Monash Science Centre 2009 Lecture Series

Dr. Rosemary Mardling

Position: Senior Lecturer

Department: School of Mathematical Sciences

Areas of research: Astrophysics (in particular, Extrasolar Planets, and Dense Stellar Systems (examples of which are globular clusters and the central regions of the Milky Way which house a massive black hole). Applied Mathematics (in particular, Chaos Theory)

Title of presentation: Talks which I have previously given to secondary school students:

1. Science = Creativity
2. Extrasolar planets: discovering other worlds

Brief summary of presentations:

1. The aim of this talk is to dispell the myth that science is dry and that it is done by boring people. In fact the best science is done by people who have a lot in common with artists, writers and musicians.
2. Since 1995 astronomers have discovered more than 300 planets outside our Solar Systems. Most of these are very different to our own. This talk discusses how extrasolar planets are discovered and what they tell us about the formation of planetary systems.

Length: Both 1 hour.

Requirements: Projector

Target year level: Years 11 and 12 (and perhaps 10).

Minimum and maximum audience size: 1-1000

Availability: Unavailable June or November.