Flamsteed Astronomy Society

Brendan Owens

Brendan Owens of the Royal Observatory Greenwich will be giving a talk on “Solar Secrets: Understanding Our Star, the Sun” and providing an insight into how our techniques to study the Sun have evolved over the centuries. The talk will feature new imagery from the latest space-based solar observatory – the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Brendan works at the Royal Observatory Greenwich as a science communicator with a focus on schools audiences in both development and delivery. He also looks after the operation of the Great Equatorial Telescope for public observing sessions and presents to both public and schools in the Peter Harrison Planetarium on a regular basis. Brendan has a degree in Physics and Astronomy and a Masters in Science Communication, both from Dublin City University. Brendan specialised in modelling the magnetic topology of the Sun using data from the SOHO and Hinode space telescopes for the final year project of his degree and researched the different approaches to astronomy communication at historical observatories for his Masters dissertation. His interest in astronomy communication was sparked by periods of work experience at Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland working on the Human Orrery project.

Brendan’s talk will be followed by the Flamsteed Xmas Party.