Voices in Science Lectures

Monthly public lectures for adults and older children presenting eminent scientists and currently newsworthy "hot topics" in science, or topics that relate to the Museum's exhibits, DynaTheater films, or Planetarium shows.

Museum Coordinator: Tish Morris, 505-841-2882

More Information: Chris Sanchez, 505-841-2872, or email programs.NMMNHS@state.nm.us

Taking Earth's Pulse and Temperature Using Seismology: Roaring Oceans and Singing Icebergs
Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 PM in the DynaTheater
A IRIS/SSA Distinguished Lecture by Rick Aster, Ph.D.

Icebergs sing! Scientists recently have used earthquake monitoring equipment (seismographs) to record hours-long collisions between Earth's largest icebergs gyrating under the influence of ocean currents and causing the icebergs to “sing” with a newly discovered type of seismic and acoustic tremor. Seismographs are also recording aspects of Earth's climate. Buried in the background of worldwide seismic recordings are “microseisms”—seismic waves created by ocean waves pounding the coast and interacting with the sea floor. Extreme storms occurring during the Arctic winter produce waves that propagate to Antarctica and influence iceberg behavior. Dr. Aster and his colleagues have looked at over 35 years of global seismic recordings and have been able to reconstruct a unique record of ocean-storm intensity. Early evidence suggests that the number of violent ocean storms across the planet and their associated ocean waves have been increasing during the past three decades. Join Dr. Aster as he explores unsuspected linkages between climate, oceanography, seismology, and glaciology.

Rick Aster joined the faculty at New Mexico Tech in 1991 and is currently a Professor of Geophysics and Chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science. Much of his research uses seismology to learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, and unusual seismic sources, like icequakes and explosions, and to image the structure of the deep Earth. In addition to the work described above, he is currently studying the upper mantle beneath the Rocky Mountains, the activity of Mount Erebus Volcano in Antarctica, and seismic activity in New Mexico.

Sponsored by The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS), the Seismological Society of America (SSA), and the Geological Society of America.

Cost: $2 public/$1 members, seniors, students. Contact Chris Sanchez to reserve seating at 505-841-2872 or email programs.NMMNHS@state.nm.us

Five+ Years on Mars
Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 PM in the DynaTheater
A Voices in Science Lecture by Larry Crumpler, Ph.D.

Dr. Crumpler has been a Scientist on the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Mission though its entire 5+ years on Mars. Those two golf cart-sized rovers have traveled several miles across the surface, looking at the terrain on opposite sides of the planet. This is the first true geologic exploration of another planet. “Opportunity” has explored a large impact crater; “Spirit” has climbed a mountain. Both have shown there was water in Mars’ ancient geologic history. They have been working for over five years—way beyond the expectations of their designers, and now, we can actually track the Rovers as they move across the planet with new images from the HiRISE orbiter. Dr. Crumpler has sold out the last two talks given this spring, so he is giving another talk to mark the opening of our new exhibit Space Frontiers.

Dr. Larry Crumpler is Research Curator at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. He is a Scientist on the NASA-Mars Exploration Rover Mission and on HiRISE, part of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which is now providing high-resolution images of Mars. He has been having a great time being a “field geologist” on another planet. Come hear some of the stories of this groundbreaking expedition on Mars from our local expert.

$7 adults, $6 members/seniors, $4 students.
Purchase tickets in advance online to guarantee your seats, or at the door before the talk; doors open at 6:15 PM

Chaco Astronomy
Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 PM in the DynaTheater
A Voices in Science Lecture by Anna Sofaer with Paul Pino

High on a butte in New Mexico's Chaco Canyon at summer solstice in 1977, Anna Sofaer encountered an astonishing phenomenon—a single shaft of light bisecting a spiral petroglyph, crafted long ago by the ancestors of today's Pueblo people. Her recognition of its significance led to thirty years of research and recovery regarding astronomical expressions in the complex architecture and art of an ancient people. These efforts changed forever our perception of the meaning and purpose of Chaco. Ms. Sofaer will present information from her new book documenting thirty years of research regarding the “Sun Dagger” site, lunar and solar alignments of the major Chaco buildings, and implications of the true function of the Great North Road. Chaco Astronomy is featured in the Museum's new exhibit Space Frontiers.

Ms Sofaer will be joined by Paul Pino, Tribal Council Member and former War Chief of Laguna Pueblo. He will speak of his insights about Puebloan heritage and its relationship to Chaco. Anna Sofaer is Director of the non-profit Solstice Project, that conducts research, preservation and education efforts on the astronomical expressions of the Chacoan Culture of the Southwest. She has worked with anthropologists, astronomers, geographers, and modern Pueblo people. She produced, directed and co-wrote “The Mystery of Chaco Canyon” shown on PBS and National Geographic channels.

$7 adults, $6 members/seniors, $4 students.
Purchase tickets in advance online to guarantee your seats, or at the door before the talk; doors open at 6:15 PM

The Paleontology of New Mexico
Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00 PM in the DynaTheater
A Voices in Science Lecture by Barry Kues, Ph.D.

With a fossil record from each geologic period of the past 500 million years, New Mexico contains a treasure of diverse paleontological deposits of national and international importance. Over 6,500 different species of fossil organisms have been documented in the state, including some fossils that have never been found elsewhere. Kues has recently updated and expanded his 1982 book Fossils of New Mexico into The Paleontology of New Mexico and will highlight some of New Mexico's key fossil wonders both plant and animal, large and small.

Barry S. Kues is a professor of paleontology in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of New Mexico. He is coeditor of ten books on New Mexico geology and paleontology, including Advances in San Juan Basin Paleontology and Geology of the Jemez Region II, and author of more than one hundred research papers on paleontology.

$2 public, $1 members/seniors/students
Questions/reserve tickets: 841-2872; chris.sanchez@state.nm.us, or at the door before the talk, doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Every Living Thing
Tuesday, August 4 at 7:00 PM in the DynaTheater
A Voices in Science Lecture by Rob Dunn, Ph.D.

If history is a lesson, there is more left to know than we have yet discovered about life on Earth. Rob Dunn will talk about the search for every living thing—and the limits and dimensions of life. We are not close to naming life, studying life, or even knowing the basic kinds of organisms. Dunn's new book traces the history of human discovery of life on Earth from the earliest classification systems to our efforts at finding every living thing in unpredictable places, and from the unimaginably small to the astoundingly distant. Dunn shares how tough and exhilarating it is to study the natural world, and why it matters.

Rob Dunn is an Assistant Professor of Ecology at North Carolina State University. His work has appeared in such popular sources as Natural History, BBC Wildlife and Seed Magazine. His new book, Every Living Thing: Man’s Obsessive Quest to Catalog Life from Nanobacteria to New Monkeys will be available for signing after the talk.

$2 public, $1 members/seniors/students
Questions/reserve tickets: 841-2872; chris.sanchez@state.nm.us, or at the door before the talk, doors open at 6:15 p.m.

All talks are at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
1801 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-841-2800

Questions? Call Tish Morris at 505-841-2882 or by e-mail  tish.morris@state.nm.us

Fore more information, contact Chris Sanchez at 505-841-2872, or email programs.NMMNHS@state.nm.us