Understanding the universe with a computer
Clusters of galaxies are considered the largest structures in the universe spanning tens of millions of light years, and since the earliest studies astronomers have attempted to understand galactic formation and evolution.
In order to understand the complex formation of galaxies and how they change over time, Professor Brad Gibson, Chair of Theoretical Astrophysics at the University of Central Lancashire, UK, and the 2012 Kevin Westfold Distinguished Visitor at Monash University, will discuss billion-dollar technological developments designed to observe the properties and structures of galaxies in Melbourne this week.
Speaking at a free public lecture at the Monash Centre for Astrophysics (MoCA) on Thursday, Professor Gibson will outline how computers have revolutionised our ability to understand the wealth of data provided by these developments.
“A steady advancement of technology, including the eagerly-anticipated Gaia Mission, the International Square Kilometer Array, and the James Webb Space Telescope, allow us to peer deeper into the universe to sight galaxies and their structures, including the ancestors of systems like our own Milky Way,” Professor Gibson said.
“The properties of galaxies vary widely. I will explain the physics which underpins our understanding of their evolution and how that physics is employed within powerful supercomputers to solve astrophysical mysteries, in addition to far-reaching problems from automotive engineering, climate modelling and medical breakthroughs.”
As a galactic archaeologist, Professor Gibson’s work has been used to understand the formation, evolution, and ultimate fate in store for the nearby Milky Way Galaxy.
While at the University of British Columbia, Professor Gibson built the world's first Liquid Mirror Telescope Observatory and was responsible for designing the industry-standard software package GEtool, now used to track the distribution and evolution of dozens of chemical elements throughout the Universe.
The focus of his recent work has been to model the time evolution of the chemical and dynamical properties of the Milky Way.
Professor Brad Gibson will speak at 6.30pm Thursday 2 August in Lecture Theatre S3, Monash University Clayton campus. For further information see the MoCA website.