Public Lecture on Wednesday, February 18
February 10, 2009
The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites all inquisitive adults to join us for Dr. Craig Wheeler’s presentation, “Exploding Stars in an Accelerating Universe.” This free public presentation on February 18 is part of the Cosmic Exploration Speaker Series at the LPI, as we celebrate the International Year of Astronomy.
Supernova explosions produce the elements necessary for life, exotic objects like neutron stars and black holes, and the energy driving the evolution of galaxies. These exploding stars enabled astronomers to measure of the acceleration of the universe, and provided probes of the first stars to “wink on” in the universe.
J. Craig Wheeler is the Samuel T. and Fern Yanagisawa Regents Professor of Astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin and past department chair. His book, Cosmic Catastrophes: Supernovae, Gamma-Ray Bursts and Adventures in Hyperspace, has won popular awards. He recently finished serving a two-year term as President of the American Astronomical Society. His research interests are supernovae, black holes, gamma-ray bursts, and astrobiology.
LPI’s Cosmic Exploration presentation begins at 7:30 p.m., and will be followed by a light reception. No reservation is necessary, and all interested adults are welcome. LPI is located in the USRA building at 3600 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston TX 77058; the entrance is located on Middlebrook Drive.
For more information or to download a flyer, visit
Cosmic Explorations: A Speaker Series
Last updated February 12, 2009
