Astronomer to Share Findings by Hubble

What is the universe like? Why are there galaxies? How did the sun form? Where did we come from?

These age-old questions and other mysteries of the universe will be addressed tonight at Ventura College’s Mainstage Theater at 7 p.m.

“This talk will show how the Hubble space telescope has helped to poke holes in our ignorance, shedding light on these questions and other riddles,” said Dr. George F. Benedict, a research scientist who worked on the design team for the telescope.

Benedict has lectured around the world and has been interviewed on “Nova,” the television science program, about his use of the Hubble in a quest for extrasolar planets and extraterrestrial life.

“The telescope is a marvelous machine that very few people appreciate outside the scientific community,” said David Doreo, an astronomy professor at Ventura College.

“The Hubble is the first thing that has given us a window to events that occurred moments after the Big Bang,” Doreo said. “We want people to know what this telescope can do and how it will affect our future.”

A grant from the Harlow Shapley organization will bring Benedict to Ventura from the University of Texas, where he’s been senior lecturer of the astronomy department for nearly 20 years.

The event is open to the public and free of charge. Ventura College’s Mainstage Theater is located on Loma Vista Street.