Two of the University's leading scientists will share the latest discoveries from the frontiers of astronomy and cosmology during a special double bill of inaugural lectures.
On Wednesday 4 November 2026, Professor Or Graur and Professor Ian Harry , both from the University's internationally renowned Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation , will reveal how their research is helping to answer some of the biggest questions about the Universe.
The event will explore everything from exploding stars and supermassive black holes to gravitational waves, the ripples in spacetime that have transformed our understanding of the cosmos since they were first detected a decade ago.
An inaugural lecture is one of the most prestigious events in a professor's career, celebrating their achievements and contributions to research, teaching and public engagement.
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In his lecture, From Dying Stars to Milky Way Myths, Professor Or Graur will take audiences on what he describes as a "whirlwind tour" of his research since joining the University of Portsmouth.
Professor Graur said: "I will start by describing how I use telescopes on Earth and in space to discover and study supernovae, the explosions of stars, and learn which types of stars end up as the different types of supernovae that we observe.
"Since joining Portsmouth, I have published two popular astronomy books on supernovae and galaxies. The most recent sparked an interest in the multicultural mythology of the Milky Way. In the last part of my talk, I will show how I and members of my group study the conceptualisation of the Milky Way in different cultures, including ancient Egypt and the Arabic-speaking world."
In the second lecture, Probing the Extremes of the Universe with Gravitational Waves, Professor Ian Harry will examine the future of gravitational-wave astronomy and the next generation of observatories being planned on Earth and in space.
Professor Harry said: "These future instruments will allow us to probe the earliest moments of the Universe, test how matter behaves in the most extreme situations, and uncover the origins of the supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies.
"My research group in Portsmouth focuses both on observing and understanding the black hole collisions detected today and developing the new analysis techniques needed for these future observatories. In this talk, I will discuss the past, present and future of gravitational-wave astronomy, and Portsmouth's leading contribution within this expanding field."
The event offers a rare opportunity for members of the public to hear directly from researchers whose work is helping to shape our understanding of the Universe.
The lecture is free to attend, but advance booking is required: Life Solved Live: When stars die and black holes collide Tickets, Wednesday, November 4 • 6 PM - 8:45 PM | Eventbrite
