Special Lectures & Events

SPECIAL VIRTUAL LECTURE: 'THE LAST STARGAZERS'

Presentation by Emily Levesque (University of Washington)

"The Last Stargazers"

 View the Presentation

About the Talk: A bird that mimicked a black hole. The astronomer who discovered microwave ovens. A telescope that can fly. The science of astronomy is filled with true stories (and tall tales) of the adventures and misadventures that accompany our exploration of the universe. Join Dr. Emily Levesque, author of the critically acclaimed popular science book "The Last Stargazers," to take a behind-the-scenes tour of life as a professional astronomer. We'll learn about some of the most powerful telescopes in the world, meet the people who run them, and explore the crucial role of human curiosity in the past, present, and future of scientific discovery.

About the Speaker: Emily Levesque is an astronomy professor at the University of Washington. Her work explores how the most massive stars in the universe evolve and die. She has observed for more than 50 nights on many of the planet’s largest telescopes and flown over the Antarctic stratosphere in an experimental aircraft for her research. She was most recently a 2022-2023 Fulbright U.S. Scholar and a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow, and her book, "The Last Stargazers," was shortlisted for the 2021 Royal Society Science Book Prize. She earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from MIT and a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Hawaii.

For more about Levesque, visit:

• Astronomy Department at the University of Washington
• Personal/Professional Website
• Website for "The Last Stargazers"

Levesque’s book, "The Last Stargazers: The Enduring Story of Astronomy's Vanishing Explorers," is available at GTCC Campus Stores.

*TRI*STAR*

The Triad Starfest, *Tri*Star* for short, is a conference of astronomers of all types, from novice to professional, for a full day of presentations, displays, and observing. The event allows astronomy enthusiasts to share ideas, learn about a range of astronomical topics, get together with old friends, and make new ones. The event draws astronomers from North Carolina and surrounding states.  *Tri*Star* is free and open to anyone with an interest in astronomy.

Learn more about TriStar and past events

FALL ASTRONOMY DAY LECTURES

The Cline Observatory Jo Cline Memorial Astronomy Day Lecture is held each fall, featuring a prominent researcher in astronomy, astrophysics, or planetary science.

Learn more about the Astronomy Day Lecture and past events

STELLAR SOCIETY LECTURE – PART OF THE NC SCIENCE FESTIVAL

Each year, typically in April, GTCC’s student astronomy club, the Stellar Society, teams up with Cline Observatory and the GTCC Foundation to present the Stellar Society Lecture, featuring an astronomer from a regional institution to give a free public lecture on a Friday night before our regular public viewing. This event is usually held in conjunction with the North Carolina Science Festival.  

Learn more about the Stellar Society Lecture and past events

NORTH CAROLINA ASTRONOMERS’ MEETING (NCAM)

NCAM is an annual technical meeting that seeks to bring members of the NC professional astronomy community together to network and share research. The meeting usually draws 50+ attendees from institutions around North Carolina and surrounding states. 

For the past two decades, NCAM has been held annually in late September or early October and includes a plenary presentation from an invited researcher, short oral sessions scheduled throughout the day, and space for research posters. We especially encourage presentations of student research.

The meeting also usually includes two special sessions: the annual business meeting of the NC Section of the International Dark-sky Association, and a Center for Astronomy Education Regional Teaching Exchange. This event is a scientific conference that is not open to the general public.

Learn more about the NCAM and past events

PAST SPECIAL LECTURES

Oct. 13, 2023: Anthony Love, Appalachian State University, “Minerals in Meteorites: the Elemental Encyclopedia of Early Solar System History.” View the presentation.

Nov. 17, 2021: Steven Desch, Arizona State University, 1I’Oumuamua: the Nearest Exoplanet? View the presentation.

Aug. 29, 2014: Barbara J. Becker, U. California-Irvine, "William Huggins and the Riddle of the Nebulae”

Dec. 6, 2013: Dirk Grupe, Penn State University, "Swift and the Hunt for Gamma Ray Bursts"

2009 throughout the year: International Year of Astronomy Lecture Series – presentations by Dana Hurley, Elisabeth Benchich, Jeffrey Newman, Harry Shipman, Aaron Martin, and Johannes Kepler (portrayed by John McFarland)

2004 fall semester: Mars Mania Lecture Series – presentations associated with the close opposition of Mars, by David Herrick, Jerry Watson, Prasun Desai, and Tom English