Monthly science lesson: Where do stars come from?
There are few cities in the country where residents can take advantage of a monthly science lesson. And not just any science lesson, but one given by some of the nation’s preeminent scientists. That’s life in Menlo Park, thanks to Cafe Scientifique. Tonight’s lesson features a conversation with Dr. Tom Abel who will help us understand where stars and galaxies come from. Want to be the smartest person around the water cooler on Wednesday? Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How do stars form and die?
- How many stars helped in making the atoms in your body?
- How about black holes?
- What will happen to the Milky Way?
Dr. Abel (left) is Associate Professor of Physics in the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology at both the Stanford University Physics Department and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). His research focuses on supercomputer calculations in cosmological and astrophysical systems. His visualizations (pictured, top) and simulations of dark ages events – before the formation of the first stars and galaxies – have been featured on PBS and The Discovery Channel and in numerous newspapers and magazines.
Café Scientifique events – open to all free of charge – take place at the SRI‘s International Building (Middlefield and Ringwood) . No reservations are necessary. Doors open tonight (Tuesday April 13) at 5:15 pm; the “monthly science lesson” is from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
