KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The 2015 debut of the Taylor Observatory lecture series features popular local cosmologist Dr. Stephen Pollaine presenting “The Physics of Interstellar: Worm Holes, Spinning Black Holes, Time Dilation and the Fifth Dimension.”
Join Pollaine at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Taylor Observatory’s “Window to the Universe” event in Kelseyville.
Christopher Nolan’s popular movie “Interstellar,” which premiered in Lakeport in December, challenges viewers to think beyond our current dimensions into the mysteries of worm holes, black holes, time dilation and the fifth dimension.
But are these prognostications valid science or is “Interstellar” just another sci-fi flick?
Pollaine will answer these questions in his Taylor talk. Notably, Interstellar has the endorsement of Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of New York’s Hayden Planetarium, and regarded by many as the modern day Carl Sagan.
Pollaine, who is both a qualified astrophysicist and amateur cosmologist, has special qualifications for this talk, having worked for 31 years in the laser fusion project at the Bay Area’s Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.
Readers may also know Pollaine as a popular local pianist who plays regularly at Lake County events.
If skies are clear on Saturday visitors may be able to view comet Lovejoy, which is making its closest approach to the sun this week.
Admission for the talk, a planetarium show and night sky viewing through the Taylor telescopes is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 12 and under, and free to observatory members.
The location is 5725 Oak Hills Lane in Kelseyville.
For further information visit www.taylorobservatory.org or call 707-262-4121.
Friends of Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium organizes the Taylor Lecture series.