MEDIA CONTACT: Patsy Jones
561-297-1307, patsyj@fau.edu
BOCA RATON, FL (October 16, 2006) – Florida Atlantic University presents Dr. Pedro Marronetti, assistant professor of physics in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, who will give thought provoking insight about gravitational waves, which have been controversial since Albert Einstein predicted their existence in the framework of the Theory of General Relativity. The presentation will take place Thursday, October 19 at 3:30 p.m. in Room 126 in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science.
Marronetti will explore gravitational waves which he describes as ripples in the fabric of space and time produced by violent events in the distant universe. He will address such topics as how these waves are produced, whether they really exist and how they are detected. He also will place special emphasis on the tremendously complex gravitational wave observatories that have been built in the last few years.
Marronetti has been an assistant professor at FAU since 2004. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Marronetti’s research is focused on modeling numerically binary neutron stars and black holes and the theoretical prediction of their gravitational signature.
This program is the second in the 2006 Fall series of the Frontiers in Science public lectures. The event is free and open to the public, and sponsored by the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, supported by FAU’s Lifelong Learning Society Endowed Professorship.
For more information, contact Patsy Jones at 561-297-1307 or patsyj@fau.edu.
-FAU-
Florida Atlantic University opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students on seven campuses strategically located along 150 miles of Florida's southeastern coastline. Building on its rich tradition as a teaching university, with a world-class faculty, FAU hosts nine colleges: the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, and the Colleges of Business, Education, Engineering & Computer Science, and Architecture, Urban & Public Affairs.
