"Would Leonardo da Vinci Make a Good Astrobiologist?” August 24, 2018 • 6:30pm - 8pm By Penelope J. Boston, Ph.D. Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Leonardo daVInci was a polymath across the arts, sciences, and engineering. If he lived today, how would he relate to the highly interdisciplinary field of Astrobiology? Would he be one of our greatest astrobiologists ever? How can today’s astrobiologists and interested citizens be “Leonardo-like” as we contemplate the question of whether there are other lifeforms in our own Solar System and beyond on the myriad of exoplanets around our neighboring stars? Dr. Boston, Director of NASA's Astrobiology Institute, is an internationally recognized scientist who also explores art along with the interdisciplinary aspects of astrobiology. She studies extremophiles (extreme microbial lifeforms) on Earth and the possibilities of similar life on other planets. Prior to her appointment with NASA she was founder and director of the Cave and Karst Studies Program, and faculty member at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro. She has been featured in many science documentaries shown on PBS and National Geographic. She has a B.S. in microbiology, geology, and psychology, and a M.S. in microbiology and atmospheric chemistry. She earned her Ph.D. from University of Colorado Boulder. This lecture is sponsored by the New Mexico Academy of Science in partnership with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.

First Friday Fractals shows at 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. are more informational and include videos that explain a bit about the math behind the most popular fractal (the Mandelbrot set) and provide an overview of the Fractal Foundation’s education and outreach program. These shows include an equal mix of 2D and 3D zooms. Fractals Rock! shows are “less talk, more rock!” and run at 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. Typically, they include more 3D fractal zooms, which can make some people motion sick, and do not include much explanation about what fractals are or the Fractal Foundation’s education and outreach. We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance, as all of these shows are popular, and tend to sell-out. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (60+), and $5 for kids 3 - 12 yrs. Any tickets not sold prior to 5:00 p.m. on the day of the show will be available for purchase at the museum's boxoffice. Because the demand for these shows is high we must enforce a general no refunds policy. We cannot allow late seating for your safety, and for the viewing experience of those already seated for the shows. Please plan to be at least 15 minutes early to your show. Call (505)841-2869 with any questions. Click here for 6:00 p.m. tickets. Click here for 7:00 p.m. tickets. Click here for 8:00 p.m. tickets. Click here for 9:00 p.m. tickets.

Dance to a Variety music mix (swing, country, Latin, ballroom) by DJ Frank Age 21+ (ID required)

Members of the New Horizons science and engineering teams will present the stunning images and science gathered during the Pluto flyby and future plans for this ongoing mission.

NM-PBS Science Cafe Chasing Pluto Saturday, September 22 • 10am to Noon