Events

Presented by Professor Elisabetta Barberio, University of Melbourne

Scientists sometimes need to go to extreme lengths to find answers about the cosmos. This is exemplified by the new Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL) located a kilometre underground in regional Victoria. The motivation for SUPL began with the surprising discovery in the 20th century that ordinary matter makes up less than 5% of the mass of the universe. The rest of the universe appears to be made of a mysterious, invisible substance named dark matter (25%), and a force that repels gravity known as dark energy (70%). So far, neither has been directly detected, though physicists know dark matter must exist because of its gravitational effects on galaxies and other astrophysical phenomena.

Finding dark matter requires a very sheltered environment deep underground – far from cosmic ray-induced particles – to observe deep space phenomena far below the surface of Earth: this is what SUPL provides. Creating this new underground lab as an extreme project, which now provides the home for the SABRE South experiment: a new detector designed to catch the rare dalliances of these elusive cosmic messengers with ordinary matter.

From the depths of a mine shielded from cosmic rays, we will get a glimpse of one of the deepest mysteries of the universe.

For those who wish to arrive early for networking, doors will open at 5:30pm with complimentary wine and nibbles available from 5:30-6:30pm.

About the July Lectures in Physics

Every Friday in July, since 1968, the July Lectures in Physics have been informing and entertaining the public. Each year, eminent University of Melbourne and visiting physicists present historical and up-to-the-minute perspectives on a current topic in physics.

2023 Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellow Public Lecture

In Australia, and around the world, bushfires and wildland fires are becoming more common and more destructive. People, property, infrastructure, and the environment are all impacted. The reasons for this fast-growing problem are rooted in complex phenomena combining climate and socio-economic changes.

In an exclusive event hosted by the Faculty of Science, internationally renowned fire researcher Professor Albert Simeoni will be speaking about “Resilience in the face of fire” in his only public event in Australia as a Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellow to the University of Melbourne.

Professor Simeoni will introduce the idea of Fire Protection Engineering with an emphasis on the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). His ideas about engineering solutions at the WUI come from 20 years’ experience developing experimental, analytical, and numerical techniques to better understand fire dynamics and to predict fire and wildland fire behavior and are now being explored through collaborations with international research institutions and government agencies.

Join us for networking drinks in the foyer before the lecture, from 5pm.

The Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellowship Program

The Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellowship Program enables overseas scholars of international distinction to make an extended visit to the University of Melbourne and contribute to the university’s academic, intellectual and cultural life. The fellowships are awarded annually and generously supported by The Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund.