Science Talks Cover Everything from Beetles to Binary Stars in Vernon

The two final Science in Society Speakers Series talks in Vernon cover subjects of very different sizes.

Dr. Geraldine Peters. (Photo Credit: Contributed)

Coming up on Thursday, March 26th, astrophysicist Dr. Geraldine J. Peters from the University of Southern California will talk to Okanagan residents about the dynamic realms of space. She’ll be looking at the key advancements in the inter-relationship of binary stars, which are two stars in a system that orbit around their own common centre of mass.

Dr. Peters is using data from the Hubble Space Telescope to look at the transfer of material between the stars, resulting in spectacular interactions. This lecture will look at the gorgeous bi-polar jet streams and splashes of hot mass transfer between the stars. The talk will be free for the public as sponsored by the American Astronomical Society, though donations are accepted.

The second event will be on April 2nd, where nano-materials scientist Dr. Mark MacLachlan from UBC will be talking about scientific inspiration from plants and animals. Dr. Lachlan focuses on unique characteristics in animals that inspire scientists to create similar materials that have improved strength, durability, and elasticity.

Dr. Mark MacLachlan. (Photo Credit: Contributed)

For example, in looking at materials that are 1/1000 the size of a hair’s width, Dr. MacLachlan has researched the reflection of light in a beetle’s shell. As a result, he and his team have made glass and other materials that use the same spiral structure. Admission to his talk on these new materials is $7 in advance or $10 at the door. You can get advance tickets by calling the Okanagan Science Centre at 250-545-3644.

“We strive to present a diverse range of speakers to suit a multitude of interests in science for the public to enjoy,” says Okanagan College Chemistry professor Carl Doige, who helps coordinates the series along with the Okanagan Science Centre. “The range of expertise demonstrates how science is applicable within so many aspects of our society. This year we explored themes in sports performance, building materials, protecting the wildlife that are vital to our ecosystems, and even what we ponder when we gaze at the stars.”

Both of these presentations will be at the Okanagan College Vernon campus lecture theatre at 7:30 p.m.