July Cookout & Meeting with Dr. Kristine Larsen
Stephen Hawking: Black Holes, Baby Universes, and Life’s Battles
Seagrave Observatory
July 11, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Stephen Hawking is arguably the most famous physicist since Albert Einstein. His decades-long struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), combined with his singular brilliance as a cosmologist, has fascinated both the public and his colleagues in science. In this engagingly written biography, Kristine Larsen, a physicist and astronomer herself, presents a candid and insightful portrait of Hawking’s personal and professional life. Avoiding the hero-worship sometimes found in popular works on Hawking, Larsen emphasizes that Hawking is first and foremost a scientist whose work has made significant contributions to our understanding of the nature and origins of the universe. Writing in nontechnical language for the lay reader, Larsen clearly explains Hawking’s complex scientific accomplishments, while telling the story of his challenging life.
Topics include Hawking’s early lack of focus as a college student; the impact of ALS on his career and personal life; his groundbreaking work on radiating black holes; his later cutting-edge theories of black holes, cosmology, and the anthropic principle; the amazing publishing success of A Brief History of Time; and his status as a pop icon and spokesperson for the interplay of science and society. Larsen situates Hawking’s sometimes-controversial work within the broader context of scientific peer review and public debate, and discusses his personal life with compassion, respect, and honesty.
Skyscrapers annual summer cookout will be held on Saturday July 11th beginning at 3pm. All members and their guests are invited to attend. The cost is only $7.50 per person ($3 for kids under 12) for all you can eat. We will be serving hamburgers, hotdogs, vegi-burgers, clam chowder, corn on the cob, salads and deserts. Some members have asked if it is okay to bring some additional potluck items. Well the answer is “yes”, the more the merrier! Just let me know what you’re planning to bring so that we can coordinate our efforts.
Many of you have already sent in your money for the cookout, which is greatly appreciated. If you have not already done so, please send us a check before July 3rd. Our address is Skyscrapers, Inc., 47 Peeptoad Road, North Scituate, RI 02857. You may also pay at the door, but please let us know that you’re planning to attend so that we know how much food we need to purchase. We’re also looking for volunteers to help set up for the cookout, starting at noon on July 11th. If you are willing to help out, please let me know. In addition to the cookout, a 90mm Coronado solar telescope will be set up to offer some spectacular views of the sun, weather permitting. And for just for fun, Al Hall has some outdoor games for us to play. Prizes will be awarded to the winners!
Get directions to Seagrave Observatory
July 11, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Stephen Hawking is arguably the most famous physicist since Albert Einstein. His decades-long struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), combined with his singular brilliance as a cosmologist, has fascinated both the public and his colleagues in science. In this engagingly written biography, Kristine Larsen, a physicist and astronomer herself, presents a candid and insightful portrait of Hawking’s personal and professional life. Avoiding the hero-worship sometimes found in popular works on Hawking, Larsen emphasizes that Hawking is first and foremost a scientist whose work has made significant contributions to our understanding of the nature and origins of the universe. Writing in nontechnical language for the lay reader, Larsen clearly explains Hawking’s complex scientific accomplishments, while telling the story of his challenging life.
Topics include Hawking’s early lack of focus as a college student; the impact of ALS on his career and personal life; his groundbreaking work on radiating black holes; his later cutting-edge theories of black holes, cosmology, and the anthropic principle; the amazing publishing success of A Brief History of Time; and his status as a pop icon and spokesperson for the interplay of science and society. Larsen situates Hawking’s sometimes-controversial work within the broader context of scientific peer review and public debate, and discusses his personal life with compassion, respect, and honesty.
Skyscrapers annual summer cookout will be held on Saturday July 11th beginning at 3pm. All members and their guests are invited to attend. The cost is only $7.50 per person ($3 for kids under 12) for all you can eat. We will be serving hamburgers, hotdogs, vegi-burgers, clam chowder, corn on the cob, salads and deserts. Some members have asked if it is okay to bring some additional potluck items. Well the answer is “yes”, the more the merrier! Just let me know what you’re planning to bring so that we can coordinate our efforts.
Many of you have already sent in your money for the cookout, which is greatly appreciated. If you have not already done so, please send us a check before July 3rd. Our address is Skyscrapers, Inc., 47 Peeptoad Road, North Scituate, RI 02857. You may also pay at the door, but please let us know that you’re planning to attend so that we know how much food we need to purchase. We’re also looking for volunteers to help set up for the cookout, starting at noon on July 11th. If you are willing to help out, please let me know. In addition to the cookout, a 90mm Coronado solar telescope will be set up to offer some spectacular views of the sun, weather permitting. And for just for fun, Al Hall has some outdoor games for us to play. Prizes will be awarded to the winners!
Get directions to Seagrave Observatory