The internationally renowned astronomer, author, and lecturer Dr. Phil
Plait, The Bad Astronomer, will be our very special guest at Astronomy
Day 2009.
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.
Book
Signing 1 - 4 pm |
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.
$15.95
$25.95
Keynote
Presentation 7:00 pm |
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).
Please Note:
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.
Sky Talk 9:25 pm |
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.
This event is dependent on the weather, but the keynote presentation
will take place rain or shine!
Space Flight
Center, working with the Hubble Space Telescope.
