Adelaide Guest Lecture: Was Mars Ever Alive?

Exciting discoveries are continually being made on our sister planet, Mars. NASA's rovers plus orbiting satellites have revealed many, often unexpected features.  Bright ice exists only 50cm below the surface.  Martian river networks formed under semiarid climates, when floods alternated with long dry spells. Liquid surface water lasted at least 10,000 years. Strange vertical shafts cutting through lava flows may be windows into lava tunnels. Could these contain life? The newly arrived Curiosity is already increasing our understanding of Martian long history.

(Guest Lecture followed by monthly Adelaide branch meeting).

Assoc. Prof. Victor Gostin, M.Sc. (Melb), PhD (ANU)

Victor Gostin is a retired Associate Professor and an Honorary Visiting Research Fellow in Geology and Geophysics at the University of Adelaide, Australia. A graduate of Melbourne University with a PhD from the ANU, Canberra, Victor lectured in earth sciences at Adelaide University from 1970 to 2001. His scientific interests include the origins and evolution of the solar system and of life, meteorite impacts, earth history, environmental geoscience and the effects of natural phenomena on the course of human history. His other interests include sketching the Australian outback. Victor is keen to popularise earth and planetary sciences to the community through lectures and radio. As a result of recognising and proving that a unique rock layer in the ancient rocks of the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, was derived from a giant meteorite impact, he has been honoured by having an asteroid named after him (3640GOSTIN).

When : Sunday December 1st 2013

Time: 6.00 pm. Feel free to join us after the lecture. Meals can be purchased at affordable prices.

Place: Astor Hotel, 437 Pulteney Street (corner Gilles Street), Adelaide    http://theastor.com.au/

Please RSVP by email or phone if you plan to attend, and advise if having a meal (or for further information)

contact Marcia on 0417 800 956 or mt01@adam.com.au