Galileo's Science Cafe

Galileo's Science Cafe

Hear about the latest findings surrounding hot topics in science and medicine that affect our everyday lives and the decisions that we make! Join your family and friends for a free, casual, interactive science discussion. Learn from the experts and speak with them.

We follow necessary health, safety and security requirements whether sessions are held face to face or remotely!

The Galileo's Science Cafe Experience

Hear about the latest findings surrounding hot topics in science and medicine that affect our everyday lives and the decisions that we make! Bring your family and friends for a free, casual, interactive science discussion. Learn from the experts and speak with them.

To include everyone, our 2022-23 sessions will be conducted in a hybrid format via in-person and simultaneous Zoom webinar sessions. Pre-registration is requested HERE.

In-person guests, join us at the Verizon Auditoriumon the SciTech Campus. Free parking for each session is provided for our guests across the street from the Verizon Auditorium in the Occoquan Lot. 
Remote guests, join us via live Zoom webinar HERE.

Evening Schedule:

face-to-face sessions: 

Mason welcomes visitors who follow our recommended health and safety practices. Masks are not required for Galileo's Science Cafe, but ample auditorium seating is usually available for our guests who wish to socially distance themselves.

For in-person guests:  

• 6:00-6:50 p.m. Check-in at the Verizon Auditorium Lobby, then pick up your free light dinner and beverage. Enjoy dinner with other Galileo's Science Cafe guests in breakout rooms adjacent to the auditorium lobby
• 6:30 p.m.  Auditorium seating begins
• 7:00-8:00 p.m Scientific discussion
• 8:00-8:30p.m Ask the presenters! Questions from the audience
• 8:30-8:45 p.m Meet the scientist and networking reception (optional)
• 9:00 p.m Session closes

For remote guests:

• 6:30 p.m Logon begins HERE
• 7:00-8:00 p.m Scientific discussion
• 8:00-8:30 p.m Q&A from the audience
• 8:30-8:45 p.m Meet the scientist and networking reception (optional)
• 9:00 p.m Session closes 

Thursday, September 15, 2022         

Michael E. Summers, Ph.D.

Dr. Summers is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, George Mason University, He is a planetary scientist who studies planetary atmospheres.He also teaches astronomy, astrobiology, planetary science, and atmospheric science/climate science at Mason. Dr. Summers has played a leading role in the NASA New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. 

Click HERE to register for this in-person and remote event.

Title: The James Webb Space Telescope: What Discoveries Await Us?

Abstract:  The NASA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the largest and most complex space telescope in history. It has now begun scientific observations, having already returned some truly spectacular images of cosmos.  And expectations are high that future observations will revolutionize our understanding of the universe. JWST has several general science priorities. First, it can peer backward in time to observe the first stars and galaxies formed after the Big Bang, and thus help us understand the nature and role of dark matter and dark energy in sculpting galaxy formation as well as the largescale structure of the universe.  Second, JWST will be able to detect Earth-like planets more than 10,000 light years away and give us information on how those planets are distributed in the galaxy. This will provide critical information that will help us understand the processes that lead to the formation of habitable planets. And third, JWST will be able to detect key chemicals in the atmospheres of planets around nearby stars, and thus allow us to determine if Earth-like biology exists on those planets.  But of course, JWST will give surprises as well.  And those surprises could end up being the most important discoveries that allow us to understand more fully the nature of the cosmos.