Former Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin addresses the crowd at Macky Auditorium on the CU campus on Tuesday evening, March 3, 2015 during his presentation “A Unified Space Vision.” (Photo: Jonathan Castner)
Apollo 11 astronaut, space exploration pioneer and all-around brilliant dude, Buzz Aldrin, will make an appearance in Highlands Ranch to talk to kids about — what else — life on Mars.
“Welcome to Mars: Making a Home on the Red Planet” was released Sept. 1 and invites kids to imagine a course to Mars exploration and settlement. (National Geographic Children’s Books, 2015)
On Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m., Aldrin, and his sidekick, Mission Director of Aldrin Enterprises, Christina Korp, will be at the, 9292 S Ridgeline Blvd, to chat about Aldrin’s vision for Mars exploration and settlement, and specifically how kids can get involved.
The event is free, but there is currently a waiting list for the event and space is limited. You can .
Why kids, you ask? Aldrin, along with , recently released the children’s book “” through National Geographic Children’s Books, which teaches children about all the missions to Mars so far, and then explains steps to get to, explore and eventually colonize the Red Planet.
Edwin E. ‘Buzz’ Aldrin poses for a photo on the surface of the moon in July, 1969. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, who shot the photo, is reflected in Aldrin’s face mask, as are the lunar module, the U.S. flag and a television camera. (Photo: NASA)
Aldrin has long been a proponent of Mars exploration and settlement, even to the point of coming up with spacecraft designs and step-by-step strategies, so it’s no surprise he’s brought this down to a kid’s level.
“Young readers learn what they will need to get to Mars (and what they won’t need on the Red Planet — such as a lawn mower, coat, umbrella, bug spray and a boat) and are introduced to activities that help explain the conditions on the planet, incorporating string, toy cars, microwaves, marshmallows and balloons into various explorations,” .
The event is free, but there is currently a waiting list for the event and space is limited. You can add your name to the list here.
Please note, Aldrin will only sign copies of the children’s book “Welcome to Mars” or his previously released book, “Mission to Mars,” so if you’re hoping to get that Apollo 11 patch signed, you’re out of luck.
