GRIFFITH PARK—A lecture and book signing event will explore the appeal of space adventure and colonization of Titan at the Griffith Observatory on Thursday, November 17.
The event will feature Planetary Scientist Amanda Hendrix, who worked 12 years at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Charles Wohlforth, who has authored 10 books and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science and Technology. Together, they plan to make a case for colonizing space on Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, stating on the Friends of the Observatory website that: “Titan offers the most realistic, and thrilling, prospect of life without the support from Earth.”
Hendrix was an investigator on the Cassini mission to Saturn and has focused her research on the moons of Saturn and said the nitrogen atmosphere, weather cycle and large supply of cheap energy make it a much more desired location for colonization than Mars.
The lecture will go in depth about the golden age of space science and the increasing interest by entrepreneurs who see the commercial potential of space travel. Wohlforth and Hendrix will also look at the challenges space travel currently faces such as the political and bureaucratic obstacles that must be overcome before space science can advance further.
The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Price for admission is $10 for Friends of the Observatory members and $25 for non-members. A book signing with the authors will follow at the Stellar Emporium.
