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Lecture
The Milky Way: Why We Need Her and How She Was Formed
Presenter: Dr. Sandy Faber
Thursday, February 26, 2009
7:30 pm
Lockheed Martin Imax Theater
National Mall Building

Webcast Watch the archived webcast


 

6:00 PM Screening of the documentary 400 Years of the Telescope (http://www.400years.org/)

7:00 PM Meet the lecturer

7:30 PM Lecture begins
 
A hundred years ago, astronomers did not know about galaxies, let alone that the Milky Way is a galaxy in a vast sea of galaxies. Today, astronomers have made remarkable progress in understanding how galaxies form in our expanding Universe and the crucial role they play in building the elements of which the planets, and even human beings, are made. Dr. Sandy Faber will discuss the formation of the Milky Way, including dramatic recent discoveries, and why this was an indispensable cosmic step in the road to life as we know it.  Dr. Faber has been studying galaxy formation for over thirty years and is currently University Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics,  Lick Observatory, University of California at Santa Cruz.

This Lecture is made possible by the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore and the Hubble Space Telescope Program at the Goddard Space Flight Center. This program is part of their third annual John Bahcall Lecture Series.

  
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The GE, Exploring Space, Glenn and Lindbergh lectures are free, but tickets are required. Seating may be limited. To request tickets online, use the ticket request form. You may also pick up tickets for the lectures above at our Imax Box Offices during regular museum hours. Questions please call (202) 633-2398 or e-mail public lectures.

If requested two weeks in advance, oral and sign language interpreters are available.