Astronomy on Tap Leiden: Chemistry of the Universe
October 29 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM CET
Our next event will take place on Tuesday, October 29th at Galerie Café Leidse Lente at 20:00 CET!
Join us for a night of astronomy with two intriguing talks by Will Rocha and Marie van de Sande about molecules in the universe and astrochemistry, because in the end… We are all made of stardust!
As always, there will be fun games with which you can test your knowledge and try to win cool science prizes!
———————————————————————-
• Will Rocha: “Where it All Begins: Understanding Our Astrochemical Origins”
The origin of life on Earth is one of the most debated scientific topics. One theory suggests that some essential molecules were delivered via the impact of small bodies, such as comets, on Earth. In this talk, we will explore a region that has similar conditions as our Sun in its birth, where the very first organic materials were formed. This is possible thanks to the incredible Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) partially developed by NOVA, the Nederlandse Onderzoekschool Voor Astronomie, onboard of the James Webb Space Telescope.
Dr. Will Rocha is a postdoc at Leiden University where he works with several JWST programmes. Dr. Rocha obtained his PhD at UNIVAP, Brazil. After that, he worked as a postdoc in Scotland, Denmark, and now in Leiden. Dr. Rocha uses computational modelling, laboratory experiments and astronomical observations to study the chemical complexity in stellar and planetary nurseries, a subject strictly linked with the origin of life on Earth.
• Marie van de Sande: “Recycling a star”
Most of the atoms in our bodies were forged in the cores of stars that died millions of years ago. As stars die, they expel their life’s work into space. They do this by either dramatically exploding as a supernova or via a gentle stellar outflow (the fate of our Sun). Besides atoms, the death throes of stars also produce dust particles. These flecks of soot and tiny sand grains are the building blocks of a new generation of stars and planets. This talk will focus on the chemistry around dying Suns and how the dust grains around them are recycled into planets like our Earth.
Dr. Marie Van de Sande is an Oort Fellow in astrochemistry at Leiden University. She obtained her PhD in 2018 at KU Leuven, Belgium, where she stayed on as a fellow of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). After two years in Leeds, UK, as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, she moved to Leiden. Marie’s research focuses on the chemistry within the outflows of dying solar-like stars, which she studies using both theoretical chemical models and observations.
———————————————————————-
Logistical information: We start at 20:00 sharp, so please arrive earlier to enter the bar, save a seat, and grab a drink. We will be uploading a recording of the talks on our YouTube channel after the event.
Join us for an evening of astronomy and fun games where you can win cool science prizes! All ages and backgrounds are welcome!
For more information check out http://astronomyontap.nl/