Furnace Creek Auditorium Presentations
Fly Me to The Moon: Why Humans May Not be the Only Life on the Lunar Surface in the Future
Dr. Prabal Saxena (NASA – Goddard Space Flight Center)
One of the exciting upcoming features of space exploration is the plan for the sustainable presence of Humans at the Lunar South Pole. While having humans explore the lunar poles involves a lot of planning, we aren’t the only life that may be traveling on these missions that could potentially survive on the Moon. Come learn about some of the microbial life that may be able to survive on the Moon, the factors that they’ll have to survive to make it, and how it can change the way we think about exploring potentially survivable and habitable environments.
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
NASA’s Search for Planets, Habitability, and Life in our Galaxy
Dr. Nick Siegler (NASA – Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
In the last few decades we have learned that our Galaxy is teeming with planets. But do any of them harbor life? Come hear about how all these planets have been discovered and how NASA is striving to answer the question “Are we alone?”
10:00 AM- 11:00 AM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
From Big Bang to Heat Death: The Flow of Energy in our Universe
Dr. Cameron Hummels (California Institute of Technology)
Energy conservation is the most fundamental law in physics, that the amount of energy in a physical system remains constant over time. But what is energy and how does it flow through our world? Join me as I tell the story of our universe from the perspective of a quantum of energy. Beginning with the Big Bang, we will follow energy’s trajectory through the cores of stars, shining starlight, the electrical grid, the human body, black holes, and eventually to the fate of our universe: heat death.
11:30 AM- 12:30 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
The Martian Landscapes of Death Valley
Doug Ellison (NASA – Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Death Valley could be called ‘Out of this world’ but how true is that? Curiosity Rover Planning Team Chief Doug Ellison will walk through some popular park landmarks comparing views from the ground and the air with similar landscapes from the Red Planet and finish answering the question….which part of Death Valley is truly out of this world?
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
Astrophotography “How-to” Session
Jeremy Evans (Dark Sky International Ambassador)
An opportunity to learn how to take pictures of the stars with your own DSLR camera! Note this session is intended for astrophotography newcomers. Participants should bring their DSLR camera and tripod.
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
Keynote Talk
To the Moon! Preparing for Artemis and Beyond
Dr. Cherie Achilles (NASA – Goddard Space Flight Center)
NASA is preparing to return humans to the Moon through the Artemis campaign. Come learn how field expeditions to lunar and martian analog environments are important for training astronauts and science teams for these exciting missions!
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
Tickets are required for the Keynote talks. Pick up your free ticket on a first come first serve basis starting the day before at Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Talks Around the Park
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
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
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 Strenuous walk to bottom of Ubehebe 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, 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 Point Short walk up a paved path with a ~17% grade
Astronomy Programs
Furnace Creek Star Party
Las Vegas Astronomical Society, NPS
Explore the night sky through telescopes directed at different planets, stars and more!
Ranger guided constellation tours on the half hour (7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:30 PM)
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Furnace Creek Airport
Caltech Presents: Astronomy on Tap
Cameron Hummels (California Institute of Technology)
Join Caltech Scientists for two 20-minute public astronomy talks and space-themed pub trivia over food and drinks at the Wildrose Tavern! All ages welcome.
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM, Wildrose Tavern, The Oasis at Death Valley
Astrophotography Meet-up
Stephanie Lamar (NPS)
An opportunity to photograph the stars in one of the darkest locations in the country. Astrophotography volunteers and rangers will be on hand to assist. A DSLR and tripod are essential to enjoy this session.
8:30PM-9:30PM, Harmony Borax Works
Family Program
Build A Mars Lander
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/NPS
Become a NASA engineer! Design, build, and land your own “spacecraft” on Mars. Suitable for all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a caretaker.
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM, White tent behind Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Exploration Fair
Explore the booths at the Exploration Fair to talk with scientists and participate in hands on activities.
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Furnace Creek Visitor Center Courtyard
