Coffee, tea, cookies, and supermassive Black Holes--the Aspen Science Center Physics Café Rides Again!

That time of year isrolling around again, when elite teams of the most accomplished physicists in America head to the Winter Conferences of the Aspen Center for Physics to wrestle with the most cutting-edge questions in their fields. And that was a boon for the students, teachers and science enthusiasts of the Roaring Fork community! Why? Because this they were available to share their insights at the Physics Cafes.

You know those fantastic Physics lectures at the Wheeler? Well, we have created an even more family-friendly, fun and informal pre-lecture gathering, where everything is accessible to the bright middle schooler on up --from the food, to the physicists, to the informal conversations. The Physics Cafe is designed to bring the thrill of exploration, the joy of discovery, and the excitement of sharing big ideas (and cookies) to every student, adult, and family in the Roaring Fork!

This winter, the Aspen Science Center was proud to present the third winter of a continuing series of casual conversations with visiting physicists.

Interested families, students, and community members were invited to join the Aspen Science Center at The Wheeler Opera House Lounge at 4:15 PM for the family-friendly "Physics Café" , prior to the Nick and Maggie de Wolfe lecture presented by the world-renowned Aspen Center for Physics.

The gathering offered "coffee and croissants", a short (10 min) presentation by eminent young physicists on their specialties (particle, astro, cosmology, condensed matter, etc.), the life of a physicist, and other irresistable phenomena. Café goers had a chance to ask informal questions and chat with these eminent physicists about any topic from string theory to their favorite happy hour spot in Aspen.

The Physics Cafés, which were attended by an average of 75 kids of all ages created their own rarified atmosphere --jovial and enlightening. Admission, as always, was free!