'Oumuamua: Our first interstellar visitor - Chris Lintott

Gresham College
Gresham College
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Published 2024-02-05
Check out Chris Lintott discussing this lecture and your unanswered questions on our brand new podcast "Any Further Questions?' available on Apple and Spotify

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In 2017, the Solar System was visited by an object named 'Oumuamua, which came from another star. The unusual properties of this first interstellar visitor led some to suggest it may be an alien spacecraft - but the truth is that its oddness is already teaching us lessons about how solar systems form.

This lecture also considers the prospects of discovering more unusual objects in the Solar System, and what we might do about asteroids that threaten the Earth.

This lecture was recorded by Professor Chris Lintott on 24th January 2024 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London

Chris is Gresham Professor of Astronomy.

He is also a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford, and a Research Fellow at New College.

www.gresham.ac.uk/speakers/professor-chris-lintott

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/oumuamua

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All Comments (21)
  • @GreshamCollege
    Chris appeared on the latest episode of our podcast 'Any Further Questions?' to answer all the questions we didn't have time to get to. Listen on Spotify and Apple now!
  • @pauljonze
    Sir Patrick would be so proud of this, Chris, such an engaging and informative lecture that is perfectly paced. I'm old enough to remember your early appearances on The Sky at Night and it's wonderful to see the programme is safe in your hands
  • @smacksman1
    I'm so pleased I've lived long enough to experience the internet and, quite by random, come across a gem of a lecture like this. Thank you.
  • @JMDinOKC
    This is the first interstellar visitor THAT WE'VE EVER OBSERVED. Five billion years is a long time.
  • @OldNickHindle
    Chris is such an engaging and entertaining speaker - a very enjoyable lecture.
  • @bazsnell3178
    Chris Lintott took over 'The Sky at Night' TV program when Patrick Moore was too infirm to continue. He did a superlative job. He was just 'Dr' Lintott then, and he's progressed to very prestigious positions now as a full Professor.
  • @adrianaspalinky1986
    Just to say this is my second watching of this lecture, I planned to just click the vid, click "like" and then do other things, but I just find so engaging.😊
  • @EricTViking
    A great talk Chris - thanks! In recent years I have been really put off science by the self impressed showboating of many of the presenters. Your talk was interesting, fun, humble and dignified. Patrick would have been very proud to see it - you have restored some of the faith 👍