Caltech Home > PMA Home > Calendar > Stargazing Lecture
open search form
Friday, October 04, 2019
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Cahill, Hameetman Auditorium

Stargazing Lecture

Why is the Sky Dark at Night?
Alessandro Schillaci, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Astronomy, Caltech,

Olbers' paradox is named after the German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers, who in 1823 outlined the argument that the darkness of the night sky conflicts with the assumption of an infinite and eternal static universe. In this talk we will see how the answer to this ancient question carries us to the most remote places on our planet. It is in such places as the Antarctic cap or the High Altitude Chilean desert, that some of the deepest observations of the Universe reveal its intimate nature. Come join us for a spacetime trip to the edge of our cosmos, where resolving this fundamental question will bring us to the origins, evolution, and future of our Universe.

About the Series

Stargazing Lectures are free lectures at a public level followed by a Q&A panel and guided stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting). All events are held at the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Caltech. No reservations are needed. Lectures are 30 minutes; stargazing and panel Q&A last 90 minutes. Stay only as long as you want.

Stargazing is only possible with clear skies, but the lecture and panel Q&A takes place regardless of weather.

For directions, weather updates, and more information, please visit: http://outreach.astro.caltech.edu.

Download the series flyer (PDF)

For more information, please contact Cameron Hummels by email at [email protected].