Space Lectures
Join us at Longway Planetarium for a series of lectures about Space. These events are suitable for ages 10 and older and are provided free, through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. For more information about any of the programs, please call 810.237.3400.
2012: Fact or Fiction? Guest Speaker: Dr. Pat Durrell, Youngstown State University Saturday, February 25 Doors open at 6:30, talk starts at 7:00 followed by Q&A.
There has been a lot made of the date Dec. 21, 2012 -- the end of one cycle of the Mayan Long Count Calendar. Any of a number of doomsday scenarios have been said to occur on that day, usually assuming some type of astronomical catastrophe. This talk will visit the various misconceptions concerning the destruction of the world in 2012 and separate the fiction from the facts.
Suitable for 10 and older. Bio: Dr. Durrell is an associate professor of astronomy at Youngstown State University, and director of the Ward Beecher Planetarium. He received his PhD in Physics & Astronomy at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1996, and has been at YSU since 2004. He is an observational astronomer who studies stars and globular star clusters both in nearby galaxies in and the space between the galaxies (intergalactic space); these studies often involve observations with the Hubble Space Telescope and other large telescopes around the world. He has also been active in astronomy education and public outreach for over 25 years. Although he really needs to get out more, Dr. Durrell plans on relaxing and taking it easy on Dec. 21, 2012.
The Universe Through Superman's Eyes
Guest Speaker: Dr. Rajib Ganguly, University of Michigan-Flint
Saturday, March 24 Doors open at 6:30, talk starts at 7:00 followed by Q&A.
Superman has X-ray vision. So what does he see? Well, the night sky from the surface of the Earth does nothing for him, since X-rays (thankfully) don’t penetrate the atmosphere. Above the atmosphere, Superman can see some neat things, though. Come to Longway Planetarium to find out. Suitable for 10 and older.
Bio: An astronomer by trade, Dr. Rajib Ganguly plays the role of Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Michigan-Flint. Dr. Ganguly got his Ph.D. at The Pennsylvania State University in 2002, after successfully avoiding any interactions with the football staff. After brief gigs at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, MD (ground zero for Hubble operations), and the University of Wyoming, he landed up at UM-Flint in Fall 2009.
Cosmic Castaways
Guest Speaker: Dr. John Feldmeier, Youngstown State University
Tuesday, April 17 Doors open at 6:30, talk starts at 7:00 followed by Q&A.
Most stars in the universe lie within galaxies. However, an unlucky fraction of stars are actually formed within galaxies, then are flung away from their original homes to roam the spaces between the galaxies. These cosmic castaway stars tell us much about galaxy’s form and change over time. I will also show some scenes from an upcoming digital movie about these lonely stars. Suitable for 10 and older.
Bio: Dr. John Feldmeier is an assistant professor of astronomy at Youngstown State University. He received his PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State in 2000, and was a National Science Foundation Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellow before joining the Youngstown faculty in 2006. He is interested in extragalactic planetary nebulae, high redshift galaxies, galaxy clusters, and extrasolar planets. He clearly needs to focus a little more. Dr. Feldmeier has one wife, one son, and two cats, and likes to cook Tex-Mex in his spare time.
These events are free provided through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.