Director: Professor Luke Drury
The School of Cosmic Physics was established in 1947 (Statutory Rules and Orders, 1947, no 77) as the third constituent school of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. Its purpose is to use the ideas and methods of Physics to understand the world around us, from the interior of the Earth to the edges of the observable universe, in effect using the cosmos as a natural laboratory to observe phenomena on time, length and energy scales which are way beyond what is possible in conventional laboratories. The name “Cosmic Physics”, although not a widely used term, is thus highly appropriate. The School originally worked in the areas of classical optical astronomy, cosmic ray physics (which at that time was largely experimental particle physics) and geophysics (which then included meteorology). Over the years the cosmic ray section drifted away from particle physics (which became dominated by experiments at large accelerators such as CERN) and moved into astroparticle physics and high-energy astrophysics to eventually merge with the Astronomy section as a broadly based Astronomy and Astrophysics group incorporating a Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Astrophysics (CAPPA). At the same time the Geophysics section dropped the meteorological work and broadened the range of geophysical techniques used to study the Earth from mainly local gravitational field studies to modern active and passive seismology, magnetotelluric studies, and space-based studies of the Earth’s gravitational and magnetic fields. The Section operates the Irish National Seismic Network and is also the National Data Centre (NDC) for the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.
In addition to its primary statutory obligation to explore the universe “at the frontiers of knowledge” and to train students in these areas at postgraduate level, the School also has an active outreach programme seeking to communicate the excitement of its work to the public and in particular to schoolchildren. It runs the long-standing series of open nights at Dunsink Observatory , the very successful Seismology in Schools Programme (Seismeolaíocht sa Scoil) and other outreach events such as the statutory public lecture series. It regularly participates in science week and the BT Young Scientist exhibition, and in association with the RDS and the GSI sponsored the Robert Mallet Exhibition.
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Last Updated: 22nd March 2016 by Jef Bucas
School of Cosmic Physics – About Us
Director: Professor Luke Drury
The School of Cosmic Physics was established in 1947 (Statutory Rules and Orders, 1947, no 77) as the third constituent school of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. Its purpose is to use the ideas and methods of Physics to understand the world around us, from the interior of the Earth to the edges of the observable universe, in effect using the cosmos as a natural laboratory to observe phenomena on time, length and energy scales which are way beyond what is possible in conventional laboratories. The name “Cosmic Physics”, although not a widely used term, is thus highly appropriate. The School originally worked in the areas of classical optical astronomy, cosmic ray physics (which at that time was largely experimental particle physics) and geophysics (which then included meteorology). Over the years the cosmic ray section drifted away from particle physics (which became dominated by experiments at large accelerators such as CERN) and moved into astroparticle physics and high-energy astrophysics to eventually merge with the Astronomy section as a broadly based Astronomy and Astrophysics group incorporating a Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Astrophysics (CAPPA). At the same time the Geophysics section dropped the meteorological work and broadened the range of geophysical techniques used to study the Earth from mainly local gravitational field studies to modern active and passive seismology, magnetotelluric studies, and space-based studies of the Earth’s gravitational and magnetic fields. The Section operates the Irish National Seismic Network and is also the National Data Centre (NDC) for the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.
In addition to its primary statutory obligation to explore the universe “at the frontiers of knowledge” and to train students in these areas at postgraduate level, the School also has an active outreach programme seeking to communicate the excitement of its work to the public and in particular to schoolchildren. It runs the long-standing series of open nights at Dunsink Observatory , the very successful Seismology in Schools Programme (Seismeolaíocht sa Scoil) and other outreach events such as the statutory public lecture series. It regularly participates in science week and the BT Young Scientist exhibition, and in association with the RDS and the GSI sponsored the Robert Mallet Exhibition.
Category: About Us
"Creativity is a function of being human... " 🧪🔬💢💥💫⚫️🧮👩🔬👨🔬 This @WorldCreativity and Innovation day Check out @Luke_Drury 's paper for the @RIAdawson on Creativity in the Sciences. 👉ria.ie/sites/default/… #IAmCreative #DIASdiscovers #creativity #science #WCIW
Day two of our posts for #TechWeek2021. DIAS's Astronomy & Astrophysics section work closely with advanced technology in charting and exploring our Universe. #DIASdiscovers twitter.com/DIASAstronomy/…
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John T Lewis also co-founded @CorvilInc, a company that focuses on the measurement and performance of internet traffic. #DIASdiscovers twitter.com/StpDias/status…
It's #TechWeek2021 and we are highlighting some of the amazing tech projects DIAS is apart of. First is the great work of our Geophysics section #DIASdiscovers #tech twitter.com/dias_geophysic…
Curious on the inspiration of our Burlington Road building? Have a read of this @RIAIOnline article by the man who designed it #architecture #DIASdiscovers #protected #structures twitter.com/archireland/st…
#WednesdayWatch Professor Barry Lewis of our School of Celtic Studies presents: The impact of the Anglo-Norman conquest on hagiography in Wales and Ireland Recorded on the 18 November 2016 youtu.be/ZnGpOJaYlGs #celtic #studies #DIASdiscovers
The DIAS School of Astronomy & Astrophysics are pleased to announce the paper: "Quasi-periodic Particle Acceleration in a Solar Flare" #DIASdiscovers #astrophysics #solar twitter.com/petertgallaghe…
A great example of how blue sky, curiosity-led research has later resulted in a major asset for all mankind. #research #bluesky #curiosity twitter.com/nathanheller/s…
This Weeks School of Theoretical Physics seminar is by Miguel Montero of @harvardphysics Subscribe to our YouTube channel for all current and future seminars: youtube.com/DIASdublin #DIASdiscovers #theoretical #physics #highenergy #theory #harvard twitter.com/StpDias/status…
@aliiicv @fermatslibrary We just celebrated Synge Week here in DIAS. He spent his last 47 years back in Ireland working with the institute. You can see the influence of having a famous uncle as a writer and playwright here✍️