ARTEMIS: BACK TO THE MOON AND ON TO MARS
Professor Don Kurtz, astronomer, Centre for Space Research, Physics Department, North-West University
Monday 18–Friday 22 January < 11.15 am < COURSE FEES R575; Staff and students R290
More than 50 years after the first 12 humans set foot on the Moon, NASA, China and the European Space Agency (ESA) have plans to put people back on the Moon in the next few years. The NASA programme is called Artemis; the Chinese programme is Chang’e; and the ESA programme is Argonaut. The Artemis programme has the goal of using the Moon as a stage for humans en route to Mars. What adventures! But is there anything beyond this?
The Moon and Mars expeditions promise great scientific returns but, with the rapid advances in robotry and Artificial Intelligence, is it better to send humans, or robots? This course will look at Artemis I and II, already flown, and look forward to Artemis III, IV and V that are intended to give humans a base on the Moon. The scientific advantages of going to the Moon will be discussed, along with visions of economic exploitation of lunar rare earths, and fears of environmental impact. The course will look in detail at the nature, origin and beauty of the Moon, Mars, and other moons of the outer solar system, as well as at upcoming robotic exploration of Jupiter’s moons.
Lecture titles
1. Artemis: back to the Moon and on to Mars
2. All about the Moon
3. All about Mars
4. The hurtling moons of Barsoom
5. The weird and wonderful moons of the outer solar system
TO BOOK: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/performance.aspx?itemid=1602823357