Willard House & Clock Museum and Grafton Public Library Mars  Presentation and Stargazing Party Rescheduled for Friday, August 23rd
 

Journey to the Red Planet: A History of Scientific Missions to Mars

Few heavenly bodies have captured our imagination as the red planet Mars. 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. In this presentation, NASA Solar System Ambassador M.J. Johnson will offer a colorful survey tracing the evolution of Mars exploration, from early flybys, orbiters and landers to the groundbreaking rover missions of the 21st century. We’ll highlight how these 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. Through a combination of historical context, mission highlights, and future prospects, this presentation offers a comprehensive overview of humanity's quest to explore and understand Mars.

Stick around afterward and view the heavens yourself through telescopes made available courtesy of the Aldrich Astronomical Society!

This non-technical presentation is appropriate for all ages.