WSU astrobiologist contributes to Smithsonian blog
Dirk Schulze-Makuch, a professor in the School of the Environment, explores the mysteries of methane on Mars in his latest post on the Smithsonian Air & Space blog, The Daily Planet.
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WSU planetarium previews 3D science learning – free Oct. 1
The latest digital technology for viewing the universe at the WSU planetarium will be previewed in a free, public demonstration at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, in Sloan Hall 231. A demo for WSU organizations, departments, clubs, units, students, staff and faculty will be at 2 p.m. Seating is first come, first served.
The demo of the SciDome 3D projector by maker SPITZ, Inc. will include teaching visuals, lessons from the extensive SciDome curriculum, the Layered Earth software for earth science teaching and previews of full-dome shows featuring astronomy and space science, biology, chemistry, earth science, mathematics and the arts.
In addition to using the planetarium for WSU classes, the Department of Physics and Astronomy welcomes hundreds of school children from the region each year to the facility.
WSU observatory holds star party
Jazz and Barbecue Star Party
Enjoy live music, BBQ dinner, dessert, and good company at the Jewett Observatory! Sponsored by the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Palouse Astronomical Society, the event is free but a $7 donation is suggested.
When: Saturday, September 7, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: You’ll find the observatory on Olympia Avenue, up the hill from Grimes Way
Researchers: Sterilizing Mars spacecraft is largely a waste of money
School of the Environment’s Dirk Schulze-Makuch and a colleague suggest lifting unnecessary and expensive environmental restrictions — on Mars.
Rethinking: read the article at WSU News
UPDATE – It’s OK, Infect Mars With Our Germs
Read the related story at Discovery News
UPDATE – Is NASA Being Too Protective of Mars?
Writing in Nature Geoscience, Alberto Fairén, of Cornell University’s department of astronomy, and Dirk Schulze-Makuch, of Washington State University’s School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, argue that this “planetary protection”—beyond what’s … Read the related story at IEEE Spectrum
Honors invites astronomer to ‘Speak with E.T.’
”Speaking with E.T. – We’re All Ears,” will be discussed by the director of the Washington State University planetarium in a free, public presentation at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, in the Honors Hall lounge. Refreshments will be served.
Michael L. Allen was selected by WSU Honors College students to present the annual invited lecture sponsored by the Honors Student Advisory Council.
Allen supports the thesis that earth’s first contact with alien life will be with a technological alien species. His support is based upon the supposition that technological activity is the most pervasive type of lifelike activity that exists.