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The Mars Institute Asia-Pacific Tour Successfully Concludes
The Mars Institute's Chairman Dr. Pascal Lee and CEO Marc Boucher spent the first few weeks of 2004 touring the Asia-Pacific region. Stops included Hong Kong, Sydney, Canberra, Tokyo and Yokohama. Dr. Pascal Lee gave nine public and technical lectures in front a variety of audiences. The Institute was warmly received wherever they went. Dr. Lee discussed ongoing progress in Mars science and exploration, from the latest advances in the robotic exploration of Mars to current renewed prospects for human missions to the Red Planet, in particular via analog research conducted here on Earth, in low Earth orbit, and perhaps soon again on the Moon. During the tour Dr. Lee and Mr. Boucher met not only with the public, but with colleagues from several different institutions including The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Australian Centre for Astrobiology at Maquarie University, Tokyo University and Yokohama National University. In addition an informal meeting was held with researchers at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS). The Asia-Pacific tour was the first leg of the Institute's first global Explore Mars Lecture Tour. The series of science talks and public lectures focuses on Mars science and exploration, past, present and future, offered in support of Mars research worldwide and the continuation of the Mars Institute's research and education programs. The 2004 Tour will continue by stops on the East and West coasts of North America in the Spring and Fall of 2004, and of Europe in the Fall of 2004. The Mars Institute would like to thank the following organizations and people for their support and hospitality on this trip; In Hong Kong, Kenneth Tsui our agent and friend, at the National Geographic Asia, Pauline Goh, Carmen Mak and their team, Karen Sit from the Hong Kong Space Museum, the team at Bentley Porter Novelli, and Dr. Chris Wong at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In Australia, Guy Murphy and Dr. Jonathan Clarke for really helping us get started, Carol Oliver and Dr. Malcolm Walter of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology, Glen Nagle at NASA's Canberra Deep Space Network center, Toner Stevenson and Geoffrey Wyatt at the Sydney Observatory. In Japan, Mr. Kiosuke Murakawa, Dr. Yoji Ishikawa, Dr. Takafumi Matsui, Dr. Hitoshi Mizutani, Dr. Hajime Yano, Dr. Kensei Kobayashi, Dr. Seiji Sugita, and Mr. Yoshitsugu Koizumi of the News Broadcasting Japan Company for arranging media opportunities. As well we would like to thank all those not mentioned by name. Selected photo's from the Asia-Pacific tour. Click on image for larger version and details. |
