This was clipped from NASA Ames Website
http://www.arc.nasa.gov/aboutames-pressrelease.cfm?id=15000095 This
article had directions to the meeting site.
There is also another article at
<http://www.astrobio.net/news/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=898>
. It has prettier pictures.
A group of science fiction writers, academic luminaries and NASA
scientists will hold a lively debate about terraforming Mars at NASA
Ames Research Center on March 30, 2004.
The debate is the first in a new series of discussions entitled "Science
Fiction Meets Science Fact." This series is the result of a shared
vision between NASA, Breakpoint Media and the Science Fiction Museum and
Hall of Fame in Seattle, scheduled to open in summer 2004. The free,
open-to-the-public debate will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. PST in
the main tent on the Moffett Field parade grounds at NASA Ames.
"The series is an exciting collaboration between NASA's online
Astrobiology magazine (www.astrobio.net <http://www.astrobio.net>) and
the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame," said Dr. Michael Meyer,
NASA's senior scientist for astrobiology. "Terraforming has long been a
fictional topic, and now, with real scientists exploring the reality, we
can ask, 'What are the real possibilities, as well as the potential
ramifications, of transforming Mars?' "
Terraforming is the deliberate alteration of an environment or climate
on a planetary scale.
The first debate, "Transforming Mars" will feature: * Sir Arthur C.
Clarke - Award-winning author of "2001, A Space Odyssey" (Clarke will
take part via teleconference from his home in Sri Lanka) * Kim Stanley
Robinson - Hugo & Nebula award-winning author of the "Mars Trilogy" *
Greg Bear - Hugo & Nebula award-winning author of "Moving Mars" * Dr.
James Kasting - professor of geoscience at Pennsylvania State University
* Dr. Christopher McKay - planetary scientist at NASA Ames Research
Center * Dr. John Rummel - planetary protection officer, NASA * Dr. Lisa
Pratt - NASA Astrobiology Institute subsurface group, Indiana University
The debate moderator will be Dr. Donna Shirley, director of the new
Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. Shirley is the former manager
of NASA's Mars Exploration Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
Pasadena, Calif., and the original leader of the team that built the
highly acclaimed Mars Pathfinder rover.
The debate is part of the Astrobiology Science Conference, which will be
held at NASA Ames from March 28 through April 1. For further information
about the conference, visit:
http://abscicon.arc.nasa.gov/
Future debate topics will include returning to the moon and the search
for extraterrestrial intelligence. For further information, visit:
http://www.astrobio.net/terraformdebate.html
For information about the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, visit:
www.sciencefictionexperience.com <http://www.sciencefictionexperience.com>
To reach NASA Ames, take the Moffett Field exit off Highway 101. To
reach the parade grounds, drive through the main gate, follow Clark Road
and bear right onto South Akron Road. Attendees will be required to show
a government-issued photo ID at the NASA Ames main gate.
Well, it's easier to reach than LAX for most of us <g>.
Mythically yours,
Lisa
