News Archive

The leader of one of the world's top astronomical observatories will give a free public lecture at The University of Western Australia on Friday 28 February.

Professor Tim de Zeeuw, Director General of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), will discuss the observatory's current programs, the telescopes that make discoveries possible and upcoming projects.

ESO telescopes have made some of the most significant astronomical discoveries of recent times, including the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy, the most distant gamma-ray burst, the Earth-like planet Gliese 581c and the most distant galaxy ever seen by humans.

Professor de Zeeuw received his PhD degree from Leiden University in 1984 and worked at the Institute for Advanced Study in New Jersey and at Caltech before returning to Leiden in 1990 as professor of theoretical astronomy.  His research focuses on the formation, structure and dynamics of galaxies.

He has directed the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy NOVA and the Leiden Observatory, served on oversight committees for AURA, ESA, ESO and NASA and led the development of the European Science Vision for Astronomy.

In 2007, Professer de Zeeuw took on the role of Director General of ESO and received the Brouwer Award of the American Astronomical Society in 2010.

WHAT: Lecture: Reaching new heights in astronomy - The European Southern Observatory

WHEN: Friday 28 February, 4.15pm (tea and coffee served from 3.45pm)

WHERE: University Club Auditorium, UWA (enter from Hackett Drive)

DETAILS: [email protected]

Media references

Kirsten Gottschalk (International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research)  (+61 8)  6488 7771  /  (+61 4) 38 361 876
David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716