World of Science Lectures

At 7 p.m. the first Friday of the month, the Planetarium becomes a forum for a local scientist to discuss his or her specialties. Past topics have included severe weather, glaciers, the Hubble Telescope, tornadoes, insects, and wildflowers. Admission is only $1 at the door.

Schedule for 2007-2008 Academic year

October 5         "The Dark Side of the Universe:  Shadow Matter and Antigravity"
University of Illinois astronomer Dr. Brian Fields will enlighten us about the accelerating universe and the concept of dark energy.  

November 2     "Solar Power in Illinois"
Dr. Patrick Chapman will discuss the viability of solar power as an alternative energy source in Central Illinois.   Will it work?  

December 7       "From Pluto to Planets:  What Other Stars Are Telling Us"
Dr. James B. Kaler returns to sort out what is and isn't a "planet" and what we're discovering around other stars.  

February 1         "Show Me the Green!"
Green energy? Green buildings? Green lifestyles? Join Carol Jo Morgan, founder of HomePlanet, Inc., to learn what being "green" really means.

March 7               "Corn to Ethanol Production:  New Technologies"
In case you missed it, ethanol plants have been in the news lately!   But what is ethanol, how is it made, and how will it help?   Professor Vijay Singh, from the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering will give us the scoop.

April 18                "Steroids and Athletic Performance"
We hear about steroids in baseball, football, golf and cycling.  What are steroids, what do they do to your body, and why are they illegal?   Chemistry professor and Parkland College Natural Sciences Department Chair Ed O'Sullivan will fills us in.  NOTE:   This talk was rescheduled from the normal April 4 time slot.   We'll be showing "Prairie Skies" on April 4 at 7pm with the talk being on the 18th.   We're sorry for any inconvenience.