By Traci Newell

The Gemini Deep Deep Survey team researches the history of galaxies.

The Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures series has a history of inviting big names in science, such as the author of the big-bang theory, to speak on their recent findings.

This month the lecture series presents Dr. Ron Marzke at 7 p.m. April 26 at Smithwick Theatre on the Foothill College campus. Marzke will speak on discoveries about the age and history of galaxies.

The lecture series, which began three years ago, is co-sponsored by NASA Ames Research Center, Foothill College’s astronomy program, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence Institute.

“My philosophy is, because astronomy is mainly funded by the public through the government, scientists have a responsibility to pay back to the community and let them know what they are discovering,” said Andrew Fraknoi, astronomy professor at Foothill College.

The invited speakers are noted scientists who share their most recent discoveries in everyday language. The lecture series invited Jill Tarter, the woman actress Jodie Foster plays in the movie “Contact,” to share her story. Tarter and Nobel Prize winner Arno Penzias, who spoke about the big-bang theory, drew standing-room-only crowds.

“What is great about the series is that it focuses on the cutting edge of science to the level that people can understand without any background at all,” Fraknoi said.

This month, Marzke will speak on the recent discovery of a large population of massive galaxies that were already fully assembled when the universe was less than half its current age.

“Everything we know about the universe comes from galaxies,” Marzke said.

Marzke is part of a team of astronomers who recently uncovered major surprises in the light of galaxies from long ago and far away. He is an associate professor in the department of physics and astronomy at San Francisco State University. He specializes in measurements of the structure of large-scale distribution of the galaxies. He is a member of the Gemini Deep Deep Survey team that probes the history of galaxies.

In his speech, he will begin by defining what galaxies are, what they are made of, the different types of galaxies and how the property of observed galaxies has evolved over time.

“What is interesting is that many of our talks are more astronomically local,” Fraknoi said. “Marzke is going to talk about something that is far out, a look at the most distant galaxy.”

Admission to the lecture series is free, though parking on campus costs $2. Fraknoi said that the speeches draw large groups of people, so it is best to arrive early to guarantee a seat.

Foothill College is located at 12345 S. El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills.