Ithaca College

While most folks have their feet planted firmly on the ground, IC Physics professor Luke Keller is engaged in observing space from a flying telescope. In collaboration with NASA and other researchers, Luke works aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, an eight-foot-wide, 17-ton telescope situated within a modified Boeing 747. Work in the stratosphere and beyond with this and other observatories to study the formation of stars and planets has led him to wonder about how we define "the environment." Conclusion: It does not stop at the Earth's atmosphere! Luke will describe his work and how he came to be working on a flying telescope, then turn to a discussion of the "homo-sapiens-sphere," (also known as space debris and space "junk"), which now reaches to the edge of our solar system.

Please join us on Monday 17 November in CNS 112 at 3:45 pm to meet Professor Keller and enjoy "sustainable snacks" provided by Sodexo, and then at 4:00 pm for his presentation!

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Carol Hansen at chansen@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-1822. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.