*** New Date ***

Dr. John C. Mather, Senior Astrophysicist in the Observational Cosmology Laboratory at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center; Nobel Laureate in Physics, 2006; and author of The Very First Light: The True Inside Story of the Scientific Journey Back to the Dawn of the Universe.

The history of the universe in a nutshell, from the Big Bang to now and on to the future - John Mather tells the story of how we got here, how the universe began with a Big Bang, how it could have produced an Earth where sentient beings live, and how those beings are discovering their history. Learn about Einstein's biggest mistake, how Edwin Hubble discovered the expansion of the universe, and how the James Webb Space Telescope may yet find signs of life on future missions.

Mather was Project Scientist for NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite, which measured the spectrum (the color) of the Big Bang's heat radiation, discovered hot and cold spots in that radiation, and hunted for the first objects that formed after the great explosion. He explains Einstein's biggest mistake, how Edwin Hubble discovered the expansion of the universe, how the COBE mission was built, and how the COBE data support the Big Bang theory. He also shows NASA's plans for the next great telescope in space, the James Webb Space Telescope, which will look even farther back in time than the Hubble Space Telescope, and peer inside the dusty cocoons where stars and planets are being born today. It is capable of examining Earth-like planets around other stars using the transit technique. Future missions may find signs of life. [hide]

Neal Barnard, M.D., noted nutrition researcher and New York Times bestselling author, discusses the connection ... [more]

Neal Barnard, M.D., noted nutrition researcher and New York Times bestselling author, discusses the connection between nutrition and physical and mental health. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, his clinical research revolutionized the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. In his latest book, Power Foods For the Brain, Barnard reveals how simple diet changes can protect the brain from memory loss, stroke, and Alzheimer's, and he offers valuable tips and insights on how to boost brain health. Books available for purchase and signing. A Meet the Author event.

Barnard is an adjunct associate professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine, board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C. [hide]

Meet and greet authors with local ties. John Hauserman, Roy G. Saltman, and Heather Wandell discuss their latest books, ... [more]

Meet and greet authors with local ties. John Hauserman, Roy G. Saltman, and Heather Wandell discuss their latest books, answer questions, and share tips about the publishing process. Books available for purchase and signing. Refreshments. A Meet the Author event. Sponsored by Friends of Howard County Library. [hide]