Registration is required for this free, virtual event: https://bit.ly/CosmologyTalk
Hamptons Observatory and co-host Suffolk County Community College’s Science Department, are pleased to present a free, virtual lecture by Dr. Rutuparna Das from the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
Our universe is expanding. Not only is it getting bigger and bigger, it’s accelerating. This mind-boggling revelation of the 90’s has opened up a treasure trove of questions about our cosmos. What is causing this acceleration? Will the universe always behave like this, or will it someday start slowing down? And how do we find out?
This last question is more complicated than it may seem at first glance. “Dark Energy” is the name given to the cause of the universe’s acceleration. We cannot see it, and we do not know much about what it is. To try to comprehend its effect on our cosmos, we turn to Dark Matter, yet another component of the universe that we cannot see. How do we quantify this invisible matter, use it to understand this invisible energy, and then use that to explore the fate of our universe?
Dr. Rutuparna Das is an astrophysicist and science communicator who spends her time learning about the universe and sharing its wonders with everyone around her. After going to undergrad at MIT, she completed her PhD at the University of Michigan, where she worked on weighing clusters of galaxies and figuring out what the cosmos is made of. She’s now at the Center for Astrophysics. Harvard & Smithsonian, spreading the joys of space through NASA’s Universe of Learning, and continuing her research into the composition of the universe. When she’s not staring at the sky (both with her naked eyes and through data from giant telescopes), she enjoys reading, crafting crazy desserts, taking an inordinate number of nature photos, and writing (sometimes silly) poetry about the cosmos.
Hamptons Observatory extends its deepest thanks to Dr. Das for generously taking the time to share her expertise and to co-host Suffolk County Community College’s Science Department for its kind collaboration
While this lecture is free, donations to support our programs are needed and deeply appreciated regardless of the amount. To make a tax-deductible donation to support our mission, please go to https://bit.ly/HO-Zeffy. Thanks!
Hamptons Observatory (HO), a 501(c)(3) New York State nonprofit, has served the community since 2005 and operates exclusively through public support. It's mission: to foster interest in science, particularly astronomy, through quality educational programs. Lectures, star parties, portable planetarium shows and other events are held frequently and often in collaboration with other nonprofit organizations. HO has an observatory in East Hampton that it is endeavoring to restore and to make accessible (in-person and remotely) to students, researchers, educators and the general public. We offer our public programs free of charge so that everyone has the opportunity to learn about and enjoy the wonders of the universe. For further information about us or to join our mailing list, please visit our website: www.HamptonsObservatory.org
