Event date: November 9, 2006 7:00pm
Sponsor: Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium
Title: What is a Planet? - Why not Pluto?
Speaker: Dr. Darren Williams, PhD
Contact person: Alan Davenport, alan AT galaxymaine.com
A Lost Planet and New Discoveries Public Lecture
Was someone asleep at the switch when a bunch of astronomers in Prague stripped the only American-discovered planet of its planetary status? The nature of planets in our solar system and the special properties of Pluto are the hot topic when a planetary astronomer from Penn State Erie - the Behrend College stops at the University of Maine Thursday evening November 9 th.
Dr. Darren Williams has had his research featured in such publications as Nature, National geographic, Astronomy, Sky and Telescope and Discover magazines. His studies focus on planets, including those found orbiting other stars, and their prospect for supporting life. Dr. Williams is known for his engaging and enthusiastic deliveries and explanations of astronomical concepts that are clear even to the non-technical audiences he entertains.
 Dr. Darren Williams will present this free public lecture at 7PM Thursday November 9 th in room 100 D.P. Corbett Hall on the Orono campus. The topic, What is a Planet? Why not Pluto?, will draw on his 21 st century knowledge of stars and planets to make some sense out of the controversy over recent changes.
Parking is conveniently located in the MCA lot (Maine Center for the Arts) and DP COrbett Hall is just behind the MCA from there.
Pluto has long been considered a planet by the astronomical community and the general public. Now more than 76 years after its discovery, Pluto has been reclassified – some would say demoted - to “dwarf planet” in consideration of its small size and the countless icy objects now known to orbit the Sun beyond Neptune. The recent vote and redefinition of “planet” has one historical precedent in the 19 th century and will not in any way alter our present understanding of Pluto or its moons.
Friday afternoon Dr. Williams will address the Physics and Astronomy Department researchers on the topic “Signs of Water on Distant Earth-like Planets”.
Dr. Williams’ talks are sponsored by the Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium and the Dorothy Whitehouse Memorial Fund. For more information call the Jordan Planetarium 581-1341 or surf to www.galaxymaine.com/pluto/.
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