Short Stories from the Universe: Johannes Hirn

Wherein we hear stories of the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy, extra-dimensions, parallel universes, quantum computers and more. Johannes Hirn of U of T's Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics has some incredible stories to tell in Black Holes are like Kinder Surprises and Other Short Stories from the Universe. You can hear him speak at three branches, east and west:

Gerrard/Ashdale  Thus Jan 12, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Richview Sat Jan 14, 10:30 am - 11:30 am, and Don Mills Wed Jan 18, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Dr. Johannes Hirn is a bilingual science writer and photojournalist and he is the New Media Specialist, Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Toronto. Armed with a doctorate in theoretical physics (Université Paris Sud (Paris XI), Hirn went on to get a Master's degree in science journalism at Boston University. 

What all this means is that he has that rare ability to explain highly complex ideas in a way that is accessible to the rest of us. His talk about black holes will delight and inform. He has written for Sky and Telescope (see "Black-Hole Missing Link Found?" for example), and many other magazines.

F. Bresolin, R.-P. Kudritzki, R. Mendez (Institute for Astronomy, Univ. Hawaii). Galaxy NC 3621 may have three black holes.	Photo credit: Rachel Blumenthal

If you are interested in astronomy, the Dunlap Institute's webpage is full of interesting articles and reports on research. As well, the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at U of T has free tours and lectures for the public--a great way to hear about the remarkable work that goes on in this field.