May 6, 2021 at 6:30pm

What:  Astronomy on Tap Santa Cruz Event
When: 6:30pm PT, Thursday, Mary 6th
How: https://youtu.be/2uzB0eVwNUk
Who:
  • Amanda Quirk (UC Santa Cruz)
  • Kevin McKinnon (UC Santa Cruz)
Title: Using Galactic Archeology to understand our Cosmic Neighborhood

Abstract:  The Milky Way, our home galaxy, and the Triangulum Galaxy, one of our near neighbors, took billions of years to become the galaxies we see today. In that time, they experienced violent mergers and bursts of star formation. While we can’t look back in time to trace their exact histories, these events leave clues in the current structure of the galaxies that help us piece together their past. Studying these galaxies in detail also gives insight into what happened in the galactic neighborhood: the so-called “Local Group” of galaxies. In this talk, we discuss how we can use a galaxy’s structure to understand its evolution. Galactic archaeologists Kevin McKinnon (UCSC) and Amanda Quirk (UCSC) will present cutting edge observations of the Milky Way and Triangulum Galaxy that have shaped our understanding of the Local Group.

March 4, 2021 at 6:30pm

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What:  Astronomy on Tap Santa Cruz Event
When: 6:30pm PT, Thursday, March 4th
How: https://youtu.be/3NKNAn5ksNQ
Who:
  • Bruno Villasenor (UC Santa Cruz)
  • César Rojas-Bravo (UC Santa Cruz)
Title: El Lado Oscuro del Universo: los grandes misterios de la Astronomía moderna

Abstract:  Nuestro Sol es solamente una de las millones de estrellas en nuestra galaxia (Vía Láctea), aunque desde los inicios del siglo XX sabemos que existen otros millones de galaxias en el Universo. Usando telescopios de alta tecnología, hemos estudiado estas galaxias, permitiéndonos descubrir propiedades del Universo que van más allá de lo directamente observable. En esta charla, hablaremos de los dos componentes principales del Universo: la Energía Oscura y la Materia Oscura, los cuales aún siguen siendo un misterio sin resolver. Acompáñenos en este evento especial de “Astronomy on Tap”, completamente en español, donde intentaremos descifrar los secretos más oscuros de nuestro Universo.

February 4, 2021 at 6:30pm

What:  Astronomy on Tap Santa Cruz Event
When: 6:30pm PT, Thursday, Feb. 4th
How: https://youtu.be/k9oYgNeLex8
Who:
  • Philip Hinz (UC Observatories)
  • Rebecca Jensen-Clem (UC Santa Cruz)
Title: “Photographing Far-Away Worlds”

Abstract:  Since the 1990s, astronomers have discovered thousands of planets orbiting other stars in our galaxy, but most of these “exoplanets” are known only by their tell-tale effects on their sun’s light. A precious handful of these alien worlds, however, have been photographed using state-of-the-art equipment attached to the world’s largest telescopes, giving astronomers a new window into these planets’ atmospheres and origins. UCSC Professors Rebecca Jensen-Clem and Philip Hinz will discuss the remarkable technologies allowing astronomers to “see” other worlds – and, to study the supermassive black hole at our galaxy’s center.