Lovell Lecture Series 2025

19.30 – 21.00

In July, a telescope in Chile detected a mysterious incoming object known as 3I/ATLAS. This small comet likely formed more than seven billion years ago – before the Sun – in a star system in a very different part of the galaxy to that which we find ourselves in. It is only the third interstellar object yet detected passing through the Solar System.

As it sweeps past the orbit of Mars, Professor Chris Lintott explores what these enigmatic objects can tell us and how they might have influenced the Earth’s formation. His lecture will also explore more recent discoveries, such as the latest findings from the OSIRIS-REx mission collecting samples from the asteroid Bennu. Together, the results suggest a much more dynamic, and even chaotic, history for the Solar System, bringing us to the cusp of a revolution in what we know about our cosmic neighbourhood…

About Chris Lintott

Chris Lintott is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford and Gresham Professor of Astronomy in London. He is best known for his work on galaxy formation and citizen science, founding the Zooniverse project which has enabled millions of volunteers worldwide to contribute to scientific discoveries – from distant galaxies to exoplanets and beyond.

Alongside his academic work, Chris is a familiar face from the BBC’s The Sky at Night and a passionate advocate for public engagement in science. He is the author of several popular science books, including ‘Our Accidental Universe’ and ‘The Crowd and the Cosmos’, and combines deep expertise with an accessible and entertaining approach.

Guests also have the option to book a pre-lecture meal at our fantastic First Light Café, choosing from the options below: 

MENU

Pie, Mash, Peas & Gravy £13.95

• • Cheese & Onion – Packed with gooey mature cheddar cheese, sautéed onions, and potato (v, halal) 2022 SILVER: The British Pie Awards.
  • Steak & Stout Flank Steak – bathed in Guinness stout for 24 hours, braised and slow-cooked with carrots, garlic, onions, bay leaf, and thyme, with a rich stout gravy.
  • Aloo Saag Spinach & Sweet Potato – cooked in our own blend of spices with a spicy tomato curry sauce (v, vegan, halal).

The café will be open from 18.00 – 19.15, with the last sitting at 18.50.