Dark Energy, Zombie Stars, and the Robotic Future of Astronomy - Lecture at Griffith Observatory

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From: "Friends Of The Observatory" <fotofriend@friendsoftheobservatory.org>
Date: Feb 13, 2016 10:00 AM
Subject: Dark Energy, Zombie Stars, and the Robotic Future of Astronomy - Lecture at Griffith Observatory
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Cosmic Musings Lecture: March 7, 2016, 7:30 p.m.

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COSMIC MUSINGS LECTURE PRESENTED BY FRIENDS OF THE OBSERVATORY   SPONSORED BY: Monday, March 7, 2016, 7:30 p.m. Griffith Observatory FOTO MEMBERS: $10 / NON-MEMBERS: $25 NO LATE SEATING / NO REFUNDS In the late 90s two groups discovered that the universe was not just expanding, but accelerating. A mysterious energy was driving this expansion that astronomers now call Dark Energy. Astronomer ANDY HOWELL worked with one of those groups, whose leader, Saul Perlmutter, was awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. Now Howell is involved in several projects producing our best current understanding of the Dark Energy. To map it out, they use thermonuclear supernovae -- explosions of "zombie stars" that rise from the dead. His team at the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network is using a new robotic network of telescopes placed around the world to create a continuous night. This allows new kinds of observations that are revealing the elusive progenitors of these supernovae. He'll also describe the future of this research, which involves turning a spy satellite into a wide-field version of the Hubble Space Telescope. Dr. Andrew Howell, Staff Scientist,  Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, and Adjunct Professor, Department of Physics, UC Santa Barbara,  Photo credit: Katrina Marcinowski SN 2011fe - Closest Type Ia supernova seen in 25 years. Image credit: BJ Fulton (LCOGT) / PTF. Header Image: Artist Don Dixon's conception of binary star system that might become a Type 1a supernova. Dr. Andrew Howell has hosted or appeared in numerous TV shows about astronomy. He also writes about the science in movies at Ain't It Cool News, and hosts a YouTube channel called Science Vs. Cinema. He is a member of the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF), the Supernova Legacy Survey, and Pan-STARRS1, three teams which have found and followed thousands of explosive and transient events in the universe, providing our best measurement of the mysterious dark energy. This followed his work with the Supernova Cosmology Project, whose leader, Saul Perlmutter, was awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in physics, along with Brian Schmidt and Adam Riess, for the discovery of the acceleration of the universe. Dr. Howell is also a science advisor for books, comic books, TV shows and films, including READY PLAYER ONE and the upcoming ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY. In his free time he has been known to get into boxing matches with NASA conspiracy theorists. Space is limited. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. RSVP deadline is FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016. Thank you for using our automated electronic registration system.  If your membership has lapsed or you would like to become a new FOTO member, renew or join easily on-line at www.FOTO.org. If you have any questions please send an email to Marc at mmeehan@friendsoftheobservatory.org or call 213.473.0879 about joining/renewing. Parking will be made available to you only with advance reservations. Save gas and frustration by carpooling! Sign up for free at www.erideshare.com and offer or request a ride in "Day Trips, Errands and Carsharing." CONNECT WITH US:

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