“Of all the sciences cultivated by mankind, Astronomy is acknowledged to be, and undoubtedly is, the most sublime, the most interesting, and the most useful. For, by knowledge derived from this science, not only the bulk of the Earth is discovered …; but our very faculties are enlarged with the grandeur of the ideas it conveys, our minds exalted above [their] low contracted prejudices.” –James Ferguson, “Astronomy Explained Upon Sir Isaac Newtons Principles, And Made Easy To Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics” (1757) — Subscribe to Science & Reason: • www.youtube.com • www.youtube.com • www.youtube.com — The Cosmic Perspective Long before anyone knew that the universe had a beginning, before we knew that the nearest large galaxy lies two and a half million light-years from Earth, before we knew how stars work or whether atoms exist, James Ferguson’s enthusiastic introduction to his favorite science rang true. Yet his words, apart from their eighteenth-century flourish, could have been written yesterday. But who gets to think that way? Who gets to celebrate this cosmic view of life? Not the migrant farmworker. Not the sweatshop worker. Certainly not the homeless person rummaging through the trash for food. You need the luxury of time not spent on mere survival. You need to live in a nation whose government values the search to understand humanity’s place in the universe. You need a society in which intellectual pursuit can take you to the frontiers of discovery …

Sun, Nov. 23, 2006 From The Science Network Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses the apparent un-intelligent design of the cosmos. www.beyondbelief2006.org

Watch Neil’s collection of short videos. Read his blog. Find out how his secret life fuels his science, and vice versa. You can watch his videos here: pbs.org/nova/secretlife

Sunday, November 5, 2006 Beyond Belief ’06 Neil DeGrasse Tyson challenges the concept of Intelligent Design by demonstrating ways in which the Universe is not optimally designed for us. From: The Science Network www.thesciencenetwork.org

Watch Neil’s collection of short videos. Read his blog. Find out how his secret life fuels his science, and vice versa. www.pbs.org/nova/secretlife The Secret Life of Scientists is currently just a few votes behind in the race for the Webby Awards People’s Voice Award. If you havent voted already, please vote now. Anyone can vote at this link: www.youtube.com Voting ends on April 29th.

The Secret Life of Scientists is currently just a few votes behind in the race for the Webby Awards People’s Voice Award. If you havent voted already, please vote now. Watch Neil’s collection of short videos. Read his blog. Find out how his secret life fuels his science, and vice versa. Anyone can vote at this link: www.youtube.com Voting ends on April 29th.

A talk on Death By Black Hole and Asteroid Apophis which touches on a variety of issues in astrophysics and space exploration.

Some stars and planets shown to scale. Beginning with Mercury then going beyond our Sun, a medium sized star, to the distant giant VV Cephei some 2400 light years away. Remember, one light year equals about 5878630000000 miles! Despite being roughly 1600 times bigger than our sun, VV Cephei is not the largest in the Universe.

A talk on Death By Black Hole and Asteroid Apophis which touches on a variety of issues in astrophysics and space exploration.

A talk on Death By Black Hole and Asteroid Apophis which touches on a variety of issues in astrophysics and space exploration.