Songs from the Cosmos: Sound and Vision Using Muons

Join us to honour Prof. John Brown's legacy with David Mahon and Lomond Campbell as they explore the journeys of muons with science and sound.

John was the Astronomer Royal for Scotland and a past winner of the Society's Gold Medal. He was a long-standing supporter of the Society and its work, served on its governing Council, and was a key supporter of the Society's RAS200: Sky & Earth programme. As Regius Professor of Astronomy at the University of Glasgow, his research focused on theoretical modelling of solar and stellar plasmas - the so-called fourth state of matter where very hot gas becomes ionised as atoms lose their outer electrons. Alongside his academic work, John was renowed for his engaging public talks, often incorporating magic tricks to illustrate concepts.

Songs from the Cosmos: Sound and Vision Using Muons - David Mahon & Lomond Campbell

Deep in the Cosmos, powerful explosions, or supernovae, create vast numbers of highly energetic subatomic particles. These ‘cosmic rays’ travel through the expanse of space at close to light speed until they collide with a celestial object… such as Earth. When this impact occurs, they interact with atoms in the upper atmosphere sparking a shower of other particles that cascade towards sea level. One of these is the hero of our story… the muon.

Join University of Glasgow nuclear physicist David Mahon and BAFTA-winning artist and musician Lomond Campbell, fresh from his sold out 5* Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, MŮO, as they take you on a captivating journey that celebrates the science and sounds of the muon. From their superhero-like ability to look deep inside and 3D image some of the most enigmatic structures on the planet to the sonic wizardry of Lomond’s musical instrument masterpiece, the muonophone, you’ll see and hear the power of the Universe through its humble messenger, the muon.

Schedule:

17:00-17:30 Tea/Coffee Reception

17:40-18:50 Lecture

18:50-20:00 Drinks Reception

Speaker Biographies:

David Mahon

David Mahon is a Senior Lecturer in Nuclear Physics at the University of Glasgow and one of the global experts in the field of muography, which uses cosmic ray muons as a passive inspection probe. As a co-founder of spinout Lynkeos Technology he has helped to pioneer the commercialisation of muography technology in the nuclear industry. He has won numerous accolades for his research including Institute of Physics business awards and the UKNNL Chief Scientist’s Medal.

Lomond Campbell

Lomond Campbell is a Scottish Highlands-based audiovisual artist known for creating unique sound machines, instruments, and installations, including the BAFTA-winning Cybraphon. He is an active music producer and performer, releasing music on One Little Independent Records and producing acclaimed albums for Kathryn Joseph. His recent work includes the 5-star multimedia performance MŮO staged at the Edinburgh Fringe in collaboration with the University of Glasgow.