Science Fiction or Reality? Interstellar (the Movie) and Black Holes

Explore the fascinating mysteries of black holes alongside internationally renowned astrophysicist Julie Hlavacek-Larrondo during a captivating lunchtime lecture!

Our speaker, Julie Hlavacek-Larrondo, will analyze the scientific veracity of several phenomena presented in Christopher Nolan's film Interstellar, comparing them with highlights from her own research. Her exceptional work earned her the 2024 Herzberg Medal from the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP), a prestigious distinction that recognizes outstanding Canadian scientists. This award recognized her leadership in the study of supermassive black holes and her innovative approach to artificial intelligence (AI) for the large-scale analysis of astrophysical data.

This conference, broadcast live on Parité Sciences' social media channels, will offer a unique opportunity to demystify complex astrophysical concepts in an accessible and engaging way: black holes, cosmic travel, the multiverse hypothesis, and the effect of gravity on time. These fascinating theories, although popularized by the film, are based on concrete scientific principles.

School staff, particularly high school and CEGEP teachers, will find this an enriching opportunity to explore the science behind contemporary cultural references. These references become resources to spark the curiosity of students, particularly teenage girls, and encourage them to explore science and engineering. Using examples from Interstellar and other works of science fiction is a powerful pedagogical lever to make scientific concepts more concrete and attractive in a world where the media occupy a predominant place among young people.

Whether you are a school teacher, an astronomy enthusiast, a science fiction fan, or simply curious to learn more about the mysteries of the universe, don't miss this unique opportunity to speak with an expert in the field!

This activity on the occasion of the celebration of International Women's Day is made possible thanks to the financial support of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of the University of Montreal.

📅 Date : Tuesday, March 11, 2025

📍 Location : Parité Sciences Facebook Page and YouTube Page

This activity is now available for replay on the Parité sciences YouTube channel . To access it, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/7Ix-HQDbptE?si=jXNbtRvTj4NFcAOD