"The View of the Centre of the Universe: Discovering Our Extraordinary Place in the Cosmos"

This presentation describes that new picture and the remarkable fact that humans seem to play a central role in the universe. Joel and Nancy will present both scientific and philosophical viewpoints, using spectacular new images and videos, updated ancient symbols and the latest astronomical data. They also use humorous cartoons to illustrate how cosmological ideas have widespread cultural implications.

The talk is both entertaining and educational, and can be enjoyed by both experts and people who know nothing about astronomy.Abrams is a gifted writer with a keen interest in expressing the life-changing significance of modern cosmic discoveries. Together they also go beyond the science to explain how we humans may fit into this new understanding of the universe. Copernicus and Galileo showed that the Earth and its inhabitants were not geographically central to the universe, but in the new picture humans are central to the universe in other profound and important ways derived directly from science.

This presentation, based on their book, uses stunning astronomical videos, music, and imagery to communicate the new picture of the universe and show how appreciating our special role in the universe can affect both our culture and personal lives. For more than a decade, Primack and Abrams have taught a course at the University of California, Santa Cruz, called “Cosmology and Culture,” from which their book developed.