“Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery” on display at the Cerritos Library
Updated July 3, 2012
In 1609, Galileo Galilei transformed our knowledge of the universe when he became the first person to peer into the cosmos using an astronomical telescope. An exciting new exhibit at the Cerritos Library, "Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery," celebrates that event and shows how astronomy has evolved since then.
"Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery" covers a wide range of topics related to the scientific exploration of the universe, including storms on the sun, features on the surface of Mars and the Moon, and the nature of comets, star birth and distant galaxies. The colorful exhibit panels feature striking images of planets, stars, comets, nebulae and galaxies taken by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) powerful astronomical observatories and spacecraft. The exhibit also includes drawings and diagrams created by early astronomers such as Galileo, Christian Huygens and Charles Messier, which show how the universe, stars and planets were viewed and understood centuries ago.
In an effort to offer an engaging astronomy experience to every person in the country, the traveling exhibit is making its way through 55 libraries throughout the United States as part of a multi-year global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture.
"Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery" is presented by the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland; the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts; and the American Library Association, Chicago, through funding from NASA.
The exhibit will be on display through July 20, 2012. The Library is sponsoring a number of free programs in connection with the exhibit. Call (562) 916-1388 or visit the Library's website for more information.
