GRAFTON — Willard House & Clock Museum and the Grafton Public Library will co-host “Journey to the Red Planet: A History of Scientific Missions to Mars + Stargazing Party” on Friday, Aug. 9 (rain date Saturday, Aug. 10) at the museum, 11 Willard St., from 7 p.m. to after dark.
This free and open-to-the-public event is supported by the Webster First Federal Credit Union. Guests are encouraged to register at: https://graftonlibrary.libcal.com/event/12483667
NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador M.J. Johnson will highlight how the missions have transformed our understanding of Martian geology, climate and potential for life, with special emphasis on the current “state of the art” as defined by the helicopter Ingenuity, which made history with its aerial exploration of the Red Planet.
We’ll also consider the future of the ambitious Mars Sample Return mission, which aims to unlock unprecedented scientific discoveries by bringing the first Martian samples back to Earth.
“Few heavenly bodies have captured our imagination as the red planet Mars,” said Johnson.
“Its tantalizing proximity and geologic similarities to Earth, combined with the possibility that it may once have harbored life, have inspired an incredible array of scientific missions dating almost to the dawn of the space age.”
After Johnson’s non-technical talk, a lawn “star party,” hosted in partnership with the Aldrich Astronomical Society (AAS), will take place.
“AAS members will be available to help navigate the starry night (weather permitting) and to share views of the heavens through their telescopes,” said the museum’s director of development, Robert Gierschick. “We had more than 160 participants last year, so register early.”
The presentation and party are appropriate for all ages.
The Grafton Public Library will also be on site with its expanded telescope loaner collection, and it will explain how to borrow the instruments. Astronomical resources, including books, magazines, movies, music and kits will be available for checkout to help families discover the beauty of the night sky for themselves.
Schedule of events is as follows:
7 p.m. – Event open to public, tabletop displays, Q&A
7:30 p.m. – Presentation on Journey to The Red Planet
8:30 p.m. – Presentation Q&A
8:45 p.m. – Transition from presentation to outdoor stargazing
About the Aldrich Astronomical Society: https://www.aldrich.club/about-us/
About the Solar System Ambassador Program: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ssa
For more information about the program, please contact Beverly Snow, program coordinator, at 508-839-3500.
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