Lillian H. Smith Library: Chasing Exoplanets: Stories from the Centre of the Universe

Join us for a conversation about weird planets, the search for life in the universe, and how the language of science can help tell stories about human relationships.

Elizabeth Tasker is a world-renowned astrophysicist who works for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), where she studies the formation of stars and planets and the possibility of other habitable worlds. Her recent book The Planet Factory explores the diversity of exoplanets (planets outside the Solar System), and helps us understand how scientists search for life in the universe.

Ria Voros is a writer of young adult novels. In her new book, The Center of the Universe, the main character is a budding astronomer and a huge fan of real-life astrophysicist Dr. Elizabeth Tasker, who makes a cameo in the novel. Ria uses the language of astronomy to create a story full of mystery and suspense for science lovers.

Learn how they each search for new worlds, how the stars aligned to bring them together, and how their very different genres share the same language.

Hosted by award-winning science journalist Alanna Mitchell, whose latest book The Spinning Magnet explores the mysteries of Earth's magnetism.

This event is organized in partnership with the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of Toronto. Before and after the talk, Dunlap researchers will host a mini astronomy fair and answer your questions about the universe.

Schedule
6:00pm --> doors open, Dunlap astronomy mini fair
6:30pm --> talk begins
8:00pm --> talk ends, book signing begins, astronomy mini fair
8:30pm --> doors close

Who can attend: Everyone
Fee: Free
Registration: Not required
Organized by: Toronto Public Library and the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics
Location: Lillian H. Smith Library Auditorium, 239 College Street, Toronto, ON

https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT395007&R=EVT395007