LOCATION: Prescott Public Library, Founders’ Suite
SPEAKER(S):
- Rik Hill, Sr. Research Specialist, University of Arizona, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory’s Catalina Sky Survey
- Robert Ward, Iron From the Sky Meteorites “www.ironfromthesky.com“
- Dolores Hill, Sr. Research Specialist, University of Arizona, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory and OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission communication and public engagement team.
COMMENTS: Our speakers explained how we investigate these rocky bodies on their journey from the sky to the ground to the laboratory, sharing exciting news about asteroid discoveries, recoveries of meteorites and research from an Arizona perspective.
University of Arizona’s Catalina Sky Survey observer Rik Hill described what really happens when a suspected near-Earth object or impostor is spotted.
Prescott native and meteorite hunter/collector extraordinaire Robert Ward regaled us with tales of his meteorite-hunting adventures around the planet, and gave us a rare opportunity to see some favorites from his world-class collection.
Meteorite specialist Dolores Hill spoke about the importance of fresh meteorite falls as pieces of asteroids, what is learned from them and why we are sending a spacecraft to retrieve a sample.
Arizona is home to the best preserved meteorite crater in the world, several of the world’s largest meteorite falls, an array of telescopes dedicated to the discovery of near-Earth objects, and the central operations for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample return mission to asteroid Bennu. A number of groundbreaking asteroid and meteorite research institutions were in operation long before such work was appreciated.
Today they are still at the forefront of planetary science, leaders in near-Earth object discoveries, meteorite research and innovative NASA missions to asteroids. Along the way, amateur scientists have assisted in these endeavors and you can, too!