Invitation: The Van Allen Radiation Belts

with Samual Walton

Tuesday - 5th Jan 2022 7:30pm - 9:30pm (GMT)

The Van Allen were one of the first major discoveries of the space age, by Prof. James Van Allen in 1958. Despite over 60 years of
research, understanding the complex and dynamic nature of Earth’s radiation belts is one of the biggest and most important
challenges in Space Physics. The Van Allen belts are packed with highly energetic charged particles (plasma), which could cause
fatal damage to the thousands of satellites in medium-high Earth orbit today. During this talk I will introduce the concept of space
radiation and space weather and how these relate to the Van Allen belts. I will also discuss how and why it is important to protect
current and future technology from their damaging effects. Finally, what research is currently being done in aid of this?

Free link for members or link below to book none members.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-van-allen-radiation-belts-with-samual-walton-tickets-228524080677

Crazy interstellar rockets

What sort of rockets or spaceships could we use to go to the distant stars?
We will explore some of the crazier designs that have been proposed over the years, most of which have some possibility of working. The future may be nearer than we think!

TBA