January 29th, 2009
SEGUIN – In commemoration of the international year of astronomy, Dr. Laurence A. Marschall, W.K.T. Sahm Professor of Physics at Gettysburg College, will present “Galileo’s New Universe,” Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in Wupperman Little Theatre on the Texas Lutheran University campus in Seguin.
The lecture, which will be geared to the general public rather than the scientific community, is free and is presented by Texas Lutheran University and the Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectureship Program of the American Astronomical Society.
It has been 400 years since Galileo’s discovery of the first astronomical telescope that changed the course of science and knowledge of the universe. “Galileo’s New Universe,” the title of the lecture, is also the title of Marschall’s book written with Stephen Maran that will be published March 3.
As an active science advocate, Marschall regularly writes for publications such as Natural History magazine, The Sciences, Smithsonian Air and Space, Sky and Telescope, Astronomy, Natural History, Discover, Harper's, Newsday, and The New York Times Book Review. He contributes annual astronomy updates to The World Book Encyclopedia and his book, The Supernova Story, written for a general audience, has been widely praised for its readability.
Marschall's areas of research include observational studies of binary stars, very young stars, and supernovas and recently, asteroids. He is also known among astronomers for his work in astronomy education, both in promoting the use of electronic cameras for undergraduate research at small observatories, and in directing Project CLEA (Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy) which develops innovative computer exercises in astronomy. Project CLEA exercises are used by tens of thousands of students in all 50 states and 50 foreign countries. Since 1992, Project CLEA has received generous and continuing support from the National Science Foundation, and has twice been awarded national prizes for educational software from the journal Computers in Physics.
Marschall earned a B.S. from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He joined the faculty at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa. in 1971 and now teaches courses in astronomy, physics and science writing.
TLU is an exclusively undergraduate university of the liberal arts, sciences and professional studies. For more information about TLU, visit the university’s Web site at www.tlu.edu.
Categories: Academic