Professor Charles H. Townes of the University of California at Berkeley delivers the second lecture in the Ford/MIT Nobel Laureate Lecture series, with a talk titled “The Black Hole at the Center of Our Galaxy.” A former MIT Institute Professor and Provost, Townes shared the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics with Nicolay G. Basov and Aleksandr M. Prokhorov "for fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which has led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on the maser-laser principle." The maser (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) works on same principle as a laser and emits coherent microwave radiation.

In his talk Prof. Townes discusses the curiosities of astrophysics, and details his research that involves constant watching. "The galactic center is a wonderful laboratory to observe, to see what's new. It produces things we don't see anywhere else." Professor Townes is known for research involving the interaction of electromagnetic waves and matter, and also as a teacher and government advisor. He shares the original patent (with Arthur Schawlow) for the laser and the original patent for the maser. He is introduced by former MIT President, Prof. Paul E. Gray.

About the Ford/MIT Nobel Laureate Lecture Series: In 1997 the Ford Motor Company engaged MIT in a strategic partnership to address a set of 21st century challenges facing the automotive industry. Through this innovative program, the Nobel Laureate Lecture Series was introduced in 2000 and featured local and international Nobel Laureates leading provocative discussions in economics, physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, and peacemaking. Seven lectures were held from 2000 to 2005 at MIT and were organized by MIT's Community Services Office, Lecture Series Committee, Graduate Student Council, Industrial Liaison Program, Undergraduate Association, and the Office of the Chancellor.