SW: Phil Plait - Astronomy Day 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009, 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Kalamazoo Valley Museum / Kalamazoo Nature Center, 230 N Rose St., Kalamazoo, MI, View Map
Description
Kalamazoo Astronomical Society welcomes Dr. Phil Plait, the "Bad Astronomer," to Kalamazoo for Astronomy Day 2009. Please visit the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society's website for complete details.
Astronomy Day 2009 Schedule of Events
Book Signing - 1:00-4:00 pm at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Meet the Bad Astronomer! Dr. Plait will be available to answer your [good and bad] astronomy questions and sign your copies of his critically acclaimed books, Bad Astronomy and Death from the Skies. Copies of these books will be available for purchase during Astronomy Day.
Keynote Presentation - 7:00 pm at the Kalamazoo Nature Center
In this general discussion of popular science myths, Dr. Plait demolishes a wide array of scientific misconceptions, from standing eggs on end, to blowing up asteroids. Using video clips from several blockbuster movies and television shows including Armageddon, Deep Impact, Enterprise, and The Simpsons, he talks about Hollywood science (or the lack thereof).
Sky Talk - 9:25 pm at the Kalamazoo Nature Center
Join us in the Nature Center's amphitheater (directly adjacent to Owl Observatory) for this bonus presentation by Dr. Plait. As darkness falls, Dr. Plait will give a 20 minute sky talk, highlighting the planetary and deep sky objects we'll be observing during the evening.
Click here for full details about these events.
About the Author
After earning his doctorate in astronomy at the University of Virginia in 1994, Dr Plait worked as a research astronomer and programmer at the Goddard Space Flight Center, working with the Hubble Space Telescope.
From 2000 to 2007 Dr. Plait worked in the Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) field at the Physics and Astronomy Department at Sonoma State University in California. Dr. Plait began a career in public outreach and education with the Bad Astronomy website and blog, debunking bad science and popular misconceptions.
Dr. Plait resigned his position at Sonoma Sate University in mid-2007 to pursue a full-time writing career. Today he is an internationally recognized astronomy writer and educator. His popular blog is now done through Discover magazine’s web site.
Dr. Plait has written two books, Bad Astronomy and Death from the Skies, and numerous magazine articles. He has also made numerous appearances in a variety of astronomy documentary programs, including The Universe series produced by The History Channel.
Additional Details
There is no admission for Dr. Plait’s keynote presentation, but you must obtain a ticket at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum between 9 am and 4 pm on May 30th only (the number of tickets is limited, so be sure to arrive early to claim yours).
A ticket guarantees you seating in the Nature Center’s Coopers Glen Auditorium between 6:30 pm and 6:50 pm only. General admission will commence after 6:50 pm until all seats are filled.
Cost: Free. Keynote Presentation requires free ticket (see above).
Contact: Kalamazoo Astronomical Society, http://www.kasonline.org/contact.html
