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Special Event

Event

Night Skies with NASA

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Fee:

Free. Free event. Park entrance fee still applies.

Location:

NASA outreach table at Sulphur Works; NASA daytime talks at Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center Auditorium; NASA, park, and volunteer evening talk at Kohm Yah-mah-nee Amphitheater; and star tour and viewing at Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center back patio.

Dates & Times

Date:

Saturday, August 3, 2024

Time:

11:00 AM

Duration:

11 hours and 30 minutes

Type of Event

Other
Talk

Description

Night Skies with NASA Aug 3 Saturday
 
Join a day and night of exploration and learning with NASA scientists, park staff, and volunteers! 
 
Locations: Sulphur Works, KYVC Amphitheater, and KYVC Back Patio 
  • Daytime: NASA outreach booth at Sulphur Works.  Time: 11:00am 
  • Daytime: Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center auditorium (note, park film will not be shown during talks)
    • The Search for Life with NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory – Niki Parenteau.  Time: 200pm 
    • Origins of Life in the Universe – Mark Ditzler. Time: 3:00pm
  • 7:30pm - 8:30pm: Revealing Martian Secrets at KYVC Amphitheater (Dave Des Marais – Mars)
    • The environment of Mars has more closely resembled Earth’s environment than that of any other planet in our solar system. Orbiters mapped ancient stream channels, lake beds, and minerals that formed in water. Rovers documented ancient habitable environments that existed while early microbial life flourished on Earth. 
    • David J. Des Marais is a space scientist affiliated with NASA’s Astrobiology Program at Ames Research Center. He has investigated living communities of microorganisms and their ancient fossils. He studied the chemistry of carbon in meteorites, lunar samples, volcanic rocks, and ancient sediments on Earth. David is currently a member of the science operations team for NASA’s Curiosity Rover. He has been a co-leader of the Lassen Astrobiology Student Intern Program at Red Bluff High School since 2008. David has been elected fellow of six professional societies. The Geochemical Society awarded him the Alfred Treibs Medal for his career achievements in Organic Geochemistry. 
  • 9:30pm - 10:30pm. KYVC Back Patio. Park Ranger introduction of major constellations and asterisms, light pollution. Volunteers from Shasta Astronomy Club and Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society will provide telescopes and expertise in observing the starry night. 
Times for outreach table at Sulphur Works and times for daytime talks may vary. Please contact the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center at (530) 595 - 4480 for more information closer to the date of the event.

Reservation or Registration: No