Evolution and the Cosmos
2009
Our understanding of mankind and the universe has been shaped by 2
men whose lives are commemorated in 2009 - Darwin and Galileo. The 200th
anniversary of Darwin's birth will take place in February whilst 2009 also
marks 400 years since the unveiling of Galileo's telescope and is the
International Year of Astronomy.
Two public lectures, part of the
series organised by the Learned Societies sharing Burlington House, will
examine the contribution of these giants of science. In particular, they will
focus on how knowledge of the heliocentric solar system and natural selection
have affected humanity's understanding and appreciation of nature - and of
itself.
Two Hundred Years of Evolution: Celebrating Charles Darwin in
2009 - Wednesday 6 May 2009
The New World of
Galileo - Monday 26 October 2009
Links of
interest:
International Year of Astronomy 2009
In 2009 the world
will celebrate the International Year of Astronomy to commemorate the 400th
anniversary of Galileo's use of a telescope to study the night sky. 2009 is
also the anniversary of many other important dates in the history of science,
such as the publishing of Kepler's Astronomia Nova, Huygens' Systema Saturnium,
and the first moon landing.
Darwin 2000
Darwin200 is a national programme of events
celebrating Charles Darwin’s scientific ideas and their impact around his
two hundredth birthday on 12 February 2009.
