Main Event Many Voices: Dr. Philip Plait

The Main Event Many Voices series returns with new captivating authors sharing their stories and most recent work. This month's speaker Dr. Philip Plait joins us to discuss "Under Alien Skies."

Speaker, author, and astronomer, Philip Plait has been in love with science for as long as he can remember. Plait, known at the "Bad Astronomer" online because of his penchant for calling out misinformation, earned his doctorate in astronomy at the University of Virginia, and worked on the Hubble Space Telescope as a NASA contractor at the Goddard Space Flight Center. He is the author of the books "Bad Astronomy," "Death From The Skies," and "Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer's Guide to the Universe," and writes the thrice-weekly "Bad Astronomy" newsletter that keeps subscribers apprised of the latest sky news. He was the head science writer for “Bill Nye Saves the World” on Netflix in 2017. He wrote and hosted “Crash Course Astronomy,” a 46- part educational web series that has over 70 million views.

On April 8, 2024, Akron, Ohio will be treated to one of the rarest and most spectacular of celestial events: a total solar eclipse. The shadow of the moon will fall along a very narrow path across the US. During that time the sky will grow dark, the stars and planets will come out, birds will stop singing, crickets will chirp, and you’ll see the Sun’s magnificent corona, its pearlescent outer atmosphere, normally too faint to see from Earth. Dr. Plait will tell you everything you need to safely watch the literally out-of-this world event, explain the science, and even debunk a misconception or two about eclipses.

You can purchase Dr. Philip Plait's recently released title "Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer's Guide to the Universe" from The Friends of Main Library located in the Atrium before and after the event. Author book signing will follow located in the hallway beside the auditorium.

Registration is not required. Seating is first come, first served. Auditorium doors will open at 6:15 pm for early seating.

If you have any questions, please contact the Culture & AV Division by phone at 330.643.9015 or email at cadiv@akronlibrary.org.

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