NASA scientist to discuss space telescopes during talk at W.A. Gayle Planetarium

NASA scientist Dr. Jonathan Gardner will discuss the important astronomical discoveries made by space telescopes during a lecture at the W.A. Gayle Planetarium on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The talk will start at 7:30 p.m. inside the planetarium auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public.

Gardner is chief of the Observational Cosmology Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and deputy senior project scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope. He will discuss the many important discoveries made over the last decade by the Hubble Space Telescope and other large telescopes. He will also look toward the next decade and the Hubble’s successor, the James Webb Telescope.

Members of the Auburn Astronomical Society will be on hand during the event to lead a telescope clinic and viewing of the night sky following the lecture.

Gardner’s visit is sponsored by the American Astronomical Society’s Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectureship program in partnership with Auburn Montgomery. For more information, contact Planetarium Director Rick Evans at 334-241-4799.

One of the largest planetariums between Atlanta and New Orleans, the W.A. Gayle Planetarium is located in Oak Park across from Jackson Hospital. The planetarium opened in 1969 and is operated by Troy University for the City of Montgomery.

Nov. 7, 2011