Have you ever stopped to marvel at the speed of light? For our March Marine Evening, Guest Speaker, Kos Coronaios, an esteemed amateur astronomer, Founder of the Southern Cape Astronomy Club and member of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), the audience was taken on an enlightening journey through the wonders of light and its remarkable properties.
Coronaios, drawing on his decades of experience in astronomy outreach, shed light on the fascinating concept of the speed of light, denoted by the letter ‘C’ from the Latin word *celerity*, meaning swift or quick. Did you know that light can circumnavigate the Earth a staggering 7.5 times in just one second? It’s an astonishing feat that illustrates the incredible velocity at which light travels through the cosmos.
One of the key components of light is the photon, a particle with zero mass yet possessing energy and momentum, enabling it to traverse space at the speed of light. Coronaios illuminated the audience with insights into how light interacts with its surroundings.
But the wonder of light doesn’t stop there. Coronaios mentions the intriguing concept of light’s dual nature, where it behaves both as a wave and a particle — a fundamental principle of quantum physics known as wave-particle duality. This remarkable property adds yet another layer of complexity to our understanding of the universe.
For those eager to embark on their own journey into the mysteries of light, Coronaios’s insightful presentation is available for viewing on YouTube. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomy enthusiast or simply curious about the wonders of the cosmos, his exploration of the speed of light offers a captivating glimpse into the awe-inspiring nature of our universe.
So, next time you gaze up at the stars or bask in the warmth of sunlight, take a moment to ponder the incredible journey that light undertakes to reach us, spanning vast distances and unlocking the secrets of the cosmos along the way.
Thank you to all our guests who joined us for this Marine Evening. Your support goes towards our African Penguin and Seabird sanctuary.
*Photos taken by Marine Biologist, Amy Webber.
