The Physics of Star Wars

ORAL · Invited

Abstract

Light sabers, hyper speed and space fights – how do they all connect with the latest accelerator research?

Since 2017 Professor Carsten P Welsch has hosted a number of Physics of Star Wars events in the UK. He used the iconic films to explain applications of accelerator R&D to science, society and commerce. Each event reached hundreds of people on the day, and Millions around the world through media coverage. This has helped improve public awareness and understanding of accelerator technology.

This talk will give an insight into these highly successful outreach events, discuss the structure adopted for diverse audiences, and present the impact they have had and how this was assessed.

* The Physics of Star Wars was generously supported by STFC under grant ST/S001565/1 and the Cockcroft Institute core grant ST/P002056/1, as well as the EU under the OMA, AVA, EuPRAXIA and FCC projects. The support from Lucasfilm and Disney is much appreciated.

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Publication: - Teaching Times, The Science of Star Wars: Creative Physics Learning In a Galaxy That Isn't Far Far Away, 29 March 2020: https://www.teachingtimes.com/the-science-of-star-wars-creative-physics-learning-in-a-galaxy-that-isnt-far-far-away/
- Science in School, The physics of Star Wars: introducing accelerator science, 1 September 2021: https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2021/the-physics-of-star-wars/
- Science in School, Build your own virtual accelerator, 1 September 2021: https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2021/build-your-own-virtual-accelerator/
- Science in School, Death Star or cancer tumour: proton torpedoes reach the target, 3 November 2021: https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2021/proton-torpedoes-reach-the-target/
- Science in School, A disturbance in the Force gives insights into beam diagnostics, 1 June 2022: https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2022/beam-diagnostics/

Presenters

  • Carsten P Welsch

    UK

Authors

  • Carsten P Welsch

    UK