Presentations About Mars
By Jim Plaxco
For almost 20 years I have been giving presentations on the topics of space exploration, astronomy, and the solar system. My specialty has always been the exploration of Mars. Venues for my programs have included schools, libraries, museums, including the Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Science and Industry, science fiction conventions, including the World Science Fiction Convention, astronomy clubs, scout groups, senior citizen groups, and space exploration organizations, including the International Space Development Conference.
If you are in the Chicago area and would like to have a presentation about the exploration of Mars given to your group, please contact me at the following email address:
Following is a list of my current Mars related presentations.
- Title
- Mars As Art
- Format
- Computer or 35mm slides
- Duration
- 45 to 90 minutes based on audience requirements
- Synopsis
- This program looks at the planet Mars on an artistic level using digital images of the planet taken by the Mars Global Surveyor and Viking missions. Included is an overview of the Mars Global Surveyor mission and camera, a selection of processed images of the martian surface along with elementary explanations of said processing, and a selection of the Mars derived digital art. All images of Mars featured in the program were created by the speaker.
- Title
- Behold Mars
- Format
- Computer
- Audience:
- Junior High and Up.
- Duration:
- 30 - 60 minutes
- Synopsis:
- This program looks at the geology of planet Mars using images of Mars as taken by the Mars Global Surveyor and the Viking Orbiter missions and as processed by the speaker.
- Title
- Mars Science As Art Using Subjective Image Processing
- Format
- Computer
- Audience:
- Junior High and Up
- Duration:
- 30 - 60 minutes
- Synopsis:
- The combination of NASA mission data archives being made available via the Internet, image processing software, and powerful home computers has made it possible for the public to access and process Mars robotic mission imaging data on their own. This presentation provides an overview of the entire image processing workflow, including the techniques of contrast enhancement, noise removal, and false color application.
- Title
- Martian Marvels and Mysteries
- Format
- Computer
- Duration:
- 30 - 60 minutes
- Synopsis:
- Take a visual tour of Planet Mars and its many oddities. The polar caps, valleys, volcanoes, craters and dune fields are all explored. Emphasis is on imagery returned by the Mars Global Surveyor mission.
- Title
- The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
- Format
- Computer
- Audience:
- Junior High and Up.
- Duration:
- 30 - 60 minutes
- Synopsis:
- An overview of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission to Mars. In addition to coverage of the mission's goals, a brief overview is provided of previous missions to Mars and their findings summarized.
- Title
- Mars Oddities - Mars Odyssey
- Format
- 35mm slides
- Duration:
- 60 - 120 minutes
- Synopsis:
- A brief introduction to the Mars Odyssey mission and a detailed look at the data returned by the Mars Global Surveyor. Emphasis will be placed on the images produced by the Mars Observer Camera. The central focus will be on geologically significant images and unusual features seen no where else in the Solar System.
- Title
- The Intelligent Travelers Guide to Mars
- Format
- 35mm slides
- Duration:
- 60 minutes
- Synopsis:
- Learn how to find your way around Mars. Coverage includes feature names, the quadrangle system, major geologic features, martian geologic ages, the east vs west longitude systems, and the martian orbit and seasons.