The ``Violent'' Universe Unmasked At UC Berkeley Extension

Business Wire, Feb 14, 2001

Business Editors/Education Writers

BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2001

According to astronomers, lurking behind the peaceful appearance of the night sky lies a universe of unimaginable violence -- cosmic phenomena whose destructive power makes our most potent nuclear weapons look like pinpricks in comparison. Astronomer Andrew Fraknoi travels to this universe in a nontechnical multimedia program designed for science and science fiction fans of all ages at UC Berkeley Extension next month.

"The Violent Universe -- Crashing Asteroids, Exploding Stars, and Cannibal Galaxies" with Andrew Fraknoi will be offered on Saturday, Mar. 24, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., at the UC Berkeley campus, 155 Dwinelle Hall, Berkeley. The fee is $95. To register, call 510/642-4111 or register online at www.unex.berkeley.edu.

Illustrated with the latest images from the largest telescopes on Earth and in space, this exciting program explores such topics as: what killed the dinosaurs, how to protect the Earth from asteroid and comet impacts, falling into black holes, unpredictable and mysterious cosmic gamma-ray bursts and "cannibal" galaxies.

Andrew Fraknoi chairs the astronomy program at Foothill College. For 14 years, he served as executive director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, where he also edited their popular magazine and newsletter for teachers. Fraknoi, a prolific author and a frequent radio talk show guest, has offered special weekend programs such as "The Violent Universe" to enthusiastic audiences around the state of California for many years. The International Astronomical Union named Asteroid 4859 "Asteroid Fraknoi" to recognize his many contributions to popularizing astronomy.

The instructor specializes in explaining ideas and discoveries in astronomy in everyday language. No background in science or math will be assumed; students aged 14 and above may take this special program. For detailed information, see www.learningsphere.org/astronomy.htm.

For a free catalog listing more than a thousand courses offered by UC Berkeley Extension this spring in locations around the Bay and beyond, call toll-free 1-888-UC-SMART (888-827-6278) or visit Extension's website at www.unex.berkeley.edu.

CALENDAR LISTING:

Mar. 24: "The Violent Universe" with astronomer Andrew Fraknoi -- UC Berkeley Extension daylong program, Sat., Mar. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley; fee $95. To register, call 510/642-4111 or register online at www.unex.berkeley.edu.

Note to Editors: For usage-free images to illustrate this announcement, see:

http://impact.arc.nasa.gov/gallery/index.html (images of asteroid impact scenarios)

http://www.eso.org/outreach/info-events/ut1fl/ astroim-nebula.html#phot-40f-99 (Crab Nebula)