Cathodoluminescence: Shedding Light on Minerals and Their History

Presentation: “Cathodoluminescence: Shedding Light on Minerals and Their History” by Dr. Liz King, Western Wyoming College

November 5th (Thursday), 6 p.m., Social half-hour; please join us from 5:30-6:00 to enjoy free soft drinks and appetizers before our talk begins!

Live at the Teton County Library & Via Zoom (online)

RAFFLE AT 6PM!

The Prize: The Whirlpool Galaxy, by Mike Adler, printed on metal, ready to hang or display!

Messier 51, called the Whirlpool galaxy, is a stunning pair of interacting galaxies. The spiral arms and dust lanes of the larger galaxy sweep below the smaller companion galaxy on top, NGC 5195. The pair are about 31 million light-years distant and officially lie within the angular boundaries of the small constellation Canis Venatici in the northern skies. The smaller galaxy is pulling on the larger one causing it to be elongated.

Raffle rules:

  • Must be present to win.
  • All attendees will receive one ticket.
  • Drawing will be at 6:00 pm in the library auditorium.

Presentation: “Cathodoluminescence: Shedding Light on Minerals and Their History” by Dr. Liz King, Western Wyoming College

Cathodoluminescence (CL) uses an electron beam to create luminescence in various geologic samples including minerals, rocks, soils, and concrete. CL is fast becoming a common research tool for a wide range of studies in geosciences. CL is often qualitative revealing complex crystallization and growth histories of minerals and rocks, but the technique can also be quantitative to determine the presence or absence of trace elements. CL has traditionally been used in carbonate petrology studies but can be applied to high temperature igneous and metamorphic rocks, ore deposits, gems, and geochronology. This talk will present the theory, instrumentation, and applications of CL in the undergraduate classroom as well as ore deposits
and fluid flow research.

Topic: “Cathodoluminescence: Shedding Light on Minerals and Their History”

Time: Thursday, November 5th, 2026, 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4555651818?pwd=U09ObDNZOEIyZmRtMEtsdUowQnJqdz09
Meeting ID: 455 565 1818
Passcode: 576063