Florida Tech Features Monster Black Hole Science Lecture April 25

By  //  April 24, 2014

Astronomical Society will open Ortega telescope

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — Butler University Professor Brian Murphy will present “The Monster Lurking at the Heart of the Milky Way” at 8 p.m. Friday, April 25, in the Olin Engineering Building Auditorium (EC 118) as part of Florida Institute of Technology’s Public Science Lecture Series.

Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy

At the center of our Milky Way galaxy lurks not only the most convincing case for a black hole, but a super-massive black hole nearly 4 million times larger than our Sun.

Technological advances over the last 20 years have allowed astrophysicists to investigate this bizarre region of our galaxy.

Using images from both space- and ground-based telescopes, Murphy will explore the dynamic properties of the Galactic Center. In particular, he will review the evidence for this super-massive black hole and how it came to be so big.

At approximately 9 p.m., weather permitting, Florida Tech’s Student Astronomical Society will open up the 32-inch Ortega telescope for public viewing. Three smaller telescopes will be on hand, as well.

Murphy will examine its past and future appetite for swallowing stars and clouds of gas. He will also compare the black hole to other galaxies with a focus on quasars, the most luminous objects in the universe.

At approximately 9 p.m., weather permitting, Florida Tech’s Student Astronomical Society will open up the 32-inch Ortega telescope for public viewing. Three smaller telescopes will be on hand, as well.

Those interested in some hands-on astronomy and who have a telescope or are thinking about getting one are invited to attend the Melbourne Astronomical Society meeting at 6:30 p.m. on April 25 in Room 144 of the Olin Physical Sciences Building.

The F.W. Olin Engineering Complex is located on West University Boulevard. Maps and directions for all these events can be found at HERE. For more information call 321-674-7207.