Tickets are now on sale for Nerd Nite Nu (Ni) — we are the nite that says “ni”!
When: Thursday, January 14, 2016 @ 7pm (doors at 6:30 PM)
Where: The Wild Rose Brewery Taproom*
Tickets: $10 online – SOLD OUT
* Waitlist sign up on Eventbrite also.
This is an 18+ event.
*Important*: the roads around Wild Rose Brewery are under construction. You can find updated directions and info here http://www.wildrosebrewery.com/contact-us/
SPEAKERS
Frickin’ Laser Beams
Dr. Ryan Yau, Mitchell Eye Centre
Lasers are more than just dolphin mounted weapons and Death Star centrepieces. They can be every nerds best friend. Personally, I love firing them at eyeballs. Come learn about how they work and the many different types used in eye care.
Are we alone? Why it’s so hard to find ET
Jason Nishiyama, Director – RASC Calgary Centre Wilson Coulee Observatory
Ever wonder why we haven’t found evidence of intelligent life in the universe? Was Fermi overly pessimistic or optimistic when he coined his paradox? Does the Drake equation really tell us anything? What are the biological, sociological and technical factors that prevent us from finding ET? Jason will look at these factors that make it so darn hard to find signals from other civilizations in the universe.
The Superhero Maker: Everything you wanted to know about radiation and you
Dr. Aaron Goodarzi, University of Calgary
Radiation exposure is a very popular plot device used by writers to create some of our most iconic superheroes. Ionizing radiation (IR) is, in fact, everywhere, in the form of atmosphere-penetrating cosmic rays, environmentally prevalent radioisotopes such as radon and radiation-based military, medical and energy technologies. There is no biological mechanism to prevent the damage caused to cells by IR; instead, life has evolved exquisite mechanisms to resolve it once it has formed. The health outcome of IR exposure is very much dependent on the dose and type of radiation. We will talk about how to interpret units of radiation, how it impacts our DNA, what that can lead to (in terms of health) and the most common sources of radiation exposure for humans (who do not wear a cape).