We Are all Made of Stars, and then some… (Buffalo Rising Online)

We all, are stars:
The Buffalo Museum of Science scores and celebrates a year of astronomy and quantum mechanices in this year's International Year of Astronomy 2009.
By Marcus Scott

“On a basic quantum level, all the matter in the universe is essentially made up of stardust,” said quantum physics enthusiast and electro-pop personality Moby, when he was interviewed after his megahit “We Are All Made of Stars” took over the airwaves in 2002. Who knows? Maybe, he’s right. Man has been connected to the stars and its many constellations for centuries, forming a nexus with stars through technology and science. Some scientists have even expressed that both the human body and the stars find their origins in cosmic dust. Having extradited scientific and sociological information through the ages, the Buffalo Museum of Science celebrates the 400th anniversary of the very first use of an astronomical telescope by the “Father of Modern Science” himself, Galileo Galilei and Kepler’s Astronomia Nova. Celebrating the science and one of its trailblazers with the International Year of Astronomy 2009, a global fête of astronomy and its contributions to the arts, culture and civilization, the Buffalo Museum is donating 100 hours of programming with its Tifft Nature Preserve. Maybe man and the stars are closer than we think.
Taking place on a local and international level, from the heart of Africa to here in the states, the International Year of Astronomy 2009 is observing practically everything about the science and the stars, from black holes to cosmology. This week, the museum will be doing a continuum of “Telescopes and Constellations,” a weekend program that documents how a telescope works, and trains one to recognize universally-known constellations in Western New York on April 18-19 and April 25-26. Another scheduled program is that of “Night Sky and Solar Energy,” a tutorial on the sun’s energy and the conversion of light energy into heat and mechanical energies and a seminar of the Earth’s moon and its eight phases on April on 15-17. All activities included with admission, with doors opening at 11:00 a.m. and closing at 3:00 p.m. With special views of “Telescopes and Constellations” on weekends from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., all events lead to the celebration of the International Astronomy Day. Viewing the sun through safely filtered telescopes and taking guests on a virtual excursion of the solar system, tourists will are sure to cause a commotion with the museum’s inside exhibitions and activities.
But, before the events meet their climax, there are still attention-grabbing events sure to keep one’s interest. With its delicate approach to guiding both young and inquiring minds interested in the science through historical observation, the museum also encourages Buffalo residents to join Dr. Dejan Stojkovic of SUNY Buffalo as he gives an overview of black holes this Sunday, between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Connect with the stars and connect with people at this year’s International Year of Astronomy!

If you want to see the publishedversion, go to: http://www.buffalorising.com/2009/04/the-buffalo-science-museum-we-are-all-made-of-stars.html