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News & EventsSUMMER 2009 PRESCHOOL ACTIVITIESFor more information, view or print pdf >
Daily through September 6, 2009
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UPDATE: YAHOO! News features discoveries made on NASA’s Chilean cave expedition with planetarium associate director, Dan Ruby. |
As the driest place on Earth and one similar geologically to Mars, the Atacama region is as close to conditions on Mars as can be found anywhere on our planet. Joining Phase ll of NASA’s Earth-Mars Cave Detection Program from July 15-Aug. 15, Ruby and scientists on the expedition in northern Chile will map and plant sensors in lava tube and salt caves similar to those expected on Mars.
“Martian caves have already been detected through techniques developed by this program, and are significant as a potential habitat for microorganisms and other extremeophiles that might exist or have existed on Mars,” Ruby said. “They may also serve as future habitats for astronaut explorers to the red planet, as they offer protection from radiation and the harsh environment of the surface.”
Funded by NASA-Ames and SETI-CSC and led by Jut Wynne of the USGS-Southwest Biological Science Center in Arizona, Phase ll of the NASA expedition is part of a larger three-year study of caves in the Atacama desert, where thermal imaging of cave entrances has helped refine techniques already proven successful in finding caves on Mars through remote sensing. Wynne and NASA’s Astrobiology/Exobiology Program intend to find whether it is possible to detect caves by studying the amount of heat they radiate. If the team can reliably pinpoint caves on Earth, Wynn believes it should be possible to do the same on Mars.
“Phase ll will use an instrument called a QWISP, quantum well infrared photometer — basically a high-tech thermal camera — intended for use on future Mars obiter, lander and rover missions,” Ruby said. "This project plays a small part to help lay the foundations for the next generation of Mars exploration, both manned and unmanned, which will have immeasurable payoff for humankind."
Fleischmann Planetarium’s involvement in the project stems from associate director Dan Ruby’s participation in Phase l as part of NASA’s Spaceward Bound program, which puts teachers and educators such as Ruby, in the field with planetary scientists to bring back and share current NASA research with their classrooms and the public. In spring 2007 Ruby spent a week in the Mojave Desert, working with a team using a hot-air balloon to photograph volcanic caves. He will serve as a mapping assistant during Phase ll and expects to return to Reno with plenty of new insights.
The 10 team members in Phase ll of the NASA Earth-Mars Cave Detection Program represent the Northern Arizona University; the University of Nevada, Reno; the University of New Mexico; the University of Virginia and other American agencies and organizations; a Chilean geologist from Universidad Católica del Norte is the logistics lead.
“I’m honored to be part of this expedition and excited to do the fieldwork,” Ruby said. “This opportunity provides the public with a connection to cutting-edge space research, and greatly benefits our planetarium programs, which attract more than 57,000 visitors a year, including the 15,000 students who visit on field trips. It contributes another link to the already-strong relationship the University of Nevada, Reno has with NASA projects, and opens the door for similar opportunities in the future for students and other scholars and colleagues.”
For more information about the Atacama Cave expedition and the Earth-Mars Cave Detection Program, visit the NASA Astrobiology website at http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ .
Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center is located north of Lawlor Events Center on North Virginia and 16th streets, on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, 1.5 miles north of the downtown Reno arch. Free parking is available in the West Stadium Parking Complex, level 3, just east of the Planetarium.
For more information about the planetarium and its involvement in the NASA program, call (775) 784-4812 or visit http://planetarium.unr.edu.
The first planetarium in Nevada, Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Nevada, Reno has brought the universe to the community since 1963. Also the first planetarium in the world to project full-dome movies on a 30-foot-diameter dome, Fleischmann Planetarium has educated and entertained generations of school children and adults, inspiring imaginations and expanding horizons.
Planetarium members to receive free admission to hundreds of ASTC-partner museums and centers worldwide
The Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Nevada, Reno has become a new partner of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), an organization dedicated to furthering public understanding of science among increasingly diverse audiences. ASTC encourages excellence and innovation in informal science learning, in part by serving and linking its members worldwide.
Founded in 1973, ASTC numbers more than 540 members in 40 countries, including science centers and museums, nature centers, aquariums, planetariums, zoos, botanical gardens, space theaters and natural history and children’s museums.
Members of the Fleischmann Planetarium and any of the ASTC’s partnering organizations also benefit from the ASTC’s Passport Program, which provides free admission to hundreds of partner museums and centers around the world.
“The planetarium’s membership in this important organization means our own members will benefit directly, with free entrance to all sorts of great museums,” said Dan Ruby, associate director of the Fleischmann Planetarium. “We think it’s an awesome opportunity for our members and for other ASTC members visiting us.”
According to Ruby, the Passport Program is just one of many benefits of the partnership.
“In addition to providing our members access to a vast range of resources and member benefits at hundreds of our partner institutions worldwide, this new partnership will help Fleischmann develop exhibits and services to better serve the community,” Ruby said. “Our staff now has access to membership and visitor data and statistics that will help tremendously in our program development.”
Like Fleischmann Planetarium, a large percentage of ASTC institutions are part of a university or affiliated with one, and as such, can offer valuable data for program development to meet the University of Nevada, Reno’s needs.
“This will give us insights into how to develop increasingly effective collaborations with the University and community,” Ruby said. “I can’t tell you how excited we are to be able to offer so many benefits to our members, the University and the community as a result of this new partnership.” For more about the ASTC Passport Program and participating museums and centers worldwide, click here.
Join the Planetarium and KTHX-FM 100.1 at the Nevada Museum of Art the first Thursday of each month, 5-7 p.m., for live music and refreshments.
$10 adult • $8 seniors, students • $2 children • NMA members FREE
Visit www.nevadaart.org for details.
Attention sky-watchers! Tune in to “Stars Over X-ville” on KTHX-FM 100.1 every Tuesday morning at 7:45 a.m. for an update on happenings in northern Nevada’s skies, with Dan Ruby, planetarium associate director. See the latest report.
• 100 Hours of Astronomy free telescope viewing April 2-5 more >
• Planetarium Earth Hour event March 28 more >
• “Push, Pull and Drag” day of FREE events for kids March 21 more >
• Explore the “Solar Max” and journey through the “Black Holes” more >
• Climb along the “The Alps ” and discover “Extreme Planets”! more >
• Investigate the “Mystery of the Nile” and explore the “Ultimate Universe”! more >
• The 1st Reno Interdisciplinary Festival of New Media will feature a selection of full-dome videos, Nov. 16. more >
• Discover What's "UP" at Fleischmann Planetarium's Grand Re-opening! more >
• NEW! Special birthday party packages for children! pdf >
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