Stargazing Lecture
- Public Event
The Universe contains over 200 billion galaxies and how these galaxies are created, grow, change, and die impacts all other areas of astronomy. However, a galaxy changes so slowly that we will never observe them change in our lifetime. How can we possibly study how galaxies evolve when we cannot watch any of this occur? Galactic Archaeology! I will explain how "digging" through the chemicals contained in young and old stars currently alive in a galaxy enables you to picture how that galaxy has grown since its birth. We will also discuss the topic of my thesis: how Galactic Archaeology can even be used to inform what astrophysical source creates heavy elements, such as gold.
About the Series
Stargazing Lectures are free lectures at a public level followed by a Q&A panel and guided stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting). All events are held at the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Caltech. No reservations are needed. Lectures are 30 minutes; stargazing and panel Q&A last 90 minutes. Stay only as long as you want.
Stargazing is only possible with clear skies, but the lecture and panel Q&A takes place regardless of weather.
For directions, weather updates, and more information, please visit: http://outreach.astro.caltech.edu.