Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) will host a free public lecture featuring physicist Dr. Ralph L. McNutt Jr. on Wednesday, October 14, at 7 p.m. The lecture, titled “Challenges and Opportunities in Space Science,” will take place in the Recital Hall of the Fine and Performing Arts Center.
Local philanthropist Guillermo “Memo” Benavides indicated that Dr. McNutt is scheduled to be on campus throughout much of Wednesday and into Thursday. He noted that Dr. McNutt has contributed to significant space programs, including Voyager and New Horizons, the latter of which conducted a flyby of Pluto. “I’m most proud that he’s coming to address our students and our general public,” Benavides stated.
Additionally, TAMIU’s planetarium will offer a “Star Talk” on Thursday, October 15, starting at 7 p.m. Dr. Daniel Rybarczyk, the planetarium director, will discuss observable celestial events in Laredo’s night sky during this time of year. Following the discussion, public stargazing is set to occur around 7:45 p.m., also free and open to the public.
“People can stop by and look through one of our telescopes at some of the many beautiful and interesting objects,” Dr. Rybarczyk said, adding that Saturn will be the highlight of the observation event.
