KELSEYVILLE >> Cosmologist Stephen Pollaine will present “The Physics of ”Interstellar:” Worm Holes, Spinning Black Holes, Time Dilation and the 5th Dimension” Saturday at 8 p.m. for the Taylor Observatory”s “Window to the Universe” lecture series.
Christopher Nolan”s movie Interstellar, which premiered in Lakeport in December, challenges viewers to think beyond 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 worked for 31 years in the laser fusion project at the Bay Area”s Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Pollaine is also a 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 12 and younger and free-of-charge to observatory members. The location is 5725 Oak Hills Lane in Kelseyville.
For information, visit www.taylorobservatory.org or call 262-4121. Friends of Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium organizes the Taylor lecture series.
