an astro-chat with

Professor Don Kurtz

Visiting Professor, University of Lincoln, UK

Thursday, 24 October 2024

7:00-8:00 pm

Live online

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Comets have fascinated and terrified humans since history began. Some people have thought they are portents of doom – fiery messengers from the gods. Others thought that comets could signal the winning or losing of wars, the lives and deaths of kings, and even signal the “end of the world”. With modern science we know comets do not do any of those things. They are not “messengers”, and they are not “fiery”. They are wonderfully memorable astronomical objects that on rare occasions become bright enough that we can see their graceful, long tails arched across the night sky. There is a supply of billions of potential comets in the outer reaches of the solar system. In this talk we ‘ll look at how some of those fall towards the Sun and brighten into the spectacle we call a comet.

This is our 19th Astro-Chat with our distinguished guest Professor Don Kurtz. The session will include an illustrated introduction followed by questions and answers. Members of the public will be able to ask questions in the live-chat. The event is hosted by Professor Andrei Zvelindovsky at the University of Lincoln, UK.