“The Science of Star Wars: The Lowdown on Space Travel, Aliens & The Force” | Los Altos

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series | Los Altos

Founded in 1999, the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series lectures are presented on six Wednesday evenings during each school year at Foothill College. Speakers over the years have included Nobel-prize winners, members of the National Academy of Sciences and many other well-known scientists explaining astronomical developments in everyday language.

The series, moderated by Foothill College Astronomy instructor Andrew Fraknoi, is sponsored by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the SETI Institute, NASA’s Ames Research Center and Foothill College. Topics range from the exploration of the planets to the speeding up of the expanding universe; from planets around other stars to black holes at the centers of distant galaxies.

Admission is free and the public is invited. Seating is first come, first served. Arrive early to locate parking.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series | Los Altos

As part of the 17th annual Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series, Seth Shostak, Ph.D., of the SETI Institute, will discuss “The Science of Star Wars: The Lowdown on Space Travel, Aliens & The Force,” an illustrated, non-technical lecture in the Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College.

Many people assume that their descendants will join a galaxywide, multi-world society similar to that portrayed in the “Star Wars” franchise. And given the possibility that at least some aliens could be aggressive, interstellar conflict–as seen in science fiction movies–doesn’t seem implausible. But are these films at all realistic?

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