What does the history of life on Earth tell us about the possibility of life on Mars? Dr. Michael Tuite (Astrobiologist)
Life on Earth emerged soon after the surface was cool enough to support liquid water, nearly four billion years ago. Ever since, the Earth and it's inhabitants have evolved together to produce the diverse biosphere and habitable environment we know today. In stark contrast, Mars today is a seemingly lifeless, frigid desert planet. Yet, early in their histories, Earth and Mar were more alike than they are today. Might life have emerged on early Mars like it did on Earth? How might we find out? The Perseverance rover is searching for signatures of life preserved in ancient Mars rocks with its onboard instruments and is collecting samples to return to Earth so that scientists around the world can address one of science's Big Questions: Is there life beyond Earth? 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, Mars Hill (park on shoulder of road near Artists Drive Exit) Short Walk around large rocks and on an incline
Mars-like Places on Earth: A Journey into the Ubehebe Crater Dr. Rosalba Bonaccorsi (NASA - Ames Research Center)
Places in Death Valley appear similar to places on the Red Planet. Come learn how research in Death Valley can help guide us in our understanding of Earth's neighbor. 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Ubehebe Crater Moderately strenous walk to around Ubehebe Crater with some deep gravel and a steep incline
Stardust all around us: cosmic origin stories on display in Death Valley Dr. Kathryn Plant (NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Stroll past the colorful rocks of Golden Canyon and learn how different elements in these minerals formed in the universe. Join this short hike to see elements that once emerged from the hearts of stars, from the Big Bang itself, and more. 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Golden Canyon Short walk on uneven surface
A Search for Life in Unexpected Places Dr. Caitlin Crawford (NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
How can the extreme beauty and harshness of Death Valley’s Badwater Basin help unlock the secrets of life beyond Earth? Join us in exploring the surprising connections between this unique landscape and Europa, an icy moon of Jupiter. Discover how insights from Earth’s most extreme environments fuel NASA’s thrilling Europa Clipper mission and bring us closer to answering one of humanity’s greatest questions: Are we alone in the universe? 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM, Badwater Basin
Why is it so hot here? Dr. Perry Ramsey (NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
The earth has an interesting thermal management system. The surface and near-surface temperature is driven by the interaction of sunlight, atmospheric convection, and infrared radiation. We will look how these heat transport mechanisms affect the land right at our feet and think of how they work on larger scales. 2:30 PM- 3:30 PM, Mesquite Sand Dunes Moderate walk on uneven sand
The Brightness of the Void Leslie Heid (NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Join us on this evening walk as we explore the infinite rainbow that fills our cosmos. Mission Modeler Leslie Heid from JPL's Deep Space Network discusses the electromagnetic spectrum, how we see what stars are made of, and the advantages and disadvantages of different wavelengths for use in spacecraft communications. 8:30 PM- 9:30 PM, Zabriskie PointShort walk up a paved path with a ~17% grade
Sunday
What does the history of life on Earth tell us about the possibility of life on Mars? Dr. Michael Tuite (Astrobiologist)
Life on Earth emerged soon after the surface was cool enough to support liquid water, nearly four billion years ago. Ever since, the Earth and it's inhabitants have evolved together to produce the diverse biosphere and habitable environment we know today. In stark contrast, Mars today is a seemingly lifeless, frigid desert planet. Yet, early in their histories, Earth and Mar were more alike than they are today. Might life have emerged on early Mars like it did on Earth? How might we find out? The Perseverance rover is searching for signatures of life preserved in ancient Mars rocks with its onboard instruments and is collecting samples to return to Earth so that scientists around the world can address one of science's Big Questions: Is there life beyond Earth? 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, Mars Hill Short walk on uneven ground with large rocks and an incline
Stardust all around us: cosmic origin stories on display in Death Valley Dr. Kathryn Plant (NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Stroll past the colorful rocks of Golden Canyon and learn how different elements in these minerals formed in the universe. Join this short hike to see elements that once emerged from the hearts of stars, from the Big Bang itself, and more. 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Golden CanyonShort walk on an uneven surface
Ubehebe Crater: An Explosive Analog for Planetary Volcanism Dr. Cherie Achilles (NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center)
Volcanism is a geologic process that connects many planetary bodies across the solar system. Come for a short walk to learn about the explosive eruptions that created Ubehebe Crater and how they can teach NASA scientists about the volcanic history of the Moon and Mars. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Ubehebe Crater Short walk on the rim of the crater
A Search for Life in Unexpected Places Dr. Caitlin Crawford (NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
How can the extreme beauty and harshness of Death Valley’s Badwater Basin help unlock the secrets of life beyond Earth? Join us in exploring the surprising connections between this unique landscape and Europa, an icy moon of Jupiter. Discover how insights from Earth’s most extreme environments fuel NASA’s thrilling Europa Clipper mission and bring us closer to answering one of humanity’s greatest questions: Are we alone in the universe? 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Badwaer Basin
Why is it so hot here? Dr. Perry Ramsey (NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
The earth has an interesting thermal management system. The surface and near-surface temperature is driven by the interaction of sunlight, atmospheric convection, and infrared radiation. We will look how these heat transport mechanisms affect the land right at our feet and think of how they work on larger scales. 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Mesquite Sand Dunes Moderate walk on uneven sand
The Brightness of the Void Leslie Heid (NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Join us on this evening walk as we explore the infinite rainbow that fills our cosmos. Mission Modeler Leslie Heid from JPL's Deep Space Network discusses the electromagnetic spectrum, how we see what stars are made of, and the advantages and disadvantages of different wavelengths for use in spacecraft communications. 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM, Zabriskie Point Short walk up a paved path with a ~17% grade
