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JoyOfScience1

Joy of Science – Oct 16

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How do the methods of science enrich the world for us? The latest book by physicist Jim Al-Khalili, The Joy of Science, invites us to engage with the world as scientists do. It discusses the nature of truth and uncertainty, the role of doubt, the pros and cons of simplification, the value of guarding aginst bias, the importance of evidence-based thinking — all ideas that can empower us to think more objectively, see through the fog of our preexisting beliefs, and lead a more fulfilling life.

Dr. Jim Al-Khalili is Distinguished Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Surrey in England. Having written 14 popular books and having earned the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication, he is also a university chair in the public engagement in science. Dr. Al-Khalili will discuss The Joy of Science with Kishore Hari, Science Correspondent at Tested.com.


Dr. Jim Al-Khalili

WHAT: The Joy of Science
WHO: Dr. Jim Al-Khalili, Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Surrey, UK [https://jimal-khalili.com]
WHERE: Commonwealth Club's Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, 110 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
Map: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/35mH1YTHtgNbYeoS8]
WHEN: 2023-10-16 — 5:30, Monday, Oct 16 (1 hour)
HOW:

Visit the Commonwealth Club event website (below) for ticket information. During the final steps of ticket purchase, use the code WonderfestPromo for a $10 discount.


TICKETS:
https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2023-10-16/jim-al-khalili-joy-science
SearchForET

Search for ET – Oct 15

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Humans have sought "signs from above” for millennia. The scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) began circa 1960, and, today, grows ever deeper and more technologically diverse. The scope of modern research is breathtaking. Methods include targeted searches for electromagnetic (EM) signals near known Earth-like exoplanets, continuous EM scans over the entire sky (e.g., PANOSETI at the Bay Area's Lick Observatory, pictured), the hunt for exotic forms of communication, and the careful search for ET artifacts on/near Earth.

Our speaker, Dan Werthimer, is Chief Technologist at the Berkeley SETI Research Center. Since 1979, Dan has helped to design and build numerous sensitive tools for the detection of ET. In 2019, Dan earned Wonderfest's Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization. And, in 2021, he received the prestigious Frank Drake Award of the SETI Institute.


Dan Werthimer

WHAT: Innovation in the Search for ET
WHO: Dan Werthimer, Chief Technologist, Berkeley SETI Research Center [https://seti.berkeley.edu/people/Dan.html]
WHERE: Alameda Free Library, 1550 Oak Street, Alameda, CA 94501 [https://www.alamedafree.org/Home]
WHEN: 2023-10-15 — 2pm, Sunday, Oct 15 (1.5 hr)
HOW:

This free event is produced by Wonderfest and by the Alameda Free Library. In the Eventbrite space below, please consider a donation to help nonprofit Wonderfest in its mission of science outreach.


Astrobiology2

Extraterrestrial Life – Sep 5

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An August-24th New York Times article about audacious astronomer Avi Loeb concludes with this: "Now, that being said, if [Dr. Loeb] finds something, it's life-changing ... It will change everything." What was "being said" referred to professional academic complaints about Dr. Loeb's alleged "transgressions against scientific norms and protocols." However, no one disputes the excitement of Prof. Loeb's investigations. Wonderfest joins the Commonwealth Club to present controversial Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb in conversation about ideas in his latest book, Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars. That conversation will explore some vital — if highly speculative — long-term questions: How do we prepare for first contact with ET? And how can our species itself become interstellar?

Dr. Avi Loeb is Professor of Science and former chair of the Astronomy Department at Harvard University. During this online event, he will be in conversation with the Commonwealth Club's George Hammond.


Dr. Avi Loeb

WHAT: Avi Loeb's Search for Extraterrestrial Life
WHO: Dr. Avi Loeb, Professor of Science, Harvard [https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/people/avi-loeb]
WHERE: ONLINE, with the Commonwealth Club
WHEN: 2023-09-05 — 3pm PDT, Tuesday, Sep 5 (1 hour)
HOW:

Please pre-register with the Commonwealth Club (via the URL below) to receive a link — via email — to this live-stream event. Use discount code WonderfestPromo for $10 off the ticket price, rendering that ticket completely FREE.


Collaborators:
The Commonwealth Club
TICKETS:
https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2023-09-05/avi-loebs-search-extraterrestrial-life
TwoEclipses

Two Solar Eclipses – Aug 28

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Two eclipses of the sun are coming to North America during the academic year ahead: an annular (“ring of fire”) eclipse on October 14, 2023, and a total eclipse on April 8, 2024. Observers in two narrow paths will have the full eclipse experience each time. Everyone else (an estimated 500 million people, including all of us in the Bay Area) will see a nice partial eclipse, where the moon covers a good portion of the sun.

Astronomer extraordinaire Andrew Fraknoi will describe how eclipses come to be (and why they are total only on Earth), what scientists learn during eclipses, exactly when and where the eclipses of October and April will be best visible, and how to observe the eclipses safely.


Andrew Fraknoi

WHAT: Two Solar Eclipses
WHO: Andrew Fraknoi, Chair Emeritus, Foothill College Astronomy Department [https://www.fraknoi.com]
WHERE: Commonwealth Club of California, 110 The Embarcadero, SF, CA 94105 & ONLINE
WHEN: 2023-07-28 — 5:30 PT, Monday, Aug 28 (1 hour)
HOW:

Visit the Commonwealth Club event website (below) for info about the two types of tickets: in-person and online. During the final steps of ticket acquisition, use discount code WonderfestPromo for $10 off. (That price reduction renders the online ticket entirely FREE.) In-person attendees will receive a free pair of safe-viewing glasses for the partial eclipse phases.


TICKETS:
https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2023-08-28/andrew-fraknoi-two-eclipses-sun
Astrobiology

Astrobiology Memoir – July 24

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How far off are the "goldilocks" worlds? These are the planets, orbiting other stars, that have just the right environmental traits to make life possible — not too hot, not too cold, etc. Will we be able to detect the chemical signals of alien life from so far away? In her new book, Life on Other Planets: A Memoir of Finding My Place in the Universe, Dr. Aomawa Shields discusses these questions alongside the personal challenges she's encountered on the path to success in the thrilling field of astrobiology. Dr. Shields is in conversation with author and journalist Julia Flynn, and in touch with the online audience via the chat bar.

Dr. Aomawa Shields is Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy at UC Irvine. She is also founding director of Rising Stargirls, dedicated to encouraging girls to explore the universe using theater, writing, and visual art.


Dr. Aomawa Shields

WHAT: Astrobiology, a Memoir
WHO: Dr. Aomawa Shields, Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy, UC Irvine [https://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=6345]
WHERE: ONLINE, with the Commonwealth Club
WHEN: 2023-07-24 — 3pm PDT, Mon, July 24 (1 hour)
HOW:

Please pre-register with the Commonwealth Club (via the URL below) to receive a link — via email — to this live-stream event. Use discount code WonderfestPromo for $10 off the ticket price, rendering that ticket completely FREE.


Collaborators:
The Commonwealth Club
TICKETS:
https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2023-07-24/aomawa-shields-life-other-planets
AaSE-Maria+Tyler

Biodiversity; Cosmic Maps – Mar 27

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Wonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers with special communication skills and aspirations. Following short talks on provocative modern science topics, these two Science Envoys will answer questions with insight and enthusiasm:

• Stanford paleobiologist Dr. Maria Viteri on Exhuming the Dead to Save the Living —  Earth is experiencing a crisis in biodiversity. Surprisingly, the fossil record offers key insights for understanding this crisis, and one scientist's lifelong fascination with dinosaurs — leading to a career in conservation biology — is helping to combat the biodiversity challenge of the present ... and of the future.

• UC Berkeley astrophysicist Tyler Cox on Creating the Largest-Ever Maps of the Universe — New datasets from the James Webb Space Telescope have begun to reveal some of the oldest known galaxies in the universe. But what lies beyond these extremely remote objects, and what more can we learn by going deeper? Next-generation experiments are working to map the most distant regions of the universe to help explain the origins of the first galaxies.
WHAT: Ask a Science Envoy: Biodiversity & Cosmic Maps
WHO: Maria Viteri & Tyler Cox, Wonderfest Science Envoys
WHERE: ONLINE, Via Zoom [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89140744922]
WHEN: 2023-03-27 — 8pm, Monday, March 27 (1 hour)
HOW:

This free, online, science presentation is produced by Wonderfest in partnership with the Berkeley Public Library.

What value do these science insights have for you? Accordingly, please consider making a donation to nonprofit Wonderfest via the Eventbrite box, below. (Note: No "sales" or "tickets" are involved; it's just a thoughtful contribution to help Wonderfest promote science understanding and the scientific outlook.)


Collaborators:
Berkeley Public Library [https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org]

SpiderLove&DarkMatter

Spider Love; Dark Matter – Mar 15

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Wonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers with special communication skills and aspirations. Following short talks on provocative modern science topics, these two Science Envoys will answer questions with insight and enthusiasm:

• UC Berkeley arachnologist Trinity Walls on Creepy or Captivating: A Spider Scientist's Perspective — How have recent discoveries about spiders changed beliefs that have been passed down for generations? Can we see that the study of spiders is beneficial to society? One person's life-long journey — from curious child to rigorous researcher — reveals spider science to be an avenue of creative self-expression that offers rich insights into nature.

• Stanford physicist Jyotirmai "Joe" Singh on Exploring the Dark Side of the Universe — Deeply mysterious dark matter constitutes a staggering 85% of the material universe. What is the evidence for dark matter's ubiquitous existence, yet why has it been so difficult to detect in the laboratory? Cutting-edge theories and experiments within modern physics do give us hope that we can understand dark matter, unlocking key mysteries of the cosmos.
WHAT: Ask a Science Envoy: Spider Love & Dark Matter
WHO: Trinity Walls & Joe Singh, Wonderfest Science Envoys
WHERE: ONLINE, via Zoom [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88237930780]
WHEN: 2023-03-15 — 8pm, Wed, March 15 (1 hour)
HOW:

This free, online, science presentation is produced by Wonderfest in partnership with the Berkeley Public Library.

What value do these science insights have for you? Accordingly, please consider making a donation to nonprofit Wonderfest via the Eventbrite box, below. (Note: No "sales" or "tickets" are involved; it's just a thoughtful contribution to help Wonderfest promote science understanding and the scientific outlook.)


Collaborators:
Berkeley Public Library [https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org]

Srirangarajan+Carroll

Neural Engagement; Algorithmic Manipulation – May 17

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Wonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers with special communication skills and aspirations. Following short talks on provocative modern science topics, these two Science Envoys will answer questions with insight and enthusiasm:

• Stanford neuroeconomist Tara Srirangarajan on Neural Engagement With Nature Imagery — The power of Internet media to capture attention, inspire emotions, and motivate behavior pervades much of modern life. Nature imagery — from pets to wildlife to landscapes — engages the public toward a variety of ends. Understanding the neural mechanisms that underlie the effect of such imagery can drive prosocial action on climate change and other environmental issues. 

• UC Berkeley computer scientist Micah Carroll on Manipulation via Social Media Algorithms — A new class of AI algorithm is working to maximize user engagement across social media — actually trying to change the user in order to make more money for parent Internet companies. When we browse online social content, e.g. on Instagram or TikTok, exactly how will AI play with our minds?

WHAT: Ask a Science Envoy: Neural Engagement & Algorithmic Manipulation
WHO: Tara Srirangarajan (Stanford) & Micah Carroll (UC Berkeley), Wonderfest Science Envoys
WHERE: ONLINE, via Zoom [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82186320431]
WHEN: 2022-05-17 — 8pm, Tuesday, May 17th (1 hour)
HOW:

This event is free. But what value do these science insights have FOR YOU? Accordingly, please use the space below to contribute to nonprofit Wonderfest, and help to promote the scientific outlook broadly — as through our outstanding Science Envoy Program.


Miller+Vasylyev

Memory; Supernovae – May 9

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Wonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers with special communication skills and aspirations. Following short talks on provocative modern science topics, these two Science Envoys will answer questions with insight and enthusiasm:

• Stanford neuroscientist Douglas Steven Miller on Why Can't I Remember? — Memory is a fundamental component of life. However, memory within and across individuals can vary. By studying attention, we can illuminate key components of these differences and perhaps strengthen our memory.

• UC Berkeley astrophysicist Sergiy Vasylyev on Cosmic Fireworks — Some stars go out with a bang: a cataclysmic explosion known as a supernova. Supernovae allow us to study the composition and dynamics of the Universe. Astronomers are able to use certain properties of light and atoms to peer inside the extreme environments of these cosmic fireworks from the safety of planet Earth.

WHAT: Ask a Science Envoy: Memory & Supernovae
WHO: Douglas S. Miller (Stanford) & Sergiy Vasylyev (UC Berkeley), Wonderfest Science Envoys
WHERE: ONLINE, via Zoom [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86950546941]
WHEN: 2022-05-09 — 8pm, Monday, May 9th (1 hour)
HOW:

This event is free. But what value do these science insights have FOR YOU? Accordingly, please use the space below to contribute to nonprofit Wonderfest, and help to promote the scientific outlook broadly — as through our outstanding Science Envoy Program.


Miller+Patra

Prescribed Burns; Exploding Stars–Mar2

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Wonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers with special communication skills and aspirations. Following short talks on provocative modern science topics, these two Science Envoys will answer questions with insight and enthusiasm:

  • Stanford evironmental scientist Rebecca Miller on "Prescribed Burns in California" — Over the past several years, California has experienced record-breaking wildfire seasons. Recent wildfires have prompted important policy conversations about prescribed burns, fires that are purposefully set to remove ground vegetation and reduce fire risks. What are the challenges that have prevented us from using prescribed burns in California, and how might we wisely expand the use of this valuable fuel treatment?
  • UC Berkeley astrophysicist Kishore Patra on "Exploding Stars" — The atoms in everything around us — the oxygen in the air, the carbon in our bodies, the gold in our jewelry — were forged in stellar furnaces. We owe our very existence to stars that died in cataclysmic explosions known as supernovae. What is the cosmic story of our elemental origins? What do we know about supernovae, and how do astronomers study them?
WHAT: Ask a Science Envoy: Prescribed Burns & Exploding Stars
WHO: Rebecca Miller (Stanford) and Kishore Patra (UC Berkeley), Wonderfest Science Envoys
WHERE: ONLINE via Zoom, with this link: [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85443402857]
WHEN: 2021-03-02 — 8pm PST, Tue, March 2 (1 hour)
HOW:

What value do these science insights have FOR YOU? Accordingly, please use the space below to contribute to nonprofit Wonderfest, and help to promote the scientific outlook broadly — as through the outstanding Science Envoy Program.


mostimprobablejourney

Exoplanets & Alien Life – Jan 29

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Humanity has looked up at the stars for millennia and wondered whether we're alone in the Universe. Yet only in the past few decades have we begun to discover planets outside our Solar System: to date, we've found over 4,000 such "exoplanets." Further, we have statistical reasons to believe that roughly one billion exoplanets — in our Galaxy alone — are promising abodes for life. Come learn about exoplanets and the exciting search for Earth-like and potentially habitable worlds.

Our speaker, Andy Mayo, is a PhD student and researcher in the UC Berkeley Astronomy Department. He is also a Wonderfest Science Envoy.


Andrew Mayo

WHAT: Exoplanets and the Search for Alien Life
WHO: Andrew Mayo, UC Berkeley Astronomy Department
WHERE: ONLINE, via Zoom: [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82195772545]
WHEN: 2021-01-29 — 8pm PST, Friday, Jan 29 (1 hr)
HOW:

What value will these insights have for you? Via the Eventbrite portal below, please consider a donation to nonprofit Wonderfest in accord with this value.


AloneInMilkyWay

N~1: Alone in the Milky Way – Oct 24

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The Drake Equation famously “quantifies our ignorance" regarding the number, N, of technological civilizations in our galaxy. Even though planets are plentiful, and even though life may be a natural — even common — product of cosmic chemistry, we may truly be the only galactic civilization capable of interstellar communication. I.e., perhaps N~1.

Our speaker, Pascal Lee, is a planetary scientist at the SETI Institute, and co-founder of the Mars Institute. During the video premiere of "N~1: Alone in the Milky Way," Dr. Lee will answer questions in the YouTube "chat" bar. Live Q&A will continue, immediately afterward, via Google "Meet."


Dr. Pascal Lee

WHAT: N~1: Alone in the Milky Way
WHO: Dr. Pascal Lee, Planetary Scientist, SETI Institute [http://www.pascallee.net]
WHERE: ONLINE, at the Mt Tam Astronomy YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/mttamastronomy]
WHEN: 2020-10-24 — 7:30pm PDT, Sat, Oct 24 (1.5 hr)
HOW:

This event is co-produced by Wonderfest and the Mount Tamalpais Astronomy Program. Visit the Mt Tam Astronomy YouTube channel ("WHERE" link, above) to set a reminder for the YouTube Premiere on Saturday, October 24th. One week thereafter, the video can be viewed at the Wonderfest Science YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/wonderfestscience.

BTW, if you benefit from science events like this, please donate accordingly — via the inaptly-named "Tickets" box below — to help nonprofit Wonderfest share the scientific outlook.


ShareTheNightSky

Share the Night Sky – Oct 22

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Join San Francisco's "Urban Astronomer" Paul Salazar and KPOO's DJ Marilynn for a VIRTUAL guided tour of the glorious night sky.

Just find a dark, unobstructed view of the sky, and tune into KPOO-FM (89.5 MHz) or visit <https://kpoo.com/stream> with a smart phone. Then, look upward and let SF's Urban Astronomer guide you toward the setting Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn in the west, and then toward Mars, the Pleiades star cluster, and the Andromeda Galaxy in the east. (Folks stuck indoors or under clouds can participate "virtually" via a free astronomy app such as SkyView Lite.) Stargazing households congregating in backyards and socially-distanced strangers on sidewalks will feel united by the grandeur — and the wonder — of the night sky.


SF Urban Astronomer Paul Salazar w/ DJ Marilynn

WHAT: Share the Night Sky
WHO: SF Urban Astronomer Paul Salazar w/ DJ Marilynn [http://urbanastronomer.blogspot.com]
WHERE: KPOO-FM (89.5 MHz) [https://kpoo.com/stream]
WHEN: 2020-10-22 — 8pm PDT, Thu, Oct 22 (1 hr)
HOW:

From a dark location with a clear view of the sky, use a radio or Internet-ready phone to tune into the KPOO-FM broadcast (89.5 MHz) or live-stream (https://kpoo.com/stream).

This event is part of the Bay Area Science Festival. Big thanks to Andy Fraknoi, former Chair of the Foothill College Astronomy Department (and 1st recipient of Wonderfest's Sagan Prize!), for inspiration.


Collaborators:
Night Sky Network, administered by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific [https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov]
Mt Tam Astronomy Program [http://www.mttamastronomy.org]
San Francisco Amateur Astronomers [https://www.sfaa-astronomy.org]
VLA&MilkyWay

Seeking Alien Civilizations – Oct 17

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A search is underway to find intelligent life in the universe. Can SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) researchers detect radio, infrared, or optical signals from other civilizations? Current and future SETI projects, including the new $100-million Breakthrough Prize Foundation "Listen" project, may provide an answer.

UC Berkeley astronomer Dan Werthimer, Chief Scientist at Berkeley SETI Research Center, will describe the rationale for past and future searches, and will show how new technologies are revolutionizing SETI. Dan is the 2019 recipient of Wonderfest's Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization.


Dan Werthimer

WHAT: Are We Alone? — Seeking Alien Civilizations
WHO: Dan Werthimer, Chief Scientist, Berkeley SETI Research Center
WHERE: ONLINE, Zoom [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83436294025]
WHEN: 2020-10-17 — 4pm PDT, Sat, Oct 17 (1.5 hrs)
HOW:

This Zoom online gathering will begin with collective viewing of the new Wonderfest video entitled "Are We Alone? — Seeking Alien Civilizations" by Dan Werthimer. Then, Dan will answer juicy extraterrestrial questions posed by the Zoom audience.

This online event is produced in collaboration with the Alameda Free Library, Castro Valley Educational Foundation, and Castro Valley Science. Please consider contributing to Wonderfest's science outreach efforts via the inaptly named "Tickets" box, below.


CriticalThinking

Critical Thinking – Sep 29

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"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure, and the intelligent are full of doubt." So said philosopher, mathematician, and Nobel laureate (in literature!) Bertrand Russell. Indeed, overconfidence leads us to delude ourselves with wishful thinking, take too many risks, and waste time on doomed ventures. Under-confidence dissuades us from taking risks and pursuing ventures that can enrich life in so many ways. Psychological evidence and insight help us to thread the needle between foolhardy overconfidence and stultifying under-confidence.

Wonderfest joins the Commonwealth Club in presenting UC Berkeley's Donald Moore, Mitchell Chair in Leadership at the Haas School of Business, in conversation with Patrick O'Reilly, Chair of the Commonwealth Club's Psychology Forum. Dr. Moore's latest book is Perfectly Confident: How to Calibrate Your Decisions Wisely.


Dr. Donald Moore

WHAT: Critical Thinking and the Psychology of Confidence
WHO: Dr. Donald Moore, Mitchell Chair in Leadership, Haas School of Business, UCB
WHERE: ONLINE, Register to receive live-stream event link: [https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2020-09-29/critical-thinking-and-psychology-confidence]
WHEN: 2020-09-29 — 6pm PDT, Tue, Sep 29 (1 hr)
HOW:

Register for this FREE online event via the Commonwealth Club weblink, above. Registration ends one hour before event begins.

Please consider supporting Wonderfest's science outreach work via the inaptly name "Tickets" box, below.


GalacticWeather

Galactic Weather – Aug 22

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Just as Earth has an atmosphere, and stars (like the Sun) have coronas, galaxies are embedded in invisible halos of atomic gases. As galaxies evolve, these gaseous halos exhibit many interesting phenomena similar to rains and droughts on Earth. What do these enormous galactic climate systems look like, how are they studied, and how do they behave?

Our speaker, Dr. Yong Zheng, earned her astronomy PhD at Columbia University, and is now a Miller posdoctoral scholar in the UC Berkeley Astronomy Department. During the video Premiere of "Galactic Weather," Dr. Zheng will answer questions in the YouTube "chat" bar. Live Q&A will continue, immediately afterward, via Google "Meet."


Dr. Yong Zheng

WHAT: Galactic Weather
WHO: Dr. Yong Zheng, Miller Postdoctoral Scholar, Astronomy Department, UC Berkeley
WHERE: ONLINE, at the Mt Tam Astronomy YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/mttamastronomy]
WHEN: 2020-08-22 — 7:30pm, Sat, August 22 (1.5 hr)
HOW:

This event is co-produced by Wonderfest and the Mount Tamalpais Astronomy Program. In mid-August, when the "Galactic Weather" video is formally posted, visit the Mt Tam Astronomy YouTube channel ("WHERE" link, above) to set a reminder for the actual Premiere on Saturday, August 22nd. Thereafter, the video can be viewed at the Wonderfest Science YouTube channel: <https://www.youtube.com/wonderfestscience>.

BTW, if you benefit from science events like this, please donate accordingly — via the inaptly-named "Tickets" box below — to help nonprofit Wonderfest share the scientific outlook.


VeryFirstStars

The Very First Stars – July 25

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The Big Bang Theory, describing the origin of our universe, is very well established today. We have ample evidence that the universe originated from a hot "singularity," then expanded and cooled over time. Nevertheless, there is still a missing piece of the cosmic puzzle: How did the first stars form?! This presentation will explore the observational challenges we face in answering such a fundamental question.

Our speaker, Deepthi Gorthi, is a 5th-year doctoral researcher in the UC Berkeley Astronomy Department. She is also a Wonderfest Science Envoy. During the video Premiere of "The Very First Stars," Deepthi will answer questions in the YouTube "chat" bar. Live Q&A will continue, immediately afterward, via Google "Meet."


Deepthi Gorthi

WHAT: The Very First Stars
WHO: Deepthi Gorthi, Astronomy Department, UC Berkeley
WHERE: ONLINE, at the Mt Tam Astronomy YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCccr2q6IgFSOglvh66VFSLw]
WHEN: 2020-07-25 — 7:30pm, Sat, July 25 (1.5 hr)
HOW:

This event is co-produced by Wonderfest and the Mount Tamalpais Astronomy Program. In mid-July, when the "First Stars" video Premiere event is formally posted, visit the Mt Tam Astronomy YouTube channel ("WHERE" link, above) to set a reminder for the actual Premiere on Saturday, July 25th. Thereafter, the video can be viewed at the Wonderfest Science YouTube channel: <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCccr2q6IgFSOglvh66VFSLw>.

BTW, what value will this admission-free event have FOR YOU? Please donate accordingly — via the inaptly-named "Tickets" box below — to help nonprofit Wonderfest share the scientific outlook.


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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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

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

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

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