Title: Warp Drives – From Science Fiction to Scientific Possibility - Maddalena Romano

Event Info: 
Please join us on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026, for a fascinating journey to the frontiers of theoretical physics. We are delighted to welcome back one of our most accomplished and beloved members, Maddalena Romano, for her fourth presentation with our club and her second this year!

About Our Speaker:
Maddalena Romano is a long-time and highly respected member of both ASLI and the Amateur Observers' Society of New York (AOSNY) . She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Earth and Environmental Sciences at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY) and serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Hunter College. Her previous talks for our club have been consistently engaging, insightful, and packed with wonder. We are thrilled to have her back on our stage.

About the Talk:
Warp drives, once confined to the realm of science fiction, are increasingly being explored through the lens of real physics. Rooted in solutions to Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, the concept of a warp drive—most notably the Alcubierre Drive—proposes that faster-than-light travel may be possible not by moving objects through space, but by bending space itself.

In this presentation, Maddalena will examine:

• The scientific foundations of warp drive theory

• Key theoretical models proposed by physicists

• The major challenges standing in the way, including the need for exotic matter and staggering energy requirements

• Whether warp travel could ever realistically move from theory to practice

This is a grounded, scientifically rigorous look at one of the most exciting "what if" questions in modern physics. Whether you're a Trekkie, a physics buff, or simply curious about the future of space travel, this talk is for you.

Please join us to support one of our own and explore the tantalizing possibility that the stars may not be as far away as they seem.

Clear skies (and warp speed)!