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GRANVILLE · 10:00 AM
← Back to list · Events / Durham County / library / No. 33765
DURHAM, NC · WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026 · LIBRARY
Aliens! It's (almost) Never Aliens!
Aliens! It’s (almost) Never Aliens! From mysterious lights in the sky to bizarre signals from distant stars, history is full of moments when scientists and the public alike explained phenomena by clai…
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Fig. 01 — Main Auditorium, Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St)
About the event
Aliens! It’s (almost) Never Aliens!
From mysterious lights in the sky to bizarre signals from distant stars, history is full of moments when scientists and the public alike explained phenomena by claiming “it must be extraterrestrials”, only to discover a perfectly natural explanation later. Join Dr. Brand Fortner as he takes you on a whirlwind tour of 5 fascinating cases–the Viking Lander, the Mars rock, life on Europa, Roswell, Gimbal videos--where the truth turned out to be stranger (and more satisfying) than fiction. This lecture is part science, part detective story, and a whole lot of fun! Bring your curiosity–and leave your tinfoil hat at home!
Brand Fortner is a teaching professor at NC State University, where he teaches astronomy, astrophysics and physics, and is an adjunct professor of physics at UNC. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in high-energy astrophysics. Brand founded two scientific software companies and previously held positions at NASA and Johns Hopkins University. Brand has written books on color vision and technical data and is in high demand for his public lectures on all things astronomical.
Before the lecture fly by Maker STEAM services for an out of this world exploration of the case studies that prove that science can be stranger (and funner!) than fiction! Discover extraterrestrial science at Searching for Life in Space - Drop-in Stations! between 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Main Library Innovation Lab. Appropriate for all ages. Children 11 years and under must be accompanied by an adult guardian at all times in the library.
Check out a book! Searching for Life in Space reading list!
Wednesday May 6 starting at 6 p.m. in the Durham County Main Library auditorium located at 300 North Roxboro Street in Durham.
Parking is available in the library parking lot or at the North Queen Street Garage located at 115 North Queen Street which is behind the apartments directly across the street from the library. Parking at the garage is free. Please bring your parking ticket to a service point for validation.
Registration is appreciated to receive an email reminder, cancellation link, and program updates. Seating is first come first served. Registration does not hold or guarantee a seat.
Questions? Email mkoslofsky@dconc.gov