EVENTS

Dr Simon Singh, science writer and broadcaster, will talk about his latest book - BIG BANG, a history of cosmology [Pictures: Nigel Spalding / Simon Singh]

Faculty of Science Annual Lecture - BIG BANG – the history of the Universe in 60 minutes - 17/03/2005 19:00

Simon Singh, author of Fermat’s Last Theorem and The Code Book will talk about his latest book, BIG BANG, a history of cosmology - TICKET ONLY, NOW SOLD OUT

Simon will explain what the Big Bang theory is, and recount how it emerged, and he will tell the story of the brilliant and eccentric scientists who fought against the establishment idea of an eternal and unchanging cosmos.

He will also look at the astronomical evidence in favour of a Big Bang moment of creation and discuss why today’s cosmologists remain confident that the Big Bang theory is an accurate description of the origin and evolution of the Universe. The lecture is likely to include Led Zeppelin, gherkins, the teletubbies and an Ealing horror film.

Dr Simon Singh is a science writer and broadcaster. He completed a PhD in particle physics before joining the BBC, and has presented Mind Games on BBC4, The Science of Secrecy on Channel 4, and Five Numbers on BBC Radio 4.

His first book, Fermat’s Last Theorem, became a No 1 bestseller, followed by a second bestseller, The Code Book, a history of codes and code-breaking.

The University of Leicester Faculty of Science Lecture takes place as part of Science Week (11-20 March), an annual event, co-ordinated by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, to celebrate science, engineering and technology and their importance in our lives.

Simon Singh’s lecture has particular significance this year, which has been designated as “Einstein Year 2005”, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the year Albert Einstein, then a young man of 26, published three papers that changed our view of the Universe: Brownian Motion, Photoelectric Effect (which won Einstein his Nobel Prize) and Special Relativity.

University of Leicester Dean of Science Professor Rob Hillman said:

“I am delighted that we are able to welcome such an eminent and captivating speaker to talk on a topic for which Leicester has a tradition of excellence and participation at an international level”.

Venue

Ken Edwards Lecture Theatre 1, on the University of Leicester main campus.

Admission is open to the public and is free of charge - TICKET ONLY, NOW SOLD OUT

Please contact Mrs Chris Goddard, Personal Assistant to the Dean of the Faculty of Science, by telephone 0116 252 3403 or science@le.ac.uk for further information.