Get ready for Cosmic Conversation!

From the origins of our solar system to the possibilities of life beyond Earth, Jackson College invites the community to explore the wonders of the universe during Cosmic Conversation: From Jackson to the Universe, a series of events featuring University of Michigan astronomer Dr. Teresa Paneque-Carreño, Oct. 19-22.

An astronomer, science communicator and author, Paneque-Carreño will visit Jackson for a week of astronomy programming in Cosmic Conversation, including a family-friendly presentation at the Jackson District Library, a public lecture at Jackson College and a STEM banquet for local educators and students.

Jackson College was selected by the American Astronomical Society to host this Shapley Visiting Lecturers Series event, which connects communities with astronomers and the discoveries shaping our understanding of the universe.

“We are so excited and honored to have been selected as a Shapley Visiting Lecture Series site for 2026 and are particularly thrilled to have Teresa joining us for a week of events,” said Professor Steven Tuckey, the George and Barbara Raven Endowed Chair for Mathematics at Jackson College. “She is an outstanding scientist and science communicator, so folks who attend these events are going to have a great time and learn so much from her.”

Discovering the Universe, Monday, Oct. 19 | 5 p.m.
Jackson District Library Carnegie Branch, Auditorium
Free and open to the public

Families are invited to explore the wonders of space during Discovering the Universe, an engaging, family-friendly presentation designed to spark curiosity about the cosmos.

Participants will learn about the formation of our solar system, what aliens might look like and the fate of the universe. Attendees can color pages from Paneque-Carreño’s Astronomical ABC, bringing astronomy to life through creativity.

How to Form a Planet — Gas, Dust and a Bit of Luck, Wednesday, Oct. 21 | 6:30 p.m.
Bert Walker Hall Community Rooms (BW 144-145), Jackson College
Free and open to the public

How do planets form, and what makes some rocky worlds while others are made of gas? Could another planet like Earth exist?

Paneque-Carreño will explore the intricacies of planet formation, beginning with the earliest stages of stellar formation and tracing the origins of our own solar system. The presentation will examine how astronomers study processes that unfold over millions of years and explore the conditions that shape planetary systems.

A question-and-answer session will follow the lecture. Light refreshments will be available.

Weather permitting, attendees are also invited to join Paneque-Carreño at the Jackson College Astronomical Observatory after the lecture for free public viewing.

STEM Banquet: How to Be a Scientist When You Are NOT a Genius, Thursday, Oct. 22 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Robert Snyder Dining Commons, Potter Center, Jackson College

Paneque-Carreño will share her personal journey as an immigrant child who dreamed of studying the universe while navigating impostor syndrome and the challenges of pursuing a career in a male-dominated field.

In How to Be a Scientist When You Are NOT a Genius, she will explore the challenges students face when pursuing science and STEM careers, the role science can play in making a positive impact on society, and how to create more welcoming environments for future generations.

The banquet will include dinner, opening remarks from Paneque-Carreño, networking and activities. Invitations will be extended to local high school science teachers and their nominated students, as well as Jackson College STEM faculty and their nominated students.

In addition, she will speak to teachers at the Jackson County Intermediate School District’s “TransformED” in-service on Oct. 19.  Her talk will focus on the mathematics and science behind some of the main astronomical results of recent years — from the presence of dark matter to measuring distances in the universe, and the discovery of exoplanets. The presentation will allow teachers to incorporate hands-on activities with their students using astronomy as a way to promote curiosity and develop STEM skills.

About Teresa Paneque-Carreño

Teresa Paneque-Carreño is an astronomer and assistant professor in the University of Michigan’s Department of Astronomy. An active science communicator, she has more than 1 million social media followers and is the author of five astronomy books for young people. She also collaborates with UNICEF Chile to promote science and education for children.

Through her research, outreach and writing, Paneque-Carreño works to make astronomy accessible and inspire curiosity about the universe among people of all ages.

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