A backdrop of glowing colors, bright points of light and fantastical shapes swirls around like so much modern art as associate research professor Paul Scowen launches ASU Astronomy Club’s new lecture series.
The free, bi-monthly lectures were inspired by the club’s desire to welcome the public into the field of astronomy and to “foster interest in astronomy from the ‘gee whiz’ side of things,” Scowen says.
“Gee whiz” and various “oohs and ahhs” are usually exclamations saved for Fourth of July firework displays, but the unraveling mysteries of the cosmos has Scowen’s audience equally starry-eyed. College kids, high school students, professors and even families fill the 200-person lecture hall while Scowen delivers a far from ordinary presentation.
For the past decade or so, students in the School of Earth and Space Exploration have hosted monthly open houses. These open houses feature hands-on booths, stargazing and planetarium shows. This semester the club wants a way to generate more public interest and education.
“It’s a concept that has been implemented at other universities with great success,” says Kimberly Ward-Duong, club member and astrophysics graduate student.
While still including the astronomy open house, the lectures will also touch on all the “big burning questions in astronomy,” she says. Future topics include super-massive black holes, extraterrestrials, galaxies, supernovas and planetary systems.
“Astronomy is a subject that draws people to pursue it with passion because it captures the imagination,” Scowen says, jumping from behind his desk to motion toward a Hubble Space Telescope image of the Eagle Nebula, its three smoky columns defying comprehension.
“The lectures are aimed at creating a broad sense of appreciation without requiring college-level physics or math,” he says.
Unlike most talks concerning astronomy and related sciences, Scowen’s most recent lecture on star and planet formation isn’t filled with jargon and technicalities. Instead, nebulae become the “interstellar equivalent of a neon ‘Eat at Joe’s Diner’ sign,” and gravity is explained through a shuffling pantomime of Scowen sticking to objects nearby.
Far from diminishing the magnitude of his own and others’ work, Scowen has the audience chuckling, asking questions and taking a genuine interest in the formation of our solar system. Which, of course, is the whole point.
“Astronomy is a really cool field,” says Mark Richardson, club member and astrophysics graduate student. “(This) is an exciting opportunity for people who are curious about astronomy to hear from those in the forefront of the field and to have a discussion.”
Scowen’s interest in astronomy began at the age of 13, and it's clear from his hand motions and excited pacing that he is eager to share this love with the public. And he's not alone.
Other ASU faculty, graduate students and undergraduates who share a passion for astronomy will be among the lecturers illuminating the night sky for those with an interest.
“We’re really excited about the turnout, and hopefully we will continue with this much success,” Ward-Duong says.
Nicole Perrone, one of the many curious minds in attendance, is an anthropology senior who watches Scowen bound from one side of the hall to another in an animated explanation of why studying massive stars is like looking back into our own past.
“I thought it would be really interesting to learn about the origin of the solar system since I’m an anthropology major,” Perrone says. “It was understandable and he (Scowen) put it in layman’s terms.”
Pausing at the end of the talk, Scowen quotes one of his own undergraduate professors: “Leave all of your terrestrial frames of reference at the door, because they won’t be of any use here.”
Those in attendance wait two seconds in pregnant silence before breaking into applause, wondering at the vastness of the universe.
Contact the reporter at klhwang@asu.edu
