Public Talk: Astrometry from Space

Friday August 29th, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

Planetario de Medellín

Entrada Libre

The subject of astrometry: 'measuring positions of stars in the sky' may seem rather dull, and in fact it is (was) so difficult that by far the most effort went into the technique, and still with only variable success. Only recent advances in opto-mechanics and thermal design, and very careful and thorough investigations into error sources have made it possible to make quantum leaps it the precision with which the apparent positions of stars today can be compared to those of some time ago. The presentation addresses both the key steps that had to be taken to make this a success, and also the entirely new avenues in astronomy that can now be pursued. Also the entirely overwhelming new steps forward enabled by the achievements of Gaia when successful will be presented.

Invited: Prof. Rudolf LePoole, Leiden Observatory, University of Leiden (The Netherlands)

As a student in Leiden Rudolf Le Poole participated in Lunar Research as a member of the 'Ranger Evaluation Team' (1965-'66) with Gerard P Kuiper (Tucson, Arizona), evaluating the Lunar surface bearing strength for the future astronaut visitors. Upon return to Leiden he finished university education and started participating in the commissioning of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope. Astronomical interest in stellar dynamics etc. soon indicated the need for better astrometry, which shaped much of his career's effort: both a high-precision photographic plate measuring engine (Astroscan), but much more fundamental the participation in ESA's Hipparcos Science Team (1977-1997) shaped his technical expertise, also in interfaces with industry. He helped commission the Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos (La Palma, Canaries) (1984-'87), helped upgrade the 3.60m Telescope at La Silla, and he became External Scientist for the first (sub)-mm camera SCUBA on the James Clark Maxwell Telescope (1987-'96). Since 1997 he was the Project Scientist for NEVEC, the NOVA-ESO VLTI Expertise Centre. He taught a variety of courses, many of which were linked to observing facilities, later also at the Technical University of Delft (after (formal) retirement from Leiden). Since then (2007) he also serves 1 day/ week as advisor for TNO, a Dutch government-linked technical expertise company in Space and ground-based Astronomy.

The talk will be given in English with (quasi-)simultaneous translation of Prof. Jorge I. Zuluaga.

Invited by: Universidad de Antioquia, Planetario de Medellín, Parque Explora

With the support of: Office for Astronomy Development, International Astronomical Union, Universidad de Antioquia

Astronomía

Universidad de Antioquia