Astronomy enthusiasts have an opportunity to hear from Professor Shrinivas Kulkarni, George E. Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at California Institute of Technology, on the latest discoveries and advancements in our understanding of the mysterious universe. Prof. Kulkarni was the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Shaw Prize in Astronomy.

• What:  The Restless Universe: How the Periodic Table Got Built
• Speaker:  Professor Shrinivas Kulkarni, California Institute of Technology
• When: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, 7:30pm to 8:30pm
• Where: UNLV – Robert L. Bigelow Physics Building – convenient entrance from East Harmon Ave., East of Paradise Road. https://www.unlv.edu/maps/campus/BPB
• Cost: FREE. Open to the public.

Per the description of the lecture, the Universe began only with hydrogen and helium. Eventually, stars and supernovae gradually built up the periodic table. The Zwicky Transient Factory at Mount Palomar Observatory uses gigantic CCD cameras to systematically find these “blips and booms in the middle of the night.” Results from this project will be discussed including; super-luminous supernovae and the detection of gamma-ray bursts by purely optical techniques.

This talk is intended for a general audience including enthusiasts of all backgrounds and ages. This talk is open to the public with no registration required.