Repost: [nwsfs-announcements] NWSFS: Special Event Notice: Thursday, August 27, 2009

Posted on behalf of Michael Citrak - NWSFS Chair:

Michael Bradbury, a board member of the Northwest Science Writers Association wants to make sure we know about: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life: Is Anything or Anybody Out There?

A conversation featuring:

• Dr. Jill Tarter, director of the Institute’s Center for SETI Research, Bernard M. Oliver Chair, SETI Institute
• Dr. Don Brownlee, Department of Astronomy, University of Washington
• Moderator: Keith Seinfeld, health and science reporter, KPLU 88.5

Are we just searching for stardust, or are intelligent beings out there somewhere? Dr. Tarter, on whom the Jodie Foster character in the movie “Contact” is largely based, is a 2009 TED Award recipient. The TED Prize goes to thought-provoking, action-oriented individuals who have a good chance to change the world as we know it, and each winner is encouraged to "make a wish" for the change they want to see. Jill Tarter wished to "empower Earthlings everywhere to become active participants in the ultimate search for cosmic company.” Dr. Brownlee is PI of the NASA's Stardust comet sample return mission and works on cosmic dust, comets, astrobiology and STARDUST - a NASA Discovery mission to collect samples from a comet and bring them back to Earth. Dr. Brownlee co-authored a book titled "Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe".

Given their different stances, how are each conducting their research, and what sorts of specialized instruments are being used? If life does exist, where do they think it will be found and in what form? Should we bring back soil samples from Mars to test for life? What kind of funding is being allocated to the search, and what have they discovered to date or on the horizon that we might not know about? Join us for dessert, coffee* and thought provoking conversation. And don't forget your own questions for these experts as we discuss the possibility of life existing in our Solar System or beyond!

Thanks to:

• Event Chair: Dennis Schatz
• Supporting Sponsor: Experience Music Project | Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
• Co-presenting Organization: Boeing Employees' Astronomical Society, Northwest Science Writers Association, Pacific Science Center, and Washington NASA Space Grant A no host bar will be available.

Registration: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. | Reception: 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Program 7:00 - 8:00 Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009 Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Ticket Info

Tickets are $25 and include a coffee and dessert reception for Seattle City Club members, guests and the general public. Register by calling 206-682-7395 or by visiting Seattle City Club online: http://seattlecityclub.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=21

Venue
EMP|SFM
325 5th Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109