2008 Royal Society of New Zealand Distinguished Speaker Professor C Mary Rutherford Fowler Earth Sciences Department,
Royal Holloway, University of London “Rutherford in the 21st Century” Thursday 20 November
6.30pm
Auckland Museum Auditorium
$10 ($5 Museum and RSNZ members)
The Museum’s Columbus Cafe will be open from 5.30pm and tickets may be purchased on the night from 5.30pm. It is advised to come early to secure a ticket.
Alternatively, pre-bookings can be made by phoning 306 7048 or bookings@aucklandmuseum.com
There is a $3 booking fee per phone and email booking transaction MARY FOWLER is Professor of Geophysics in the Earth Sciences Department at Royal Holloway, University of London which she led from 2002 to 2008. She is from a scientific family: her father Peter Fowler was Royal Society Research Professor of Physics at the University of Bristol, his father was Ralph Fowler, the Plummer Professor of Theoretical Physics at Cambridge, who was married to Eileen, Ernest Rutherford’s only child. Ernest Rutherford was New Zealand’s most eminent scientist, winner of the 1908 Nobel Prize. He discovered the atomic nucleus and dominated 20th century experimental Physics. Rutherford came from the Nelson district, and was educated there and in Christchurch, before becoming one of Cambridge’s first research students. His great discoveries were made at McGill University, Manchester and Cambridge. In this lecture Professor Mary Fowler, his great-granddaughter, assesses his legacy. The discoveries made by Ernest Rutherford and his colleagues played a major part in shaping the 20th century. The impact was far beyond science and not only in the high politics of war and power - the new understanding of the atom underpins much of what we now do in our daily life. Now, a hundred years after the award of his Nobel Prize in 1908, what contribution does Rutherford's work make to the 21st century? Four examples will be taken: one in basic science, two in environmental problems, and finally a guide to a wider outlook.
1. Geophysics - the use of radiometric techniques to study the earth and Planets
2. Isotopes in the environment - the example of atmospheric methane
3. Energy and the greenhouse - the revival of nuclear power as a least-worst option
4. Science as an international community: the collaboration for peace | 
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