‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, in partnership with Gemini Observatory, will present “Sexy Science: The Adventures of gAstronomy” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, in the ‘Imiloa Planetarium.
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, in partnership with Gemini Observatory, will present “Sexy Science: The Adventures of gAstronomy” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, in the ‘Imiloa Planetarium.
Discover the allure of science with former White House executive pastry chef Bill Yosses and NASA’s project scientist for the Kepler Mission, Steve Howell. Together, they will explore the physical conditions thought to exist on exoplanets, show how the same properties exist on Earth, and relate them to the modern art of cooking. Their presentation promises to arouse your appetite for science in an evening you won’t want to miss! Prepare for an “out of this world” adventure and sample some culinary delights along the way.
Yosses served under both President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush. He worked closely on Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move initiative, which aims to reduce childhood health problems related to diet. Yosses was also instrumental in building a youth program at Harvard University in conjunction with Chop Chop Magazine to introduce scientific concepts to fourth- and fifth-graders via healthy foods and innovative exercise. Yosses’ impressive resume includes assisting in the opening of Paul Newman’s Westport, Conn., restaurant, Dressing Room, in addition to working at Tavern on the Green and Bouley Bakery/Restaurant in New York City, and the famed Fauchon, La Maison du Chocolat and LeNôtre in France. Yosses is a recipient of the James Beard Who’s Who Award and is the author of The Perfect Finish, Special Desserts for Every Occasion and Desserts for Dummies 1997.
Astrophysicist Howell is a project scientist for the NASA Kepler Mission and the NASA K2 Mission. The Kepler Space Telescope was launched in 2009 and its greatest discoveries proved most stars are orbited by exoplanets (mostly small planets), and these small planets are everywhere throughout the universe. To date, Kepler has discovered over 3,500 exoplanet candidates and confirmed nearly 1,000 exoplanets, hundreds of which are the size of Earth.
The K2 Mission has just begun and will continue the search for exoplanets around the closest and brightest stars. This mission is expected to provide the best scientific datasets ever obtained for many of the famous star clusters and well-known stars along the zodiac. Howell has written over 700 scientific publications and is the author of eight astronomy and astronomical instrumentation books. He has also penned his first science fiction book, A Kepler’s Dream. He is currently in collaboration on a molecular gAstronomy cookbook with Yosses. While in Hawaii this month, Howell will be installing a powerful visiting instrument on Gemini’s telescope.
Tickets for this event are $35 for general admission and $30 for members, and will include sample tastings from Chef Yosses. Seats are limited and can be purchased at the ‘Imiloa front desk or by calling 969-9703 during regular business hours. Tickets are non-refundable. Visit www.imiloahawaii.org.