Sunset: 6:25 PM

Moon

What's in the Sky This Evening?

Information for Visitors:

PRESENTATION TITLE:
The Very Brightest Supernovae
(Nature’s New Mysterious Explosions Defy Conventional Explanation)

LECTURE/PRESENTATION BY:
Adam Miller
(For Adam's biography, photo and abstract of his talk, please click on the DOCument link below.)

ABSTRACT of TALK:
Massive stars punctuate the end of the luminous phase of their evolution with brilliant explosions known as supernovae.  These explosions have been observed for over 1000 years and they are responsible for the dispersal of heavy elements, such as iron and silicon, throughout the universe.

In this talk, Adam Miller will review the various sub-types of supernovae and the dominant energy sources powering these explosions.  He will describe the methods used by astronomers to discover new supernovae and describe recent surveys, such as the Palomar Transient Factory, that have led to the discovery of thousands of new supernovae.  These surveys, which were designed to find rare stellar explosions, have uncovered a new class of super-luminous supernovae that are as much as 100 times brighter than the conventional explosion at the end of the life of a massive star.  While many of these super-luminous supernovae can be explained via extreme scenarios of well established theories, one sub-class cannot be explained via conventional stellar explosion energetics.  New theories are being developed to understand these explosions, and future surveys should provide dozens of new examples to better study these mysterious explosions.
(For Adam's biography, photo and abstract of his talk, please click on the DOCument link below.)

MEETING ROOM:
This EAS meeting at CSSC will be held in the Hauben Room (adjacent the Library).

COST:
There is no fee for attending this particular EAS event.  Our programs are made possible solely by your annual membership dues, donations, and occasional small contributions for food and drinks.  We simply could not provide these presentations without the continued support of our members.  Also, your attendance and your participation in our lectures help make them more interesting, enjoyable, and successful.  Thank you.

DINNER WITH OUR GUEST SPEAKER:
Immediately prior to this event, EAS members and guests who are hungry are welcome to join us for dinner with our guest speaker, Adam Miller. Casual dining will occur at Hunan Yuan, located at 4100 Redwood Road in Lincoln Square (Oakland, CA 94619). We will congregate in the restaurant starting at approximately 5:30PM.

AFTER THE LECTURE/PRESENTATION:
At the conclusion of our presentation this evening, please feel free to chat at length with our guest speaker, Adam Miller.  And, our Library will be open for you to browse the stacks and perhaps borrow an interesting publication by presenting your EAS membership card to our EAS Librarian, who will be happy to assist you.

Afterwards, please saunter outside to the Observatory Deck in the rear of the Center and view the skies through one or more of the many wonderful telescopes (weather permitting, of course).  Using your naked eyes, you might even see a few meteorites from the Orionid Meteor Shower which will be happening this weekend, with the peak number occuring during the very early hours of October 21st.

MAKING CONTACT:
For additional information or to provide feedback regarding this presentation, or to solicit consideration as a guest speaker for a future presentation, or to offer suggestions regarding any EAS program, please contact Gene Weber, Program Director, via email at  gene.weber@gmail.com, or by phone at  925-963-1165.

Eastbay Astronomical Society Website

Adam Miller - Biography, Photo, and Abstract of Talk (DOC, 811 KB)

Event Location

Chabot Space & Science Center
Atop the Oakland hills Lat: N37.82° Lon: W122.18°

Address: 10000 Skyline Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619
(Get Directions)

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Chabot Space & Science Center

Notes:
Driving Directions
From South of Oakland:
1. Take HWY I-580 west (north) toward OAKLAND.
2. Merge onto HWY CA-13 N toward BERKELEY. approx 0.9 miles.
3. Take the CARSON ST exit toward REDWOOD RD. approx 0.1 miles
4. The exit ramp becomes MOUNTAIN BLVD. approx 0.25 miles.
5. Turn RIGHT onto REDWOOD RD. approx 1.0 miles.
6. Turn LEFT onto SKYLINE BLVD. approx 0.5 miles.
7. Turn RIGHT onto SKYLINE BLVD. approx 0.75 miles
8. Look for the large, concrete sign at the Chabot Space & Science Center entrance driveway, which winds steeply up to the right.

From North of Oakland:
1. Take HWY I-580 east (south) toward OAKLAND.
2. Take exit ramp on right to HWY CA-24 east approx 4.75 miles.
3. Take exit ramp on right to HWY CA-13 S. toward San Leandro approx 3.3 miles
4. Take exit for JOAQUIN MILLER RD./LINCOLN AVE.
5. Turn slight left onto MONTEREY BLVD. approx 0.1 miles
6. Turn left onto LINCOLN AVE. approx 0.1 miles
7. Lincoln Ave. turns into JOAQUIN MILLER RD. approx 1.1 miles
8. Turn left at stoplight to SKYLINE BLVD. approx .7 miles
9. Look for the large, concrete sign at the Chabot Space & Science Center entrance driveway, which winds steeply up to the right.

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