Earth and Space Open House: The Active Earth

Please join us for our second Earth and Space Open House of the Fall semester! 

This month, we will enjoy a keynote lecture, Exploring Earth’s Highest Mountains and Deepest Valleys from Professors Arjun Heimsath and Kelin Whipple at 7:40 p.m. in the Marston Exploration Theater.

About the speakers:

Drs. Kelin Whipple and Arjun Heimsath are professors in the School of Earth and Space Exploration. Their research focuses on geomorphology — the study of landforms and their evolution. In particular, they are interested in how the earth surface responds to and records human activity, climate change, and tectonics. This understanding is essential to understanding and mitigating natural hazards and minimizing detrimental impacts of human activity.

 Description:

The Earth remains the most fascinating and complex planetary system ever discovered. Exploration of Earth is vital as there is much we still do not understand about the interactions among climate, life, tectonics, and the evolving surface of our planet that so critically shape our environment. In this lecture, the speakers will share their experiences of exploration and discovery in some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth, including Arizona’s Grand Canyon, the Himalaya, and the Atacama Desert. Emphasis will be on how scientists approach extracting the secrets of a mysterious past, and the great adventures involved in this pursuit of knowledge.

What is Earth and Space Open House all about?

There are tons of exciting things to do and see at our open house events. Explore and interact with state-of-the-art science exhibits in the Gallery of Scientific Exploration. Listen to a captivating public lecture by Arizona State University scientists Kelin Whipple and Arjun Heimsath. Immerse yourself in space with 3-D planetarium shows in the Marston Exploration Theater. When the skies outside are clear, stargaze through telescopes and learn about the night sky. Talk with experts in astrobiology, earthquakes, the moon, Mars, meteorites, geology, space exploration, cosmology and much more. Finally, participate in a variety of hands-on science activities for all ages — some of which you can even take home!

Location:

This event will take place within the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building IV (ISTB4) on the ASU Tempe campus. Nearby, there will be telescope viewing (weather permitting) a short distance from the building.

For a map of ASU showing ISTB4, click here.

Plan on joining us?

ASU Earth and Space Open House will always happen, rain or shine. As always, admission is free!

What is there to do at the Open House?

• Come see the winter sky and view exciting celestial objects through our telescopes with the ASU Astronomy Club.
• Learn about Earth and its rocks with the GeoClub.
• Touch a rock from outer space! Stop by the Center for Meteorite Studies on the second floor
• View our out-of-this-world poster display.
• Have a question about the universe? Ask an astronomer!
• Find out all about the moon by stopping by the LROC table.
• See a full-scale replica of the Curiosity Rover currently on Mars and find out about the latest news about what is happening on the Red Planet.
• Make your own alien at the astrobiology table, but there's more to astrobiology than just aliens. Learn about the real science astrobiologists do.
• See how scientists measure earthquakes.
• Put on 3-D glasses and zoom through the cosmos with us.
• And much more!

For more details please visit us online: openhouse.sese.asu.edu

Event Schedule

6:15 p.m. — Doors open
6:45 p.m. — 3-D Planetarium show*
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Telescopes open for public viewing
7:40 p.m. — Keynote lecture: Exploring Earth’s Highest Mountains and Deepest Valleys from Professors Arjun Heimsath and Kelin Whipple 
8:50 p.m. — 3-D Planetarium show*
9:30 p.m. — Event ends

*The two 3-D planetarium shows and keynote lecture will be held in the Marston Exploration Theater. Please note that seating is first come, first served. Doors to the Marston Exploration Theater will open five minutes before the start of each show and the theater will be emptied following each presentation.

FAQs

What are my parking options?
ASU's Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building IV (ISTB4), the home of the School of Earth and Space Exploration (map), is located near the intersection of Rural and Terrace Road in Tempe on the east side of campus. This seven-story structure is ASU’s largest research facility and is accessible on foot via Orange Street and McAllister Avenue. If arriving by Light Rail, exit at the "University and Rural Road" stop.

Parking is available inside the Rural Road parking structure just east of ISTB4. From the parking structure, walk west and enter ISTB4 through the glass doors on the north side of the building. Please note that a parking fee is $3 per hour and is charged upon exiting the parking structure. There is additional paid parking directly south of ISTB4 available for $2 per hour. There is an automated payment registration kiosk on the parking lot's west side (the corner near the building).

Do I need to arrive early?
It is not recommended for guests to arrive early, as the doors to the building will only be open at 6:15 p.m. when the event begins.

Do I need to print my Eventbrite ticket(s)?

Please help us to be more GREEN and avoid printing your registration ticket(s). Instead, be sure to check-in at event registration with your last name. 

Want more info?
Email us at astopenhouse@gmail.com or leave us a comment by clicking here!