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SLAS Regular Meeting
Friday, June 17, 2011
7:30pm
McDonnell Hall
Washington University
75 Years of Astronomical Discovery
by
Dr. Pamela Gay
Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
Dr. Pamela Gay of Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, will be featured at the June meeting of
the St. Louis Astronomical Society. The Saint Louis Astronomical Society celebrates its 75th anniversary
in 2011. Since the birth of the Society, our understanding of the universe has vastly changed in
countless ways.
Within our solar system, dozens of moons have been discovered around giant planets, a “regular” planet
has been demoted, and mountains, volcanoes, and geysers have been found in un-Earthly places. Beyond
our solar system, we have found an expanding universe, contracting dust clouds birthing new stars, lurking
dark matter, and exotic objects unimagined in 1936. From black holes to light echoes we have
changed how we see light. From extrasolar planets to potential life in our own solar system, we have
changed how we see our place in space. Dr. Gay will survey how astronomy has changed in the last 75
years.
Dr. Gay is an astronomer, writer, and podcaster focused on using new media to engage people in science
and technology. Her best-known project may be Astronomy Cast, a podcast co-hosted with Fraser Cain,
Producer of Universe Today. She is currently a Lecturer at SIU-Edwardsville.
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