It’s the End of the World As We Know It. Most aspects of natural history occur on the surface of the Earth. Earth’s surface (and its biology, etc.) has changed drastically in the past. One only needs to look at a dinosaur skeleton to bring that fact home, yet we take the existence of life on the Earth’s surface for granted. In astronomy, one is often faced with looking at not only the “big picture” but the “long clock” view of things. Modern astronomers and biologists now have tools that allow them to look far ahead and predict what may be in store for Earth’s long-term future. Will things end with a whimper, or a bang? Come find out!

Patrick Kelly has had a life-long interest in astronomy, and has taught first-year astronomy at Acadia, Dalhousie, Mount St. Vincent, and St. Mary’s. He is a life member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and is an active member of the Society’s Halifax Centre. He currently edits the Society’s annual Observer’s Handbook.