The Mars Science Laboratory rover “Curiosity” landed on Mars on Aug. 6, but already is sending back results about Mars as it travels along the floor of the planet’s Gale Crater. Hear about the latest findings and learn about the next mission to Mars from one of the scientists working on the project at the Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) Astronomy Club fall open house on Saturday, Oct. 13.
The public is welcome to join club members at 7 p.m. in the Dragun Science Building Room 110 for a talk by Kelly Fast, Ph.D., a planetary scientist at the Goddard Space Flight Center currently serving on detail to National Air and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters as a program scientist for the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission, which will launch to Mars in late 2013. Her research includes the study of planetary atmospheres, including the chemistry in Mars’ atmosphere and the effects of impacts in Jupiter’s atmosphere as observed from the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. The MAVEN mission will study the upper atmosphere and water escape on Mars.
Following the presentation, share dessert with the Astronomy Club and ask questions of the speaker. Then, weather permitting, walk or drive across the campus to the Astronomy Lab for free community stargazing. Participants can look through the College telescopes, or bring their own equipment.
The Dragun Science Building is on the AACC Arnold campus, 101 College Parkway. For information, contact faculty adviser, Beth Hufnagel at [email protected] or at 410-777-2271.
