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Stargazing Lecture

Friday, September 30, 2022
8:00pm to 10:00pm
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Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics
The Mystery of Cosmic Rays
Kathryn Plant, PhD Candidate, Department of Astronomy, Caltech,
  • Public Event

This events are back to occurring in-person, so if the weather allows, we will host our telescope-aided stargazing. Event will be hybrid, so we'll stream the lecture and the panel Q&A over YouTube livestream. In-person audience members will be required to prove full vaccination status at the door and wear a mask while in indoor spaces as per Caltech policy.


In addition, the event will be live-streamed here: https://youtu.be/C3Pfx-JkKmY

8:00–8:30 p.m. - Public Lecture
8:30–10:00 p.m. - Panel Q&A and Guided Stargazing

Cosmic rays are tiny particles traveling all over our Galaxy at almost the speed of light, and figuring out their origin is one of the biggest mysteries in astrophysics. The search for the genesis of cosmic rays takes us on a tour of some of the strangest things in outer space: black holes, exploding stars, and even the tenuous shock waves of the Galactic wind. How can we measure such tiny, rare particles as they speed through space? The study of cosmic rays helped push the development of modern physics, continues to involve exciting new instruments and creative detection techniques, and even sheds light on some puzzles here on Earth.

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.

For more information, please contact Cameron Hummels by email at chummels@caltech.edu.