On June 30, you can hold a meteorite in your hand, learn about the thrill and the threat of asteroids and observe the sun through a special solar telescope during Asteroid Day at Western University.
The free public event homes in on the unique expertise of Western’s Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration and Department of Physics and Astronomy. Asteroid Day is a worldwide series of events about the figurative and literal impact an asteroid might make on the planet. The date honours the anniversary of the largest impact in recent history, the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia, which represented an energy about 1,000 times greater than that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan.
The afternoon will include talks by world-renowned meteorite and asteroid experts, Professors Peter Brown and Paul Wiegert. Members of the public can also bring in rocks they think might be meteorites and get expert analysis from internationally recognized meteorite expert Audrey Bouvier on whether or not their rocks actually fell from the sky.
WHAT: Asteroid Day at Western, by the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration
WHEN: Friday, June 30, 2 – 5 p.m.
WHERE: Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory at Western University
ACTIVITIES TO NOTE: Fascinating talks by meteorite and asteroid experts, impact-crater activity, meteorite/terrestrial rock analysis, solar observations through a solar telescope. All free to the public.
FOR MORE: http://cpsx.uwo.ca/outreach/public_events/asteroid_day.html
CONTACT: Dr. Parshati Patel, Outreach Program Coordinator, Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration, 519-661-2111 ex 88508 and cpsxoutreach@uwo.ca
MEDIA CONTACT: Debora Van Brenk, Media Relations Officer, Western University, 519-661-2111 x85165, or on mobile at 519-318-0657 and deb.vanbrenk@uwo.ca
ABOUT WESTERN: Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.
