The Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) is kicking off a new year of its Distinguished Speaker Series with noted American astronomer Jay Pasachoff. On Monday, August 27, Pasachoff will give a presentation on solar eclipses and the recent transit of Venus. The Venus transit, which occurred on June 5-6 of this year, is a historical astronomical event that occurs every 113 to 130 years. Mark your calendar for the next Venus transit, which will occur in December of 2117.
Pasachoff has a distinguished and extensive background in astronomy; he is currently the chair of the Astronomy Department at Williams College, director of Hopkins Observatory, author of numerous publications, and the vice-chair of the Historical Astronomy Division of the American Astronomical Society. Pasachoff specializes in solar eclipses and the transits of both Mercury and Venus. Pasachoff’s arrival in Beijing coincides with the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, which began on August 29 and ends on August 31.
Pasachoff will speak at 6pm in WAB’s Founders Theater, and a reception will immediately follow from 7pm-8pm. This event is open to all members of the community. To RSVP, please email Echo Cai at ecai@wab.edu.
This year’s other Distinguished Speakers include author Paul French on September 24 and conservationist Jane Goodall on November 7.
Photo courtesy of flickr user AndrMoel. Poster courtesy of WAB
