Science on Screen Presents CONTACT with Paul Horowitz December 1, 2008

Is there life beyond Earth? Join us for a special screening of CONTACT, the 1997 big-screen adaptation of Carl Sagan’s novel of the same name. Before the film, astrophysicist Paul Horowitz will give a talk on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). A true pioneer in this field, Horowitz and his work are believed to have been the inspiration for Sagan’s novel.

In Robert Zemeckis’s adaptation of Sagan's book, Dr. Eleanor “Ellie” Arroway (Jodie Foster) is a free thinker seeking evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial life by listening for contact via radio astronomy. Her beliefs soon come into conflict with those of Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey), a Christian theology student with whom she becomes romantically involved. When Ellie discovers an intelligent message from deep space, her assumptions regarding science and spirituality are challenged, and she must decide whether to play it safe or risk her life in order to make first contact. (1997, 2h33m)

Paul Horowitz is professor of physics and of electrical engineering at Harvard. His research group is focused on several problems in experimental astrophysics, including the search for intentional radio signals or laser flashes from extraterrestrial intelligent civilizations. The group’s evolving SETI effort has inspired groundbreaking experiments at Harvard.

With Science on Screen, the Coolidge presents a feature film or documentary with a basis in science, paired with exciting introductions by notable scientific figures. This monthly series is co-presented by The Museum of Science and New Scientist magazine.

For more details, visit: www.coolidge.org/science or call 617/734-2500.

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