IN PERSON: Stars end their lives in different ways. Some fade quietly, as our sun will one day do. Others die in powerful explosions called supernovae. These explosions are among the most dramatic events in the Universe. Beyond the spectacle, supernovae create cosmic rays and forge many of the heavy elements—such as iron, copper, gold, and silver—that are found in our world. They can also trigger the formation of new stars and have played a key role in recent discoveries about how the Universe expands. In this course, students will explore how and why certain stars end their lives as supernovae, why several different kinds of stellar explosions occur, and how these events have shaped the history of the cosmos. We will also see why understanding supernovae is essential to understanding both the past and the future of the Universe. No prior knowledge of astronomy is required, only curiosity about how the Universe works. | Lecture + Q&A.
Max enrollment: 50.
Location: Erwin Mill, 2024 W. Main St, Durham NC 27705
