SS1.23 – First Results from Webb presented by Prod. van Dishoeck: A New Exploration of the Cosmos: Thursday, July 14, 15:45 – 17:00 CEST, Hybrid, KOG (Lorentz stage)
SS1.30 – Fly Me to the Moons!: Thursday, July 14, 17:15 – 19:00 CEST, Hybrid, KOG (Lorentz stage)
Is there life on Pluto? Can we dance on the moon? These are lyrics from a famous Dutch song, but these questions are still intriguing because there is still so much we don’t know about the universe. Will the next phase of human space exploration include stations on the Moon? Prof. Ewine van Dishoeck, an astronomy professor at Leiden University and co-organiser of the Space for Science sessions, thinks so! At ESOF2022, there’s plenty of Space for Science, one of seven tracks of the scientific programme.
In Prof. van Dishoeck’s short video introducing the Fly Me to the Moons! session on July 14, she invites you to imagine what the next phase of human exploration could look like, including the establishment of sustainable outposts on the Moon and other planets like Mars. What challenges must we overcome to establish a lasting human habitation in space, especially on the Moon? What technologies are still needed that will keep our lunar outposts running?
First Results of the James Webb Telescope
On the same day, the session First Results from Webb: A New Exploration of the Cosmos will also be presented. The first scientific results will become public the week of ESOF2022. This session will tell the story of building and engineering Webb and how it will help astronomers unravel the secrets of both the near and distant universe. Come and see the first hot-off-the-press images, explained by experts intimately involved with Webb! There will also be a replica model of the telescope at the exhibition in the Pieterskerk.
Space for Science Track
Or if the future of human space exploration isn’t for you, what about understanding the fabric of the universe? 95% of the universe consists of ingredients we are only beginning to understand such as dark matter and dark energy. Prof. Dr Ben L. Feringa, the keynote speaker for the Space for Science track, will set the stage for numerous following sessions that will examine the future of science and space exploration including sessions on the James Webb telescope and understanding the nature of dark matter and dark energy through a combination of theoretical physics, cosmological observation, and particle physics experimentation.
These are but a few sessions in the Space for Science track of ESOF2022, so there’s much more to discover and plenty of reasons to register for ESOF2022, so be sure to check out the full ESOF2022 Programme to learn more about this session and the other fascinating Space for Science sessions by using the track filter.
Other Interesting Sessions in the Space for Science Track (search by session number):
PL1.3 – Keynote: Space for Science with Ben Feringa: Thursday, July 14, 14:15 – 15:15 CEST, Hybrid, Stadsgehoorzaal (Main Stage)
SS2.16 – The Dark Side of Our Mysterious Universe: Friday, July 15, 14:00 – 15:15 CEST, Hybrid, KOG (Lorentz stage)
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 884011