Pints & Professors — Big Data in the Sky

Rubin Observatory building with colorful starry sky.

Wed. Sept. 23, 2026

6–8 p.m. ET

National Press Club
529 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20045
Presented by UW Alumni Association
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Learn how the Rubin Observatory is changing astronomy

Raise a glass to the mysteries of the cosmos! After 20 years of planning and development, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory is now online, carrying out its 10 year “Legacy Survey of Space and Time” to map the cosmos. This remarkable telescope will build the largest catalog of the cosmos ever gathered, from asteroids in our own solar system, to galaxies and supernova at the edge of the observable Universe, revealing discoveries every night. The University of Washington has been a key player in the planning and science behind this landmark mission.

  • Get the insider story on this remarkable new facility, located in Chile.
  • Explore the exciting science happening at Rubin Observatory right now.
  • See some truly beautiful images taken from the observatory.
  • Event includes appetizers and one drink ticket per person.

Admission

UWAA members: $10

General public: $15

UWAA membership special: $40 (Get your event ticket plus a 1-year UWAA annual membership!)

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UWAA events and programs are open to everyone regardless of race, sex or other identity.

Featured Speaker

2026 James Davenport 600x600

James Davenport, ’15

James Davenport is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Washington, and the Director of the Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology (DiRAC) Institute. He received his PhD from the UW in 2015, and held a NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship. His research focuses on time domain studies of stars from large databases, algorithms to find anomalies in data, and the search for life in the Universe.

Learn more about James at the UW Department of Astronomy website.

Know Before You Go

  • The Zenger Room of the National Press Club is fully ADA accessible. To access the main elevators, please use the 14th St. entrance.
  • Parking at the National Press Club can be reserved in advance via SpotHero.
  • Valet parking available nearby at the JW Marriott Hotel or the Willard Hotel.
  • Closest Metro stop: Metro Center. Plan your trip.
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