Yale Astronomy & Astrophysics Colloquium: “Becoming Interplanetary: Grappling with the Human Side of Mars Exploration” Lucianne Walkowicz - Adler Planetarium, Chicago

In this talk, I will discuss my work as the Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology. The Blumberg Chair is a unique position, created to foster research at the intersection of astrobiology (the search for and study of life in the universe), and its implications for society. During my residency, I have been exploring the ethics of Mars exploration, with a focus on equity and inclusion in the sciences. I will talk about my role, the ethical dilemmas posed by human space exploration and their intersections with our challenges here on Earth, and some of the unique opportunities working at the Library offers.