Blast Off To Mars

“Have you ever thought about Mars...like, ever?” That’s just one of the many spacey questions routinely asked of the public by Julia DeMarines, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science astrobiologist who hosts the monthly science-outreach program Space in Your Face at Deer Pile, which targets a younger, hipper adult...

By Susan Froyd

May 23, 2013

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

“Have you ever thought about Mars...like, ever?” That’s just one of the many spacey questions routinely asked of the public by Julia DeMarines, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science astrobiologist who hosts the monthly science-outreach program Space in Your Face at Deer Pile, which targets a younger, hipper adult demographic. And tonight’s installment will indeed focus on planet Mars. “The event will start off with a brief overview on fun Mars facts, such as who’s sent what to Mars, how it’s like Earth and not like Earth, where to look for life and human missions to Mars,” DeMarines notes. And that’s just the start of the fun.

“There will be a rap performed by the Gang Stars [local ‘rap-strobiologists’ DeMarines and Raea Hicks] about Mars,” she continues. “Next, we’ll have a visit from Uranus, where Uranus speaks its mind on Mars, in a skit called ‘Ask Uranus.’ Then we’ll hear from University of Colorado graduate researcher Mike Chaffin, who studies the Martian atmosphere. He’ll be presenting on the past, present and future of Mars’s climate and will be discussing his own research for a future Mars orbiter called MAVEN.”

At the end of those presentations (and there might be more), small groups will form to design a feasible voyage to Mars, with prizes for the best concept. Oh, and be prepared to tackle a quiz, given just to make sure that you were listening. Space in Your Face begins at 8 p.m. at Deer Pile, 206 East 13th Avenue, and is free; check out the Facebook event page for details.
Tue., May 28, 8 p.m., 2013

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

Contact: Susan Froyd

Follow:

Facebook: sosfrojd

Twitter: @sosfrojd