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Habitability & Life Beyond Earth – July 9

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The last decade has seen a revolution in astrobiology — the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. Insights returned by Solar System planetary missions, the Kepler mission, and multi-disciplinary research in terrestrial extreme environments have resulted in a new inclusive vision of habitability in the universe. In her presentation, Dr. Cabrol will discuss this scientific revolution. She will present the latest updates from current missions, the existing plans for new ones, and where we stand in our quest to comprehend habitability and to find life beyond Earth.
Our speaker, SETI Institute astrobiolgist Nathalie Cabrol, is presented by: Wonderfest, the Mt. Tam Astronomy Program, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, The Friends of Mt. Tam, and the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers.

Dr. Nathalie Cabrol

WHAT: Habitability & Life Beyond Earth
WHO: Dr. Nathalie Cabrol, Astrobiologist, SETI Institute
WHERE: Cushing Memorial "Mountain" Amphitheater, Ridgecrest Blvd, Mt. Tamalpais State Park
Map: [http://goo.gl/maps/iRRFR]
WHEN: 2016-07-09 8:30pm, Saturday, July 9, 2016
HOW: Admission is FREE, but please register below. Bring a flashlight; and, just in case, wear warm clothes in layers. If bad weather threatens, call 415-455-5370 after 4pm. Hang around afterward for a laser-guided tour of the night sky AND for celestial viewing through the big telescopes of the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers (SFAA). This event is co-produced by Wonderfest, the Mount Tam Astronomy Program, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Friends of Mt. Tam, and the SFAA.
REGISTER:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/habitability-and-life-beyond-earth-tickets-26184638960
BlackHoleCollision-Einstein

Black Hole (Collision) Blues – June 22

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If two black holes collide unobserved, do they make a sound? A black hole collision is more powerful than any event since the Big Bang. But when black holes collide, they do so unilluminated — emanating only gravitational waves; the only evidence would be the sound of spacetime ringing. Janna Levin, Barnard College Professor of Physics & Astronomy, shares the aspirations and the trials of the scientists who embarked on a 50-year-long endeavor to capture these elusive gravitational waves — allowing us to record the soundtrack of the universe.

[Black Holes with Einstein image from Discover magazine.]


Dr. Janna Levin

WHAT: Black Hole (Collision) Blues
WHO: Dr. Janna Levin, Professor of Physics & Astronomy, Barnard College
WHERE: Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road (at Montrose), Palo Alto, CA
WHEN: 2016-06-22 7:00pm, Wednesday, June 22, 2016
HOW: Co-presented by Wonderfest and the Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley. Wonderfest DISCOUNT tickets available via Eventbrite registration, below.
REGISTER:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/janna-levin-black-hole-blues-tickets-24246411670?access=WONDERFEST
CuriousWar

The Curious Science of Humans at War, with Mary Roach – June 21

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Millions of people serve in our armed forces. What does it take to get them prepared and to keep them alive? Mary Roach — author of Bonk, Stiff, and Packing for Mars — tackles the science behind some of a soldier’s most challenging adversaries: panic, exhaustion, heat, and noise. She shares some of her bizarre experiences dodging hostile fire as part of a training exercise with the U.S. Marine Corps Paintball Team, and staying up all night with the crew manning missiles on the nuclear submarine USS Tennessee. Take a tour of duty with Roach, and you’ll never think about our nation’s defenders the same way again.

Mary Roach

WHAT: The Curious Science of Humans at War
WHO: Mary Roach, Author of Bonk, Stiff, and (now) Grunt
WHERE: Schultz Hall, Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
WHEN: 2016-06-21 7:00pm, Tuesday, June 21, 2016
HOW: Co-presented by Wonderfest and the Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley. Wonderfest DISCOUNT tickets available via Eventbrite registration, below.
REGISTER:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mary-roach-the-curious-science-of-humans-at-war-tickets-24246387598?access=WONDERFEST
HealthyAging-wide

Healthy Aging – June 9

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Humans are living longer but are not necessarily healthier. The latest research on human health and longevity has identified factors that control the aging process. By increasing our understanding of the biology of aging, we are beginning to identify interventions that will significantly extend the years of health, happiness, and productivity.
Join Dr. Gregory Tranah, CPMC Research Institute and UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, for this penetrating and FREE exploration of healthy aging. Just kindly register with Eventbrite.

Gregory Tranah, PhD

WHAT: Healthy Aging
WHO: Gregory Tranah, PhD, CPMC Research Institute and UCSF Epidemiology & Biostatistics Department
WHERE: SoMa Streat Food Park, 418 - 11th Street, San Francisco [http://www.somastreatfoodpark.com]
WHEN: 2016-06-09 — 7:00 PM, Thursday, June 9
HOW: Please register with Eventbrite, below.
WHY: Because we're curious creatures.
SeanM.Carroll

Sean M. Carroll — Origins of Life & the Universe, May16

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Cosmologist and award-winning author Sean Carroll is professor of physics at Caltech. Among his highly praised books are From Eternity to Here and The Particle at the End of the Universe. He is especially well known online for his physics blog Cosmic Variance. Prof. Carroll now joins Wonderfest and the Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley to discuss his latest book, The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself.
  • WHO:  Sean M. Carroll, Professor of Physics, California Institute of Technology
  • WHAT:  The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself
  • WHEN:  7:00 PM, Monday, May 16, 2016
  • WHERE:  Cubberley Community Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road (at Montrose Avenue)
  • HOW:  Purchase Wonderfest DISCOUNT tickets through the Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley HERE.
  • WHY:  Because we're curious creatures.
Cassini-Enceladus

Searching for Life in Ocean Worlds of the Outer Solar System, May14

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NASA has started a new program called "Ocean Worlds" that will focus on the many oceans in the moons of the outer Solar System. Enceladus, Europa, and Titan are of particular interest. Come with us as planetary scientist Dr. Chris McKay explores where and how we will search for evidence of life in these alien seas.


Dr. Chris McKay

WHAT: Searching for Life in Ocean Worlds of the Outer Solar System
WHO: Dr. Chris McKay, Planetary Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center
WHERE: Cushing Memorial "Mountain" Amphitheater, Ridgecrest Blvd, Mount Tamalpais State Park
Map: [http://goo.gl/maps/iRRFR]
WHEN: 2016-05-14 — 8:30 PM, Saturday, May 14, 2016
HOW:

Admission is FREE, but please register below. Bring a flashlight; and, just in case, wear warm clothes in layers. If bad weather threatens, call 415-455-5370 after 4pm. Hang around afterward for a laser-guided tour of the night sky AND for celestial viewing through the big telescopes of the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers (SFAA). This event is co-produced by Wonderfest, the Mount Tam Astronomy Program, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Friends of Mt. Tam, and the SFAA.


Origins

Wonderfest’s “ORIGINS NightLife” at the California Academy of Sciences, May12

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Whether you're a NightLife regular or rookie, Wonderfest's ORIGINS NightLife is not to be missed. It features three great speakers who will offer insights into fundamental beginnings: the origin of the cosmos, the origin of life, and the origin of civilization. Here's the schedule and line-up:

7:00pm – Eliot Quataert (Director, UC Berkeley Theoretical Astrophysics Center) on "How the Universe Evolved from Smooth to Lumpy" — The infant universe was remarkably uniform, with only tiny differences in its properties from one part to another. By contrast, the present universe exhibits enormous differences: some regions host planets, stars, and galaxies (and even humans!) while others do not. Prof. Quataert will describe how the universe evolved from its smooth beginnings to its current state, emphasizing how gravity reigns supreme and builds up the planets, stars, and galaxies required for biological evolution to proceed.

8:00pm – Dave Deamer (Professor of Biomolecular Engineering, UC Santa Cruz) on "Salty Sea or Darwin's Pond: Where Did Life Begin?" — Many undersea hydrothermal vents are loaded with bacteria, so scientists propose that life could have begun in similar sites four billion years ago. But science works best when there is competition between ideas. Prof. Deamer will describe field studies in the hydrothermal fields of Hawaii, Iceland, Kamchatka, and Mt. Lassen’s Bumpass Hell. He’ll discuss lab simulations that argue in favor of life’s origin in the fresh water environment suggested by Charles Darwin in 1871.

9:00pm – Henry Gilbert (Associate Professor of Anthropology, Cal State East Bay) on "Human Civilization from a Paleoanthropologist's Perspective" — Webster’s defines civilization as “the condition that exists when people have developed effective ways of organizing a society and care about art, science, etc.” Is civilization a useful term in academia? … in geopolitics? Does the term unite or divide humanity? Using numerous visual presentations of artifacts, excavations, and prehistoric societies, Prof. Gilbert will address the archaeological origins of intelligence, art, and other aspects of modern human behavior that may constitute civilization.

TICKETS: Get general NightLife info, and purchase tickets here.
  • WHAT:  Wonderfest's "ORIGINS NightLife" at the Cal Academy
  • WHO:  Eliot Quataert (UC Berkeley); Dave Deamer (UC Santa Cruz); Henry Gilbert (Cal State East Bay)
  • WHEN:  6:00 PM, Thursday, May 12
  • WHERE:  California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
  • HOW: Purchase tickets via the Cal Academy.
  • WHY: Because we're curious creatures.
WHEN: 2016-05-12 — 6:00pm, Thursday, May 12, 2016

283615-virus

Viruses: Ancestors or Aliens? May10

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Viruses are ubiquitous — and weird — little critters. Biologists can’t even agree if they are truly “living” entities. But if viruses aren’t alive, then how did they evolve and where did they come from? Stanford microbiologist Lauren Popov will lead us on an exploration of the mainstream hypotheses about the origins of viruses, and we'll marvel at the diversity of the ever-expanding viral family tree.

Lauren Popov

WHAT: Viruses: Ancestors or Aliens?
WHO: Lauren Popov, PhD Candidate, Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University
WHERE: Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, 200 N San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA 94903 [http://www.marinjcc.org]
WHEN: 2016-05-10 1:00 PM, Tuesday, May 10, 2016
HOW: Co-produced with the Marin JCC. Please register ($10) by calling 415-444-8000.

Bad Physics

BAD PHYSICS: Five Common Errors in Our Grasp of Reality, Mar 24

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From Aristotle to Einstein, great minds have failed to grasp basic ideas in physics. Join award-winning physics teacher Tucker Hiatt in exploring five of the juiciest misconceptions that plague our “common-sense” understanding of how the world works:
  • The Earth moves through space.
  • "Now" has universal meaning.
  • Nature loves all energies equally.
  • Mass becomes energy via E=mc^2.
  • God does not play dice.
WHAT: BAD PHYSICS: Five Common Errors in Our Grasp of Reality
WHO: Tucker Hiatt, Wonderfest Director & former Stanford Visiting Scholar
WHERE: Osher Marin JCC, 200 N San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA 94903
Map: [http://bit.ly/1X1hJTf]
WHEN: 2016-03-24 — Thursday, March 24, 1:00-3:00 PM
HOW:
Collaborators:
Co-produced with the Marin JCC. Please register ($10) by calling 415-444-8000. [http://www.marinjcc.org]

SeanCarroll

The Quest to Discover How Life Works, Mar 23

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The natural world is regulated at the microscopic and macroscopic levels: rules regulate every molecule in our bodies, and rules regulate every creature in the wild. But how is mankind using — and even altering — these rules? Award-winning biologist Sean Carroll will explain the remarkable similarity of the rules that regulate life at such different size levels. He will explain how our deep understanding leads to life-saving medicines, and how the time has come to use life’s rules (the “Serengeti Rules”) to heal our ailing planet.

Sean B. Carroll

WHAT: Serengeti Rules: The Quest to Discover How Life Works
WHO: Sean B. Carroll, Prof. of Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin — Madison [http://seanbcarroll.com]
WHERE: Recital Hall, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Map: [http://bit.ly/1L7RkTj]
WHEN: 2016-03-23 — Wednesday, March 23, 7:00 PM
HOW:
Collaborators:
Co-produced with the Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley
TICKETS:
http://bit.ly/1U0sK7Z

CuriosityTowardsMars

MISSION: MARS — Toward the First Human Journey to the Red Planet, Mar 18

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The first human mission to Mars will be our greatest 21st-century adventure. As with all expeditions, its success will depend on planning. The first steps are already under way: achieving longer spaceflight missions, planning for deep space journeys to Near-Earth Asteroids, and exploring extreme terrestrial environments as Mars “analogs.” Dr. Lee will discuss progress made around the world — from the Arctic to Antarctica, from basement labs to the International Space Station — to achieve the first human voyage to Mars. He will explore the what, why, how, when, and who of that first interplanetary journey.


Dr. Pascal Lee

WHAT: MISSION: MARS — Toward the First Human Journey to the Red Planet
WHO: Dr. Pascal Lee, Planetary Scientist, Mars Institute and SETI Institute
WHERE: Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland
Map: [http://bit.ly/1L7RtG6]
WHEN: 2016-03-18 — Friday, March 18, 8:00 PM
HOW:
Collaborators:
Co-produced with Chabot Space & Science Center
TICKETS:
http://bit.ly/1RtIPyy

intelligent-design-wonderfest

What If “Intelligent Design” Had Won? Feb 8

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Ten years have passed since a conservative District Court judge ruled that teaching intelligent design in public schools violates the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The National Center for Science Education, led by Eugenie Scott, was a principal consultant in this crucial decision for separation of church and state. Please join Dr. Scott as she presents a great “What If” analysis: the speculative fiction of an alternate universe in which intelligent design creationism COULD be taught as science!    This event is FREE, but please register with Eventbrite, below.

Dr. Eugenie Scott

WHAT: What If “Intelligent Design" Had Won?
WHO: Dr. Eugenie Scott, Founding Director, National Center for Science Education
WHERE: SOMA StrEat Food Park, 428 - 11th Street, San Francisco [http://www.somastreatfoodpark.com/]
Map: [https://goo.gl/maps/v2mEaE4ZV6r]
WHEN: 2016-02-08 7pm (1.5 hrs)
WHY: Because we’re curious creatures.

secret-of-our-success-wonderfest

The Secret of Our Success: How Culture is Driving Human Evolution, Feb 2

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Humans are a puzzling species. On the one hand, we struggle to survive on our own in the wild. On the other hand, humans have produced innovative technologies, sophisticated languages, and complex institutions. Joseph Heinrich — co-director of Harvard’s Human Evolution, Cognition, and Culture Center — explores how our cultural and social development produce a collective intelligence that explains both our uniqueness and our success.

Joseph Henrich

WHAT: The Secret of Our Success: How Culture is Driving Human Evolution
WHO: Joseph Henrich, Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
WHERE: Schultz Cultural Hall, Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
Map: [https://goo.gl/maps/Xmfhfi52pvx]
WHEN: 2016-02-02 — 6:30pm check-in, 7:00 program, 8:00 book signing
HOW:
Collaborators:
Co-presented with The Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley
TICKETS:
http://bit.ly/1JhBG6T

The Physics of Time Travel

The Physics of Time Travel, Jan 9

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The Physics of Time TravelIs time travel science fiction, or a plausible reality? The idea of time travel has intrigued writers and scientists for over a century, with fictional storylines and scientific paradoxes that somehow still resist our full understanding. Physics professor and award-winning science fiction author Ken Wharton will use popular movies as a framework to outline several distinct categories of consistent time travel stories — making connections with actual physics wherever possible.

 

KenWharton-Fine
  • WHAT: The Physics of Time Travel
  • WHO:  Ken Wharton, Professor of Physics & Astronomy, San José State University
  • WHEN:   8:00 PM, Saturday, January 9, 2016
  • WHERE:  Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619
  • HOW:  Purchase tickets http://bit.ly/1U27Bbs
  • WHY:  Because we’re curious creatures.

 

 

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Wonderfest works every day to promote the scientific outlook. For as little as $1/month, why not become a Wonderfest Patron? As the Medici family were patrons of popular art in old Italy, you can become a patron of popular science and rationality in the modern Bay Area. (And you’ll get that tax-deduction that the Medici never did!) Please become a regular supporter of Wonderfest, and help enlarge the concept of scientific community.

Become a Wonderfest Patron: http://www.patreon.com/wonderfest
Make a one time donation: http://wonderfest.org/donate

If you shop at Amazon.com, why not shop at AmazonSmile? It doesn’t cost you a dime extra, selection and prices are the same, and a small percent supports Wonderfest and science!  
http://amazon.wonderfest.org.

Watch more videos: http://videos.wonderfest.org

Join us on:
http://facebook.com/wonderfest
http://twitter.com/wonderfest

Star Wars Wonderfest

The Science of Star Wars, Seth Shostak, Dec 16

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Star Wars WonderfestOnly a heartless curmudgeon would analyze Star Wars: The Force Awakens for its science mistakes. But only a very special Caltech PhD astrophysicist (who makes an honest living hunting for ET!) could help us to enjoy and understand the science beneath the Star Wars world. Kindly check your light saber at the door, and join the SETI Institute’s Dr. Seth Shostak as he explores—with great humor and insight—everything from Mos Eisley cantina diversity to the jump to light speed. As The Force awakens, so will our appreciation of science.

  • WHAT: The Science of Star Wars
  • WHO:  Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer & Director, Center for SETI Research
  • WHEN:   7:00 PM, Wednesday, December 16, 2015
  • WHERE:  SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 – 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
    http://www.somastreatfoodpark.com/ Map: https://goo.gl/maps/wURbeYSER7r
  • HOW:  Reserve preferred seating with Eventbrite, below. Produced in partnership with Ask a Scientist http://askascientistsf.com
  • WHY:  Because we’re curious creatures.

 

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Wonderfest works every day to promote the scientific outlook. For as little as $1/month, why not become a Wonderfest Patron? As the Medici family were patrons of popular art in old Italy, you can become a patron of popular science and rationality in the modern Bay Area. (And you’ll get that tax-deduction that the Medici never did!) Please become a regular supporter of Wonderfest, and help enlarge the concept of scientific community.

Become a Wonderfest Patron: http://www.patreon.com/wonderfest
Make a one time donation: http://wonderfest.org/donate

If you shop at Amazon.com, why not shop at AmazonSmile? It doesn’t cost you a dime extra, selection and prices are the same, and a small percent supports Wonderfest and science!  
http://amazon.wonderfest.org.

Watch more videos: http://videos.wonderfest.org

Join us on:
http://facebook.com/wonderfest
http://twitter.com/wonderfest

The Official Houdini Séance

The Official Houdini Séance – Halloween!

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Can the greatest escape artist even escape death? In the spirit of scientific skepticism, TWO on-stage séances will summon the ghost of Harry Houdini — on Halloween, the anniversary of his death. The first séance will be earnest, conducted by a professional “psychic medium.” The second will be full of illusion and special effects, conducted by master magician Paul Draper. Other magicians will perform: Brian Brushwood, Robert Strong, & Justin Willman. Skeptics and scientists will speak: Michael Shermer, Jamy Ian Swiss, and Dr. Melina Uncapher (UCSF neuroscientist). Even if/when we don’t make contact with the great Houdini, this spectacular event will be a memorable evening of science, skepticism, and wonderful magic.
Buy tickets — and support the cause of scientific skepticism — at the Brava Theater box office.
  • WHAT:  The Official Houdini Séance, part of the Bay Area Science Festival
  • WHO:  Skeptic Michael Shermer, Magician Jamy Ian Swiss, UCSF Neuroscientist Melina Uncapher, ?The Ghost of Harry Houdini?, et al
  • WHEN:  8:00 PM, Saturday, October 31 (HALLOWEEN!), 2015
  • WHERE:  Brava Theater, 2781 –  24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
  • HOW:  Produced by Wonderfest, Robert Strong, and the Bay Area Skeptics.
  • TICKETS:  Only via the Brava Theater box office
  • WHY:  Because we’re curious creatures.

BIG THANKS to these generous donors for supporting Wonderfest through the Official Houdini Séance Kickstarter campaign:

Alicia Dattner
Joshua Finnell
Perkeo Flarg
Maribel H. Fraser
Eric Gamonal
Yvonne Lin
Brendan Simon
Joseph Zompetti

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Wonderfest works every day to promote the scientific outlook. For as little as $1/month, why not become a Wonderfest Patron? As the Medici family were patrons of popular art in old Italy, you can become a patron of popular science and rationality in the modern Bay Area. (And you’ll get that tax-deduction that the Medici never did!) Please become a regular supporter of Wonderfest, and help enlarge the concept of scientific community.

Become a Wonderfest Patron: http://www.patreon.com/wonderfest
Make a one time donation: http://wonderfest.org/donate

If you shop at Amazon.com, why not shop at AmazonSmile? It doesn’t cost you a dime extra, selection and prices are the same, and a small percent supports Wonderfest and science!
http://amazon.wonderfest.org.

Watch more videos: http://videos.wonderfest.org

Join us on:
http://facebook.com/wonderfest
http://twitter.com/wonderfest

Skepticism and the Supernatural

Skepticism and the Supernatural, a Halloween dialogue – Oct 31

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Skepticism and the SupernaturalHalloween is the perfect day for a deep and magical dialogue on the supernatural! Michael Shermer is the founder of The Skeptics Society, and monthly contributor to Scientific American magazine. He has written over a dozen books, including The Moral Arc and Why People Believe Weird Things, and he has appeared on The Colbert Report, Dateline, and Charlie Rose. Jamy Ian Swiss is a world-renowned magician and skeptic. He has been featured in print in The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, and on television on 48 Hours, PBS’s NOVA, The Today Show, AND he was a comedy writer and chief magic consultant for Penn & Teller. Please join Shermer and Swiss as they discuss the supernatural — on Halloween — with science and skepticism in mind.
  • WHAT:  Skepticism and the Supernatural, a Halloween dialogue
  • WHO:  Michael Shermer and Jamy Ian Swiss
  • WHEN:   5:00 PM, Saturday, October 31, 2015
  • WHERE:  Brava Theater, 2781 –  24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
  • HOW:  Produced by Wonderfest and the Bay Area Skeptics as part of the Bay Area Science Festival.
  • TICKETS: Below
  • WHY:  Because we’re curious creatures.

——————————–

Wonderfest works every day to promote the scientific outlook. For as little as $1/month, why not become a Wonderfest Patron? As the Medici family were patrons of popular art in old Italy, you can become a patron of popular science and rationality in the modern Bay Area. (And you’ll get that tax-deduction that the Medici never did!) Please become a regular supporter of Wonderfest, and help enlarge the concept of scientific community.

Become a Wonderfest Patron: http://www.patreon.com/wonderfest
Make a one time donation: http://wonderfest.org/donate

If you shop at Amazon.com, why not shop at AmazonSmile? It doesn’t cost you a dime extra, selection and prices are the same, and a small percent supports Wonderfest and science!
http://amazon.wonderfest.org.

Watch more videos: http://videos.wonderfest.org

Join us on:
http://facebook.com/wonderfest
http://twitter.com/wonderfest

Revenge of the Dwarf Planet

Revenge of the Dwarf Planet: What Really Happened to Pluto, Oct 26

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Revenge of the Dwarf PlanetCelebrated public astronomer Andrew Fraknoi takes us behind the scenes on Pluto’s demotion to “dwarf planet,” explaining why its story might still turn out OK. In July, the New Horizons spacecraft flew by the double planet Pluto-Charon and gave us superb close-up views of both worlds for the first time. Though New Horizons data will keep coming to us for a whole year, Fraknoi will give an update on what we now know about these icy worlds at the outskirts of our solar system.

  • WHAT:  Revenge of the Dwarf Planet: What Really Happened to Pluto
  • WHO:  Andrew Fraknoi, Chair of the Astronomy Department, Foothill College
  • WHEN:    Monday, October 26 — 6:30pm check-in, 7:00pm program
  • WHERE:  Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
  • HOW:  In association with Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley.
  • WHY:  Because we’re curious creatures.

Follow these steps to secure tickets discounted by $8:

1) Click “Enter promotional code” at lower right.
2) Enter the promo code WONDERFEST, and click “Apply.”
3) Discounted item will appear.  Choose number of tickets.
4) Click “Order Now” to begin payment procedure.

 

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Wonderfest works every day to promote the scientific outlook. For as little as $1/month, why not become a Wonderfest Patron? As the Medici family were patrons of popular art in old Italy, you can become a patron of popular science and rationality in the modern Bay Area. (And you’ll get that tax-deduction that the Medici never did!) Please become a regular supporter of Wonderfest, and help enlarge the concept of scientific community.

Become a Wonderfest Patron: http://www.patreon.com/wonderfest
Make a one time donation: http://wonderfest.org/donate

If you shop at Amazon.com, why not shop at AmazonSmile? It doesn’t cost you a dime extra, selection and prices are the same, and a small percent supports Wonderfest and science!
http://amazon.wonderfest.org.

Watch more videos: http://videos.wonderfest.org

Join us on:
http://facebook.com/wonderfest
http://twitter.com/wonderfest

Cosmic Nightlife

Wonderfest’s “Cosmic NightLife” at the California Academy of Sciences, Oct 22

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Cosmic NightlifeWhether you’re a NightLife regular or rookie, Wonderfest’s Cosmic NightLife is not to be missed. It features three of the most exciting and insightful space experts in the Bay Area — and perhaps on planet Earth. Here’s the schedule and line-up:
7:00pm – Chris McKay (Planetary Scientist, NASA-Ames) on “Challenges and Mysteries of Planetary Exploration” — As we explore the many worlds in our Solar System, we are continually surprised. Challenges and mysteries remain: the most interesting of which is the question of life.
7:45pm – Dan Werthimer (SETI@home Chief Scientist, UC Berkeley) on “If We’re Not Alone, When Will Earthlings Find ET?” — The Fermi Paradox asks, “If extraterrestrial intelligence is common in the cosmos, then where is everybody?” Current and future SETI projects, including the new $100-million Breakthrough Foundation Listen project, may finally provide an answer.
8:30pm – Alex Filippenko (Professor of Astronomy, UC Berkeley) on “A Universe of Universes? Reflection on Life and the Cosmos” — The Laws of physics, as well as cosmic statistics, may imply the existence of multiple universes, only a small minority of which could be suitable for the development of complexity and life as we know it. Come hear arguments favoring the existence of a “multiverse,” of which our universe is one special member.
  • WHAT:  Wonderfest’s “Cosmic NightLife” at the Cal Academy
  • WHO:  Alex Filippenko, UC Berkeley; Chris McKay, NASA-Ames; Dan Werthimer, UC Berkeley
  • WHEN:    6:00 PM, Thursday, October 22
  • WHERE:  California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
  • TICKETS:  Purchase tickets at this Cal Academy site
  • WHY:  Because we’re curious creatures.

——————————–

Wonderfest works every day to promote the scientific outlook. For as little as $1/month, why not become a Wonderfest Patron? As the Medici family were patrons of popular art in old Italy, you can become a patron of popular science and rationality in the modern Bay Area. (And you’ll get that tax-deduction that the Medici never did!) Please become a regular supporter of Wonderfest, and help enlarge the concept of scientific community.

Become a Wonderfest Patron: http://www.patreon.com/wonderfest
Make a one time donation: http://wonderfest.org/donate

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Hunting for Intelligent Life

Breakthrough Listen: Grand New Search for ET, Oct 17

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Hunting for Intelligent LifeThe Breakthrough Prize Foundation has committed $100 Million to UC Berkeley and other institutions for the most comprehensive Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) ever conducted. Chief Scientist of Berkeley SETI, Dan Werthimer, will describe the rationale for past and future searches, and will show how new technologies are revolutionizing SETI.

  • WHAT:  Breakthrough Listen: Grand New Search for ET
  • WHO:  Dan Werthimer, Chief Scientist, UC Berkeley SETI
  • WHEN:  7:30 pm, Saturday, October 17, 2015
  • WHERE:  Cushing Memorial Amphitheater, Mount Tamalpais State Park <http://goo.gl/maps/iRRFR>
  • HOW:  Admission is FREE. Bring a flashlight, and, just in case, wear warm clothes in layers. If bad weather threatens, call 415-455-5370 after 4pm. This event is presented in collaboration with Mount Tamalpais State Park, Friends of Mt. Tam, San Francisco Amateur Astronomers, and the Mt. Tam Astronomy Programs.
  • Kindly consider supporting Wonderfest, below.
  • WHY:  Because we’re curious creatures.

 

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Become a Wonderfest Patron: http://www.patreon.com/wonderfest
Make a one time donation: http://wonderfest.org/donate

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