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For questions you can contact Adam at: adamchartley "at" gmail "dot" com or Jason at: jasoncppk "at" yahoo "dot" co "dot" uk

Forthcoming Events

"A Quantum Christmas Robin"

12th December, 6pm, Levine Building, Trinity College

Public Christmas Lecture 

University of Oxford Department of Chemistry

 

You are invited to this free public Christmas lecture, where Professor Peter Hore will explain, expand upon and explore his work into the amazing science that enables birds to navigate.

Suitable for young adults, curious minds and bird lovers. The event will also be live streamed.

Booking link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-quantum-christmas-robin-public-christmas-lecture-free-tickets-739428449397?aff=oddtdtcreator

Small migratory songbirds are extraordinary navigators: weighing less than 30 grams, they fly thousands of kilometres, alone and at night, ultimately with centimetre precision. To do this they use the sun and the stars, their sense of smell and physical landmarks but they can also perceive the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field – an internal compass.

Despite centuries of theorising, and more than 50 years of research, the mechanism of this remarkable magnetic sense remains tantalisingly obscure.

In this public lecture, Professor Peter Hore will discuss the theory that the birds’ magnetic compass relies on a quantum mechanism in their eyes that is much more sensitive than previously thought possible.

With data collected from studies of the birds themselves, computer simulations and visualisations, and ideas about how the birds may actually "see" the magnetic field, come and find out how chemistry at the 'nanometre' scale could allow birds to find their way from Scandinavia to North Africa. This work could have major implications for conservation, navigation and how we think about the robins and other small songbirds we see in our gardens.

Mince pies and Christmas drinks will be provided!