Astronomy Nights on Mt. Tamalpais

Free and open to all (no signup)

2016 MT TAM ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS
our 28th year on the mountain

Presented by Mt Tamalpais State Park, Friends of Mt Tam, Wonderfest, San Francisco Amateur Astronomers

April 9 Cancelled Due to Rain!	Dr. Holger Müller, Professor of Physics, UC Berkeley * Shining Light on the Dark Side with Lasers and Atoms * Multiple lines of astronomical evidence demonstrate the existence of dark matter and dark energy — mysterious stuff whose gravity holds galaxies together and drives the accelerated expansion of the universe. Precision measurements in physics are suitable for searching for ultralight dark-sector candidates.
May 14 8:30pm	Dr. Chris McKay, Planetary Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center * Searching for life in Ocean Worlds of the Outer Solar System * NASA’s new program, “Ocean Worlds,” focuses on the many oceans in the moons of the outer Solar System. Enceladus, Europa, and Titan are of particular interest. Where do we look, and how do we search for evidence of life?
June 11 8:30pm Cancelled Due to Fire Danger	Dr. Norbert Werner, Astrophysicist, Kavli Institute, Stanford * The Beating Hearts of Galaxies * Did you know that black holes can blow bubbles? Join us on a fascinating journey through the Universe where you will learn about the intimate connection between the intergalactic gas, the birth and death of stars and galaxies, and the growth of supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxy clusters.
July 9 8:30pm	Dr. Nathalie Cabrol, Director, Carl Sagan Center, SETI Institute * Habitability and Life Beyond Earth * Dr. Cabrol will discuss the current scientific revolution in astrobiology, with the latest updates from current missions, the existing plans for new ones, and where we stand on our quest to understanding habitability and finding life beyond Earth.
July 23 8:30pm	MOVIE NIGHT Screening of the 1984 classic science fiction film ****2010: The Year We Make Contact**** The thrilling sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 sci-fi masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey, based on Arthur C. Clarke’s Novel 2010: Odyssey Two. Directed by Peter Hyams, starring Roy Scheider as an American astronaut sent on a joint U.S.-Soviet space mission to Jupiter in an effort to find out what happened to the missing crew of the original Jupiter mission. Co-starring Helen Mirren and John Lithgow. Post-screening discussion moderator will be Tucker Hiatt of Wonderfest.
Aug 6 8:30pm	Dr. Xiaosheng Huang, Assistant Professor of Physics, University of SF * Measuring Cosmological Distances with Supernovae * To measure distances to far-away galaxies, astronomers make use of what are called “standard candles,” objects whose true brightness can be calibrated accurately. Professor Huang will discuss Type Ia supernovae, the most powerful of all standard candles, including how to make them an even more useful tool for understanding the evolution of the cosmos.
Sept 10 8:00pm	Dr. Holger Müller, Professor of Physics, UC Berkeley * Shining Light on the Dark Side with Lasers and Atoms * Multiple lines of astronomical evidence demonstrate the existence of dark matter and dark energy — mysterious stuff whose gravity holds galaxies together and drives the accelerated expansion of the universe. Precision measurements in physics are suitable for searching for ultralight dark-sector candidates.
Oct 8 7:30pm	Dr. Andrew Siemion, Director, Berkeley SETI Research Center, UCB * The Search for Extraterrestrial Technologies and the Breakthrough Listen Initiative * Dr. Siemion will discuss the scientific rationale behind the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and some of the recent discoveries in astrophysics that are informing and spurring the search. He will also review the Breakthrough Listen Project, including current observational status, early results, and plans for the future.