The next lecture in the second series of How Did We Get Here? Human Origins, Evolution and Migrations presentations will be Thursday, April 17, in Hitchcock Auditorium, Pioneer Hall, on the COCC Bend Campus. This continuing series highlights cutting-edge anthropological research and discoveries.
Dr. Scott Fisher, a member of the physics department at the University of Oregon, will present “Clues from the Solar System,” focusing on the origin of the solar system and the formation of the sun, its planets and their satellites.
His presentation will cite the interesting details about the physical, chemical and biological processes that are directly related to how life may have arisen or arrived here. Geared toward the general public and the science-minded alike, this talk includes images, videos and data from some of the largest telescopes on Earth, as well as some of Fisher’s own research results that support current theories of planet formation.
Fisher has worked for the fourth largest telescope in the world—Hawaii’s Gemini Observatory—where he served as an instrument scientist and a member of the Gemini Outreach team. His main area of research is searching for and studying planet-forming disks around young stars. He is also involved with the design, construction and use of infrared camera systems that are used for cutting-edge astronomical research.
Fisher is currently working to revitalize the Pine Mountain Observatory in Central Oregon by creating the Oregon Observatory Remote Observing Center (the OORCC) so he and students from across Oregon can remotely observe from their home schools. He also plans to use the OORCC to connect to Gemini, the Gran Telescopio Canarias and other front-line research observatories to give UO students the opportunity to work on engineering and research programs at some of the largest telescopes in the world.
Tickets are $8 for Nature Center members; general public is $10. Students are free with ID at the door. 541-593-4394 or www.cocc.edu/foundation/vsp or sunrivernaturecenter.org.
The series is sponsored by the Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program, the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory with support from the Oregon Community Foundation.
