‘Mi Galaxia es Su Galaxia,’ UIC physicists say

Saturday’s planetarium programs are designed for Spanish-speaking Chicago families. Photo: Adler Planetarium

UIC physicists and students will lend their talents and expertise at the Adler Planetarium Saturday for a special event welcoming Spanish-speaking families to Mi Galaxia es Su Galaxia, a celebration of the world of science.

The day will include presentations by scientists from Chicago and around the world; a science fair where UIC graduate students discuss their work; and the Adler’s sky shows, Cosmic Wonder; One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure; and the 3-D show Exploding Stars and the Shape of Our Galaxy, narrated in Spanish.

Volunteers will be on hand to explain exhibits to visitors.

Mexican astrophysicist Claudio Ugalde will talk about supernovas. Roberto Castillo Ladrón de Guevara, based at the observatory in Cerro Paranal, Chile, will chat online about revolutionary astronomical techniques coming out of new observatories in his country.

Ursula Perez-Salas, UIC assistant professor of physics, and her husband, Columbia College science and mathematics assistant professor Luis Nasser, offer Spanish-language presentations to children at Evanston Public Library, organized by volunteer Isabel Carrera, who was a major force behind the Adler event.

“We had a wonderful time, so when she asked if we would like to be part of this, we said, ‘yes!’” Perez-Salas said.

Perez-Salas enlisted physics professor Juan Carlos Campuzano, who will talk about superconductors. Nasser will discuss optics and Perez-Salas will introduce materials with strange behaviors and states of matter that go well beyond solid, liquid and gas.

The range of her audience will present a challenge, said Perez-Salas.

“Latinos visit museums as a family, so it is important to aim at multiple generations,” she said. “You need to reach Grandma, Mom and Dad, and the kids.”

For more information about Mi Galaxia es Su Galaxia call 312-922-7827.