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Astronomers’ Lecture Series to discuss work of Toledo native |
| By
Jacob Corkins |
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Dec 2, 2008
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The second dialogue in the Astronomers’ Lecture Series is titled “The Search for New Worlds With Space Telescopes: A Legacy of Lyman Spitzer Jr.” and will be given by Dr. Tom Megeath, University of Toledo assistant professor of astronomy, Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Ritter Planetarium on Main Campus.
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| Megeath |
Spitzer, a native of Toledo, proposed launching telescopes into space in 1946, 11 years before the space age, and contributed greatly to the construction of the Hubble Space Telescope.
This idea revolutionized astronomy, Megeath said, because the Hubble and the Spitzer Space Telescopes are being used to observe new planets and solar systems orbiting stars many light years away.
“The lecture will focus on the legacy of Lyman Spitzer,” Megeath said. “It will also highlight the work at the University. We are making some of the largest strides in history. We want to expose the public to modern astronomy and how it is revolutionizing everything we know about the world around us.”
Megeath will talk about his work for the University and his part in the construction of the Spitzer Space Telescope and how it has been used to detect giant planets orbiting distant stars. He also will discuss the prospects for finding Earth-like planets in the future.
A short planetarium show will follow the presentation, and guests will be allowed to view the stars with the 1-meter telescope in Ritter Observatory, weather permitting. Megeath said he hopes to see some young stars in the Orion Nebula.
The event is free, but donations are encouraged at $5 for general admission and $2 for students.
For more information, click here.
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