Science behind the mysteries of the universe

Professor Anthony Thomas, Australian Laureate Fellow and Elder Professor of Physics.
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Tuesday, 8 December 2009

Internationally renowned physicist Professor Anthony Thomas will give the public an insight into the science behind some of the universe's deepest mysteries this Thursday night (6.30pm 10 December) at the University of Adelaide.

In his first public lecture since returning to Adelaide from the United States, Professor Thomas will take the public on a "walkthrough" of recent developments in subatomic physics, how they relate to nature and what they mean for our universe.

His talk is part of the Keys to the Universe public lecture series being run by the School of Chemistry & Physics at the University of Adelaide.

Professor Thomas says physics is helping to gain an understanding of "the most fundamental aspects of our Universe", but a number of challenges remain.

"Are there completely new groups of particles beyond those currently known? What is the nature of astrophysical 'dark matter'? What are the fundamental particles of nature and how do they compose the world in which we live?

"I will describe some of the outstanding progress made in answering these questions," he says.

Professor Thomas has returned to the University of Adelaide after winning a highly prestigious Australian Laureate Fellowship from the Australian Research Council (ARC) earlier this year.

He is leading a new Research Centre for Complex Systems and the Structure of Matter, which aims to become a major centre for global research into nuclear and particle physics.

Professor Thomas was previously Chief Scientist and Associate Director for Theoretical and Computational Physics at Jefferson Lab, the US Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.

WHAT: Keys to the Universe public lecture series:
"Modern Subatomic Physics: From the Big Bang to the Dark Side of the Universe"
by Professor Anthony Thomas
WHERE: Union Hall, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide
WHEN: 6.30pm Thursday 10 December
COST: Free

www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au

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