Quoted from a message from CFIC-Pittsburgh’s Steering Committee Treasurer Chuck Bobich:

CFI Community of Pittsburgh will hold tonight’s general meeting at the Carnegie Science Center, starting at 7:00 PM and lasting to about 9:00. We’ll meet in the Digital Dome, where dome operator Frank Mancuso has outlined a program that promises to be even more spectacular than last year’s, including:

• A brief review/overview of the Digital Sky System – a how and why explanation
• A few updates in the world of Astronomy.
• The Digital Universe fly through with some modifications to make it different from last year, but still “flying out to the edge.”
• “Hubble Views” – a 4 minute tribute utilizing some Hubble Telescope images.

This program goes far beyond what is normally shown to the public. There is no charge to our members for this event. However, we’ll make our normal voluntary collection to cover expenses, plus a twist…in the best secular humanistic tradition, one-half of tonight’s proceeds will be donated to the Pittsburgh Food Bank.

You can track tonight’s event at this link plus get other news from our Community’s website.

CFIC-Pittsburgh is lucky to number a facility like the Carnegie Science Center among its resources. I hope a sizable number of you decide to join us for tonight’s special show.

——

You are also invited to join us at Bettis Grill 36 for a pre-meeting dinner at 5:30!

Phil Plait's Death from the Skies: These Are the Ways the World Will End . . .

What could be more perfect October reading than a book about all of the ways that the universe could destroy life as we know it?

Out this week is the much anticipated second book by Dr. Phil Plait (the Bad Astronomer) Death from the Skies: These Are the Ways the World Will End. I’ve added it to the Steel City Skeptics recommended reading list, and if you read it we welcome your review here or at our reading group on GoodReads.com¹.

Are tales of Ultimate Doom, a little too much to take during this already astronomically sized plague of political and economic dramas raining down upon us? Don’t worry, this is no “The! End! Is! Near!” sandwich-board screed from a subway stop nutter. Fans of Phil² can attest to his thoughtful, reassuring, upbeat style that will, no doubt leave you with a renewed sense of awe at how very fortunate we are not just to be here, but to still be here.

And, hey, as Phil points out in detail — things could be worse!

¹ SCS is everywhere!
² Pretend with me that following someone on Twitter puts us on a first name basis.