New Horizons for Mankind
Keith Townsend
- Region:
- East Midlands
- Notice Period:
- Regular (more than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Semi professional hobby
- Fee:
- Paid: £75 plus travel
- Category:
- Science
- Updated:
- 11th November 2021
- Tagged:
When the New Horizons spacecraft was launched in January 2006 on a trip to Pluto and beyond, it was the fastest man-made vehicle ever launched from Earth. Even gaining velocity from planetary sligshots, it still took more than 9 years to reach the planet. 3½ years later, it streaked past Ultima Thule, an enigmatic 'Kuiper Belt' object and the most distant subject ever imaged at a staggering 4 billion miles from Earth. The distance is so great, the images will take many months to receive and process and New Horizons is still active and on it's way to image more targets. The talk traces this most epic of voyages and looks at the new understanding that New Horizons is providing for us. See Pluto like never before!
Views: 484 | Enquiries: 0About Keith Townsend
I am an amateur astronomer, astronomical imager and Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. I have been presenting astronomical themed talks for the last 10 years (as of 2021) and deliver a range of talks to a wide variety of groups and organisations, from Astronomical Societies, WI groups, U3A and Rotary, as well as public outreach and university associations. My talks can be viewed at www.astronomymatters.co.uk Since the advent of Covid19 I have also been presenting via Zoom and remain happy to do this.
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