Stargazing Lecture

Because this is an online event, the in-person stargazing that normally follows events in this series will not be possible.

Join the YouTube Livestream here: https://youtu.be/Vj8-pVHgHJQ

7:00–7:30 p.m. - Virtual Lecture
7:30–9:00 p.m. - Virtual Panel Q&A and Discussion

Nearly every element was made through some type of star. This means everything on Earth, everything you see, almost everything in the Universe -- even you -- has at one point or another been a part of a star. While this paints a beautiful, maybe even harmonious picture of our place in relation to the rest of the Universe, the process of creating the elements in stars is anything but peaceful -- it is everything explosive. You may have heard the saying "we are all star stuff" before, but in this talk I'm going to unpack that saying more. I will explore the explosive origin of the elements, from the carbon and oxygen that are integral to life, to the silicon that makes computers possible, to heavier elements like silver and gold which are made in the collisions of dead stars.

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.