Researcher Francis Bennet is operating a large telescope inside a telescope dome that is open to the sky.

Applications of optical instrumentation: using lasers beyond astronomy and into space exploration

Prof Francis Bennet

Astronomers have captured illustrations and images of the sky for centuries, underpinned by optical instruments that magnify the universe for our eyes. The same technologies and techniques now address a wider range of applications from monitoring satellites in orbit, to communicating at high speed with lasers including a recent high profile example with Artemis II. This presentation will explore how lenses, mirrors, and optical components are used today in space and astronomy science applications.

schedule Date & time
Date/time
8 Jul 2026 6:00pm - 8 Jul 2026 7:15pm
person Speaker

Speakers

Professor Francis Bennet
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Cost

Adults - $5

Kids - free

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Description

Prof Francis Bennet

Astronomers have captured illustrations and images of the sky for centuries, underpinned by optical instruments that magnify the universe for our eyes. The same technologies and techniques now address a wider range of applications from monitoring satellites in orbit, to communicating at high speed with lasers including a recent high profile example with Artemis II. This presentation will explore how lenses, mirrors, and optical components are used today in space and astronomy science applications. 

Location

Manning Clark Hall

Ground Floor, Cultural Centre

Australian National University

Acton, ACT, 2600

-35.281321115714, 149.11820965