Keck Scientist to Present ‘In Search of the Ultimate Ruler’

W.M. Keck Observatory Chief Scientist John O’Meara will present In Search of the Ultimate Ruler: The Grand Challenge of Distances in Astronomy on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, at the Gates Performing Center at the Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy.

Even with the most powerful telescopes and instrumentation, astronomy faces a fundamental problem: the ability to determine the distance to objects in the cosmos. From the solar system to the cosmic microwave background, the history of astronomy is intertwined with the hunt for a better distance measure. This talk will trace that history and that quest, from the era before telescopes to the telescopes of tomorrow.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.; a short film screening of The Impossible Telescope will be presented at 6:45 p.m.; the talk will beginning at 7 p.m.

Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy’s Gates Performing Arts Center is located at 65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road in Kamuela.

Attendees are asked to use HPA’s main gate, the Visitors Entrance, not the Service Entrance.

Email Outreach Coordinator Shelly Pelfrey at outreach@keck.hawaii.edu for more information or visit www.keckobservatory.org.