RICHMOND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY
Public lectures since 1948 Registered Charity No.298665
NEXT LECTURE
'An unexpected movement of the stars'
Kew’s place at the start of modern physics 1725-1727
Paul Quincey
National Physical Laboratory (retired)
Wednesday 8th January
8pm
at our premises in Duke Street Church - entrance in Quadrant Road
2025 marks the 300th anniversary of the start of some astronomical observations made within what is now Kew Gardens. Samuel Molyneux was Secretary to the Prince of Wales (the future George II) and a gentleman astronomer. He worked with the young astronomy professor at Oxford, James Bradley, and the leading instrument maker of the day, George Graham, to help tackle a key unconquered astronomical problem: to measure stellar parallax. The simple but unprecedentedly accurate instrument that they constructed in Molyneux’s house in Kew did not succeed in doing this, but instead discovered a different phenomenon, known unhelpfully as stellar aberration, which has had far-reaching implications. Amongst other things, it was the first clear indication that Newtonian physics would need fundamental modification.
The talk will aim to describe the science and the context of this extraordinary story.
Venue
We meet at Duke Street Church, Quadrant Rd, Richmond TW9 1DH
(intersection of Duke Street with Quadrant Rd)
See photos below and CLICK HERE for a Map
When
We usually meet once a month at 8pm on the second Wednesday of the month, but check the headline above or our Lecture Programme page for full details. Doors are open by 7.45pm. Paradise Road Car Park is nearby, approached only from the Sheen Road / Church Road end, or the Old Deer Car Park off Twickenham Road, also the Friar's Lane Car Park, and others
Aim
The Society exists to promote interest in and understanding of science in all its disciplines, and to provide grants for purposes of educational support to local schools
Contact Us
Send an email to richmond.science.society@gmail.com
Visitors and Members
Full details are on the 'Joining' page
About Us
Richmond Scientific Society is a Registered Charity No.298665
Newsletter
Click below for latest Newsletter:
This is the entrance to our venue in Quadrant Road
The Main Duke Street Church entrance in Duke Street - NOT OUR ENTRANCE
Our meeting hall