KELSEYVILLE >> Saturday at Taylor Observatory, Dr. Steven Pollaine tackles a fascinating cosmological question: What came before the big bang?
In his attempt to turn the clock back to a time pre-dating the formation of our universe, usually ascribed by astronomers and cosmologists to the Big Bang, Dr. Pollaine will offer several hypotheses. Is there an answer to this question? Maybe more than one answer?
Dr. Pollaine has a Ph.D. in astrophysics from UC Berkeley, and a BS from Yale. He worked for 31 years at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in fusion energy research.
Last week’s highly successful Pluto-Palooza event drew over 100 visitors to the Taylor. And in more good news, the air handling system in the Taylor classroom has been fixed, so guests should no longer feel they are experiencing the climate of planet Mercury while listening to programs.
Telescope viewing should be good, with the moon at an appropriate phase. Also we’ll have Pluto posters by Tom Schleif on display, along with actual photos of Pluto taken through the Taylor’s 16-inch telescope.
Taylor Observatory is located at 5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville. The lectures start at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. with telescope viewing following the second program. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 under 12 years old. For more information visit www.taylorobservatory.org or www.friendsoftaylor.org.
