2004 Sverdrup Visiting
Scientist Program
Augsburg College, Minneapolis
featuring
Dr. Noel W. Hinners,
Senior Research Associate at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space
Physics, University of Colorado Lecturer
All events are free and open to the public
Sverdrup Lecture
“The Exploration of Mars: An Ongoing Saga of Fact and Fiction,
Dreams and Aspirations.”
Monday, April 19, 8:00 P.M. Hoverstein Chapel, Foss Center
ABSTRACT: Come, explore mars with us-
ancient rivers, floods, lakes, sediments, sand dunes, dust storms,
volcanoes, polar caps, iron deposits,
buried ice and more. Share in the discoveries that are revolutionizing
our understanding of the Red Planet. Incredible photos and science
data from Mars Global Surveyor, Odyssey and now Spirit and Opportunity
are
building on the mariners and Vikings of yore. And more to come as or
robot extend the reach of earth-bound scientists and the public participates
via the internet. The prospects for human exploration live on, rejuvenated
by President Bush who recently set a new direction for NASA, which
includes sending humans to Mars. Dreams of exploring Mars with humans
are imbedded
in a history of science fiction with Martians invading Earth, earthlings
building colonies on Mars and even turning Mars into a habitable planet.
Is this 'for real'? We'll take a look at the challenges and rewards
of such an adventure, what humans would do at the prospects that life
may
have once thrived on Mars billions of years ago when Earth was inhabited
only by bacteria. we pose the possibility, demonstrably and scientifically
possible, that we may in fact be Martians simply returning home. |