Friday Night Flights
Your Nights Just Got a Cosmic Upgrade
This series is designed for adults and blends brain-boosting trivia with captivating science talks led by experts in astronomy and aerospace. Each evening includes hands-on activities, a relaxed social vibe, and plenty of chances to connect, compete, and discover something new. Whether you are here for the knowledge or the friendly competition, Friday nights just got a lot more exciting.
Two Friday Night Flights This September
Friday, September 11
FREE off-site event at Brewjeria Company in Pico Rivera
Friday, September 18
At the Columbia Memorial Space Center
Time: 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Ages: While this event is geared toward adults, everyone is welcome to attend
Cost: $5 Admission
*Beer will be available for purchase.
September 11 Speakers
Trung Nguy
Amateur Astronomer
Featured Presentation: Pareidolia in the Cosmos - How We Connect Ourselves in Space
Trung Nguy has been fascinated by the night sky since he was 10 years old, when he first viewed the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn through a toy telescope. During the pandemic, he began exploring astrophotography and capturing images of distant galaxies and other objects in space. Today, Trung continues to photograph the night sky from Cerritos and share his passion for astronomy with others.
Shawn Knabel
Astrophysicist
Featured Presentation: The Hubble Tension: the Expanding Cosmic Argument
Shawn Knabel (he/his) is a PhD candidate in astrophysics at UCLA, who relocated physically from Kentucky to the West Coast and metaphorically from a career in music to astronomy. Shawn’s research uses astronomical observations from the James Webb Space Telescope and Keck Observatory in Hawaii to measure cosmological parameters (fundamental features of the Universe) with gravitational lensing time delays and investigate the nature and evolution of massive galaxies. Shawn also shares passion for music and creative pursuits, as well as outspoken support for mental health awareness and visibility.
September 18 Speakers
Astrophysicist
Wendy Crumrine
Featured Presentation: The last 100 years of cosmology
Wendy is a PhD candidate in astrophysics at USC, whose journey to astronomy began with a background in psychology and a lifelong curiosity about the cosmos. Her research explores the interactions between dark matter and particles in the early Universe, using observations of Milky Way satellite galaxies to better understand the nature of dark matter. With more than 15 years of teaching experience, Wendy is passionate about making astronomy accessible and inspiring curiosity in learners of all ages.
Jordan Fuse
Aeronautical and Astronautical Structures Engineer
Featured Presentation: The LEGO Problem: How do we Design Building Blocks for the Future of On-Orbit Servicing?
Jordan Fuse is an Aeronautical and Astronautical Structures Engineer at The Aerospace Corporation, where she supports analyses that ensure launch vehicle vibrations do not compromise the structural integrity of spacecrafts. She is also the Co-Chair of a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) committee that is working to develop a standardized interface for on-orbit spacecraft servicing. She earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Alabama at Birmingham and an M.S. in Dynamics & Controls from the USC as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Jordan is passionate about contributing to peaceful uses for space, as reflected in her prior roles as a delegate working with the United Nations through Space Generation Congress and Space Generation Fusion Forum. Her commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond her professional life, as she regularly volunteers for beach cleanups and has helped remove over 1000 pounds of waste from local shores.
Trivia. Science. Connection.
Trivia
Science
Connection