Science Briefing: Live from AAS! 2024
Location
Virtual
Contact Information
About Event
Please join us for this special edition of the NASA’s Universe of Learning Science Briefings! We will be live at the American Astronomical Society meeting, where scientists will be releasing the latest findings on the universe. We’ll provide access to some of the breaking news coming out of NASA Astrophysics missions, and tie these results to NASA’s Big Questions:
- How Does the Universe Work?
- How Did We Get Here?
- Are We Alone?
In addition to the new science results, we will highlight several NASA resources. There will also be opportunities for you to ask questions directly of those presenting.
About the Series
The NASA’s Universe of Learning Science Briefings are professional learning telecons for the informal science education community, done in partnership with the NASA’s Museum & Informal Education Alliance, now found on NASA CONNECTS. These monthly thematic briefings highlight current NASA astrophysics explorations and discoveries from across the suite of NASA astrophysics missions. NASA scientists and engineers provide contemporary science results, and are able to respond to listener questions during the telecon. NASA-developed education and outreach resources, matched to the monthly theme, are included in every briefing.
In order to participate in the telecon and ask questions of the scientists, please join NASA’s Museum & Informal Education Alliance.
Facilitator & Presenters
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Dr. Kelly Lepo is an Education and Outreach Scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, where she supports outreach efforts for the James Webb Space Telescope. She received a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Toronto. During her time in Canada, she made numerous local and national media appearances to talk about everything from the 2012 Mayan Apocalypse to the Super Blue Blood Moon. She previously served as the Coordinator of the McGill Space Institute, taught physics at Gonzaga University, and helped build the Large Hadron Collider at CERN -
Jim Manning is a science education consultant with long experience as a planetarium director, including in a museum setting. Most recently, he has served as head of the Office of Public Outreach at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, and as Executive Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in San Francisco. He’s a past president of the International Planetarium Society, and has been Principal Investigator or Co-PI for a number of NASA-funded and NSF-funded programs in informal science education. He currently consults for the NASA’s Universe of Learning program.
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Dr. Amy Lien is an assistant professor at the University of Tampa. She has performed research and supportive work related to the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (a space telescope that contains instruments to observe in gamma-rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, and optical wavelengths). Her general research interests lie in time-domain astrophysics, star-formation history, stellar evolution, and cosmology with multi-messenger studies. She is particularly interested in fields related to gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), supernovae, and gravitational waves from the merging of neutron stars and black holes. Besides research work, she enjoys interacting with students. -
Dr. Jackie Faherty is a Senior Scientist and Senior Education Manager jointly in the Department of Astrophysics and the Department of Education at the American Museum of Natural History. She is working at the forefront of brown dwarf and exoplanet atmosphere detection and characterization while striving to create more opportunities for underrepresented minorities to enter STEM fields through unique outreach endeavors. -
Dakotah Tyler is an Astrophysics Ph.D. candidate at UCLA, specializing in pioneering methods to observe the evolution of extrasolar planets. His research is dedicated to unraveling how planets in our galaxy change over time, contributing to our broader understanding of the universe.Before embarking on his astrophysics journey, Dakotah was a Division I college football player, showcasing remarkable adaptability and dedication in transitioning to the field of science. He holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in physics and astrophysics from the University of Cincinnati and a Master's degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics from UCLA.
Beyond academia and research, Dakotah is a fervent advocate for science communication. Through various platforms, including a significant social media presence, he breaks down complex scientific concepts and fosters scientific literacy. His commitment to education and outreach is driven by a belief in the power of making science accessible and inclusive, thereby inspiring future generations to delve into the wonders of the universe.