The LPI Cosmic Explorations Speaker Series: Bringing the Latest in Space Science to Houston The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) hosts a quarterly public lectures series, the Cosmic Explorations Speaker Series, to bring current research in astronomy and planetary science to the public. The theme of the 2013-2014 series was The Universe is Out to Get Us and What We Can (or Can’t) Do About It. The 2013-2014 series averaged 200 attendees per presentation: Solar Storm: Space Weather's Impacts on Society and the Economy – Dr. Daniel Baker, University of Colorado The 2013 Chelyabinsk Air Burst and the Hazards of Near-Earth Asteroid Impacts – Dr. David Kring, LPI Exploding Stars, Cosmic Blowtorches, and the Runaway Universe – Dr. Jeffrey Silverman, UT – Austin When Will We Find E.T. and What Happens If We Do? – Dr. Seth Shostak, SETI Institute The 2014-2015 theme – “Science” on the Silver Screen – will feature discussions on the accuracies and inaccuracies of science presented in the movies. Dr. Seth Shostak with the SETI Institute discusses how close he believes we are to making contact, and what will happen when we do. For more information, contact Andy Shaner at shaner@lpi.usra.edu or visit: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/lectures/. LPI and the Cosmic Explorations Speaker Series are funded through the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s cooperative agreement notice with USRA. May 19, 2014