[Columbia Astronomy Outreach] Lecture & Stargazing tonight at 7pm!

[Columbia Astronomy Public Outreach]

Hi Everyone,

Join us at 7pm tonight for an exciting look inside NASA mission control by author Andrew Kessler who got to spend a summer with JPL's Phoenix Mars team. The sky isn't cooperating today so observing looks unlikely, but we still have a great evening planned for you with tours of the roof, our 3D wall, and astronomy Q&A. 

Abstract: In the summer of 2008, author Andrew Kessler spent three months in mission control for NASA's Phoenix Mars mission with 130 top scientists and engineers as they explored the red planet. The Phoenix lander was the first man-made probe ever sent to the Martian arctic. It's goal was to find out how climate change can turn a warm, wet planet (read: Earth) into a cold, barren desert (read: Mars). Along the way, Phoenix discovered a giant frozen ocean trapped beneath the north pole of Mars, exotic food for aliens and liquid water. This story is a human drama about modern-day Magellans battling NASA politics, temperamental robots, and the bizarre world of daily life in mission control. 

Directions to Pupin Hall: http://outreach.astro.columbia.edu/directions/.

Remember, all of our events are free and open to all. The lectures are aimed at the level of the layperson, so children should get something
out of them too. Stay only as long as you want. For more information about our events, please visit: http://outreach.astro.columbia.edu/.

See you tonight!

Sincerely, 
Columbia Astronomy Public Outreach