[Nottingham] [Talk] *TODAY* Wednesday 06/07/2011 GAIA – How to take a Galactic Census

[Martin]

Folks,

Promising to be good!

 *TODAY*  Wednesday 06/07/2011:


>> As promised, for this Wednesday we go into space in an astronomically BIG way:
>>
>> GAIA - How to take a Galactic Census
>> =============================
>>
>> http://nlug.ml1.co.uk/2011/06/gaia-how-to-take-a-galactic-census/270
>>
>> "Gaia is ESA’s most ambitious ... astrometric mission to date. ... 1
>> billion stars in our Galaxy ... continuously scanning the sky for 5
>> years with its two 1.45 x 0.5m main telescopes. ... high resolution
>> radial velocities ... [for] the largest and most precise 3-dimensional
>> chart of our galaxy [so far]. ... the all-sky nature of the mission
>> will see millions of quasars and a comprehensive survey of solar
>> system objects ...
>>
>> The accuracy requirements of the mission present significant
>> technological, calibration and software challenges.
>>
>> In this talk I will give a brief introduction to the mission, how
>> those challenges are being met and the scientific rewards we hope to
>> gain from this endeavour."
>>
>>
>>
>> Phew! :-) … To use the famous catch-phrase of a certain physicist: Amazing!
>>
>> Further details on:
>> http://nlug.ml1.co.uk/2011/06/gaia-how-to-take-a-galactic-census/270
>>
>>
>> Be Amazed! All at our usual venue:
>>
>> Fellows Morton and Clayton
>> 54 Canal Street
>> Nottingham, NG1 7EH
>> Telephone: 0115 9506795
>>
>> To find us,  go through to the back of the pub and we’re up the vastly
>> smaller spiral of the restaurant staircase black helix. Just ask one
>> of the friendly bar staff for NLUG if lost.
>>
>> Food is also served through into the evening.

Wednesday 06/07/2011:

    * 7:30pm: Meet
    * 8:00pm: Talk
    * 9:00pm: General discussions

Pan-galactics and All welcome!


Cheers,
Martin