeletons” of dark matter, but this assumption raises new questions about the origin and physical properties of the dark matter.

Professor Richard Easther will give a talk about how astronomy got itself into this bind and how we might get out of it.

Professor Richard Easther

Richard is a professor at the University of Auckland, whose research focusses on understanding the origin and evolution of the Universe, problems lying at the intersection of astronomy, particle physics and gravitational physics.

This talk begins promptly at 6:30pm in the downstairs venue room. Wheelchair access available directly from the carpark.