PSI Scientist Among Three Tucson-based Mars Experts Featured on NPR Science Broadcast

September 17, 2008 - Bill Hartmann, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, headquartered in Tucson, Ariz., will be one of three panelists talking with National Public Radio host Ira Flatow this Friday on NPR's Talk of the Nation® Science Friday.

The program will focus on Mars exploration and will be broadcast live from The University of Arizona's Phoenix Science Operations Center in Tucson between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. PDT.

UA Professors Peter Smith and Alfred McEwen will join Hartmann in fielding questions from callers regarding current exploration efforts on and around the Red Planet.

Smith is principal investigator for NASA's Phoenix Lander Mission and McEwen is the principal investigator for the HiRISE camera that is flying aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.

Hartmann is an internationally known scientist, writer, and painter. His research involves cratering studies on Mars and other bodies in our solar system as well as research on the origin and evolution of planets and planetary surfaces. He has written several textbooks, popular non-fiction books and novels, including the science-fiction novel "Mars Underground."

Hartmann's paintings of astronomical themes have appeared in books, magazines and exhibits, and he has twice had paintings commissioned by the NASA Fine Arts Program.

Science Friday will give listeners around the world a chance to learn more about the Mars missions that are making headlines and a chance to get their questions answered by researchers who are directly involved in Mars exploration.

Although tickets for the show are sold out, listeners can tune into the broadcast on KUAZ 89.1FM/1550AM in Tucson and on other NPR stations across the country.

The program also is broadcast live on the Science Friday web site.

To become part of the conversation, call 1-800-989-TALK (1-800-989-8255).

Funding for this broadcast comes from Arizona Public Media's membership and from the Research Corporation for the Advancement of Science, The University of Arizona College of Science, The University of Arizona Foundation, The University of Arizona Office of External Relations, and The University of Arizona Vice President for Research.

Talk of the Nation® Science Friday reaches more than 3 million listeners a week on more than 200 NPR member stations.

The Planetary Science Institute is a private, nonprofit corporation founded in 1972 and dedicated to solar system exploration. It is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.

PSI scientists are involved in numerous NASA and international missions, the study of Mars and other planets, the Moon, asteroids, comets, interplanetary dust, impact physics, the origin of the solar system, extra-solar planet formation, dynamics, the rise of life, and other areas of research. They conduct fieldwork in North America, Australia and Africa. They also are actively involved in science education and public outreach through school programs, children's books, popular science books and art.

The Institute's researchers are based in 15 states, the United Kingdom, Russia, Switzerland and Australia.