Maynooth University celebrated Space Week 2024 with an exciting event that brought the wonders of the universe to life. The free public talk titled "From New Worlds to the Infinite Universe" featured spectacular images and insightful presentations on the latest advancements in space exploration.
A highlight of the evening was a talk by NASA astronaut Steven Swanson, who shared his experiences from over 195 days in space, including five spacewalks, and provided his perspective on the future of space missions.
Younger members of the audience had the unique opportunity to meet Swanson, and to hear from renowned Maynooth University experts in astrophysics, including Dr Colm Bracken, who explored the search for alien life and planets, and Prof Peter Coles, who presented early findings from the European Space Agency's Euclid mission. Hosted by the Department of Physics, the event also featured PhD scholar Aoibhinn Gallagher who discussed mysterious dark matter which dominates the gravity of our Universe and is something we know little about, and PhD scholar Matthew Birney on a range of topics from the discovery of exoplanets and the mechanics of planet formation.
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Clockwise from top left: Lucia Carberry, Age 7 from Straffan and Conor Corbett, Age 6 from Maynooth.
Back left to right: Maynooth University PhD scholars Matthew Birney & Aoibhinn Gallagher, Astronaut Steve Swanson, Maynooth University's Prof Peter Coles, Dr Colm Bracken & Dr John Regan and MTU's Danielle Wilcox & Rob O'Sullivan with Finian Regan and Theo Regan
Left to right: Theo Regan, Age 8 from Celbridge, Astronaut Steve Swanson, Finian Regan, Age 10 from Celbridge & Dr John Regan of MU's Theoretical Physics Department.