Speaker: David Nataf (Johns Hopkins University)

The central bulge of our Milky Way galaxy is host to roughly 30 percent of its stars, including a substantial fraction of both the oldest stars and the most metal-rich stars. The ages of the stars indicate that some formed via hierarchical collapse early in the universe, while most formed later on, due to dynamical processes within the disk. The differences in chemical abundances among the stars may have effects on the formation of planets and the evolution of life. Astronomers’ understanding and characterization of the Milky Way bulge creates a relatively complex picture, but it is still incomplete.

The 2018 Public Lecture Series offers talks on a diverse selection of cosmic topics held the first Tuesday of every month in the STScI John N. Bahcall Auditorium. Admission is free and free parking is available in the lot across the street. Find information related to driving directions and relevant transportation resources on our Getting Here page. Further information and directions are available by calling 410-338-4700.

Live and archived recordings:

• News and Introductions
• The Milky Way’s Bulge: From a Hypothesized Blob to a Remarkably Detailed Picture (YouTube)