Galileo Symposium to Feature Speakers Who Explore Space Via Both Science and Literature

For nearly a year, Smith College faculty and students from a range of disciplines have collaborated to advance scholarship on a common theme: the 17th-century astronomer Galileo Galilei.

The culmination of their efforts is a public colloquium on April 15 titled "Star Messengers: Science, Art and Culture at the Millennium," to be held 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Seelye Hall 201. The event is free and open to the public.

The Galileo project, which took place under the auspices of the college's Kahn Liberal Arts Institute, was designed to investigate and celebrate the work of Galileo and other Renaissance thinkers, both in the context of their times and from the vantage point of a new millennium.
Richard White, professor of astronomy and co-director of the Galileo project with associate professor of theatre Paul Zimet, notes that Galileo is a particularly apt figure to study at this point in time.

"As we enter a new millennium, we are uncovering more and more information about our world at a rapid and often overwhelming pace," he explains.

"Galileo and his contemporaries faced a similar situation, as they struggled to make sense of baffling new discoveries in physics, astronomy and other arts and sciences that did not conform with their understanding of the world."

The research presentations will be followed in the afternoon by two public lectures, beginning at 2 p.m. in Seelye Hall 201.

Greg Bear, a prolific and award-winning science fiction writer, will present "Artisans: How We All Make the World Real." Bear's recent books include "Darwin's Radio" (Del Rey), "Foundation and Chaos" (Harper/Collins-Avon) and "Slant" (Tor).

Gregory Benford, professor of physics at the University of California, Irvine, and the author of more than a dozen novels, will present "Deep Time: How Humanity Communicates Across Millennia." Benford is the author, most recently, of "The Martian Race" (Warner), "Eater" (Avon) and "Skylife" (Harcourt), and the editor of "Nebula Award Showcase 2000" (Harcourt). The latter three books are forthcoming in April.

Both Bear and Benford are visiting fellows of the Kahn Institute. Prior to their talks, from 1:30 ­ 2:00 p.m., they will sign copies of their latest books.

Throughout the day, research posters by student fellows of the Institute will be on display in Seelye Hall 207.

Founded in 1998, the Kahn Institute is supported by the Fund for Faculty Excellence, endowed by Louise Wolff Kahn '31 and Edmund J. Kahn. The Institute encourages collaboration among a diverse group of faculty and students and outside academics without regard to the traditional boundaries of departments, programs and academic divisions. Public events include symposia, performances, lectures, exhibitions and workshops for the Smith campus and the wider community.

March 29, 2000