Journey Through the Universe: Landscapes of the Moon & Mars

W.M. Keck Observatory announces that NASA Scientist Brian Day will give a demonstration of the lunar and planetary mapping and modeling portals his team developed at NASA on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gates Performing Arts Center, at the Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy Campus (HPA) in Waimea.

PC: Keck Observatory

Day will also examine how the giant asteroid Vesta was almost destroyed by cosmic impacts and even give a sneak peek at NASA’s upcoming portal for one of Mars’ moons, Phobos.

These portals are used for mission planning and planetary science, but they are also designed for education and outreach in the home or classroom.

Day is the Lead for Lunar and Planetary Mapping and Modeling, Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), at NASA Ames Research Center.

The talk is free and open to the public.

Directions from Waimea to the Gates Performing Arts Center at Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA):

1. From Waimea Town take Lindsey Road (northwest) and travel 0.1 miles
2. Veer left to Kawaihae Road and continue to travel 1.9 miles.
3. Slight right onto Kohala Mountain Road (at Waiaka Stream bridge) and travel 443 feet.
4. Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy will be on your right hand side. Take the first right on HPA Road into the HPA campus and continue on HPA Road. On the right hand side you will pass a parking lot in front of Rutger’s Tennis Center, past the gym and past the pool. The HPA Road will become steep. Follow the posted “Keck Lecture” signs and travel 0.3 miles.
5. Turn right and travel 266 feet.
6. The Gates Performing Arts Center will be directly ahead of you.

Electronic gates are being installed at both entrances.  The gate on the Waimea side will be located by the tennis court parking lot.  On the lecture nights, the gate will remain up.

Security will be on hand to assist with traffic and parking control.