Las Vegas residents can find themselves lost in space

Heather Rawlyk

Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 | 4:16 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

September 25 - 26, 2004

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Library District is offering several free events through October. All events will take place at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd.

Oct. 9, 2 p.m. -- Opening Reception featuring speakers Audrey and Barent McCool, parents of the late Columbia astronaut William McCool.

Oct. 14, 7 p.m. -- Lecture by NASA Outreach Specialist Dr. Bill Carswell.

Oct. 23, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. -- Aviation and Aerospace Career Fair.

For more information about the NASA @your library Exhibit, the NASA Film Festival or other scheduled events, visit the Library District Web site at lvccld.org or call 734-7323.

Ever wonder what Earth looks like from orbit? What living in space is really like or what it's like to be an astronaut?

Inquisitive Las Vegans can soon find out at the NASA @your library Exhibit, set to blast off Monday at the West Charleston Library and to continue through Nov. 1.

The interactive exhibit, hosted locally by the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, is part of a two-year tour of U.S. libraries. It features space-based activities on flat-screen computers and a plasma screen theater with video and audio presentations about space and science.

At the exhibit stand, parents and children can sit at one of six flat-screen iMac computers to learn about the mysteries of space travel, such as: "Are people really taller in orbit? How can you take a shower when the water droplets float around? What happens to boiling water in space, since the bubbles don't rise?"

Science buffs can see how NASA learns about the environment by looking down at the Earth from space, and everyone can learn about how space exploration has touched life on Earth.

The goal of the exhibit is to use multimedia exhibits to interest children in math and science and to make people aware of the unique benefits of doing science in orbit, according to Mary Kicza, NASA's Association Administrator of Biological and Physical Research.

"Space research plays an integral role in our daily lives," said Kicza. "It affects many things around us, (from) the foods we eat to everyday household products. This exhibit will educate everyone on the importance and opportunities in space research."

In addition to the exhibit, the Library District is offering free events throughout October that go hand in hand with the subjects of space and science.

Las Vegas residents Barent and Audrey McCool, parents of Columbia astronaut William McCool -- whose spacecraft disintegrated while re-entering Earth's atmosphere in February 2003 -- will speak about their son's NASA experiences at the exhibit's opening reception at the West Charleston Library.

NASA Outreach Specialist Dr. Bill Carswell will hold a lecture at the same location. Using footage from space exploration, Carswell will describe NASA's efforts to extend human life outward to the moon and beyond and the challenges associated with supporting human life in the cosmos.

Finally, the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. on the campus of the Community College of Southern Nevada, will host an aviation and aerospace career fair, where speakers as well as community aviation and aerospace organizations will distribute career information.

Ginette Boudreault-Carrera of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots, will speak on the topic of helicopter search and rescue. Dave Robke, U.S. Air Force veteran, will also share information about the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

The West Charleston Library will also hold a monthlong NASA Film Festival featuring nine films, including "Apollo 13," "The Rocket Men" and "The Right Stuff."

For more information about the NASA @your library Exhibit, the NASA Film Festival or other events, visit the Library District Web site at lvccld.org or call 734-7323.