Talk To The Experts At The Virtual Planet Walk

Have you ever looked up at the sky on a dark, clear, starry night and wondered about our solar system? Would you like to ask astronomers questions? Here is your opportunity!

Due to COVID-19, the 2021 B&A Trail Planet Walk is being held virtually on Saturday, May 8. It consists of both daytime (10:00am to 11:00am) and evening (7:00pm to 8:00pm) portions, hosted on Zoom. The yearly event is organized by the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails, Anne Arundel Community College astronomy club, and the solar system exploration division of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. NASA and university scientists on the front line of solar exploration will be available to talk one-on-one about the solar system and help viewers discover what is being learned from the latest satellite missions. The theme for the evening program is astrobiology. The featured scientist is Dr. Erin Lalime of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Lalime will discuss "Planetary Protection: Why the Search for Life on Mars Means We Care about the Squishy, Smelly, Slimy Stuff Here on Earth."

An astronomy café will begin after Lalime's talk, where three other NASA scientists - Dr. Danny Glavin, Dr. Maëva Millan and Dr. Veronica Pinnick - will be online to answer questions.

Register at www.planetwalk2021.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Jack Keene at jt_keene.48@verizon.net