Perseverance to Reach Mars will be presented Jan. 7-Feb. 18 at WKU’s Hardin Planetarium. Hardin Planetarium’s free of charge public shows are offered every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

NASA’s Perseverance Rover will reach Mars on Feb. 18 to begin its search for signs of ancient microbial life, and characterizing environmental conditions that could affect future astronauts living and working on Mars. Perseverance will be only the fifth rover to attempt landing on Mars – when less than 50% of the missions ever sent to Mars by any space agency have been successful. The mission for this 1-ton, compact-car sized, nuclear-powered science laboratory on 6-wheels is to navigate around Jezero Crater’s ancient river delta, analyzing 3½ billion-year-old samples formed when Mars was still wet.

Perseverance to Reach Mars has a 35-minute running time, with time for questions at the end of the presentation. Suitable for all ages. No ticket required and no reservations accepted. The show will begin on time, with no late entrance permitted.

Masks are to be worn at all times within the building. Our temporarily limited capacity provides for substantial distancing in Hardin Planetarium’s large spaces. Guest names and phone numbers will be collected for contact tracing, and seating is assigned by planetarium staff. Shortly before the show, attendees will be guided to their assigned seats within the domed star chamber. While waiting to be seated, guests are encouraged to explore the exhibits, moving counter-clockwise through the Ring Hall. The planetarium is located at 1501 State St.

More information is available by calling (270) 745-4044 or visiting the planetarium website at https://www.wku.edu/hardinplanetarium/

Contact: Chris Chandler, (270) 745-4044