Free Astronomy Talk: Black Holes and White Dwarfs
At the Museum | Fleischmann Auditorium
Curious about the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy? Wondering what will happen when the Sun’s core collapses, forming a white dwarf? Explore these fascinating phenomena during this month’s free astronomy talk presented by the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit. Astronomy lovers will be treated to a double feature of talks with Farshad Barman, Ph.D., and Sean Kelly, Ph.D.
Dr. Barman will draw on his research in the mathematics of astrodynamics, showing the results of his simulations of the orbits of several stars around Sagittarius A*, (the abovementioned black hole). Could any of those stars host planets? Dr. Kelly will talk about the Sun’s likely future as a white dwarf, after it’s finally spent all its nuclear fuel. Find out what we’ve learned in the last 100 years about this strange and wonderful stage of development in the life of a star.
Barman received his doctorate in electrical engineering from UCSB in 1979. After working in that field for several years, he received his master’s degree in mathematics and taught math at Portland Community College until his retirement in 2015. Kelly earned his bachelor's in physics at UCSB and his master’s in science at New York University. He completed his dissertation, titled “Morphology and Photocatalysis of Titanium Dioxide Aerogels,” at the Graduate School and University Center, CUNY. He is currently an astronomy professor at Santa Barbara City College.
This double feature of talks starts at 7:30 PM, but astronomy-lovers are invited to mix and mingle before the lecture and enjoy a 7:00 PM planetarium show in Gladwin Planetarium. Planetarium seats are limited, so show up early if you want to be sure of a seat.
No tickets or reservations required. Questions? Contact Director of Education Rosina Garcia at rgarcia@sbnature2.org or 805-682-4711 ext. 172.
Hubble Space Telescope image of ancient white dwarf stars by NASA and H. Richer (University of British Columbia)
