Astronomy Talks - The Gas Giant Planets

In this talk we describe the giant planets of the solar system – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Very different from the rocky innermost planets being composed of mostly gas, liquid and ice. 

We will discuss past, present and future space missions that have shown these planets in amazing detail. We will also look at their various families of moons – Jupiter now has 95! A veritable mini solar system in its own right. 

No talk about the gas giants would be complete without discussing one of the most successful space missions of all time – the Cassini probe to Saturn - extraordinary details in its rings and moons were revealed.

About the Lecturer

Our Astronomy Talks will be brought to you by Dr Fred Stevenson. Dr Stevenson obtained a degree in Physics with Astrophysics from the University of Leicester in 1980 followed by a PhD in Cosmology from Durham University in 1986. 

After further research he has spent the past twenty five years teaching adult education classes in astronomy, physics and mathematics at a variety of venues throughout Northumberland, County Durham and North Yorkshire. 

He has organized and taught numerous weekend courses in astronomy based in the Kielder forest park and other venues in the North Pennines. Fred is passionate about talking to the public about astronomy and has given numerous talks to astro societies and other groups. 

When he is not teaching Fred can be found wandering the moors and fells of the North of England and also in our Theatre bringing you these very exciting talks.