Numinous Cosmos 4 week course

Numinous Cosmos

4.00pm Wednesday 8 February 2012 (4 week course) To book tickets now click here.

Between the microworld of subatomic particles and the macroworld of stars and galaxies, human minds try to make sense of it all. Out of science emerge new stories about our place in the universe, where we came from, and the future destiny of our planet and our universe. The stories we uncover are much more than strings of facts and numbers. As Einstein emphasised, our knowledge evokes deep feelings of awe and humility – what he described as a religious experience. In this course a physicist, an astronomer, a biologist and a Buddhist monk will lead you to experience the numinous cosmos. You will contemplate the stars at the purpose-built Cosmology Gallery and Gingin Observatory, and explore the wonders of Western Australia’s world famous biodiversity. Afternoon sessions will be followed by a dinner talk and night session where we will combine facts with deep experiences of our place in the universe.

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Numinous Cosmos 4.00pm Wednesday 8 February 2012 (4 week course) To book tickets now click here.

Between the microworld of subatomic particles and the macroworld of stars and galaxies, human minds try to make sense of it all. Out of science emerge new stories about our place in the universe, where we came from, and the future destiny of our planet and our universe. The stories we uncover are much more than strings of facts and numbers. As Einstein emphasized, our knowledge evokes deep feelings of awe and humility – what he described as a religious experience. In this course a physicist, an astronomer, a biologist and a Buddhist monk will lead you to experience the numinous cosmos. You will contemplate the stars at the purpose-built Cosmology Gallery and Gingin Observatory, and explore the wonders of Western Australia’s world famous biodiversity. Afternoon sessions will be followed by a dinner talk and night session where we will combine facts with deep experiences of our place in the universe.

OUTLINE
Session 1:
Einstein’s Cosmic Religion: Facing the Awesome Reality of the Universe?
Astrophysicist David Blair introduces Einstein’s cosmic religion, and ?the awesome discoveries of modern cosmology. This will be followed by a tour of the dark sky with a UWA astronomer (TBA).?

Session 2: How Does Scientific Enlightenment differ from Spiritual
Enlightenment?
Buddhist Abbott Ajahn Brahm (TBC) and David Blair debate the roles of religion and science. Viewing the stars we will focus on the recent discoveries of Earth like planets and ask about the Fermi Paradox: where are they?

Session 3: From Atoms to Genes: Our Connection to the Universe?
From Atoms to Genes: Our Connection to the Universe?
?Biologist Steven Wylie and David Blair discuss our connection to the universe, emphasized by a tour of the extraordinary biodiversity ?around the GDC, and extraordinary objects in the Milky Way.

Session 4: The Future of the Universe: What is the Meaning of Life?
Why is the universe so finely tuned for life??
David Blair presents the remarkable fine tuning of the laws of ?physics, the search for new dimensions, and the future of the ?universe, and leads a broad discussion about the meaning of life.

THINGS TO KNOW

  • The first two sessions will be timed for dark moonless nights.
  • Session times: 4-6.30pm, 8- 9.30pm.
  • Afternoon tea served at 3.30pm, dinner is available for purchase 6.30-8pm at the Gravity Discovery Centre.
  • Enrollment is for the 4-session package only.
  • The sessions will use the Gravity Discovery Centre’s unique facilities including the Cosmology Gallery and the Gingin Observatory.
  • All sessions will be at the Gravity Discovery Centre in Gingin.
  • Car pooling encouraged