Next free science talk looks to ‘Microbes, Carbon & Climate’
Gallatin Valley Friends of the Sciences continues to present its popular lecture series this spring. Co-sponsored by Museum of the Rockies and Hopa Mountain, a pair of virtual talks in April and May will keep the conversation going as the public is vaccinated.
Next up is “Microbes, Carbon & Climate: Impacts of a Changing Cryosphere” at 7pm on Wednesday, April 14th. What can the study of microbes living in cold temperature environments tell us about the physical limits of life? Dr. Christine Foreman, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at MSU, will discuss how her research with deep ice cores and current environments provides insights into bacterial processes in cold places, past and present, and how carbon moves through these living systems in the context of a changing climate.
Looking to next month, “The Origin of Supermassive Black Holes” is set for Wednesday, May 12th at 7pm. What can we learn about the origin of supermassive black holes from studying small galaxies? Dr. Amy Reines, Assistant Professor of Physics at MSU, will discuss how observations of little “dwarf” galaxies using world-class telescopes are being used to reveal the birth and growth of black holes that can reach masses upwards of a billion times the Sun’s mass.
These talks will be presented online via Zoom. Free and open to the public. Find Gallatin Valley Friends of the Sciences on Facebook to RSVP or visit www.gallatinscience.org for additional details and streaming links. The nonprofit was established in 2017 to explore cutting edge science topics, their latest developments, and their relevance to society. •
