The New Horizons spacecraft is speeding towards 冥王星 for its first close look of the dwarf planet. The spacecraft’s closest approach will take place on Tuesday, July 14 and Nebraska Wesleyan will celebrate with a “冥王星palooza” event.
Beginning at 7 p.m. in Nebraska Wesleyan’s planetarium, physics professor Nathaniel Cunningham will talk about the New Horizons mission and its significance. Since 2006, Cunningham has assisted a team with the Southwest 研究 Institute in collecting data from an instrument on board the New Horizons spacecraft. NASA is hoping New Horizons and its scientific instruments can answer questions about 冥王星, including what its atmosphere is made of and what its surface looks like.
晚上8点.m., attendees will watch a live stream from NASA’s 任务 Control as they await contact from the New Horizons spacecraft and receive updates about the flyby. 冥王星-related children’s activities will also be available throughout the 冥王星palooza event. The event will conclude at 8:30 p.m.
Nebraska Wesleyan’s planetarium is located inside the Olin Hall of Science, located one block east of 50th Street and St. 保罗大街. The event is free and open to the public.