NKU's Six@Six Community Lecture Series showcases the research by the university's talented faculty and students: Six lectures a year, each at 6 p.m. and each free and open to the public.

Next up:  Professor Dirk Grupe, Ph.D., chairman of NKU’s Department of Physics, Geology and Engineering Technology, will deliver the lecture, “Black Holes: Smaller but No Less Mighty" on Oct. 11.

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In his research, Dr. Grupe uses images and signals from deep space to see what he can learn. In a stunning development, he and his international collaborators recently discovered that one of the universe’s most massive black holes, located nearly 5.1 billion light years away, is the size of 100 million solar masses instead of the previously believed 10 billion.

But smaller doesn’t mean less impressive. It just means black holes pack their punch in more compact configurations. What does that mean to our understanding of the universe? What new mysteries might his discovery unlock?

The talk will be given at a place well-known for exploring the heavens: The Cincinnati Observatory. Dedicated 1843 in a ceremony presided over by former president John Quincy Adams, the Observatory become known as the “birthplace of American astronomy.”

Come early and tour the Observatory and stay after the lecture concludes to stargaze if it is a clear night. Doors open at 5 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public. It’s family friendly, so bring the kids.

Questions? Email the Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement at engage@nku.edu.