To Infinity and Beyond: Celebrating Hubble at the Kennedy Space Center

 

IMG_0057So far, in three years, our Research On the Road speaker series has traveled many places to showcase Penn State research. From the halls of the National Press Club and the recording studios of Nashville, to Caribbean coral reefs and the apiaries of Vermont, we’ve been logging the miles to introduce the public and alumni alike to the stories and people behind our world-class research institution. However, until last month, we had never left the planet, let alone the solar system.

That has all changed now though, at least metaphorically. In late April, I traveled to Central Florida with Eric Ford, a professor in our Astronomy & Astrophysics department, for two Research On the Road events.

The first one gave Ford the chance to address colleagues and grad students in the University of Central Florida’s Planetary Sciences Group on the subject of planet formation theories. Despite my background in science writing, when a roomful of astrophysicists really let their hair down and talk shop among themselves, it’s a challenge to keep up!

There was a lively question and answer exchange throughout the talk, including from those watching the event via  a live streaming feed.

The group seemed to thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the chance to learn from and interact with Dr. Ford. And let it not be said that astrophysicists don’t have a sense of humor…

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We had to move really quickly (I’m tempted to call it warp speed) to arrive on time at the offices of WMFE , Central Florida’s public radio station for Eric’s interview with  Matthew Peddie, host of the popular “Intersection” news program.  (Scroll down on WMFE’s page for the audio link with Eric’s photo next to it.) It was exciting to know that Eric was able to share his expertise and the strength of Penn State’s department of astronomy and astrophysics with such a large listenership—there are over 2 million people in the greater Orlando area alone!

The next day we drove out to the Kennedy Space Center where Ford had been invited to be a featured speaker in their Visitor Center’s “Astronaut Encounter” theater, as part of #Hubble25, a year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope, with events planned by both NASA and the ESA (European Space Agency.) You know you’ve reached your destination in Cape Canaveral when you see this:

IMG_0003We had a little time to walk around the impressive complex, and the “History of Space Exploration” exhibit—including the actual Space Shuttle Atlantis, which we learned was “displayed as only spacewalking astronauts have seen her before — rotated 43.21 degrees with payload doors open and its Canadarm (robotic arm) extended, as it has just undocked from the International Space Station. ”

We then headed over to the Astronaut Encounter theater where Eric’s name was in lights.

His hour-long presentation focused on the ways in which the Hubble Space Telescope has contributed to our knowledge of deep space.

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In addition to the general public, we were pleased to have some Penn State alumni in the audience, including this couple who chatted with Ford after the program.

After the dust had settled, we ventured over to one of the space-themed cafes for a bite to eat, where sandwiches are given names like Blast-off BBQ, and looked around a bit more before departing. That’s when I met the wandering astronaut (who I’d been informed can only stay in his spacesuit costume for 10 or 15 minutes at a time due to the Florida heat!) and grabbed a photo op.

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I sent this photo to my little girl who perhaps momentarily believed Mom had gone on a work trip to outer space with a real live space man. And, in a way, that’s how this “out of this world” Research On the Road experience felt!

I sent this photo to my little girl who perhaps momentarily believed Mom had gone on a work trip to outer space with a real live space man. And, in a way, that’s how this “out of this world” Research On the Road experience felt!

Where will be blasting off to next? Tune in soon to find out.

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