A Tour of the Radio Universe!

Lovell Lecture Series 2026
19.30 – 21.00

The Universe has a lot of secrets to share with us and, so far, we’ve barely been listening. Optical astronomy has always stolen the headlines, producing iconic images taken with the legendary Hubble Space Telescope. But what are we missing by focusing only on what our eyes have evolved to see? Tuning in to radio frequencies, an entirely different cosmic story is unfolding in wavelengths invisible to the human eye…

In this Lovell Lecture, Dr. Emma Chapman will share stories from her new book Radio Universe as we embark on a journey across both time and space, sharing discoveries from radio observatories worldwide. Prepare to experience the pulses of stars, search for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence, and uncover the secrets of galaxies and the black holes at their hearts, among other extraordinary revelations stretching back to the dawn of the Universe.

With the impending construction of the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project, set to be the two largest telescope arrays in the world, we stand on the brink of an unprecedented revolution in almost every area of astrophysics, all led by the humble radio wave.

About Emma Chapman

Dr Emma Chapman is a Royal Society research fellow based at the University of Nottingham, where she also leads the physics outreach programme. She has been the recipient of multiple commendations and prizes, including the Royal Society Athena Medal. She lives in Nottinghamshire with her partner, three children (named after constellations), and Cecilia the tortoise (named after a famous female astronomer, Cecilia Payne Gaposchkin). First Light, her much acclaimed first book on the story of the first stars, was translated into five languages; Radio Universe is her second book. 

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.