‘Galileo, the Universe, and God’: UCSB Science and Humanities Faculty to Discuss Legacy of Galileo and his Astronomical Discoveries

The intersection between religion and science and Galileo’s scientific and intellectual legacies will be the subject of “Galileo, the Universe, and God,” an interdisciplinary event organized by a group of UC Santa Barbara science and humanities faculty that will take place on Thursday, November 12, at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The event, which is open to the public, also celebrates the International Year of Astronomy, designated by the United Nations and the International Astronomical Union to commemorate Galileo’s first telescopic discoveries in 1609. It will feature a theatrical performance and presentations on history, art, and the future of astronomy, including current developments in telescopes connected to the University of California and UCSB.
“Galileo, the Universe, and God” was conceived by Tommaso Treu, associate professor of physics and an astronomer, and Stefania Tutino, associate professor of religious studies and of history, in collaboration with Jon Snyder, professor of Italian studies.

To put the contemporary telescopes in historical perspective, history professor Patrick McCray will discuss the history of the telescope. Complementing the presentations on history and astronomy will be discussions of Renaissance art, by Robert Williams; and the literary value of Galileo’s writing, by Snyder. One of the highlights of the evening will be a performance of scenes from Bertolt Brecht’s “Galileo” by Irwin Appel, actor, director, and professor of theater.

Tickets to the event, which begins at 7 p.m., are $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members, and are on sale at the museum, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, or online at www.sbnature.org.