The astronomy department opens a window on the universe for the general public on Thurs., Sept. 17, in an all-day symposium exploring cosmic science at Cornell, from the origins of the universe to cutting-edge instrumentation to the search for life beyond Earth. Admission for the “Friends of Astronomy Symposium,” 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Clark Hall Rm. 700, is free but registration is required.
“Cornell astronomers are widely recognized as global leaders, and we’re excited to share the groundbreaking research being done here with the wider community,” said Alex Hayes, the Jennifer and Albert Sohn Professor and director of the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science and the Spacecraft Planetary Image Facility in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The day is divided into two sections, designed to be accessible to a lay audience. The first, “Solar Systems and Astrobiology,” opens with a 10 a.m. session on “Icy Worlds, Ocean Moons and the Quest for Life,” given by Hayes, who is a co-investigator on NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. It ends with an 11:40 session on “Making Stars Disappear: The Hunt for Other Worlds,” given by Dmitry Savransky ‘04, associate professor of astronomy (A&S) and of mechanical and aerospace engineering in Cornell Duffield Engineering.
After a box lunch provided for registered attendees, the symposium’s second section, “From Cosmic Origins to the Universe Today,” begins with a 1 p.m. talk on “Dirty Fireballs and Cows: The Landscape of Stellar Death” given by Anna Ho, the Richards Family Assistant Professor of astronomy. The day concludes at 3:20 p.m. with the opportunity to hear from the next generation of astronomical explorers, with talks by graduate students.
The Friends of Astronomy is headed by alumni lead Chuck Mund, Jr. ’81; faculty lead Shami Chatterjee, associate professor of astronomy (A&S), and emeritus faculty lead Martha Haynes, Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences in Astronomy emerita (A&S).
For more information and to register, see the listing on the University Events calendar.
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