6PM February 24, St David's Lecture Theatre, University of Otago

Speaker: Professor Chris Stringer (Natural History Museum, London)

Topic of talk: Human Evolution

About Chris: Professor Chris Stringer, Palaeontologist and Research Leader in Human Origins at the Natural History Museum, London, will present four public talks in New Zealand in February 2012. Sponsored by the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution with support from the Royal Society of New Zealand, Professor Stringer will address major questions in human evolution, including: How do we define modern humans? What do the genetic data and radiocarbon dating really tell us? Were our origins solely in Africa? Are modern humans a distinct species from ancient people such as the Neanderthals and Denisovans? How different are we from them? What contact did our ancestors have with them? When did humans first inhabit Britain?

Entry is free, but to reserve a seat register at www.royalsociety.org.nz/events

St David's Lecture thatre is building number G4.78 on the University of Otago campus map which can be viewed by clicking here.

8:00PM March 6th, Beverly Begg Observatory.

Speaker: Bob Evans, (Head of the Aurora and Solar section of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand)

Topic of talk: Of Sun spots and transits

Abstract: Bob has a particular interest in solar and aurora observation. With the Venus transit coming up and sun spot activity ramping up now is an apposite time to learn something of solar observation technique. Bob Evans heads the Aurora and Solar section of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand. Bob is travelling up from Invercargill to give this talk so a good turn out will be appreciated.

8:00PM May 1st, Beverly Begg Observatory.

Speaker: Craig Rodger, (Department of Physics, University of Otago)

Topic of talk: And then the Sun went bang

Abstract:The Sun is the main provider of energy for the Earth; without it we would surely die. However, the Sun is not just a huge light bulb sending heat and light to us - it is a gigantic fiery ball of burning gas on which the largest explosions in solar system take place. The highly dynamic Sun affects the Earth's upper atmosphere as well as the space around the Earth. Solar flares fire X-rays off into space which degrade our radio communications. Coronal Mass Ejections throw millions of tons of matter out in space - when directed towards Earth these spark geomagnetic storms which can damage satellites, increase the radiation dose to astronauts, and also push aurora towards Cape Town.

n this talk Craig will discuss some of the links between the Sun and the Earth, and how we can use radio waves to measure what is happening in the upper atmosphere and monitor the space around the Earth. Craig Rodger's talk follows after the first installment of the Introduction to Astronomy course.