Findlay, Ohio, March 12, 2004 — Robert T. Rood, Ph.D., professor of astronomy at the University of Virginia, will give a public lecture on “Searching for Unicorns and Extraterrestrial Civilizations” Friday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room, Alumni Memorial Union, at The University of Findlay.

Rood has taught in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Virginia since 1973, working his way from assistant professor to professor. He also has served as chair of the department since 1999. Prior to his work at Virginia, Rood did research at the California Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Rood earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from North Carolina State University and his doctorate in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Rood’s lecture is part of The Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectureships in Astronomy.

In addition to the lecture, the UF Planetarium will host an open house Saturday, April 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shows will be conducted at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Newhard Planetarium is located in the Brewer Science Hall at UF.

The lecture and open house are free and open to the public.