For our first lecture of the 2026/2027 NIAAS season, we are pleased to welcome Dr Hans Huybrighs from Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. This is Hans first visit to the NIAAS and the title of his talk is 20,000 Leagues Under an Alien Ocean.
This lecture will be held in our usual venue of Ballyclare High School Lecture Theatre on Monday 7th September starting at 8pm sharp.
About Dr. Huybrighs:
I am a planetary scientist studying the moons of Jupiter. At the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, I use spacecraft observations and computer models to explore how moons such as Europa interact with Jupiter’s powerful magnetosphere, improving our understanding of their environments and potential habitability.
I regularly communicate space science through public lectures, articles and media appearances.
My latest study investigates energetic proton signatures observed during Juno’s close flyby of Europa (Huybrighs et al., 2025).
About the talk:
Are we alone in the universe? The search for extraterrestrial life has led us to find water, an essential building block for life. Liquid water may be found in subsurface oceans on three of Jupiter’s moons: Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. In 2023, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the JUICE mission, with Jupiter as its destination. In this lecture, planetary scientist Hans Huybrighs (DIAS) will explain how JUICE will investigate whether these moons could harbor life.
We’re really excited to welcome Hans along to the NIAAS and this will be a great start to what promises to be really eventful season for us.
We look forward to welcoming old and new members along to our first talk of the season and having a quick catchup over refreshments after the lecture.
See you all there!
Clear Skies
Philip
