News Summary
On April 25, 2025, Dr. Marie Wingyee Lau delivered an engaging lecture on Quasars at the Orange Coast College Planetarium. As part of the Skylark Speaker Series, she discussed her extensive research on Extremely Red Quasars and the challenges of studying infrared light in astronomy. Her passion for the subject was sparked by childhood influences, and her commitment to sharing knowledge inspired attendees to contemplate humanity’s place in the universe.
Costa Mesa, CA – On April 25, 2025, Dr. Marie Wingyee Lau, an Astronomy Lecturer at the University of California, Riverside, delivered a captivating lecture about Quasars at the Orange Coast College Planetarium. The event was part of the Skylark Speaker Series designed to share important astronomical insights with the community. Lau’s extensive research in the realm of Extremely Red Quasars (ERQs) has positioned her as a notable figure in the study of these cosmic phenomena.
Quasars, which originated in the 1960s as a point of interest for astronomers, are powerful sources of light found in the universe. These entities are formed when a substantial amount of matter infalls into a supermassive black hole. This process generates an accretion disk, where gravitational and frictional forces act on the gas and dust, heating them up and causing them to emit a brilliant light. Lau’s passion for this subject began during her own studies, where she found Quasars particularly intriguing and shrouded in mystery.
During her lecture, Lau explained the complexities involved in her research, notably her published paper in August 2024 focusing on the study of infrared light emitted by Quasars. She expressed that this work is her proudest accomplishment due to the intricacies of analyzing data that is often affected by Earth’s atmosphere, which can obscure and distort infrared wavelengths, resulting in challenges with noisy data.
Former Orange Coast College student Christian Cho shared his admiration for Lau’s teaching approach, describing it as “interesting and fun.” This sentiment is echoed by many audience members who attend her lectures not only to glean knowledge about the cosmos but also to gain perspective on their own lives amidst the vastness of the universe.
Lau’s journey into the world of astronomy was sparked by a combination of watching NASA documentaries and being inspired by the popular anime series Sailor Moon, which features characters named after planets. This unique blend of media played a fundamental role in igniting her fascination with the universe and guided her toward pursuing a career dedicated to astronomy and astrophysics.
As part of her lecture, Lau also emphasized the importance of global unity given humanity’s shared existence on a single planet within the expansive universe. She encourages audiences to consider the broader picture of existence and the significance of cooperation among people as they navigate their lives.
Quasars remain a relatively new and evolving topic in astronomy, attracting the attention of researchers and enthusiasts alike. Lau’s engagement with the community through events like the Skylark Speaker Series serves to illuminate these mysterious cosmic structures and inspire future generations to explore the stars.
In summary, Dr. Marie Wingyee Lau’s lecture at the Orange Coast College Planetarium provided a deep dive into the world of Quasars, highlighting her contributions to the field and fostering a greater appreciation for the universe among attendees. Her passion for her work and commitment to sharing knowledge embodies the spirit of scientific inquiry and education.
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Additional Resources
- Coast Report: Dr. Marie Wingyee Lau’s Lecture on Quasars
- Wikipedia: Quasar
- Coast Report: Astronomy Events
- Google Search: Quasars
- Coast Report: Skylark Speaker Series
- Google Scholar: Extremely Red Quasars
- Coast Report: Community and Science Lectures
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Black Hole
- Coast Report: Impact of Astronomy on Students
- Google News: Astronomy Lectures
