On Saturday, Jan. 24, at the N.M. Museum of Natural History and Science, KNME-TV’s “Science Café” will host a discussion of the groundbreaking recent robotic expedition of the planet Mars with Dr. Larry Crumpler, Research Curator of Volcanology / Space Science with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
As a scientist on the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Mission, Dr. Larry Crumpler has examined data collected from the “Opportunity” and “Spirit” rovers during this five-year exploration of the Mars surface. The two golf-cart-sized rovers have traveled several miles across Mars, retrieving data from opposite sides of the planet -- the first true geologic exploration of another planet.
“Opportunity” explored a large impact crater while “Spirit” examined one of Mars’ mountains. Both discovered evidence of water in Mars’ ancient geologic history. For five years, beyond their expected life spans, they continued exploring and we can actually track the Rovers as they roam the planet due to new images from the HiRISE orbiter.
Science Cafés are designed for the whole family and are presented with support from New Mexico Tech, Lockheed Martin/Sandia National Labs, Applied Research Technologies and The Online NewsHour Science Reports. Admission is free, however a RSVP is required. Contact Ed Ulman at (505) 277-8296 for more information.