Science Pub Series #5 - Looking for Life on Mars and Other Places

Join us for a discussion of life detection outside Earth led by Max Coleman, senior research scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Sunday, January 25th, 3:00-5:00 PM
Location: Trattoria Neapolis, 336 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101

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It is likely that the Earth's surface was habitable shortly after its formation just over 4.5 billion years ago. Microbial life dominated the Earth until just over half a billion years ago and signs of microbial activity are the prime targets of exploration for life on Mars. Amazingly, and counter intuitively, exhaled “breath” of microorganisms is one of the best signs of Life, preserved in minerals and recognized by its composition. Having developed the scientific approaches, until we can return samples to Earth, we need to fly instruments to Mars. Examples will be shown of how laboratory analytical instruments are miniaturized spectacularly (by factors of a thousand) and adapted for flight to Mars. This presentation will involve practical demonstrations as well as the more usual audiovisual material.

Max Coleman joined the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2003 as Director of the Center for Life Detection, and he continues to work there as a Principal Scientist. His training combined chemistry, geology and isotope geochemistry at London and Leeds Universities, but he found that he needed to encompass microbiology too when studying sedimentary rocks. He has applied multidisciplinary fundamental scientific research to elicit solutions to practical problems in petroleum exploration and production, environmental pollution, radioactive waste storage and forensic science. He now uses the same approaches to search for life on other planets.

Seating is limited. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cost:  $25 per person, includes Chef Wigger's gourmet pizzas, house wine and/or non-alcoholic beverages. Parking in the back of the restaurant is
free on Sundays.
Contact: German Enciso, enciso@uci.edu or Ethel Seminario Laczko, etheledu@gmail.com

Refund Policy: We do not provide refunds for any of our events.

Click here to register!