Supermassive Black Holes
2025-10-05 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-12 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-19 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)

One Sky, Many Eyes
2025-10-05 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-10-12 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-10-19 16:30 - 17:30

Carolina Science Cafe: Stellar Evolution, Interrupted
2025-10-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Stellar Evolution, Interrupted

(Credit: Stocktrek Images/Getty Images)

Open up any introductory astronomy textbook, and you can read about how stars like the Sun evolve from one stage of stellar evolution to the next. However, these textbook descriptions often overlook one important fact: most stars are in binary systems with other stellar or substellar companions, and their presence can greatly impact how the story of stellar evolution plays out.

In October’s Carolina Science Cafe, Dr. Brad Barlow, an Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy at UNC-Chapel Hill, will discuss how his research group uses data from ground- and space-based observatories to discover and characterize special types of stars called hot subdwarfs that are the products of binary interactions. The broader impacts of this work touch on gravitational wave physics, Type Ia supernovae, the impact of late-stage stellar evolution on exoplanets, and more.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the work. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Dr. Brad Barlow (he/him) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before that, he spent 11 years working as an Associate Professor of Astrophysics and Director of the Culp Planetarium at High Point University. Dr. Barlow received a B.S. in physics from Mississippi State University in 2006, a Ph.D. in physics (astronomy concentration) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011, and he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Pennsylvania State University from 2011-2013.

His research primarily focuses on pulsating stars, late stellar evolution, and binary star systems. While at UNC-Chapel Hill, he helped develop software for the Goodman spectrograph on the 4.1-m SOAR telescope on Cerro Pachon in Chile. Originally from Biloxi, Mississippi, Brad did his undergraduate studies at Mississippi State University. His other interests include playing the piano, writing music, cycling, and public outreach.

View Dr. Barlow’s Work

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Yoga Under The Stars
2025-10-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-15 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-22 18:00 - 19:00

Thank Your Lucky Stars - On PBS NC
2025-10-09 20:00 - 21:00
Discover the story of how Apollo Era-astronauts trained at Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill. Tune in at 8 PM on October 9 to watch on PBS NC.

From Earth to the Universe
2025-10-10 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-17 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-24 15:00 - 16:00

Carolina Skies
2025-10-10 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-10-11 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-10-17 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-10-18 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-10-24 16:30 - 17:30

Magic Tree House Space Mission
2025-10-11 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-18 10:30 - 11:30

Astronaut
2025-10-11 12:00 - 13:00

Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
2025-10-11 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-10-18 13:30 - 14:30

Messengers of Time & Space
2025-10-11 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-18 15:00 - 16:00

We Are Stars
2025-10-12 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-10-19 13:30 - 14:30

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis
2025-10-18 12:00 - 13:00

I AM: The Student Experience
2025-10-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Space Just for You

Need space to relax, reflect, and revive? We’ve got space for you. Come on out to Morehead Planetarium for an evening of wonder under the stars. GRAMMY®-nominated and award-winning artist, vocalist, pianist and composer Radhika Vekaria will take you on an unforgettable journey through the cosmos as she blends her amazing vocals and musicality with real and awe-inspiring imagery of our universe. If you attended Radhika’s performance in March 2025, you’ll want to come back and bring that friend who needs to experience this! Radhika will again showcase the music and imagery from the short immersive film I AM, then invite some special guests to talk about what it means to be in awe and wonder—and how these experiences support both body and mind. Finally, she will close out the program with a second live performance of her latest recordings. Stay for an exclusive meet-and-greet along with refreshments after the show. This space is absolutely for you.

RSVP on Heel Life

I AM: The Student Experience is free and open to UNC students with CLE credit available; RSVP is encouraged. This event is brought to you in partnership by UNC Student Wellness, UNC’s Parr Center for Ethics, and Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in support of UNC community wellness. UNC Student Affairs will be on hand with resources promoting healthy wellbeing and fun giveaways.
