Science, Engineering and
Technology (SET) Week 1999
The Institution annually arranges events in
support of a Science Week which is promoted by the British Association
for the Advancement of Science. In 1999 a half-day conference and
an evening lecture were held by the Institution.
THE SOLAR SYSTEM:
ORDER AND CHAOS
Steve Parkinson, on 13 March 1999
Steve Parkinson is a graduate
of Imperial College, London, and a former activist at the Bristol
Exploratory. He is now in charge of science programmes for the Departments
of Continuing Education at the Universities of Bath and Bristol.
The speaker began by outlining the origins
of our solar system. He sketched its development over billions of
years, when the various bodies of which it is composed were formed
and took their places within the system. He then discussed a number
of problems which arise from continuing uncertainties, despite the
knowledge which we have been able to achieve through the sophistication
of our instruments in this century.
Moving from the general to the particular,
he considered the composition and conditions of specific planets and
their satellites within our system. Several space explorations, particularly
those to Mars and Jupiter, were examined in detail. Since the difficulties
involved in landing on some planets render practical exploration impossible,
study by satellites is sometimes easier and often very rewarding.
The speaker turned to the forthcoming total
eclipse of our sun in August l999. He stressed not only the aspects
of the changing phases of the activity but also the hazards involved
for anyone attempting to view the event directly. He would not be
joining the many who intended to see the eclipse in Cornwall but would
observe it in France, where the logistics would not be so problematic.
After three hours of a quite intensive study
of the topics and extended discussion throughout, conference members
declared their considerable appreciation. Within a comprehensive review
and with the aid of an orary and many illustrations, the speaker had
achieved both clarity and accessibility.
Geoffrey Catchpole
