Rauch Planetarium invites public to see ‘live’ Mars landing
May 19th, 2008
Landing of the Phoenix on Mars
May 25, 7 p.m.
Rauch Planetarium, Belknap Campus (Directions and parking information)
Free and open to the public. Seating will be on a first-come first-seated basis.
When the NASA rover, Phoenix, lands on Mars, the Rauch Planetarium at the University of Louisville will be one of only a few locations nationwide to show the action “live” via a NASA satellite connection.
Because the distance is so great, the signal from the Phoenix will take 10 minutes to reach Earth.
The kid-friendly event will feature Mars trivia games, red planet punch and Mars cookies. The planetarium has 160 reclining seats and a 55-foot diameter dome overhead.
UofL planetary scientist Kunio Sayanagi will answer questions and discuss the mission to Mars. Sayanagi has close ties to The University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory where the Phoenix mission is managed.
NASA launched the Phoenix Aug. 4, 2007, and it is expected to land on the icy polar region of Mars on May 25. The rover will collect rock and ice samples for scientific analysis. NASA hopes that these samples will help them explore the possibility of life on Mars, as well as the climate and geology of the planet.
“This is an exciting event for anyone who is curious about space, current NASA missions or the search for life on Mars,” said Rachel Connolly, planetarium’s director. “It’s a great way to engage the public.”
Related Links
NASA Mars mission
Phoenix Mars Lander: Entry Descent and Landing
