Planetarium Announces Virtual Lecture Series for 2020-2021

William M. Staerkel Planetarium will continue Kaler Lecture Series virtually

The William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College is pleased to announce the newest lineup of speakers in the James B. Kaler Science Lecture Series, which will continue virtually this year due to the pandemic. 

For more than 25 years, the planetarium has served as a conduit for the local research community to share its knowledge with the general public, and this year will only be slightly different as lectures move to Zoom. Talks occur on the first Friday of the months classes are in session at 7 p.m., and admission will be free.
 
The fall lectures will kick off with UIUC Astronomy Professor Dr. Gautham Narayan speaking about astrophysicists using AI to manage the tremendous amount of data collected by wide-field optical survey telescopes. In November, Katy Huff of UIUC's Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering will present on what's new in nuclear energy.

As we look into the new year, enjoy stunning spring photography from Jeffrey Bryant of Wolfram Alpha, LLC and hear about some of the winged friends we have flying over Central Illinois. Caleb Brooks (UIUC, Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering) will discuss "micro nuclear reactors" based on his work in the Multiphase Thermo-fluid Dynamics Laboratory. 
 
Due to the pandemic, some information might be subject to change. Visit the Kaler Lecture Series page to stay up to date on show listings, or call the show hotline at 217/351-2446. For more information about the Planetarium, visit their website or contact them at 217/351-2567.