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Shapes of Free Fall

This talk will explore how simple changes to the circumstances can make dramatic differences to the shapes of the orbits, all of which belong to a special family of shapes known as the conic sections.

Physics: Its Birth in Greek Ionia

This lecture discusses the pioneering physical theories of Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Anaxagoras and Democritus.

How the English Learned to Hate Catholics

Medieval England was proudly Catholic and ostentatiously loyal to Rome. But from the late sixteenth century until recent times – and even now – anti-Catholic prejudice has been a cornerstone of English and British identity.

The End of Matter?

This talk will separate science fiction from science fact and elucidate what we know about these mysterious objects, and how they have shaped, and continue to shape, our Universe.

The Origins of the Elements

In this talk, Dr Wilkins will discuss the astrophysical origins of the chemical elements, almost all of which have an origin ranging from the big bang, to exploding white dwarfs, the collapse of massive stars, and the merger of ultra-compact objects, neutron stars.

Weighing the Universe

This lecture will explain the physics of the cosmic microwave background and the challenges in understanding where our universe came from.

Frozen in Time?

This talk will review the dramatic consequences on what we observe in the night sky that arise purely from the consequences of light-travel time effects.

Faster than Light?

This talk will explain how the speed of light was first measured, and how an obscure but brilliant patent clerk in Bern, Switzerland by the name of Albert Einstein deduced that the speed of light is the upper speed limit for everything in the Universe.

Everyone Expects the Spanish Inquisition: The Making of Spain’s 'Black Legend'

This lecture will survey this ‘black legend’ and ask what made it so enduring – and why some parts of the story, such as the Inquisition’s genocidal campaign against Spanish Jews, received so much less attention than others.

Toothpaste, Custard and Chocolate: Mathematics Gets Messy

This talk looks at mathematical modelling of real, complex fluids in flow situations – some with serious commercial applications, and some just for fun.

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