Monthly Meeting 18 March 2026
Galaxy Collisions
About the Talk
We now know that collisions and subsequent mergers are a normal and natural part of the life-cycle of a galaxy. In fact the Milky Way has already undergone several such mergers. The talk will describe different types of collision, the effects on star production, and the outcomes for all concerned, especially the super massive black holes at the centre of most galaxies.
About this month’s speaker
Paul Whiting
After being a perpetual student at the University of Birmingham for 7 years, he became a research scientist at BT Research Laboratories in Suffolk for 30 years. After taking early retirement, he obtained another degree, this time in astrophysics and is now an outreach astronomer.
He is a STEM Ambassador and a trustee/director of Bawdsey Radar Trust, who operate the Bawdsey Radar Museum, the home of British radar.
He recently retired as a trustee of the University of the Third Age (U3A) in East Suffolk, where he acted as groups’ treasurer.
World-wide travel is his delight, often chasing solar eclipses and the aurora. Among the more obscure places visited include Siberia, a small Pacific atoll, Easter Island, Galapagos and the Falkland Islands, Svalbard and Antarctica (twice).
As an Outreach Astronomer, he gives talks to whoever will listen! He is a cruise lecturer and specialist holiday guide/host. He is also “Astronomer in Residence” at a number of glamping sites in Suffolk.
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Anyone is welcome – beginner or expert – and there is no need to pre-book. A small charge applies to help us cover costs (typically £3 for non-members; £2 for NEAS members; U16s free). Doors open at 7.30pm with the talk starting at 8.00pm.
Note that if you are using satnav system, the postcode may not take you directly to the hall – please check this Google Maps link if you aren’t sure: https://goo.gl/maps/fNxmg9qnAYm
Covid Precautions
- You are encouraged to wear a mask and you are asked to be respectful and sensitive to the medical circumstances of others
- What to do if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) or symptoms of COVID-19
The NHS says:
While you’re no longer legally required to self-isolate if you have COVID-19, you should try to stay at home and away from others to avoid passing on the virus.
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you:- have any symptoms of COVID-19, and have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities
- have tested positive for COVID-19 – this means it’s very likely you have the virusFor full details please see https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/
- If you have Covid symptoms and have not taken a test, please do not attend.
- There will be a section of the Hall for exclusively mask wearers. If you are wearing a mask you may of course sit where you want but if you are not wearing a mask do not sit in the masks only area. We have vulnerable people in our club and we want to make our meeting accessible for them.
- We will ventilate the Hall to the best of our ability.