NASA will land in Mars, Penn. Friday, June 19 to celebrate Mars' New Year with Red Planet enthusiasts of the Keystone State for three days of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) activities. The goal is to encourage young people to pursue careers in in these critical fields of study that will enable NASA's journey to Mars.
At the invitation of the borough of Mars, NASA will provide exhibits, booths and outreach activities at the celebration. Mars expert Jim Green, NASA's director of Planetary Science at the agency's headquarters in Washington, will deliver a keynote talk Friday evening and again Saturday, June 20 about NASA's journey to Mars. Green served as a technical consultant on the upcoming Fox Entertainment movie "The Martian."
(Watch the official trailer here.)
The Martian New Year occurs about every two Earth-years and is timed to the Northern Hemisphere Spring Equinox on Mars. That equinox occurs this month on Earth.
To kick off the three-day, Red Planet extravaganza, NASA will participate in a media briefing at 3 p.m. EDT on Friday in front of the town's flying saucer sculpture, located at 16046 Pittsburgh Street.
Participants in the briefing will be:
- Honorable Gregg Hartung, mayor of Mars
- Jim Green
- Mike Harvey, honorary chairman and meteorologist for WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh
After brief opening remarks and a question-and-answer session, media and social media will be given a preview walking tour of activities planned for the rest of the weekend celebration.
For a map of Mars, click here!
