Members Only Event
Introduction to the Universe - a monthly astronomy talk.

An additional night for members, second Wednesday of each month.
For Hamilton Astronomical Society members only.

Tonight (September 14th):
Topic: Relativity; the Layman’s Guide. Part 1; Historical Background and Special Relativity.
Speaker: Hamilton Astronomical Society member Nick Odom.

Tonight, Nick begins with a brief description of physical knowledge in the 1890s and the problems that led to relativity, in particular with regard to measuring the speed of light. Nick will then describe the basic axioms that underpin the theory and the effects on time and distance, including the relevance of inertial frameworks, the Doppler effect and the twin paradox. Next, Nick will address the relationship between mass and energy and finish with an introduction to spacetime.

This will provide the basis for progressing to general relativity, which will be covered next month (October).

Both talks keep mathematics very simple and use diagrams to convey the message.

NOTES

• Masks are no longer required, however you may wear a mask if you would like to. We respect anyone’s right to wear a mask if they wish to.