“Outer Space in the Great Plains” Series Presentation on Feb. 9th

There will be a free talk for the public and UND campus this Saturday, February 9 as part of the “Outer Space in the Great Plains” Series. The hour-long presentation will provide information on planets found outside our solar system and NASA’s Kepler mission. The talk will begin at 2:30 p.m. in room 210 of Clifford Hall.

The field of discovering and studying exoplanets has grown exponentially over the past two decades, with almost 900 already confirmed, most within the past few years. The planets themselves challenge our understanding of solar system formation and Earth’s place in the universe.

The talk will be presented by Annie Wargetz and Katrina Jackson, graduate students in the Space Studies Master’s Program and NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador volunteer.

The Solar System Ambassadors Program of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory offers information and excitement about real missions that explore our solar system. Volunteer ambassadors in communities throughout the country are selected by JPL based on their backgrounds and on their plans for public outreach activities. JPL provides ambassadors with educational materials and training. However, the opinions of Ambassadors are not necessarily those of NASA or JPL. Further information about the Solar System Ambassadors Program is available at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif.