Public Astronomy Night 11/14 + Mandatory Registration Form
Outreach Admin
Hi everyone,
Please join us in Pupin Hall on Friday November 14 at 7pm to learn about galaxies in the time of AI and big data from CCA fellow Dr. Kartheik Iyer. We will observe after, weather permitting.
“JWST has revealed stunning early galaxies that are reshaping and refining our understanding of how the earliest galaxies and black holes formed, but how do astronomers keep up with a body of literature that is growing at an ever-accelerating rate? I will talk about how discoveries like the Sparkler and Firefly Sparkle galaxies (among a plethora of results from the first few years of JWST, with even more expected with Rubin, Roman and Euclid) are shaping our understanding of early cosmic history, and how the explosion of astronomical literature led to building Pathfinder, a LLM-powered system that helps students and astronomers alike navigate the academic literature without getting lost in information overload. But this isn't just about faster literature searches. As AI rapidly advances, we'll explore what it means to build transparent, interpretable tools that show their work, turning the "black box" into a window. From embedding spaces to the ethics of AI in science, we will briefly consider the potential of astronomical datasets and literature as a testing ground for responsible AI development. Whether you're curious about distant galaxies, worried about AI hype, or just love space, this talk likely has something for you!!”
Unfortunately, Columbia's campus is still closed to non-affiliates, so you need to register in order to join this event if you do not have a Columbia ID.
To register, fill out this form for everyone in your party by midnight November 12: https://forms.gle/cpu95jiTbddYVGBc7
Each adult must register with a unique email address. We cannot accept repeated email addresses. After you register, Columbia will email you a QR code during the week of the event to the email you put on the form. The QR code will come from caladmi...@columbia.edu with "CU Guest Access" as the sender. You must bring the QR code and an ID to get on campus at the 116th and Broadway gates.
Minors (under age 18) must also register, but they will not be asked to provide an email address. They will not be emailed a QR code or need to show an ID.
If you do not fill out the form by November 12 or bring the QR code and your ID, we cannot get you into the event. We apologize for the inconvenience of the logistics. Please let us know if you have any questions.
We'll start the evening at 7pm with some astronomy trivia, followed by Kartheik’s talk and Q&A. From 8:10-9:10pm, we will be outside observing on campus (weather permitting).
The main event will take place in Pupin Hall 301. Signs will be posted to direct you to the lecture hall, and general directions to Columbia and Pupin Hall can be found here. Telescopes will be provided by Columbia Astronomy (but you are absolutely welcome to bring your own observing equipment).
This event is free and open to all -- stay only as long as you want. We're looking forward to seeing you in Pupin Hall!
Cheers,
Columbia Astronomy Public Outreach
Outreach Admin
Thanks to everyone who has already registered! If you have registered and are not a minor, you should have received a QR from <caladmi...@columbia.edu> by now. If you are having trouble finding the QR code, please email us asap (astro.o...@gmail.com).
This is a reminder to register by midnight tonight if you have not already done so and plan to attend. You must register to gain access to the event. Below are a couple of things to keep in mind:
Minors do not need an email or an ID when registering. Their names will be added to a list, but they will not receive a QR code
Everyone else must have a QR code and an ID to enter campus. The QR code will be emailed to the email you put on the registration form
There cannot be repeated emails. Each adult must be registered with a unique email
The walk to Pupin requires going up stairs. If this presents a barrier to you, please let us know when you arrive so we can escort you through an accessible route.
Outreach Admin
Thanks to everyone who has registered for our event tonight! We are looking forward to seeing you in Pupin hall. Please remember to bring your QR code and ID if you are not a minor to the 116th and Broadway gates. If you need an accessible route to get to Pupin once you arrive, please let us know at the gates. We will have someone standing there until 7:15pm.
The weather for later is looking good, so we are planning to observe after the talk, around 8:10pm. Observing will happen outside of Pupin and in the dome on the roof of Pupin! Access to the dome requires going up 2 flights of stairs and then a steeper staircase. We will also have telescopes on the campus level for an accessible option. We appreciate your patience in advance!
If you have any questions, please email us at astro.o...@gmail.com.
You can also live stream the talk or watch it later on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@columbia-astro-outreach . (Observing will not be streamed.)
Cheers,
The Outreach Team