Astronomy

56 ASTRONOMY • JANUARY 2018

The fourth Starmus Festival, a celebration of science and the arts,

took place in Trondheim, Norway, in June 2017. by David J. Eicher

FOUR STARMUS FESTIVALS HAVE

taken place since 2011. The international science cel-

ebration, the creation of astronomer Garik Israelian,

grew out of his friendship with astrophysicist Brian

May, also the founding guitarist of the rock group

Queen. The festival is dedicated to stars and music,

thus the name, but has expanded to highlight impor-

tant scientists from all disciplines.

In 2017, the event showcased 11 Nobel Prize winners,

an astronaut panel of moonwalkers (Buzz Aldrin,

Charlie Duke, and Harrison Schmitt), talks by Larry

King and Oliver Stone, many important scientific lec-

tures, and a Sonic Universe Concert led by the amazing

guitarist Steve Vai. Starmus was hosted in Trondheim

by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology,

and occurred June 18–23.

The following pages present postcards from Starmus,

glimpses of what the 2,500 attendees experienced. For

more information, visit http://www.starmus.com.

Snapshots from

Th f th St F ti l l b ti f i d th t

Snapshots from

A panel of 11 Nobel Prize

laureates discusses the future

of science. Pictured from left

are Edvard Moser, Adam Riess,

Chris Pissarides, Finn Kydland,

George Smoot, May-Britt Moser,

moderator Adam Smith, Tim

Hunt, Robert Wilson, Stefan

Hell, Susumu Tonegawa, and

Torsten Wiesel. MAX ALEXANDER/STARMUS

David J. Eicher is editor of Astronomy and a member of the

Starmus Festival Board of Directors.