Skip to main content
Become an Ri Member
  • What's on
  • Learning
  • Explore science
  • Christmas Lectures
  • Visit
  • Support us
  • About us
Become an Ri Member
Video Christopher Zeeman writing equations using a projector in the Ri theatre

CHRISTMAS LECTURES

Mathematics into pictures – Infinity and perspective (1978)

What does a race with a tortoise, renaissance art and a barbershop have to do with mathematics? Christopher Zeeman explores

Mathematics into pictures – Infinity and perspective (1978) Read more
Video Christopher Zeeman speaking to a child at the Ri theatre

CHRISTMAS LECTURES

Mathematics into pictures – Numbers and geometry (1978)

Christopher Zeeman presents the second Christmas Lecture from his groundbreaking 1978 series.

Mathematics into pictures – Numbers and geometry (1978) Read more
Video Christopher Zeeman speaking at the Ri theatre

Mathematics into pictures – Linking and knotting (1978)

Christopher Zeeman kicks off the very first CHRISTMAS LECTURE on mathematics by exploring the complex properties of linking and

Mathematics into pictures – Linking and knotting (1978) Read more
Video A still of Carl Sagan during his 1977 CHRISTMAS LECTURE

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The planets – Planetary systems beyond our sun (1977)

Carl Sagan asks, do other solar systems exist?

The planets – Planetary systems beyond our sun (1977) Read more
Video Carl Sagan smiling with audience of children during CHRISTMAS LECTURES

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The planets – Mars after Viking (1977)

Carl Sagan asks, is there life on Mars?

The planets – Mars after Viking (1977) Read more
Video A still of Carl Sagan during his CHRISTMAS LECTURE in 1977

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The planets – Mars before Viking (1977)

Carl Sagan views Mars through the eyes of Mariner 9.

The planets – Mars before Viking (1977) Read more
Video A still of Carl Sagan during his 1977 CHRISTMAS LECTURE

CHRISTMAS LECTURES

The planets – The history of Mars (1977)

Carl Sagan explores how humans have studied the red planet.

The planets – The history of Mars (1977) Read more
Video A still of Carl Sagan during his CHRISTMAS LECTURE

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The planets – The outer solar system and life (1977)

Carl Sagan asks whether the origin of life is a cosmic commonplace.

The planets – The outer solar system and life (1977) Read more
Video A still of Carl Sagan during his CHRISTMAS LECTURE

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The planets – The Earth as a planet (1977)

Carl Sagan explores our place in the solar system.

The planets – The Earth as a planet (1977) Read more
Video George Porter speaking in the Ri theatre

Chemistry CHRISTMAS LECTURES Physics

The natural history of a sunbeam – Survival under the sun (1976)

George Porter looks at how sunlight powers sustainable energy sources.

The natural history of a sunbeam – Survival under the sun (1976) Read more

Pagination

  • Previous page ‹‹
  • Page 28
  • Next page ››
Back to top

Subscribe to The Ri Newsletter

Sign up now

About the Ri

The Royal Institution is an independent charity dedicated to connecting people to the world of science.

Contact us What we do

About us    Jobs

Venue hire

Make your next event one to remember at our unique central London venue, steeped in 200 years of science history.

Find out more

Support us

Support us in our charitable mission to create opportunities for the public and scientists to explore science together.

Donate online Join the Ri

More ways to support

The Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS

Find us Museum Licensing Shop

The Royal Institution of Great Britain was granted a royal charter in 1800 and is registered as a charity in England and Wales (227938).

© Royal Institution 2025
  • Terms and conditions
  • Web accessibility
  • Policies
  • Safeguarding

The CHRISTMAS LECTURES® are a registered trademark