Cosmic Cocktail Hour: The Hubble Constant and Supernovas

Nearly 100 years ago, Carnegie Observatories astronomer Edwin Hubble made two truly revolutionary discoveries: first that our Milky Way was only one of many galaxies in a vast universe, and second that the farther these galaxies were from us, the faster they appeared to be moving away from us.

The ratio between these distances and speeds, now called the Hubble constant, is a fundamental quantity that sets the scale for the size and age of the entire cosmos. For decades, its precise algebraic value has been a source of contention among astronomers. Even today, with the most powerful telescopes at their disposal, the debate continues.

For this month’s Cosmic Cocktail Hour Wednesday, May 5, from 4 to 5 p.m. via Zoom, Carnegie Observatories researcher Dr. Chris Burns will explain the Hubble constant and share recent supernova discoveries.

Presented by the Pasadena Senior Center, the cost is only $7 for members of the center and $10 for nonmembers 50 and older. Residence in Pasadena is not required.

To register, visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on Events, Clubs and Lectures, then Online Events or call 626-795-4331. Everyone who registers will receive an email link to access the Zoom event. Anyone who does not have WiFi or an email address can call 626-795-4331 to receive a number to call to join this Zoom event by phone.

Pour your favorite beverage, sit back and enjoy the trip.

For more information about online activities and other programs and services of the Pasadena Senior Center, visit the website or call 626-795-4331.

The center, at 85 E. Holly St., is an independent, donor-supported nonprofit organizat-ion that has served older adults for more than 60 years. During the pandemic, doors are open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for social services and other critical services for older adults in need, as well as limited occupancy in the library, fitness center and computer lab. Masks and social distancing are required. All who enter are subject to temperature screening, must sanitize their hands upon entry and answer a simple screening questionnaire. Rooms are sanitized after each use.