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Greetings Fellow Cosmonauts!

Please join us VIRTUALLY tonight (Wednesday, May 13th) for the 3rd installment in our 6-week series Experiencing James Webb: The Invisible Universe Revealed.

Tonight we will watch 2 lectures focused on how the James Webb telescope is advancing our understanding of Dark Matter and Black Holes.

A summary of tonight's features is below:

Galaxies, Dark Matter, and Black Holes (2026, 34 min)

Delve into the dark side of the universe: dark matter and black holes—phenomena that emit no light at all but reveal themselves through their effects on luminous matter. Webb’s infrared vision allows it to trace how galaxies grow and cluster under dark matter’s gravitational influence. Learn how the telescope is also transforming the study of supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies.

New Insights into Stars and Dark Energy (2026, 32 min)

Survey Webb’s most breathtaking images, from star-forming regions to glowing planetary nebulae. Then, explore how the telescope’s infrared observations are refining the cosmic distance ladder, strengthening the evidence for dark energy. Close with speculation about “dark stars,” hypothetical hybrids of ordinary and dark matter, inspired by Webb’s views of distant, brilliant point-like sources.

Don't worry if you don't know anything about this subject matter. No prior understanding of astronomy, black holes or dark energy is required to appreciate tonight's programs and to participate in the discussion period.

This is a safe-space for science and for humans who want to talk about science freely.
You're also welcome to join/leave the video chat at your discretion without penalty or comment. Same goes for RSVPs - they're appreciated, but not mandatory.

And don't forget: CotC now has a Discord Server! So the good times can
keep rolling even after the meetup ends!!!
Follow this link to join: https://discord.gg/Jdg3MC5

Now for some administrative details....
I will open up the virtual meeting at 8PM. The viewing will start promptly at 8:25PM. Again, the link to the virtual meet-up room is below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82231579720

There is an optional suggested donation of $2 which helps pay for our group membership to The Great Courses Plus. You can donate through the following methods:

Venmo: @reece-daniel

Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/reecedaniel

You can also donate through meetup.com, but they take a 17% cut!!

Looking forward to seeing everyone Wednesday!

Regards,

Reece
Curator, Church of the Cosmos
Organizer, SomEV Presents
City Organizer, Meetup-Boston

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