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Share2009-10 Issues & Artists Series to Open with "Bad Astronomy"
Series to Look at Astronomy Myths, Sweatshops, War and India
09/02/09
Dr. Phil Plait dispels science myths in "Bad Astronomy." Below, former collegiate soccer player Jim Keady exposes major manufacturers of athletic apparel for promoting sweatshop conditions.
A discussion of popular science myths will open Wilmington College’s Issues & Artists Series Sept. 22 when Dr. Phil Plait speaks on “Bad Astronomy” at 7:30 p.m., in Hugh G. Heiland Theatre.
Other programs include “Behind the Swoosh: Sweatshops and Social Justice” with Jim Keady on Oct. 8; “Chitram: A Portrait of India,” Feb. 2; and “Pieces of War” with Kenny Carnes, March 25.
Plait “demolishes” scientific misconceptions like standing eggs on end and blowing up asteroids. He uses video clips from movies and television to talk “about Hollywood science (or the lack thereof).”
For as long as he can remember, Dr. Phil Plait has been in love with science.
“When I was maybe four or five years old, my dad brought home a cheapo department store telescope,” he said. “He aimed it at Saturn that night. One look and that was it — I was hooked!”
After earning his doctorate in astronomy at the University of Virginia, he worked as a NASA contractor at the Goddard Space Flight Center, working with the Hubble Space Telescope.
Plait began a career in public outreach and education with the “Bad Astronomy” Web site and blog, debunking bad science and popular misconceptions. The book Bad Astronomy was released in 2002, followed in 2008 by Death From The Skies!
Plait has given dozens of talks about science and pseudo-science across the US and internationally. He uses images, audio, and video clips in an entertaining and informative multimedia presentation packed with humor and backed by solid science and critical thinking.
He has spoken at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, the Space Telescope Science Institute (home of Hubble), the Hayden Planetarium in NYC and many other world-class museums and planetaria, conferences, astronomy clubs, colleges and universities, and community groups.
He has appeared on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Pax TV, Tech TV, the SciFi Channel, Radio BBC, Air America, NPR and many other television, print and internet venues. The Bad Astronomy website receives more than 6 million hits per year and received the “Best Science Blog” Weblog award in 2007.
