The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM), in partnership with the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association (GRAAA) and the Roger B. Chaffee Scholarship, is proud to present a unique opportunity to hear from one of the foremost experts in the field of planetary exploration, Dr. Brent J. Bos. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at the Meijer Theater at the GRPM. Admission is free, with preregistration recommended to ensure admission.
During his presentation: My Trips Through the Solar System – 25 Years of Planetary Exploration and Discovery, Dr. Bos will take a retrospective look at projects aimed at exploring Mars, discuss ongoing missions exploring asteroids, and provide a sneak peek into upcoming missions to Venus and Mars that are set to launch within the next ten years.
“We are beyond excited to announce this upcoming event featuring Dr. Brent J. Bos,” said Dave DeBruyn, Curator Emeritus of the Chaffee Planetarium, “Dr. Bos’s presentation promises to be both fascinating and inspiring, providing a retrospective look at 25 years of planetary exploration for what is sure to be an unforgettable evening of science and discovery.”
Dr. Bos, a Western Michigan native and a senior research scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, has had a distinguished career working on NASA programs to explore the Solar System via robotic spacecraft. Throughout his career, Dr. Bos has played key roles as an imaging and optical systems expert for high-profile science missions, including the Phoenix Mars Lander, the much-publicized OSIRIS-REx mission, and the upcoming DAVINCI Venus probe and Mars Sample Return Mission.
In addition to his presentation on Wednesday, Dr. Bos will also be conducting sessions with school and college science students during his two-day visit. On Thursday, April 27 at 6 p.m., he will be the featured speaker for the annual dinner at the Museum honoring this year’s recipient of the prestigious Roger B. Chaffee Scholarship, Isaac Mekaru of Forest Hills Northern High School. The GRPM has been a collaborator in presenting this annual dinner over many years following the naming of its planetarium after Roger Chaffee in 1967.
For reservations and cost, and to RSVP for the annual dinner, please contact David Pequet, Treasurer, at 630-325-7090 or via email at dave@mpi-invest.com.
