Lights, Camera, Action!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it… stretching the limits of believability? Superman's (and the rest of the Superfamily’s) X-ray vision is one of their most iconic powers and seems to fit firmly in the “fiction” part of “science fiction”. But, could “X-ray” vision actually work? And if so, how? We’ll explore the science of X-rays, and the creatures and technology that already see beyond the visible light spectrum to find out if mild-mannered reporters like Clark Kent might one day be writing up real-life X-ray vision as a ground breaking science scoop!

I will present examples of my astrophotography of subjects such as the aurora borealis, emission nebulae, reflection nebulae, star forming regions and noctilucent clouds, and go beyond the pictures into the processes that result in these wonders of the night sky.

The world around us is full of colours that evolved to serve crucial biological functions. Studying the colouration mechanisms provides insights into evolutionary adaptations. Furthermore, understanding nature's chemical and structural organisations inspires scientists to develop the next generation of smart materials with colourful functionalities. I will tell the story of 3 shiny beetles with amazing colour variations. With the audience, we will try to find answers to key questions such as: What kind of structures make shiny objects? What triggers colour change? Why are colour-changing objects useful?