An audience listens to a speaker at a David Elder lecture in the Planetarium

David Elder Lectures

Glasgow Science Centre is proud to host the David Elder Lectures in partnership with the University of Strathclyde's Department of Physics. The David Elder lecture series presents a line-up of fascinating talks by expert astronomers, spaceflight pioneers, award-winning science writers and broadcasters. This lecture series continues the tradition of monthly astronomy lectures in Glasgow which began with the first David Elder Lecture in 1905!

This regular monthly programme of talks in The Planetarium runs over the winter months each year. Each lecture lasts approx. 1 hour and is best suited to older teenagers (aged 16 years+) and adults.

  • Month: Monthly from September to March
  • Time: 19:00 GMT
  • Duration: 1 hour

2025-26 Lecture Series

Tickets for the 2025-26 series are now on sale. Speakers are confirmed as follows:

 

Prof. Moira Jardine, University of St Andrews

Growing up in a rowdy household: a star’s role in shaping the lives of its exoplanets

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 - SOLD OUT

More Info

 


Dr. Jinglang Feng, University of Strathclyde

Asteroids: from scientific exploration to planetary defence

Wednesday, 26 November 2025

More Info & Tickets

 


Dr. Sean McMahon, University of Edinburgh

How to find a fossil on Mars

Thursday, 26 February 2026

More Info & Tickets


Dr. Sian Prosser, Royal Astronomical Society

A constellation of women from the history of astronomy

Thursday, 26 March 2026

More Info & Tickets

 


Prof. Isobel Hook, University of Lancaster

Supernovae, Advanced Telescopes and the Search for Dark Energy

Wednesday, 22 April 2026

Booking opens soon


The University of Strathclyde - Department of Physics

 

 

 

Past lectures

Explore previous talks and speakers

Learn more

The David Elder Memorial Bequest

Read about the 'father of marine engineering on the Clyde'

Learn more

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