MIT-Caltech Sky’s the Limit Observatory stargazing with Dr. Sara Seager
Please join the MIT club of San DIego as they return to the Sky’s the Limit Observatory in Twentynine Palms for another spectacular evening of desert stargazing, with MIT professor Dr. Sara Seager presenting "Venus as a Potentially Habitable Planet." Dr. Seager will have a brief lecture (below) followed by stargazing.
Prior to the evening event, from 3:30–4:30 pm, there will be a relaxed hour and meet & greet with Dr. Seager at the Twentynine Palms Inn, with cocktails and small bites available for purchase.
Given the timing of this nighttime event, we do recommend an overnight stay in Twentynine Palms.
"Venus as a Potentially Habitable Planet":
Scientists have been speculating on Venus as a habitable world for over half a century, not the scorching surface, but the much cooler atmosphere at 48 to 60 km above the surface. The concept is that Venus’ perpetual cloud cover might host life, as Earth’s clouds do. The Venus clouds, however, are not made of water but are composed of concentrated sulfuric acid—an aggressive chemical that is toxic for Earth life. New lab-based experiments show some biomolecules are stable in concentrated sulfuric acid, and advance the notion that the Venus atmosphere environment may be able to support complex chemicals needed for life and motivate the astrobiology-focused Morning Star Missions to Venus.
Event Details:
When: Saturday September 12, at 7:00pm. The event is expected to last 2.5-3 hours.
Where: Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center, 9697 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms, California 92277
Cost: $45 per member of Ivy + Clubs of San Diego. Profits will be donated to the Sky's the Limit non-profit organization as a STEM donation.
Participation: Capacity for this event is limited. Families and children are welcome, however the program is best for children 7 years and older, given the opticals required for telescope viewing and the dark light nature of the event (only red light is allowed on campus once the telescopes are out). Please reach out to the MIT Club organizers if you have any questions on participation, age, accessibility, etc.
Meals: Please plan on eating ahead of the event. Come join us at the Happy Hour ahead of the evening event! We will organize a pay-your-own way dinner after the happy hour and ahead of the stargazing event for those interested.
Accomodation: Participants are requested to make their own travel/hotel plans if they plan to stay overnight Saturday evening or the entire weekend. There are plenty of rental houses, hotels, motels, and camping options. There are also many local events, restaurants, hikes, etc. in the area for those planning a weekend trip (see https://visit29.org/ for more information). And of course, Joshua Tree National Park. See the Accomodation tab for discounts at the local Inns.
Additional Information:
- The best stargazing is on nights nearest the new moon because the bright desert moon obscures all but the brightest stars. The Milky Way should be visible!
- Temperatures will likely be very warm during the daytime, but they will drop at night. Jackets, layers, blankets, heat pads, etc., will make the nighttime stargazing much more comfortable.
- Twentynine Palms is approximately 2.5-3 hours from San Diego / Los Angeles. If anyone wishes to carpool, contact the MIT organizers who can help facilitate connections.