Free Lunchtime Public Lecture

The formation and evolution of galaxies: a 14 billion year story

Dr James Geach

"I will discuss the history and state-of-the-art of our understanding of how galaxies like the Milky Way formed and have evolved over cosmic time. How did we learn that the solar system is part of a distinct galaxy of stars, dust and gas? What is the role of dark matter in shaping galaxies? What gives rise to the ‘zoo’ of galaxy types we observe? When and how did the first galaxies form? What remains to be discovered? I will address all these questions, concluding with a description of some of the most exciting prospects for galaxy studies in the coming decade."

Dr James Geach is a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Reader in Astrophysics at the University of Hertfordshire. Geach gained a degree in Physics from Imperial College and a PhD in Astronomy at Durham University. He held post-doctoral research positions at Durham University and McGill University before moving the the University of Hertfordshire in 2013. He is the author of two popular science books, “Galaxy: Mapping The Cosmos” and “Five Photons: Remarkable Journeys of Light Across Space and Time”.

Image credit: NASA/ESA

Doors open at 12.30 pm. Please be aware that there is no admittance once the lecture begins at 1 pm, as tickets will be reallocated to those queuing for no-shows. Thank you.