About us
Physics for Fun is a community for anyone who's curious about how the universe works. Whether you're a student, a hobbyist, a professional, or just someone who enjoys asking "why?", you'll find plenty to talk about here.
Our meetups are as much about the people as the physics. Some feature presentations or demonstrations. Others are simply good conversations that wander wherever curiosity leads—from black holes and quantum mechanics to mathematics, engineering, philosophy, or even the occasional completely unrelated tangent.
You don't need a physics degree or any special background to join us. Bring your curiosity, ask questions, share what you've been reading lately, or just listen. If you keep coming, you'll almost certainly pick up a few new ideas along the way—often without realizing it.
We enjoy thoughtful, evidence-based discussions and welcome different perspectives. The goal isn't to be the smartest person in the room; it's to leave knowing something you didn't when you walked in.
Upcoming events
7
ESI UT Austin - Big Rivers on Mars! - In Person
University of Texas at Austin Department of Chemistry, 105 E 24th St, Austin, TX, USYou do NOT need to sign up for this event. It is a placeholder only.
You DO need to visit this page for updates. Registration usually takes place approximately 2-3 weeks before the event. -- https://www.esi.utexas.edu/talk/big-rivers-on-mars/ (This link will be updated as additional info becomes available.)
The ESI Hot Science Cool Talks series is an extremely popular event and you should register ASAP (Registration is usually open three weeks before the event date). These events fill up almost immediately when registration opens. It does help to be on the ESI mailing list (very low traffic).
Environmental Science Institute - Jackson School of Geosciences:
Hot Science Cool Talk -- https://www.esi.utexas.edu/community-engagement/hot-science-cool-talks/ (Bookmarking this page is a good idea. Mailing list subscription information is to the right.)
Hot Science Cool Talks Archive -- https://www.esi.utexas.edu/community-engagement/hot-science-cool-talks/archives/
ESI has this to say...
What can ancient rivers on Mars reveal about the planet’s past and its potential for life? In this Hot Science – Cool Talks with Timothy Goudge, explore ancient rivers, catastrophic floods, and massive drainage systems on Mars, and how the planet’s lack of plate tectonics shaped its unique landscape and potential for life. By studying relic rivers and water-shaped landscapes on Mars, scientists are uncovering clues about the planet’s history and where life may once have had a chance to exist. After all, where waters flow, life often follows.
Dr. Timothy Goudge is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his BSc from Queen's University and his ScM and PhD from Brown University. His research explores how surface processes shape planetary landscapes over time. Using remote sensing data such as satellite imagery, topography, imaging spectroscopy, and sediment records, Dr. Goudge studies the geological history of Mars, Earth, and other planetary bodies to better understand how landscapes evolve and what they can reveal about past environments.
Austin Physics for Fun has this to say...
Here is where we will be meeting prior to the presentation -- https://www.google.com/maps/place/30%C2%B017'21.0%22N+97%C2%B044'08.8%22W/@30.2891568,-97.7357906,55m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d30.289172!4d-97.735764
Please be there no later than 6:15pm CST.
ESI wants to seat everyone by 6:50pm CST. There may be pre-event activities so the crowd can be expected to be large and have many young ones full of enthusiasm :) We'll walk across the street to Welch Hall and go through registration and seating. Don't forget to turn all audible alerts on your phone OFF please.
I'll be wearing a black cap with the "Hi How Are You?" frog on it -- https://thedailytexan.com/2017/08/04/jeremiah-the-innocent-deserves-more-recognition/
UT Austin Parking & Transportation -- https://parking.utexas.edu/
If anyone is interested in socializing after the presentation we can go to the Drag and pick a place :)
1 attendee
DIY - Makers - Citizen Science - Nature Nerds - Sci/Tech Geeks - Open Workshop
Diogenes Makerspace, 1917 Hydro Dr · Austin, TX, Austin, TX, USPlease post the topics, questions, items of interest that you'd like to discuss or work on, in the comments below.
If one of them is of interest to you please "Like" the topic. If you have questions just use "Reply" to start/continue the thread.
Unconferences: A Better Way to Run Meetups (28/30) -- https://psychotechnology.substack.com/p/unconferences-a-better-way-to-run
Unconference -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconference -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Unconferences
- Nature Nerds Austin -- https://www.meetup.com/nature-nerds-of-austin/
- South Austin Makerspace -- https://www.meetup.com/southaustinmakerspace/?eventOrigin=your_groups
- Austin 3D Printing -- https://www.meetup.com/austin-3dprinting/?eventOrigin=your_groups
- Austin Physics for Fun -- https://www.meetup.com/physics-1/?eventOrigin=your_groups
- Austin FPGA -- https://www.meetup.com/austin-fpga-meetup-group/
- Austin Astronomy -- https://www.meetup.com/austin-astronomy-meetup/
- Austin Arduino and MicroController Meetup -- https://www.meetup.com/austin-web-mobile-electronic-club-for-beginners-experts/?eventOrigin=your_groupsThe purpose of this gathering is to build better communication between related meetups, foster community, brainstorm, and have fun!!!
Our default meetings are the first Thursday from 7p-9p and the third Saturday from 10a-12p. We share space with the private adult club Colette. From Wed. to Sat. in the evening they have exclusive use of the parking lot. Please park along the street (if you need help moving gear, just ask).
Hope to you see you here, and don't be afraid to pass the word along :)
1 attendee
Astronomy on Tap ATX - Astronomy News and Discussion - In Person
Celis Brewery, 10001 Metric Boulevard, Austin, TX, USYou do NOT need to sign up for this event. It is a placeholder only.
You DO need to check with this site regularly for the latest event information and schedule -- https://www.aotatx.org/
Astronomy on Tap has this to say...
This is the 100th Austin event and Austin Astronomical Society is going to participate with actual telescopes!
Astronomy on Tap ATX is held on the second or third Tuesday of every month at Celis Brewing (10001 Metric Blvd., Austin, Texas 78758) at 7.30 pm. Please check our Facebook for our next show! Founded in 2014 by professional astronomers Dr. Rachael Livermore and Dr. Jeffrey Silverman, AoTATX is currently organized by a committee of Austin-based astronomers.
As always, AoTATX is FREE and open to all ages! The show starts at Celis Brewery at 7:30pm. You can tweet with #AoTATX79 to ask questions during the show! Find us on Facebook (Astronomy on Tap ATX), Twitter (@AoTATX), and Instagram (@AoTATX). See less
AoTATX features accessible, engaging science presentations on topics ranging from planets to black holes to the beginning of the Universe. In addition to talks, each AoTATX has trivia, prize giveaways, Astronomy in the News, and plenty of time to interact with the presenters and other astronomers in the audience. Plus, sweet AoTATX merchandise will be on sale.
Find us on Facebook (Astronomy on Tap ATX), Twitter/X (@AoTATX), and Instagram (@AoTATX), and the web (Astronomy on Tap ATX). Selected talks from previous events can be found on our YouTube channel. Contact us via email with any questions or to sign-up for our mailing list!
Astronomy on Tap ATX -- https://www.aotatx.org/
Astronomy on Tap (Events held globally) -- https://astronomyontap.org/
3 attendees
Past events
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