Moon and Mars: Pursue peeks at planets and beyond
Registration opens March 2
LLL's popular trip to ASU's School of Earth and Space Exploration returns Tuesday, April 7. While the world eagerly waits for commercial space flight to become a regular reality, you can preview what’s on the Moon, Mars, and beyond, through the revelations that scientists at NASA and three Arizona State University research centers are already uncovering today.
First stop: Begin with a one-hour film shown in ASU's Marston Exploration Theater, which uses 4K projection in 3D stereographic vision. "The Moon Revealed" looks at the moon’s history, missions and culture, including the latest research. You will then take a docent-led tour through the Center for Meteorite Studies, home to the world's largest university-based meteorite collection. Learn how more than 40,000 individual specimens are used for geological, planetary and space-science research at ASU and throughout the world.
In a building nearby, the tour continues at the Mars Space Flight Facility, where scientists are using instruments on spacecraft aimed at Mars to explore the geology and mineralogy of the Red Planet. Those instruments include the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) on NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter and two Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometers (Mini-TES) on the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. A full-size Mars rover model, bedded on reddish-brown sand, dominates the building's lobby.
You will also visit the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) facility to take a docent-led walk-through space exploration history and observe scientists working on lunar data in the Science Operations Center. The LROC is a system of three cameras, mounted on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, that capture images of the lunar surface.
NOTE: Other than the film at the theater, there will be moderate walking.
Lunch stop: Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. Lunch choices: Penne ala Malnati, Spaghetti with marinara sauce, meatball sandwich, personal thick crust cheese and pepperoni pizza, personal thick crust cheese and sausage pizza. All choices come with a house salad and soft drink.
Registration limited to two (2) per event, for each LLL user account.
WAITLIST: If an event has sold out, be sure add your name to the waitlist by registering for the event.
EVENT DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 7, 7:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
COST: $65 includes bus, tour, lunch and gratuities
MAXIMUM: 38