Free Public Talk on Black Holes | Berkeley

Submitted by the Event Organizer

This is a free public lecture by Andrew Fraknoi of Foothill College.

In this nontechnical, illustrated talk, astronomer and popular lecturer Andrew Fraknoi explores the bizarre and wonderful world of black holes. You do not need a background in science to enjoy this program. Everyone from ages 13 and up is most welcome.

Although black holes have become part of our everyday language, few people really understand the exciting science ideas behind the science fiction. You will learn why falling into a black hole is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, how black holes make a serious kind of time machine possible, and how new instruments have allowed astronomers to detect the presence of these elusive dark objects in our Galaxy and beyond. We’ll finish by connecting the properties of black holes to the complicated plot in the recent film “Interstellar” – the first movie to have a black hole expert involved from the beginning.

Andrew Fraknoi is the Chair of the Astronomy Department at Foothill College, where he teaches courses on astronomy and physics. He has received several national awards for his work in explaining space science, including being named California Professor of the Year in 2007. He appears regularly on local and national radio and has written a children’s book on astronomy for Disney. Asteroid 4859 has been named Asteroid Fraknoi by the International Astronomical Union in recognition of his work in science education (but he wants to reassure everyone that it’s a boring asteroid that is no threat to life in Berkeley!).

The library expects a large crowd and admission is first come, first served, so we recommend arriving a bit early. The closest parking garage is the Kittredge Street Garage (2020 Kittredge Street).

For more information, please see: https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/events/andrew-fraknoi-black-holes-spacewarps-and-time-machines-and-what-movie-%E2%80%9Cinterstellar%E2%80%9D-was
Or contact 510-981-6150.

Berkeley Central Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., Berkeley, CA, 94704 (in the 3rd floor Community Meeting Room).

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.