Mars Approaches: Flandrau, Biosphere 2, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Host Joint Event
Every few years, the Earth passes Mars in their journeys around the Sun and we are given a front row seat to view our Martian neighbor up close and personal – these nights rising in the eastern sky around 8 p.m. While Mars will only look like a bright orange star with unaided eyes, telescopes zoom in on details such as the polar ice caps and large surface features for possibly some of the best images in four years.
On Friday night, January 29, three College of Science centers at the University of Arizona will host events and connect via the Internet for joint presentations to answer questions about Mars:
• Is there water on Mars? Biosphere 2 will offer a discussion about water and life on Mars with Regents’ Professor and Professor of Geosciences and Planetary Sciences, Vic Baker, at its HiRISE Gallery with refreshments before connecting with SkyCenter for live images of Mars. The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will provide telescopes for viewing as well.
• Why Mars, what water and why now? Flandrau: The University of Arizona Science Center will host a presentation entitled “High-resolution Views of an Icy Mars” about Mars water, missions and landforms with Shane Byrne of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, and a short program on Mars’ changing appearance in our sky prior to connecting with SkyCenter for live Mars images and viewing through Flandrau’s 16-inch observatory telescope. Flandrau and the University Astronomy Club will also provide portable telescopes for viewing the sky after the event. Also see the Flandrau’s Skywatchers’ Guide Web page for more about viewing Mars in our sky.
• What can we see of Mars from Earth? Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter will extend its SkyNights program at the 24-inch telescope to include special Mars viewing and the connection to Biosphere 2 and Flandrau programs for extended discussion as well as offer a video of the Mars observation.
Join in by visiting one of the three venues. For more information about reservations (only needed for SkyNights, not at Biosphere 2 or Flandrau), start times and event details and to download the event flyer, visit the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter website at http://skycenter.arizona.edu
Phone numbers and contacts:
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter: 626-8122, Cathi Duncan
Program Details:
Flandrau: The University of Arizona Science Center
Flandrau will highlight its Mars wall showing the geography of Mars and its Martian meteorite. Shane Byrne of the Lunar and Planetary Lab will discuss Mars missions, polar ice caps and meteorites. Michael Terenzoni will present a short show about Mars’ orbit and what “Mars opposition” means. We will then link to the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter for a live image of Mars and additional Q&A. The Flandrau observatory telescope will be open to the public after the show and the Steward Observatory Astronomy Club will host viewing on the UA mall.
6:30-7:00 p.m.: Guests arrive, pay, are issued wristbands, use bathrooms and are ushered into the planetarium theater.
7:00-7:45 p.m.: Shane Byrne of the Lunar and Planetary Lab discusses recent mission results and his studies of Martian polar ice caps as a member of the HiRISE team (includes Q&A). HiRISE provides the highest resolution pictures of Mars.
7:45-8:15 p.m.: Michael Terenzoni of Flandrau: The University of Arizona Science Center gives a short program about Mars: What does opposition mean, Mars’ changing position and appearance in the Earth’s sky, etc. using Flandrau’s planetarium projector and software.
8:15-8:30 p.m.: Intermission – bathroom break.
8:30-9:00 p.m.: Guests in large theater view live image of Mars from the SkyNights program on Mt. Lemmon and additional Q&A (Mike Terenzoni with audience).
9:00-10:00 p.m.: Additional stargazing at Flandrau’s telescope and on the UA mall.
Cost: $7.50 for Adults, $5 for children ages 4-15, Children under 4 are free, Catcard Holders receive a $2 discount.
Facilities open: Mars wall; planetarium theater and observatory (no other part of building except bathrooms)
Website: www.uasciencecenter.org
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Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 highlights the connection of Mars to water and life with HiRISE Gallery photographs of Mars’ topography with Vic Baker of the University of Arizona.
6:30 p.m.: Guests arrive and are ushered onto the B2 Café patio for wine and cheese and stargazing with Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA).
7:15 p.m.: Guests are ushered into the large theater for a discussion with scientist and Regents’ Professor, Vic Baker, who has worked for decades on the issues of water on Earth and Mars.
7:15-8:00 p.m.: Vic Baker discusses the planet Mars, its water (past and present), and possible implications for life, including Q&A.
8:00-8:30 p.m.: Guests enter visitor center for more wine and cheese and informal interaction around Phoenix lander and in the HiRise art gallery. Continued stargazing on café patio and lawn.
8:30-9:00 p.m.: Guests return to large theater for live, direct link to the SkyNights program with host Adam Block at the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter to observe Mars.
9:00 p.m.: Program concludes.
Cost: $25.00/person; reservations not required.
Facilities open: Main lobby and Phoenix Lander exhibit, HiRISE Gallery; theater; outdoor patio.
Website: www.b2science.org
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Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter
Adam Block hosts the SkyNights program with an emphasis on observing Mars from Earth. Adam will host his customary program starting around 3:30 p.m., which includes sunset viewing, dinner, a presentation, and telescope viewing of astronomical wonders. Starting at about 8:30 p.m. he will connect with Biosphere 2 and Flandrau to send images and discuss with attendees at all three venues. Program will end at usual SkyNights time ~ 9:30 p.m. Video of Mars is available for sale.
Cost: $48/person; $40/group member (10+), $25/youth; reservations required.
Facilities open: Learning Center, 24-inch dome.
Click here for directions on how to get to Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter.
Website: skycenter.arizona.edu
Biographical Sketches of Presenters
Victor Baker
Dr. Baker has been studying Mars and the possibility of water on Mars for decades. He is a Regents’ Professor and Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources, Geology and Planetary Sciences at the University of Arizona. His research interests are very broadly concerned with the geomorphology of the terrestrial planets, but a particular focus has been on flood processes on Earth and Mars including studies on the paleohydrological and hydroclimatological implications of channels, valleys, and other ancient water-related landforms on Mars. Among many other activities he also is a member of the Steering Committee for the Institute for Planet Habitability and Sustainability at the University of Arizona, which promotes multidisciplinary excellence in research, education and collaboration in the nascent field of astrobiology.
Adam Block
Mr. Block has been looking through telescopes since he was a toddler. He studied astronomy at the University of Arizona and volunteered at Flandrau: The University of Arizona Science Center as an undergraduate student. He worked at Kitt Peak National Observatory for nine years in the nighttime observing program and developed his interest and skills in astrophotography. Mr. Block began work with Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter in 2007 where he runs the public observing program. This program includes the SkyNights and AstronomerNights programs as well as workshops and special programs. Mr. Block is a world-renowned astrophotographer. Last year NASA chose his photographs as photo of the day four times.
Shane Byrne
Originally from the United Kingdom, Dr. Byrne has been at the University of Arizona since 2005. His principal research interests are in surface processes on planetary bodies throughout the solar system, especially those processes that affect or are driven by planetary ices. He primarily investigates the formation and modification of the Martian polar ice deposits. Currently, he is also working on concentration of volatiles in the polar craters of the Moon and Mercury and on the possibility of surface frosts on large asteroids such as Ceres. Dr Byrne is a member of the High Resolution Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which remains in Mars orbit today.