CLEMSON — Clemson-educated astrophysicist William “Tom” Bridgman will give a public lecture titled “The Cosmos in Your Pocket” at 7 p.m. Sunday in Brackett Hall 100 on the campus of Clemson University.

Bridgman, who is a program analyst at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, will explain how problems solved by astronomers centuries ago have helped pave the way for breakthroughs in modern technology.

For example, discoveries in the 16th and 17th centuries by pioneering astronomers such as Galileo, Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton have led to advancements that now power satellites in outer space and provide cell phone service to billions of people.

Bridgman’s lecture will uncover this connection and many others on the eve of Monday’s “Eclipse Over Clemson” event. Bridgman will weave his eclipse expertise and experience throughout his talk. Afterward, he will be available to answer questions regarding the eclipse and other cosmic wonders.

Bridgman’s lecture is being sponsored by the College of Science’s department of physics and astronomy. It is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dieter Hartmann at hdieter@clemson.edu.

Tom Bridgman stands in front of LED screen. “The Cosmos in Your Pocket” makes connections between modern science and solved problems in astronomy.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_cueclipsespeaker01.jpgTom Bridgman stands in front of LED screen. “The Cosmos in Your Pocket” makes connections between modern science and solved problems in astronomy. Department of Physics and Astronomy / Clemson University

Tom Bridgman, a Clemson graduate, is now an astrophysicist at NASA.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_cueclipsespeaker02.jpgTom Bridgman, a Clemson graduate, is now an astrophysicist at NASA. Department of Physics and Astronomy / Clemson University

By Hannah Halusker

For The Sentinel-Progress

Hannah Halusker works in the College of Science at Clemson University.