Physics for Fiction - the photos
Jul. 1st, 2009 11:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
major_clangerMonday evening and Tuesday saw the first Physics for Fiction event at Imperial College's Astrophysics Group, organised by Dave Clements with the support of the Science Fiction Foundation. The idea behind P4F was to bring together science fiction writers and astronomers so that the writers could be exposed to some of the latest research in areas that might be of relevance or interest to them and to give scientists a chance to talk with people who could communicate aspects of their work through writing fiction that reflected it. I was lucky enough to attend in my capacity as Dave C's gopher and event photographer; behind the cut are some of my pictures.
After an opening session on science and sf followed by a pub trip and meal, we reconvened on Tuesday morning at IC. Ken MacLeod, Stephen Baxter and Geoff Ryman stock up on caffeine in preparation for going back to school.
The first session was an introduction to cosmology, led by Professor Andrew Jaffe.
Prof Jaffe explains the Cosmic Background Radiation, and what the ripples in it tell us about the development of the universe.
All fascinating stuff for our delegates - Stephen and Ken pay careful attention:
whilst Jaine Fenn jots down ideas:
Dr Roberto Trotta then took us through the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.
Al Reynolds - a former astronomer himself - ponders dark matter, along with Paul McAuley. Pat Cadigan and Kari Sperring are just visible behind.
Ken raises a question:
Fortunately, Roberto had brought comprehensive visual aids.
After lunch, and Dr Mark Thompson's explanation of how astronomers look for extrasolar planets, Dr Catriona Jackman took us a bit closer to home with a discussion of hot topics in solar system and space physics.
Before the final talk, in which Dave Clements explained what life as an astronomer was really like, we assembled for a group photo. From left to right: Stephen Baxter, Dave Clements (organiser and speaker), Pat Cadigan, Ken MacLeod, Jaine Fenn, Kari Sperring, Molly Brown, Geoff Ryman, Pippa Goldschmidt, Paul McAuley, Liz Williams, Hannu Rajaniemi, Al Reynolds, Mark Thompson (speaker).
Finally, in true academic fashion, we headed across to Beit Quad and the Union Bar for a detailed post-seminar discussion over beer.
It was very clear that everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the event, and it's something we'll definitely be looking to run again soon. The set of pictures above is available here; let me know if you would like a higher-resolution version of any of them.
After an opening session on science and sf followed by a pub trip and meal, we reconvened on Tuesday morning at IC. Ken MacLeod, Stephen Baxter and Geoff Ryman stock up on caffeine in preparation for going back to school.
The first session was an introduction to cosmology, led by Professor Andrew Jaffe.
Prof Jaffe explains the Cosmic Background Radiation, and what the ripples in it tell us about the development of the universe.
All fascinating stuff for our delegates - Stephen and Ken pay careful attention:
whilst Jaine Fenn jots down ideas:
Dr Roberto Trotta then took us through the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.
Al Reynolds - a former astronomer himself - ponders dark matter, along with Paul McAuley. Pat Cadigan and Kari Sperring are just visible behind.
Ken raises a question:
Fortunately, Roberto had brought comprehensive visual aids.
After lunch, and Dr Mark Thompson's explanation of how astronomers look for extrasolar planets, Dr Catriona Jackman took us a bit closer to home with a discussion of hot topics in solar system and space physics.
Before the final talk, in which Dave Clements explained what life as an astronomer was really like, we assembled for a group photo. From left to right: Stephen Baxter, Dave Clements (organiser and speaker), Pat Cadigan, Ken MacLeod, Jaine Fenn, Kari Sperring, Molly Brown, Geoff Ryman, Pippa Goldschmidt, Paul McAuley, Liz Williams, Hannu Rajaniemi, Al Reynolds, Mark Thompson (speaker).
Finally, in true academic fashion, we headed across to Beit Quad and the Union Bar for a detailed post-seminar discussion over beer.
It was very clear that everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the event, and it's something we'll definitely be looking to run again soon. The set of pictures above is available here; let me know if you would like a higher-resolution version of any of them.
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