MEDIA ADVISORY: MU’s “Cosmic Conversations” Returns with Curiosity and Spirit: Missions to Mars

Story Contact(s):
Timothy Wall, walltj@missouri.edu, 573-882-3346

WHAT: The first “Cosmic Conversations,” of the fall semester will focus on exploration of Mars. Phil Knocke, retired NASA Jet Propulsion Lab scientist, will lead the discussion. Knocke worked on the Spirit and Opportunity missions, the predecessors to the Curiosity rover.

The University of Missouri Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Arts and Science and the Central Missouri Astronomical Association host the monthly lecture series, “Cosmic Conversations.”

Lectures take place on the first Wednesday of each month. Laws Observatory, an observatory deck on the fifth floor of the physics building, will be open after each lecture to view the stars.

WHO: MU astronomers and the general public

WHERE: Laws Observatory, Physics Building

MU campus

WHEN: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 5

NOTE: This event is free and open to the public. The observatory will be open if weather permits