Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Are you kidding me? Free lectures on astronomy and astrophysics? Plus observatory nights and tons of seminars and other events? Lucky for me I am only footsteps away from this cornucopia of astro goodies.
I went to watch the Nov. 15 lecture about the Phoenix Mission to Mars («Mars Phoenix: Following the Water,») and came away with so much information not just about the lander but about the implications of the mission and the work done in its preparation. Also, I have to say I was hooked with the enthusiastic way in which the lecturer Suzanne Young presented her team’s contribution and also excitedly mentioned that the mission might come back with some proof of microbial ‘beasties’. Anyway, I would go back to the CFA just to see her present again, but of course I won’t have to since there are plenty of other events coming up. Highly recommended!

Don’t know much about astrophysics? No problem. The Center for Astrophysics hosts free Observatory Nights on the third Thursday of the month in the Phillips Auditorium at the rear of the building. Heady topics of past discussion have included «Post-​starburst Galaxies» and «Star and Planet Formation in Orion, Perseus, and Cepheus.»
The speakers do a terrific job of putting abstract, scientific concepts into layman’s terms. On clear nights, the public can look through the telescope. Hint, get there about half an hour before the event starts; seating is limited, and they typically have to turn people away.