UChicago Science on the Screen and Doc Films presents…  

‘THE MARTIAN’ FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION

Watch a screening of ‘The Martian’ and join a discussion afterwards with leading University of Chicago geophysical and planetary scientists who address some the following topics and questions:   

• ·         Galactic cosmic radiation
• ·         Why is the air thin? (dust storm; launch of Mars Ascent Vehicle)
• ·         Why Watney is on Mars? (sample return vs. in-situ analysis)
• ·         Soil chemistry (growing potatoes)
• ·         Robot-human interaction (do we need humans?)

Max Palevsky Cinema
Ida Noyes Hall
1212 E 59th St, Chicago, IL

Film running time: 144 minutes

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to earth that he is alive. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission.

THE MARTIAN, a 2015 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, is based on Andy Weir's 2011 novel of the same name which was adapted into a screenplay by Drew Goddard.

Following the film there will be a discussion and audience Q&A about the science presented in the film with:

$5 cash only admission at the door. Open to the public.

Click here for complete details.