“Secrets of the Red Planet: Observing Mars over the Centuries”
Curator
of Astronomy,
Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery,
Launceston
Wednesday,
2 June 2004, 8:00 P.M.
Physics
Lecture Theatre 1
University
of Tasmania, Sandy Bay
Abstract:
The
wandering reddish point of light in the sky - the planet Mars - has been
watched by human eyes for thousands of years.
During the seventeenth century, we began detailed studies of the planet
using telescopes; far more recently we have used uncrewed space vehicles.
Mars
has captured a good deal of public attention, especially because of
nineteenth-century observations which led to the mistaken belief that Mars has
'canals', and therefore intelligent life.
This led to the planet featuring in numerous science fiction stories and
movies, most notably H. G. Wells’s War of the Worlds.
Mars
is a planet with water ice, dust storms, and gigantic volcanoes. Liquid water is not stable there today but
recent measurements made by NASA's two Mars Exploration Rovers point strongly
to the conclusion that this was not the case in the past.
The
speaker will discuss the history of observations of the planet Mars from the
first fuzzy telescopic views through to the exciting pictures and information
being returned by modern spacecraft.
At
times, our efforts to learn about Mars have resulted in misinterpretation or
failure. Gradually, however, the Red
Planet is giving up its secrets.
Martin
George is Curator of Astronomy at the Launceston Planetarium, which forms part
of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston, Tasmania. He is also Fellow and President-Elect of the
International Planetarium Society, the world body of planetarium professionals.
Martin
is a keen communicator of astronomy, making regular appearances on radio and
television to discuss astronomy and space research. In particular, he has monthly astronomy programmes on ABC radio
7NT in Tasmania, and fortnightly national programmes on the ABC's 'Early
Mornings' programme. His television
appearances include Channel 9's ‘Today’ programme, on which he is often seen
discussing popular astronomy and space matters.
He
also presents undergraduate courses in astronomy at the University of
Tasmania’s Launceston campus and frequently speaks to community groups and the
public on astronomical topics.
Martin
has been involved in many other professional activities associated with his
work at the Planetarium. He has regular
newspaper columns and, in the past few years has co-authored two books. He is a contributing editor of the USA
magazine Astronomy.
In
1998, he co-led a solar eclipse tour, visiting astronomical and geological
places of interest in the United States and the Caribbean, and in 2002 he led a
tour to South Australia to see the solar eclipse and other places of interest
there.
Martin
is a member of the Astronomical Society of Tasmania; the Astronomical Society
of Australia; the International Occultation Timing Association; and the
International Planetarium Society, of which he is a Fellow, President-Elect and
current Chairman of the Language Committee.