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The Stirling Lecture 2024: The Geometry of Chaos - The Primacy of Doubt

3 December 2024 - 3 December 2024

5:00PM - 7:00PM

TLC033 (lecture commences at 6pm, with the book signing from 5pm)

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Chaotic systems are hard to predict - this much has been known for decades. However, studying the fractal geometry that underpins chaotic systems reveals so much more. From a practical point of view it tells us when we can trust predictions and when we can’t.

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Prof Tim Palmer FRS, CBE

Department of Physics, Oxford University

Prof Tim Palmer of Oxford University gives some examples in weather and climate forecasting and will show how this is revolutionising the way in which disaster relief agencies work. From a theoretical point of view, fractals reveal deep links between geometry and the mathematics of number theory and non-computability. Using this, he will speculate that the universe as a whole is a chaotic system evolving on its cosmological fractal geometry. If this is correct, it will help us understand the holistic nature of our quantum universe, as revealed by seemingly incomprehensible entanglement experiments.

Date:

  • 3rd December

Time:

  • Book signing : 17:00-18:00
  • Lecture : 18:00 – 19:00

Location:

  • TLC033 (Teaching & Learning Centre)

Pricing

Free to attend

This is a public event, open to everyone.

Where and when

The Teaching and Learning Centre,
Durham University,
South Road,
Durham
DH1 3LS