Oxford-Berlin Seminar with Dr Joseph Caruana (Christ Church)

Friday, 11 November 2016, Centre for British Studies, Humboldt Universiät zu Berlin

The Oxford University Society Berlin was pleased to welcome distinguished astrophysicist and alumnus Dr Joseph Caruana (Christ Church), who introduced Oxford alumni to the fascinating world of astronomy with the talk:

Tracing our origins: The story of looking up at the night sky

Since ancient times, humans have looked up at the heavens and pondered the nature of the stars and wandering planets. Myths sprang up across various cultures, and temples were built to honour the gods represented in the sky. As humankind sought a better comprehension of the world – a quest that took hundreds of years and continues more vigorously than ever – a picture of our place in the cosmos emerged: one that is more beautiful and humbling than any myth. In this talk, Joseph Caruana will recount this story of discovery, and open a door upon the life and perspectives of the modern-day astronomer. Above all, the speaker hopes to share the excitement of seeking new worlds, distant galaxies, dark matter, mysterious dark energy, gravitational waves, and a deeper understanding of nature’s subtle – sometimes hidden – beauty.

The talk was followed by a reception.

OUS Berlin very much thanks Dr Joseph Caruana for his inspiring talk on astronomy. We  would also like to express its gratitute to the Centre for British Studies, which provided us with their facilities. Last but not least, we would like to thank alumni who helped us finance the reception by donating to OUS Berlin.