Age of the Universe and the Hubble Tension – 18/09/2026

TALK

Age of the Universe and the Hubble Tension

In his talk, “Age of the Universe and the Hubble Tension”, Steve Cookson will cover the latest methods for dating the cosmos. He’ll focus on the oldest nearby stars, showing how their ages fuel the Hubble debate – and why cosmologists still can’t quite agree on a cosmic birthday..

SPEAKER – Steve Cookson

Steve Cookson, Chair of Crawley AS, is a Fellow of the RAS and BAA member. A Durham graduate with a career in IT, he lived in Brazil for six years. He has co-authored four papers in Monthly Notices of the RAS – his latest, earlier this year with researchers from Portsmouth University, tackles the age of the Universe.

 

Our MEETING PLAN is:

Please note that we will be starting the session at 7.00 pm, so we can all have a chat, tea, and coffee and a ‘Show and Tell’ opportunity!

Please feel free to bring any new Astro equipment, tools or processes you would like to share with fellow members and guests before the main meeting start at 7.30pm!

ZOOM DETAILS: https://tiny.cc/caszoom

1. Teas and Coffees

2. OPEN UP and get connected to Zoom

3. Introduction and Welcome – all new and recently joined members

4. Update on society

5. MAIN EVENT – ‘Age of the Universe and the Hubble Tension’

6. Star Lab and Other Society News

7. Sky Diary & Member’s Photos

8. CLOSE

Further refreshments are available at the downstairs bar afterwards.  

MEETINGS & OUTREACH 2026 PLAN

• Friday Sept 11^th – from 8.30pm – Observation session at the Haven Centre (eclipse field, west of the skate park)

• Friday September 18^th – Monthly meeting – ‘Age of the Universe and the Hubble Tension’

• Saturday Oct 3^rd – 11am – CAS workshop – Using a remote scope TBC

• Friday Oct 9^th – Evening observation session at StarLab

• October 16^th – AGM and a talk on ‘Extra-terrestrial Life’ – Kabir Jami

• Friday November 20^th – John Flamsteed, first Astronomer Royal and the early history of the Royal Greenwich Observatory – Tony Roberts (Croydon AS)

• Friday December 11^th – Christmas Quiz and member’s talks

More details and photos on our website:

Future meetings

Join our WhatsApp community here: Viewing Tonight

Hope to see you there.

Regards,

Steve Cookson – Chair