The most recent research information on Mars will be highlighted in a talk to be held July 27-28 at the University of Colorado at Boulder's Fiske Planetarium.
Research Associate Brian Hynek of CU-Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics will present "Update From the Red Planet" on both evenings at 8 p.m.
Two rovers currently are on Mars and four spacecraft are orbiting the planet, according to Hynek. During his talk, he will explain what researchers are learning about Mars, including whether conditions conducive to supporting life ever existed on the planet.
Hynek also will discuss his most recent findings challenging the idea that Mars was once home to large seas. He and CU-Boulder colleague Thomas McCollom recently published a paper in the journal Nature indicating that what some planetary scientists had thought to be chemical signatures from bodies of water on Mars actually might have come from volcanic activity.
While Hynek believes there was water on the planet, he and McCollom concluded that the water on Mars "was far less favorable for past biological activity than other scenarios that have been proposed."
Admission for each show is $6 for adults, $5 for students and $3.50 for children and seniors. The Sommers-Bausch Observatory is open to the public following Friday evening shows, weather permitting. Admission to the observatory is free.
For more information about Fiske Planetarium and other shows and programs it offers call (303) 492-5001 or visit the Web site at fiske.colorado.edu.