‘Top Tourist Sights of Solar System’ Public Talk | Mill Valley

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Using spectacular images from space probes and the world’s largest telescopes, we will explore the most intriguing future “tourist destinations” among the planets and moons in our cosmic neighborhood. Our stops will include the 4,000-mile lava channel on Venus, the towering Mount Olympus volcano on Mars (three times the height of Mount Everest), the awesome Verona Cliffs on the moon Miranda (which are the tallest “lover’s leap” in the solar system), and the recently discovered steam geysers on Saturn’s intriguing moon Enceladus (nicknamed “Cold Faithful.”)

After the lecture, there will be a laser-guided tour of the night sky by Paul Salazar and stargazing through the telescopes of the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers. This is an OUTDOOR venue, so we ask that people dress appropriately (it can get cold), and bring a flashlight to help find your way to and from the parking lots.

Andrew Fraknoi is the Chair of the Astronomy Department at Foothill College. He was named California Professor of the Year in 2007 and has received several national awards for his work in astronomy education. He appears regularly on local and national radio explaining astronomical developments in everyday language, and serves on the Board of the SETI Institute and on the Lick Observatory Council. He is the author of a children’s book “Disney’s Wonderful World of Space” and the lead author of an introductory college textbook, “Voyages through the Universe.” Asteroid 4859 has been named Asteroid Fraknoi by the International Astronomical Union in recognition of his work in science education and outreach.

Admission is free, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is sponsored by Mount Tamalpais State Park, Friends of Mt. Tam, the Mt. Tam Astronomy Program, Wonderfest, and the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers.

For maps and directions, see: http://friendsofmttam.org/astronomy/directions-and-contact-information.html

If it looks like rain, please call the Mt. Tam hotline at 415-455-5370, after 4 pm. Since this is an outdoor event, it gets canceled if it is raining.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.