Celebrating Stephen Hawking: How Black Holes are Not Quite Black

Scientists and science enthusiasts are mourning the passing of Stephen Hawking, one of the great minds and spirits of our time.  In this introductory, non-technical talk, Andrew Fraknoi will briefly summarize Hawking’s life, and talk about the importance of his scientific work.  He’ll focus particularly on Hawking’s work merging the world of the big and heavy (described by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity) with the world of the small and light (described by quantum mechanics). Then he’ll describe how this merger led to the idea of mini black holes, “Hawking Radiation,” and the bizarre notion that black holes don’t have to be fully black.   No background in science or math will be required, but be prepared to have your mind boggled.

Speaker: Andrew Fraknoi, Foothill College, Emeritus