Potential signs of life on Mars topic of open house

KOKOMO, Ind. - Learn more about evidence of ancient microbial life found on Mars during the October free Observatory open house at Indiana University Kokomo this Sunday (October 12).

Patrick Motl, professor of physics, will begin the open house at 8 p.m. with discussion of a recently published paper in the journal Nature that says a sample collected by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover from an ancient dry riverbed in Jezero Crater could preserve evidence of ancient microbial life. Taken from a rock named "Cheyava Falls" last year, the sample, called "Sapphire Canyon," contains potential biosignatures, but requires more study or data before a conclusion can be reached about the presence or absence of life.

After the presentation, stargazers may be able to see Saturn and highlights from the summer triangle through the Observatory's telescopes. They include a six-inch Takahashi refracting telescope and a 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope mounted together. The Takahashi provides exceptionally sharp images of planets, while the Meade allows viewers to see fainter objects in the sky, due to its larger light-collecting area.

Observation will continue through 10 p.m., weather permitting.

The Observatory is at 2660 S. Washington Street. Free parking is available on campus.