The authors of two recent books on the universe will speak in the "What Physicists Do" public lecture series at Sonoma State University.
UC Santa Cruz cosmologist Joel Primack and his co-author, Nancy Abrams, will speak in Darwin 103 at 4:00 on Nov. 13. Coffee, cookies, and conversation are available in the Darwin Lobby at 3:30.
Their book, The View from the Center of the Universe: Discovering our Extraordinary Place in the Cosmos, will be available before the talk. The book uses recent advances in astronomy, physics, and cosmology to frame a compelling new theory for understanding the universe and our role in it.
On Nov. 27 noted Stanford theoretical physicist Leonard Susskind will speak on the topic of his book, The Cosmic Landscape: String Theory and the Illusion of Intelligent Design.
Sometimes called the "father of string theory," Susskind now argues that our narrow 20th-century view of a unique universe will have to give way to the much broader concept of a gigantic cosmic landscape - a megaverse, pregnant with new possibilities. His book will also be available at his lecture.
For more information, visit http://www.phys-astro.sonoma.edu/wpd/ or send e-mail to phys.astro@sonoma.edu or phone (707) 664-2119.
