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York University
Space Exploration

Presented by: the Office of University Events and Community Relations, the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Health, in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency. May 10, 2008 - Keele Campus 12:30 - 6:30pm - On-Site Registration Pick up a copy of the Science Rendezvous program and get directions to the many exciting, FREE events taking place on campus. Location: main floor lobby of the Computer Sciences and Engineering Building. 12:30 - 5:00 p.m. - York University Bookstore Display and Sale - Books about Space Exploration will be for sale. 1:00pm - Maple Leaf on Mars - Phoenix lands May 25th! Come and hear about how Canadian scientists are reaching for Mars. Alain Berinstain, Director of Planetary Exploration and Space Astronomy at the Canadian Space Agency will tell you how the Phoenix lander will allow us to plant the Maple Leaf on Mars. Keynote Speaker - Alain Berinstain, Canadian Space Agency, Director of Planetary Exploration and Space Astronomy. 1:30pm - Book Launch "CANADA'S Fifty Years In Space: The COSPAR Anniversary", by Gordon Shepherd and Agnes Kruchio. Joined by Rob Godwin, publisher, Apogee Books, who will also show some amazing space video sequences. Get your copy signed by the authors.

PIA07247: Phoenix Mission Lander on Mars, Artist's Concept

2:00 - 5:00pm - Space INVENTours - Demonstrations and Hands-On Activities
These programs will run continuously throughout the INVENTour period.

• What on Earth is Space Engineering? - Come and see for yourself what new and exciting equipment researchers are building to send to space.
  • An Elevator to Space - Come and see the Space Elevator we've designed. Think you can do a better job? Build your own Space Elevator in our arts and crafts centre.
  • Northern Lights Mars Lander - See a model of and info on our Northern Light Rover.
  • Mars Rovers - See models and info on our Northern Light Rover. Meet the York University Rover Team and watch them put their rover through its paces. Colour your own Mars Rover.
  • What Makes a Rocket Go? Meet our very own rocket scientists and see the thrusters they designed. Build your own rocket in our arts and crafts centre.
    
  • What Kind of Instruments Are Used in Space? - Come and see what's special about space cameras.
  • How Do You Transport Goods in Space? - Come and see how our 2nd year Space Engineering class solved this classic problem. Try out their space launchers yourselves.
  • Geomatics Engineering - wiring the world through revolutionary positioning, sensing, tracking and three-dimensionalizing technologies! Come and see for yourself how Geomatics Engineering technologies are used for disaster monitoring, urban planning, navigation and Google Earth!
• The Phoenix Mission to Mars - Come and see videos and meet York scientists involved in developing the instruments aboard this NASA/CSA mission, scheduled to land this month!
• Images from the Hubble Space Telescope - See the spectacular images sent back to Earth over the 18 years since its launch.
• OSIRIS - Come and learn how this Canadian instrument measures light in the atmosphere from space and perform your own experiment!
• Tour the York University Observatory - Come and see our 40 and 60 cm computer-controlled telescopes. Note no viewing will be available until 9 pm.
• How do Astronauts Tell Which Way is Up? York researchers are investigating the effects of a zero-gravity environment on human perception. See videos and posters detailing their work.

5:00pm - 7:30 pm - Café Scientifique - The Race to Mars... Should We Go?
This Café Scientifique will be a meeting of experts from diverse fields to exchange their opinions on missions to Mars. With backgrounds ranging from aerospace engineering, human physiology, robotics to bioethics, the experts will engage participants in a discussion within the relaxed atmosphere of this University pub.

• What are the risks involved in going to Mars?
• Should we just continue to send robots?
• Do we know enough to be able to safely send humans to the surface of Mars?
• Is it ethical to ask astronauts to commit to such a risky venture?

Experts: Eric Choi, Aerospace Engineer; Richard Dyde, PhD, Centre for Vision Research, York University; Melissa Battler, Planetary Science Research Group, University of Western Ontario; and Jim Freemantle, Project Manager for Phoenix MET Space Sensor, York University.

Find out more about the challenge of going to Mars, share your ideas and get in on the discussion!

Lounge will open at 4:30

7:30pm - Seeing in the Dark - a movie by Timothy Ferris - this award-winning PBS film takes viewers on an exploration of the universe in high-definition.

9:00pm-11:00pm - View the Stars - join members of the York University Astronomy Club at the Observatory as they guide you through a tour of the night sky. Use your own telescope to explore for yourself! NOTE - this event is weather contingent - clear skies required!

Parking and Directions

Parking at York for the Science Rendezvous will be located in the Arboretum Lane Parking Garage (#80 on the campus map). Parking is $7 for the day.

For a map of York's Keele Campus or for information on how to get to the campus click here When you arrive on campus, follow the signs and balloons to parking and to registration in the Computer Science and Engineering Building.