Cosmos & Coffee
Cosmos & Coffee is a community-centered astronomy outreach program co-founded by Dr. Francisco J. Mercado and Fabian Aguilar, owner of Angeles Coffee Cart. The program brings astronomers into welcoming public spaces across the greater Los Angeles area for accessible science talks, open conversation, and free coffee
The goal of Cosmos & Coffee is to make astronomy feel personal, tangible, and accessible by connecting communities directly with working scientists and the stories behind their science. Events are hosted in spaces such as libraries and science centers to help foster relaxed and inclusive conversations about the Universe and our place within it.
What began as a small pilot outreach effort has quickly grown into an expanding regional program, with events drawing strong community interest and partnerships forming across Southern California.
Upcomming Events
May 2026: Downey City Library
Date & Time: May 29, 2026 (6-8pm)
Speaker: Dr. Devontae C. Baxter (UC San Diego)
Dr. Baxter will present “Cosmic Cold Case: What Caused the Untimely Demise of Galaxies in the Early Universe?” exploring discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope and what they reveal about galaxy evolution in the early cosmos.
Jun 2026: Columbia Memorial Space Center
Speaker: TBD
Jul 2026: City of Commerce Public Library
Speaker: TBD
Past Events
Apr 2026: Columbia Memorial Space Center
Speaker: Kihana Wilson (University of Michigan)
Kihana Wilson presented “Existentialism & Cosmic Escape: Peering Through the Universe to Find Grounding on Earth,” an interdisciplinary talk connecting cosmology, philosophy, history, and the human experience. The event explored how the biggest questions in astrophysics intersect with broader conversations about identity, society, and meaning.
Mar 2026: Columbia Memorial Space Center
Speaker: Dr. Francisco J. Mercado (Pomona College)
Dr. Mercado presented a talk on how galaxies evolve within different cosmic environments and what these galactic “neighborhoods” reveal about the structure of the Universe. This event marked the beginning of Cosmos & Coffee’s collaboration with the Columbia Memorial Space Center.
Jan 2026: Whittier Public Library
Speaker: Prof. Katy Rodriguez Wimberly (CSU San Bernardino)
Prof. Katy Rodriguez Wimberly presented a talk focused on ultra-faint dwarf galaxies and what these ancient systems can teach us about the early Universe. The event highlighted both cutting-edge astrophysics research and the importance of mentorship and community in STEM.
Sep 2026:
Santa Fe Springs City Library
Speaker: Dr. Francisco J. Mercado (Pomona College)
The inaugural Cosmos & Coffee event was hosted at the Santa Fe Springs Library, located in Dr. Mercado’s hometown. The event introduced the community to the vision behind Cosmos & Coffee through an astronomy talk focused on the Universe and our cosmic surroundings. The evening served as a meaningful homecoming and the launch of the program.
