[meteorite-list] Be Our Guest: JPL Invites Public to Open House

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-134  

Be Our Guest: JPL Invites Public to Open House
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
May 04, 2011

PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory invites the public
to its annual Open House on Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15, from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. The event, themed "The Excitement of Explorations,"
invites visitors to share in the wonders of space through
high-definition and 3-D videos, live demonstrations, interactions with
scientists and engineers, and a first look at JPL's new Earth Science
Center.

The Earth Science Center showcases our home planet and JPL's Earth
science missions. Visitors will pass by two touchscreens located on
opposite walls of the facility that control real-time views of "Eyes on
the Earth," an interactive 3-D visualization website. Visitors will also
have the opportunity to watch a movie in the 3-D theater, which seats up
to 40 people.

Other Open House highlights include:

- A chance to see the most unique car in this world before it leaves
Earth: The next rover bound for Mars, Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity,
in the "clean room" before it is shipped to Florida for a November 2011
launch. Curiosity also stars in its own "reality TV show" via
live-streaming webcam: http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl .
- Life-size rover models in a "Mars" test bed.
- A perennial crowd-pleaser, the Robo-Dome, where a pair of 700-pound
robots glide in a high-tech arena under artificial stars. The Robo-Dome
is used to simulate complex maneuvers that could be used for future
space missions.
- JPL's Microdevices Lab, where engineers and scientists use tiny
technology to revolutionize space exploration.
- Solar-safe telescopes that allow visitors to see the sun.

Selected locations at Open House will be featured live online, with a
live chat available, on Ustream TV at: http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2 on
Sat., May 14, from 9 a.m. to noon PDT (noon to 3 p.m. EDT).

JPL is located at 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Calif., 91109.
Admission to Open House is free. Parking is also free, but is limited.
To get to JPL, take the Berkshire Avenue/Oak Grove Drive exit from the
210 Freeway in La Canada/Flintridge. All visitors should wear
comfortable shoes -- no buses will be provided from JPL parking lots.
JPL will provide vans for mobility-challenged guests.

Vehicles entering NASA/JPL property are subject to inspection. Visitors
cannot bring these items to NASA/JPL: weapons, explosives, incendiary
devices, dangerous instruments, alcohol, illegal drugs, pets, all types
of skates including skateboards, Segways and bicycles. No bags,
backpacks or ice chests are allowed, except small purses and diaper bags.

More information about JPL is online at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov .
Follow us via social media, including Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/NASAJPL> and Twitter
<http://twitter.com/#!/nasajpl> . A full list, with links, is at:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/social/ .

Media wishing to cover the event should RSVP to Priscilla Vega at
Priscilla.r.vega at jpl.nasa.gov or at 1-818-354-1357.

Priscilla Vega 818-354-1357
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
priscilla.r.vega at jpl.nasa.gov

2011-134