On Tuesday the 6th of October, Ashesi was honoured to host Dr Rhodri Evans of Cardiff University. Dr Evans spoke on the subject of ‘The Oldest Light in the Universe’, before a lively Q&A session with members of the Ashesi community. Ranging over 100 years of astronomical discoveries, the talk recounted the development of the big bang theory from the unnoticed back pages of unread academic journals to its current place as the dominant theory of the origins of the universe. Dr Evans’ talk was the culmination of the Ashesi Astronomy Series, which included screenings of both Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar.
Throughout the series members of the Ashesi community were invited to reflect on the interaction of narrative and astronomy. Whilst our film screenings showed two contrasting attempts from acclaimed cineastes to weave astronomical science and storytelling, Dr Evans provided an engaging example of the importance of remembering and recounting the stories behind scientific discoveries. Despite the diversity of contributions to the series, each piece spoke to a certain spirit of inquisitiveness and discovery that informed Kubrick, Nolan, and the main protagonists of the story behind the development of the big bang theory alike. Judging from the sizeable crowd of eager questioners that surrounded Dr Evans as soon as the talk ended, it is safe to say that the astronomy professor made quite an impression on all in attendance.