Astrophysics · Computing · Space science education
What happens in the first million years of a very large star?
That is the question I am working on. I am a PhD researcher, and I build STELCOR, a code that models how the most massive stars begin their lives.
I also teach computer science on the Sussex coast, where we are building a space science centre.
And I give talks about all of it, to schools, societies and anyone curious about what is up there.
The talks
Three talks to
choose from.
These are the three I am asked for most often. Every talk is adapted to the audience in front of me, so do ask if you want something a little different.
- 01 The Evolution of Stars With stunning images from a wide range of sources, we explore how stars are born, how they live and their ultimate demise. In so doing, we explore our relationship with the stars.
- 02 The Voyager Missions An exploration of the two Voyager craft that explored the outer planets and now travel outside the influence of the solar winds. During this talk we explore what we knew before these missions, the Pioneer missions, the Grand Tour, where the craft are now and what the future holds. All whilst looking at some beautiful images of our solar system.
- 03 Black Holes and Compact Objects An exploration of the death of massive stars.
The rest of it
Research, teaching
and talks.
These three feed each other. The research gives me something worth talking about, the talks send students back to the science, and the teaching keeps me honest about explaining any of it clearly.
Research
STELCOR is a stellar evolution code. It follows a star of eight to sixty solar masses before it reaches the main sequence; the part of its life most models skip over, and the part where how it was born can still be seen.
Teaching
I teach A Level and BTEC computing at Oxford International College Brighton. Wherever I can, I teach it against real astronomical data, and we are working to put research-grade instruments into students' hands.
Booking
Schools, societies, festivals and university departments. Travel, kit, timings and fees are all set out on the booking page, and I am happy to answer anything else.