Flamsteed lecture: Our Accidental Universe

Exploring a cosmos as vast as ours is bound to result in a few surprises. In this talk, Chris Lintott (BBC Sky at Night/University of Oxford) explains how astronomers stumble across their discoveries. From the rich diversity of worlds in our Solar System to the edge of the observable universe, he will explain what we know about the cosmos is usually the result of happenstance. Along the way, we get a whistle-stop tour of cutting-edge science and encounter sometimes profound, sometimes amusing but always thought-provoking stories from astronomy’s past.

About the speaker

Chris Lintott is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford, where his research ranges from understanding how galaxies form and evolve, to predicting the properties of visiting interstellar asteroids. He is Principal Investigator of the Zooniverse citizen science platform, which provides opportunities for anyone to contribute to scientific research, and which was the topic of his first book, The Crowd and the Cosmos. Lintott is best known as presenter of the BBC's long-running Sky at Night programme, and as an accomplished lecturer and performer in venues from music festivals to planetaria. In 2023, he was appointed the 39th Gresham Professor of Astronomy, a post that dates back to the 16th century. Away from work, he cooks, plays real tennis and spends time with a rescued lurcher, Mr Max, with whom he presents the Dog Stars podcast.

Listen to Chris speaking on our Look Up! podcast

Banner credit: A Visit to Tycho © Andrew McCarthy, Runner Up in the People and Space category of Astronomy Photographer of Year 2023.