Geraint F. Lewis
Encyclopedia
Geraint F. Lewis is a Welsh
-born astrophysicist
, who is best known for his work on dark energy
, gravitational lensing and galactic cannibalism. Lewis is a Professor
of Astrophysics (Teaching and Research) at the Sydney Institute for Astronomy, part of the University of Sydney
's School of Physics. He is head of the Gravitational Astrophysics Group , is the Associate Head for Research, and holds an Australian Research Council
Future Fellowship.
, completing schooling at Llangatwg Comprehensive and Neath Tertiary College. He completed his first degree at the University of London
and PhD
at the University of Cambridge
's Institute of Astronomy. He has worked in the State University of New York
, the University of Victoria
in Canada
, and the University of Washington
in Seattle. After research positions
in the US and Canada
, he then became a Research Astronomer at the Anglo-Australian Observatory
in 2000. In 2002, Lewis joined the University of Sydney where he is currently the head of the Gravitational Astrophysics Group.
. On the largest scales, his program involves looking at the influence of dark energy
and dark matter
on the evolution and ultimate fate of the universe
.
Another aspect of Lewis's research uses the phenomenon of gravitational lensing to probe the nature and distribution of the pervasive dark matter, and employing individual stars to magnify the hearts of quasar
s, the most luminous objects in the universe.
Closer to home, Lewis's research focuses upon galactic cannibalism, where small dwarf galaxies are torn apart by the much more massive Milky Way
and Andromeda Galaxy
. Using telescope
s from around the world, including the 10-m Keck telescope in Hawaii
, he has mapped the tell-tale signs of tidal disruption and destruction
, providing important clues to how large galaxies have grown over time.
, although not the same class. Both went on to Neath Tertiary College and Queen Mary College of the University of London
.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
-born astrophysicist
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
, who is best known for his work on dark energy
Dark energy
In physical cosmology, astronomy and celestial mechanics, dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that permeates all of space and tends to accelerate the expansion of the universe. Dark energy is the most accepted theory to explain recent observations that the universe appears to be expanding...
, gravitational lensing and galactic cannibalism. Lewis is a Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Astrophysics (Teaching and Research) at the Sydney Institute for Astronomy, part of the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
's School of Physics. He is head of the Gravitational Astrophysics Group , is the Associate Head for Research, and holds an Australian Research Council
Australian Research Council
The Australian Research Council is the Australian Government’s main agency for allocating research funding to academics and researchers in Australian universities. Its mission is to advance Australia’s capacity to undertake research that brings economic, social and cultural benefit to the...
Future Fellowship.
Education
Originally from Wales, Geraint Lewis was raised in Seven Sisters and CrynantCrynant
Crynant is a village in the Dulais Valley, lying between the mountains of Mynydd Marchywel to the west, Hirfynydd to the east and Mynydd y Drum to the north. It lies 7¾ miles north-east from the town of Neath in Neath Port Talbot, Wales....
, completing schooling at Llangatwg Comprehensive and Neath Tertiary College. He completed his first degree at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
and PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
's Institute of Astronomy. He has worked in the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
, the University of Victoria
University of Victoria
The University of Victoria, often referred to as UVic, is the second oldest public research university in British Columbia, Canada. It is a research intensive university located in Saanich and Oak Bay, about northeast of downtown Victoria. The University's annual enrollment is about 20,000 students...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
in Seattle. After research positions
Research fellow
The title of research fellow is used to denote a research position at a university or similar institution, usually for academic staff or faculty members. A research fellow may act either as an independent investigator or under the supervision of a principal investigator...
in the US and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, he then became a Research Astronomer at the Anglo-Australian Observatory
Anglo-Australian Observatory
The Australian Astronomical Observatory , formerly the Anglo-Australian Observatory, is an optical/near-infrared astronomy observatory with its headquarters in suburban Sydney, Australia...
in 2000. In 2002, Lewis joined the University of Sydney where he is currently the head of the Gravitational Astrophysics Group.
Research Fields
Lewis undertakes a broad spectrum of research in cosmologyCosmology
Cosmology is the discipline that deals with the nature of the Universe as a whole. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order...
. On the largest scales, his program involves looking at the influence of dark energy
Dark energy
In physical cosmology, astronomy and celestial mechanics, dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that permeates all of space and tends to accelerate the expansion of the universe. Dark energy is the most accepted theory to explain recent observations that the universe appears to be expanding...
and dark matter
Dark matter
In astronomy and cosmology, dark matter is matter that neither emits nor scatters light or other electromagnetic radiation, and so cannot be directly detected via optical or radio astronomy...
on the evolution and ultimate fate of the universe
Ultimate fate of the universe
The ultimate fate of the universe is a topic in physical cosmology. Many possible fates are predicted by rival scientific theories, including futures of both finite and infinite duration....
.
Another aspect of Lewis's research uses the phenomenon of gravitational lensing to probe the nature and distribution of the pervasive dark matter, and employing individual stars to magnify the hearts of quasar
Quasar
A quasi-stellar radio source is a very energetic and distant active galactic nucleus. Quasars are extremely luminous and were first identified as being high redshift sources of electromagnetic energy, including radio waves and visible light, that were point-like, similar to stars, rather than...
s, the most luminous objects in the universe.
Closer to home, Lewis's research focuses upon galactic cannibalism, where small dwarf galaxies are torn apart by the much more massive Milky Way
Milky Way
The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains the Solar System. This name derives from its appearance as a dim un-resolved "milky" glowing band arching across the night sky...
and Andromeda Galaxy
Andromeda Galaxy
The Andromeda Galaxy is a spiral galaxy approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Andromeda. It is also known as Messier 31, M31, or NGC 224, and is often referred to as the Great Andromeda Nebula in older texts. Andromeda is the nearest spiral galaxy to the...
. Using telescope
Telescope
A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
s from around the world, including the 10-m Keck telescope in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, he has mapped the tell-tale signs of tidal disruption and destruction
Tidal force
The tidal force is a secondary effect of the force of gravity and is responsible for the tides. It arises because the gravitational force per unit mass exerted on one body by a second body is not constant across its diameter, the side nearest to the second being more attracted by it than the side...
, providing important clues to how large galaxies have grown over time.
Publications
As of April 2009, Lewis has published more than 200 scientific articles along with a book.- Dark Matter in Astroparticle and Particle Physics - Proceedings of the 6th International Heidelberg Conference, World Scientific Publishing Company, Australia, 2007, ISBN 978-981-281-434-0
Trivia
Geraint was in the same school, Llangatwg Comprehensive School, with Julie GardnerJulie Gardner
Julie Gardner is a Welsh television producer. Her most prominent work has been serving as executive producer on the 2005 revival of Doctor Who and its spin-off shows Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures...
, although not the same class. Both went on to Neath Tertiary College and Queen Mary College of the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
.
See also
- Crynant Notable Residents
- General Theory of Relativity