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For Immediate Release:
January 29, 2021
Contact:
Exploratorium Press Office
media@exploratorium.edu
Exploratorium Presents a Range of Astronomy Programming
Free online events explore astronomical themes and the newest NASA Mars Probe, Perseverance
SAN FRANCISCO (January 29, 2021)—Throughout the month of February, the Exploratorium will offer a range of free, online programming highlighting astronomical themes and celebrating the latest NASA Mars probe, Perseverance. Programs can be viewed on the Exploratorium’s website, Facebook page, or YouTube channel. All programs are free, but RSVP is required for some individual events.
Living With a Star Online: In Conversation with NASA / Viviendo con una estrella en línea – conversación con la NASA
- Wednesday, February 3 / Miércoles 3 de febrero 2021 • 4:00 p.m. PST
- Free online event: Join on the Exploratorium website or via YouTube or Facebook
- Program offered in English and Spanish
The Sun makes life possible on our planet, but we still have a lot to learn from our nearest star and how it affects us here on Earth. How do we even get close enough to study the Sun? What is space weather, and is it similar to the weather we experience on Earth? Join Exploratorium astronomers and physicists for a conversation in Spanish and English with experts from NASA about what we know about the Sun, what we hope to learn about it through the new Parker Solar Probe mission visiting the Sun’s atmosphere, and what we’re learning about space weather caused by the Sun and how it affects us on Earth.
El Sol hace posible la vida en nuestro planeta, pero todavía tenemos mucho que aprender de nuestra estrella más cercana y cómo nos afecta aquí en la Tierra. ¿Cómo podemos acercarnos cara a cara al Sol para estudiarlo? ¿Qué es el clima espacial y cómo se compara al clima que experimentamos en la Tierra? Únete a los astrónomos y físicos del Exploratorium para una conversación en español e inglés con expertos de la NASA sobre lo que sabemos sobre el Sol y lo que esperamos aprender a través de la nueva misión de la NASA Parker Solar Probe que ha llegado muy cerca de la atmósfera solar. Infórmate sobre el clima espacial causado por el Sol y cómo nos afecta en la Tierra.
Not Necessarily Rocket Science Online: A Conversation with Kellie Gerardi and Exploratorium astronomer Dr. Isabel Hawkins
- Monday, February 15, 2021 • 4:00 p.m. PST
- RSVP Required; register here
Have you dreamed of stars and galaxies far, far away? Join Kellie Gerardi, author of Not Necessarily Rocket Science: A Beginner's Guide to Life in the Space Age, in a conversation with Exploratorium astronomer Dr. Isabel Hawkins about her experiences in the commercial space industry. In her book, Kellie takes us on a tour of her nontraditional path in the space industry—from her adventures working at a spaceport to training for Mars to testing spacesuits in microgravity, to building a massive SciComm platform. In this live conversation, she’ll share more stories about her experiences in this emerging frontier and offer insights and encouragement to anyone who dreams of donning a spacesuit.
Kellie Gerardi is an aerospace professional and popular science communicator dedicated to advancing humanity’s footprint in the solar system. She is a Scientist-Astronaut Candidate with Project PoSSUM, the world’s first crewed suborbital research program and has also contributed to space settlement research, including a multi-week crew rotation at the Mars Desert Research Station.
Full-Spectrum Science Online: Countdown to Mars
Mars is an unforgiving target for spacecraft. Less than half of all missions to the Red Planet have been successful—though all of NASA's rover missions there, including Pathfinder/Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity, have overwhelmingly succeeded. Next up, NASA deploys Perseverance, a rover specifically tasked with looking for past life on Mars in an ancient crater lake called Jazero. In this program, we'll examine past missions and look ahead to the landing and roving of Perseverance.
Landing Day! Countdown to Mars LIVE Online
On February 18, 2021, the newest Mars rover, Perseverance, will attempt to land on the Red Planet. This is NASA's latest mission to Mars, and we'll bring you live coverage of Landing Day from the Exploratorium. Join us as we investigate the journey to Mars, the nail-biting excitement of landing, and learn about what the scientists will be looking for. #CountdownToMars
After Dark Online: The Universe
- Thursday, February 18, 2021 • 7:00 p.m. PST
- Free online event: Join via YouTube or Facebook
- Recommended for audiences ages 18+
How does our understanding of the origins of the universe continue to expand and evolve? What tools and theories continue to push our understanding into further realms? In this program, Black scientists and leaders will discuss their work at the forefront of cosmology. Theoretical physicist Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein explores axions, a type of hypothetical elementary particle, and the compelling role they may play in understanding what makes up dark matter. Dr. Gregory Mosby, a researcher with NASA’s Astrophysics Science Division, discusses his work on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and the ways modelling and machine learning can support an expanded understanding of the universe.
NASA's Mars Probe, Perseverance: Online Show
Join us for a virtual program to learn about NASA's latest probe to Mars! Exploratorium astronomer Dr. Isabel Hawkins will share details of the Perseverance probe, the challenges NASA faces, and what scientists hope to learn from the red planet. The brand new interplanetary mission will search for signs of microbial life in the history of Mars to understand the planet's ability to host life forms. The probe has a drill to collect samples of Martian rocks and soil types and then store them in sealed tubes. A future mission will collect them and return them to Earth to be analyzed in detail. The Perseverance probe will also test new technologies to plan future human exploration of Mars.
About the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium is a portal to the astonishing scientific phenomena that animate our world and shape our actions. We create extraordinary learning experiences that ignite curiosity, upend perceptions, and inspire brave leaps forward. Since 1969, the Exploratorium’s museum in San Francisco has been home to a renowned collection of exhibits that draw together science, art, and human perception, and that have changed the way science is taught. Our award-winning programs provide a forum for the public to engage with artists, scientists, policymakers, educators, and tinkerers to explore the world around them. We celebrate diversity of thought, inspired investigation, and collaboration across all boundaries.
Media Contact:
media@exploratorium.edu
Exploratorium
Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green Street) • San Francisco • California
(415) 528-4444 • www.exploratorium.edu
