How they 'split the atom' and brought the news to the world

The DCU Celsius (Cultural, Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Science) Group will host an event on Friday 13th April at 4:00pm in The Helix to mark the 80th anniversary of the splitting of the atom by Ernest Walton and John Cockcroft, thus achieving nuclear fission for the first time.

The event will feature addresses by Professor Brian Cathcart of Kingston University who wrote the book The Fly in the Cathedra – how a small group of Campbridge scientists won the race to split the atom on how the news of this discovery spread and was received round the world and also by Professor Philip Walton, Professor Emeritus of Physics at NUI Galway and son of Ernest Walton.  These two speakers will recall the personalities and the processes involved in this key moment of 20th century science. 

Professor Dermot Diamond, Director of DCU’s NCSR, will offer perspectives on the physics of the time from satirical novelist and columnist Flann O’Brien/Myles na gCopaleen. Singer Charles Delap and pianist, Fiachra Trench will perform songs on physics by mathematician-musician, Tom Lehrer.