The Star That Refused to Fade; The 37-Year Mystery of Supernova 1987A

Arrive from 7pm for a 7:30pm start.

Our speaker this month is Lealahni Woulfe from the University of Sussex

In February 1987, a supernova exploded in a nearby galaxy, but hours before the light arrived, detectors caught 25 mysterious particles called neutrinos. These "ghost particles" told us something extraordinary should be left behind at the heart of the explosion. It took 37 years to find it.

Come along to explore the astrophysics of stellar death, the incredible 1987 neutrino detection, and how the James Webb Space Telescope finally solved the mystery in 2024. We will also look ahead to what is next for neutrino astronomy, including the detectors waiting for the next galactic supernova, which could happen at any moment.

Lealahni is a medical student at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, fascinated by the intersection between neuroscience and physics. Originally planning to become a theoretical particle physicist, she has pursued this passion through years of volunteering at the South Downs Planetarium alongside research projects at the University of Sussex, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, and PTB Berlin. While medicine and neuroscience now occupy most of her time, she still finds any excuse to spend evenings under the stars. After all, some fascinations never fade.

For this meeting we will be at Wagner Hall on Regency Road, Brighton. Attendance is free, but we would be grateful if those of you who are able to could donate a few pounds to help cover the cost of hiring this event space. We will have a card reader and a money box you can drop your donations in on the night. We also have a bank account you can donate to electronically.

Brighton Astro is inclusive and welcomes everybody.

Please note that the venue has a bar that sells alcohol.