Larry Kawano Photo courtesy of Larry Kawano

Many know Larry, or more properly, Dr. Kawano doctorate in cosmology from the University of Chicago, bachelor of science in physics from Cornell University and postgraduate study at CalTech as a member of the Idyllwild Master Chorale and as a gifted and extraordinarily funny actor in IMCs summer theater offerings. Larry may seem unassuming but his academic pedigree and wealth of knowledge about all things astronomical and cosmological is very impressive indeed.

Ask him a simple question such as What was there before the Big Bang? and he will give you nuanced answers, analogies and explanations that even the most unschooled layperson can grasp. And hell do it in a way that leaves you thinking and smiling, informed, intrigued and wanting to know more. We at Astrocamp are all about fun, said Kawano, who is curriculum director and science interpretives creator at Idyllwilds Astrocamp, explaining why he mixes smiles with substance and comedy with cosmology.

Ill be discussing six topics covering the span of the universe about which people might have misconceptions: planets, our sun (Sol), black holes, the Milky Way, the Big Bang, and [our] universe. Ill ask a question of the audience to see what their current perceptions are about that subject and then discuss how, in science, things and concepts are always changing. Thats the nature of things. In science, things are always changing.

When prodded for an example, using the Big Bang, Kawano answered, Many think about the Big Bang as an explosion, hence the outward expansion of the universe. But thats not so. Come to the presentation to hear his metaphoric explanation comparing the universe to a gigantic dance floor with tiles on the dance floor, too close together with dancers standing on the tiles, and then, over time, the tiles with the dancers begin slowly and inexorably moving farther and farther away from each other. The question is why, what started it, and what preceded it.

Kawano compares the most efficient way to explore space and other star systems and galaxies (using self replicating machines) with the challenge of visiting the unexplored depths of our own planets seas (James Camerons recent dive makes him the third person to have dived that deep and seen the landscape Cameron described as very lunar, very desolate.) Both space and deep sea exploration are better ways to understand what our home [the Earth] is like, said Kawano.

Kawanos presentation, Astro Mythbusters will be 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, at Silver Pines Lodge. There will be a wine and cheese reception before his talk. Both are free to the public.

Category: On The Town

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The mysteries of the cosmos revealed at Idyllwild speaker series

With well over 100,000 people gathering last week for electoral reform in the largest street protest in the nations history and the event marred by violence by both state and non-state actors alike Malaysian politics has reached an important impasse.

The Bersih 3.0 rally and its aftermath reveal that the path ahead for Malaysian politics will grow even more contentious and complex. As the different Bersih stories pour in, ranging from ordinary heroism to the darker accounts of beatings and abuse of power, the move of Malaysian politics outside of the realm of elite to the streets and social media is both empowering and scary.

Prime Minister Najib Razaks decision not to accommodate the concerns of the protesters last week, and even to demonise their actions, now prods Malaysia further along the road to its day of destiny, where the political fate of Malaysias 54-year government will be determined. So far, the routes chosen are one of confrontation rather than compromise, making resolution to differences even more difficult.

Before the rally, Iarguedthat four actors would shape politics around Bersih 3.0 the youth, the middle class, the police and East Malaysians. Of these, three were decisive on rally day itself (the latter will grow more so as elections approach).

The youth and the middle-class attended the rally in large numbers, marking a new generations engagement with politics and transforming a largely apathetic middle class into a more engaged electorate.

Those wearing yellow and green included Malaysias soccer moms, the shopping mall princesses, disgruntled students, retirees and usually reticent professionals.

These individuals comprised those who had for years enjoyed the air-conditioned comfort of Malaysias success, yet with different levels of concern and angst chose to brave Kuala Lumpurs hot and humid conditions on April 28. It was uncomfortable, but overwhelmingly, this embrace of discomfort shows how engaged Malaysians are with hot-button political issues and their willingness to stand up and be counted.

They were there because they see the country moving in the wrong direction and wanted to make it right. At the very least, the Bersih rally revealed the shortcomings of the countrys leaders in addressing the concerns of a large, important and increasing number of its citizens.

Much of the attention focused on the third actor, the police, whose over-the-top actions in the use of tear gas and their attacks on journalists have permanently stained their reputation among those connected to the rally.

For those not at the rally, the picture is less clear as the mainstream media has manipulated the event in an attempt to snatch the moral high ground, with the government going as far as censoring the international media and destroying cameras. Often the characterisation of police action has been one of black and white, where in actual fact there is much more gray, and views are evolving as more and more stories are shared.

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Road to Malaysia’s day of destiny

The great outdoors

Adventure and Nature offers a six day outdoor camp for those 13 years and above with sailing, para sailing, rock climbing and rappelling in the eastern ghats. The camp is scheduled from May 12 to 17.

For more information call 9940355521.9176130365

Mind your manners

Table etiquette classes for children in the five to 12 age group by Marriott Chef at Kartwheel Kids Play Gym and Party Place.

For more details call 96000 50073

Summer cruise

Chennai Citi Centre kicks off this summer with Summer Fest Cruise for kids. A month long fun and entertainment that is on till June 4.

Citi Centre has recreated a model of a cruise ship in the mall and there is a lot of entertainment on this cruise. As an additional bonanza kids can meet one of their favourite characters Donald, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Dora and Bujji,Tom and Jerry, Spider Man and Tweety.

Quiz time

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Free Game Friday: A Modern Spin on Asteroids, and More

By David Daw, PCWorld May 4, 2012 6:00 AM

This week we spent most of our time by looking for games that were overlooked from recent game competitions like Ludum Dare and the Molyjam. Even though these games might have been overshadowed out of the gate, they’ve got a lot to offer; give ‘em a shot and let us know what you think!

Astro Break is a fun little game that plays a little like a combination of Asteroids and later arcade shooters. You play an astronaut trapped on a tiny planet shooting up at a collection of asteroids that will kill you if you ever collide. But destroying the space rocks gives you access to a number of powerups to make your asteroid destroying life easier and more fun. It may sound simple, and it is, but it’s also fun.

Next we’ve got a short platformer I’d love to see expanded upon. The stack::tracker() game has you playing as a sentient bit of your computer that needs to add and delete functions to escape a program, but that’s really just the hook for a new spin on platform games. Instead of jumping from one platform to the next you’ll need to collect new platforms and construct them to move your player across the gaps in the level.

This short game brings a new spin to the world of physics puzzles. In Words and Physics our goal is to move text off of the screen by interacting with various text fields in the level. The twist is that what you type matters. Typing moveleft will drag the textfield to the left for instance, taking anything on top of your text with it. The puzzles get more complex as the game moves along but the hook remains engaging. Yay words!

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Free Game Friday: A Modern Spin on Asteroids, A Platformer Where You Make the Platforms and More.

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AP_tv.avi – Video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNNW2rO2kLs

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Astro-Physics – It’s a Mindstate EP…the making of – Video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl48-mU94qI

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Cosmic Train Wrecks – Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics – Video