09/29/10 bdb

HAYS, Kan. -- Fort Hays State University turns its eyes to the heavens to celebrate Space Week 2010, the largest public space event on earth, from Oct. 4-10 with activities, presentations and prizes.

World Space Week was declared by the United National General Assembly in 1999 "to celebrate each ear at the international level the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition."

A public rocket launch from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3, will be held at the Ellis County Fairgrounds. Rocket registration is encouraged. In the case of high winds or inclement weather, this event will be canceled.

At noon on Monday, Oct. 4, Larry Railing, an FHSU alumni and former software engineer for the NASA Apollo program will present a program, "Memories of the Apollo Program," at Forsyth Library on the FHSU campus.

Noon on Tuesday, Oct. 5, will bring Christopher Orwoll, president and CEO of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, to present "The Russian Space Program," in Forsyth Library. At 7 p.m., the Science Café at Semolino's will feature a presentation called "The Face on Mars: A Critical Look," by Dr. John Heinrichs, chair of FHSU's Department of Geosciences.

From noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, a representative of the English Department will hold science fiction readings in the Cody Commons in the Memorial Union. On Thursday at the same time and place, Dr. Paul Adams, Anschutz Professor of Education, and Heinrichs will face off with students during "Space Champs or Space Chumps," where students are encouraged to prepare their most challenging space questions in an attempt to stump the professors. Prizes will be awarded.

Forsyth Library will host a NASA-sponsored display about the planets. All events are open to the public. Space Week 2010 is sponsored by the Science and Mathematics Education Institute, Forsyth Library and the Department of Geosciences.