Science Cafe Goes Way Down Under
Oct 21, 2009 23:12 - 1 Comment
Posted by: Cindy Cotte Griffiths
Department: Events In Rockville,Reviews
Tags: by Cindy Cotte Griffiths, science
Department: Events In Rockville,Reviews
Tags: by Cindy Cotte Griffiths, science
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Last night’s Rockville Science Cafe attracted over 30 people for dinner and “deep” conversation and gave me something new to consider. Dr. Constance Bertka started by saying “At some time or another we’ve all wondered what’s down there under the ground.”
Connie described the new Sloan Deep Carbon Observatory at the Carnegie Geophysical Laboratory which has just begun to bring researchers together from around the world as they study the nature of carbon in the earth’s interior. After a general review of the interior of the earth, Connie described the process to test for carbon and the vast microbial ecosystems found under high pressure deep in the earth. Then she challenged us to think about the possibility of life IN other planets. They might be barren on the surface but have enormous ecosystems of life in their core. I have never considered this possibility.
Everyone filled a section of the Branded 72 dining room and enjoyed the B-B-Q. Sitting in a packed restaurant for dinner during a highly informative scientific dialogue was a unique experience. People from many different fields asked questions. I was impressed with the young curious students who came up to ask questions at the end. Everyone at the Cafe was certainly excited about science.
By the time the Science Cafe was over, another group was setting up for the Wednesday night music in the other section of the dining room. But I couldn’t stay because I wanted to make it to the Twinbrook Citizins Forum. Ruth Hanessian of the Animal Exchange told me the band was good. Most nights there is so much going on in Rockville, it’s difficult to choose!
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Cindy, the open mike musicians that played at Branded ’72 after the science cafe were really wonderful. I’m going to find out the name of one in particular and go whenever he is playing. When he hunkered down and sang with his guitar, I thought I was up in the mountains. They do open mike every Tuesday evening, the price is right, the food and beverages are excellent from salads to ribs and you can’t find a better deal in the area.