'Infrared Astronomy: A Golden Age of Space Observatories'

The Physics Department, in collaboration with CAMS and Diwan Ahl-al-Qalam, invite you to a talk by Dr. George Helou, Executive Director of IPAC, NASA, USA, on November 29, 2011, at 5:00 pm, in College Hall, B1.

Abstract

Half of the radiant energy in the universe appears as infrared radiation. Moreover, infrared light offers unique and powerful ways to study the most important processes that have formed today's universe, particularly the formation mechanisms of galaxies, stars and planets. Space offers huge advantages over mountain tops for infrared telescopes, and the last decade culminated in a history-making year when four major space observatories were in operation, simultaneously. These observatories have yielded some of the most important and fascinating advances in recent years, especially in the areas of cosmology and exoplanets.

About George Helou

George Helou is the Executive Director of the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC), and a member of faculty in the Physics, Math and Astronomy Division at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, CA. He is also Deputy Director of the Spitzer Science Center, and Director of the NASA Herschel Science Center. As IPAC Director, he oversees science operations for active space missions and major astronomical archives for NASA. George Helou was born and educated in Lebanon, graduating in 1975 from the American University of Beirut, obtaining a BS in Physics with High Distinction and a Teaching Diploma in Science Education. He obtained a MS in 1977 and a PhD in 1980 in Astrophysics and Radio Science from Cornell University.