Massive stars explode every few seconds across the universe, sending light racing billions of years to reach Earth. This Friday night, the public can discover how modern astronomers catch these cosmic fireworks the moment they ignite.
Caltech PhD candidate Sam Rose will unveil the detective story behind astronomical transients during “Cosmic Fireworks: How Astronomers Explore the Changing Sky” at the university’s Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics.
The August 22 event spotlights “transients”—exploding stars, pulsing stars, comets and asteroids that appear and disappear in the night sky over days to years.
Rose’s presentation draws attention to human sky-watching from Chinese astronomers who documented an exploding star in 1054 CE to today’s automated surveys. The journey includes centuries of comet hunting and pioneering surveys at Mt. Wilson and Palomar observatories.
The lecture spotlights next-generation efforts, including Caltech’s Zwicky Transient Facility and the Vera Rubin Observatory. These systems will reveal millions of previously unknown asteroids and supernovae.
The evening includes a 45-minute lecture from 8:00 to 8:45 p.m., followed by Q&A and guided stargazing until 9:45 p.m. Stargazing depends on clear weather; the lecture proceeds regardless.
The free event requires no reservations and will be live-streamed on YouTube.
For remote viewers, the event will be live-streamed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4c22yDCtwc
Rose is a graduate student in Caltech’s Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy.
“Cosmic Fireworks: How Astronomers Explore the Changing Sky” will run on Friday, Aug. 22 at 8 to 10 p.m. Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1216 E California Boulevard, in Pasadena. For more call (626) 395-4973 or visit https://local.caltech.edu/events/calendar-support/stargazing-lecture-90165. Tickets: Free.
