The fiftieth lecture in the Astronomy for All Lecture Series, which Charles Barclay began in 2006 to strengthen and reinforce the link between Green Templeton College, home of the Radcliffe Observatory, and astronomy and the Oxford Astrophysics Department in particular.

All are welcome.

Speaker: Charles Barclay is an Associate Fellow of Green Templeton College and joined the Oxford Physics Department as an Academic Visitor in 2003. He served two terms on the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society and became Vice President (2017-2019) He directed the Blackett Observatory at Marlborough College in Wiltshire for 25 years, where he taught Astronomy and Physics. He was a UK National Astronomy Education Coordinator for the International Astronomical Union (2022-2024), UK Team Leader for the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (2015-2021) and was Chair of Examiners for Astronomy GCSE for twelve years. Charles was recognised by the Royal Astronomical Society 2023 Service Award for his outstanding contribution to Astronomy education.

Synopsis: When Thomas Hornsby as Savilian Professor persuaded the Radcliffe Trust to build an Observatory, his aim was not only to put Oxford Astronomy on the World map but also to have a grand building with facilities for teaching. The Observatory fulfilled this aim and for a while was perhaps the most desirable facility in the world. Though its fortunes waned during the 1800s and light pollution from the growing city diminished the potential of its larger instruments and necessitated relocation to South Africa, the foundations had been laid for the teaching of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Now the large and very successful Astrophysics sub-Department is once again linked with the College and through outreach events and lectures, Astronomy and Astrophysics can return to its roots here. The talk will illustrate the (often very human) story behind this Oxford icon.

Chaired by Professor Rob Fender.