Astronomy on Tap: Dark Matter and Mars-based Meteorites

We had our final Astronomy on Tap event for Pasadena Astronomy Week.  Pasadena Astronomy Week is a series of events showcasing the ways in which Pasadena-based institutions have made important contributions to the field of astronomy and astrophysics.  Tonight's event was packed with people, partially due to the final presidential debate being on the televisions here, and partially due to the LA Dodgers playoff game bringing people in.  Fortunately, the debate ended just as we were set to start, but we left the game on mute on a few of the televisions so as to not incite a riot by baseball fans.

All photographs were taken by Christophe Marcade.

Our first speaker of the night was Dr. James Ashley, a scientists at JPL, who studies meteorites.  He taught us all about meteorites from other planets, and the vast amount of information we can learn about these planetary surfaces and atmosphere from them.  Thanks, James!

Our final speaker of the night was graduate student, Denise Schmitz, who gave us the straight dope on dark matter, what it is, how we know it's there, and how we might be able to learn more about it. It was a really spectacular talk, and everyone enjoyed it.

Thanks to everyone who came out to our events this week, and check out some of the other Pasadena Astronomy Week events through Saturday.  For more photographs from these Astronomy on Tap nights, check out the Pasadena Astronomy Week photo page.

--Cameron