The Great Debate: Astronomical Controversy

Cunard Insights Programme Lecture

Astronomical discoveries have not always been clear-cut. As fuzzy images of celestial bodies first appeared in telescopes throughout history, it was often unclear what they were and competing theories developed to explain the Universe around us, sometimes leading to bitter disputes! We shall explore some of the astronomical controversies that have arisen, visit some of the more exotic interpretations and discover how, finally, many of them were resolved.

Further Reading

• The Cosmic Century – M. Longair, 2006, Cambridge University Press

• Theoretical Concepts in Physics – 2nd Ed, M. Longair, 2008, Cambridge University Press