AoT Leiden: Peering into Utter Darkness (Rijksmuseum Boerhaave Leiden, in English)

The next Astronomy on Tap Leiden will take place on Monday 25 November at the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave at 19:30 pm CET. Please note that it starts early and it is a different venue than usual!

The evening will start with the tried and true programming you’re used to from Astronomy on Tap. Two experts will both give a short talk of about 15-20 minutes. Between the two talks you can participate in the Black Hole Pubquiz, with prizes!

Afterwards there’s plenty of time for another drink, to visit our special exhibit on black holes ‘Dichter bij het Zwarte Gat’ and join some of our special activities.

The special activities include the chance to create your own sci-fi tune on the Theremin musical instrument, and to create your own mathematical black hole on our cycloid drawing machine. You can take the drawing home and put it on your fridge to remember us forever.

About the talks
Sera Markoff (University of Amsterdam): "Black holes are one of the strangest byproducts of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, with a clear prediction of a 'point of no return' called the event horizon. In 2019 and 2022 the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration published the first direct images of light just outside two supermassive black holes, including our own Galaxy's. I will explain what making these images entailed (like building a planet-sized telescope), as well as present some of our most recent results and puzzles, and a preview of what is to come."

Phil Uttley (University of Amsterdam): "I will talk about the quest to obtain the sharpest images ever obtained by humans, using a technique called X-ray interferometry.  With a space X-ray interferometer we could reach resolutions equivalent to taking a picture of an atom from across the room. This would allow us to peek into black hole binary systems across our own galaxy and reveal their supermassive cousins across the universe. In my talk, I will show how this is possible and describe the challenges we must face along the way."

Practical information
When: On Monday the 25th of November 2024. Our doors will open at 19.00 and the programme will start at 19.30 hrs. Talks and quiz 19.30-21.00 and time for drinks and visiting the exhibit 21.00-22.00.

Where: In the foyer of Rijksmuseum Booerhave. The museum is located at Lange St. Agnietenstraat 10, 2312 WC Leiden.

For who: For visitors of 16 years and older. Language will be English.

Costs: To join us for this evening you only need a valid museum ticket. This means you can purchase a regular museum ticket, or it’s free when you have a Museumkaart or a Student Card. Check the museum fees here.

Register: You can reserve your seat by registering via the form at rijksmuseumboerhaave.nl/te-zien-te-doen/boebo-astronomy/