Flagstaff Festival of Science
Science Festival Illuminates Far Reaches of the Universe FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The 2011 Flagstaff Festival of Science, Sept. 23 – Oct. 2, promises celestial fireworks, soaring gas pillars and mystic mountains as Science Illuminates the far reaches of the universe through the windows of the Hubble Telescope. NASA astronaut and physicist Dr. John Grunsfeld is scheduled to kick off the free 10-day event as the keynote presenter on Friday, Sept. 23. Grunsfeld has circled our planet hundreds of times and conducted history-making space walks for surgical repairs on the orbiting telescope. As deputy director of the Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute, Grunsfeld is among the first to experience the dazzling complexity of cosmic chaos occurring in space. He’ll be sharing Hubble’s expansive collection of spectacular images such as star births in the extreme, sheets of debris, shredded remains of old supernovas and light echoing from supergiant stars. Among the Festival’s 2011 highlights, Lowell Observatory will be celebrating the Discovery Channel Telescope’s First Light; the Museum of Northern Arizona will present Grand Archaeology – Excavation and Discovery along the Colorado River; Flagstaff Medical Center will offer its Fantastic Voyage; Northern Arizona University will conduct Mountain Campus Science and Engineering Day; and the U.S. Geological Survey will host a field trip to the Apollo mission training grounds. Also in the lineup are star parties at observatories and open houses at research stations. Science-based organizations such as W. L. Gore & Associates will share their discoveries and innovations at Science in the Park and local scientists will offer more than 100 presentations to school children. In addition, the Festival will promote healthy forests through walks and talks as a designated United Nations International Year of Forests event! “With our theme Science Illuminates we have such an opportunity to show how reflected light can reveal the mysteries of distant planets, stars, nebulae and galaxies,” said Festival President Winnie Ennenga. “Science also illuminates ecological processes that are so essential for life here on our planet. The 2011 Festival will no doubt inspire and fascinate the next generation of astronomers, biologists and doctors.” Support from more than 70 businesses, organizations and individuals makes the Flagstaff Festival of Science possible. Among the many sponsors, funding comes from the City of Flagstaff BBB revenues, Flagstaff Cultural Partners, the Flagstaff Community Foundation, W. L. Gore & Associates, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. For more information, visit the Web site at www.scifest.org. [Show as...
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