DPAS Monthly Meeting

In “Lasers and Lightsabers,” our guest speaker, Brian Lindow, draws on years of experience at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and nearly a decade working at Skywalker Ranch to create an unforgettable program for audiences of all ages.

This 45–60 minute presentation begins with a short segment from CBS’s 60 Minutes highlighting the breakthrough of fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility (NIF)—a project the speaker personally contributed to. From there, attendees will explore the history of the lab, its mission, and daily life inside a major national research facility.

The “Lightsabers” portion of the presentation brings attendees inside the iconic Skywalker Ranch, with photos, stories, and insider perspectives from Brian’s years working with George Lucas and contributing to the filmmaking process.

The presentation concludes with a hands‑on science showcase , where attendees can examine real props including:

• a giant salt crystal

• laser targets