Dr. Phil Plait – a.k.a. the “Bad Astronomer” – takes audiences to Saturn for Space Talk presentation at LSC
On Oct. 19, 2023, we were joined by renowned author and science communicator Dr. Phil Plait for our latest Space Talk presentation: “Sightseeing in Space.”
Dr. Plait is well known for his “Bad Astronomy” website. He was also the chief science writer for the Netflix series “Bill Nye Saves the World,” creator of the online program “Crash Course Astronomy,” and a prolific astronomy interpreter in many other venues and formats.
His Space Talk at LSC drew inspiration from his new book, “Under Alien Skies,” which explores what it would be like to visit some of the most famous places in our solar system. Dr. Plait’s presentation focused on Saturn, and was structured as a grand tour of the ringed planet, as well as its rings and moons.
Throughout the night, audience members visited the astonishing, varied geography of such Saturnian moons as Iapetus and Mimas. Viewers also discovered the weirdly familiar surface of Saturn’s giant moon Titan (familiar due to its having liquid on its surface, weird because that liquid is frigid liquid methane).
Additional stops included Saturn’s gorgeous rings and vistas from the cloud tops of Saturn, with rings soaring overhead as day changes to night on the giant planet.
Dr. Plait’s talk, enthusiastic and lively, was underpinned by his deep understanding of astronomy and passion for the beauty of the universe.
Thanks to Dr. Plait for joining us in the planetarium, and a huge thanks to everyone who came out! Watch Dr. Plait’s full presentation below in 360 degrees:
Be there for our next Space Talk presentation on Thursday, Nov. 16: “Alien Life and How to Find It,” led by Clara Sousa-Silva, Assistant Professor of Physics at Bard College and a researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences in Portugal. Click here to learn more and reserve your spot now at LSC After Dark.
