NEWS

CHAPEL HILL -- Beginning Thursday (Feb. 12), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will show "Future Frontiers: Mars," a 25-minute movie depicting the successful launch and landing of NASA’s two Mars rovers.

Featuring the first high-definition video pictures taken from another planet, "Future Frontiers: Mars" provides candid clips and interviews of scientists and engineers to reveal the talent and effort behind the mission.

The film will run in the North Gallery Theater Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Members pay no admission fee. Non-member ticket fees are $3 for adults and $2 for children, students and senior citizens. The show is recommended for ages 11 and older.

The Morehead Center acquired the film to meet the public’s recent fascination with the Red Planet, officials said.

Last year, NASA launched Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity as part of a long-term project to explore the planet by robot. The rovers are currently gathering information on opposite sides of the planet.

On Jan. 14, President George W. Bush said he would seek an additional $1 billion in NASA funding during the next five years to help meet his public goals of returning a manned spacecraft to the moon by no later than 2020 and ultimately sending astronauts to Mars.

The Science Museum of Minnesota and TWIST films produced "Future Frontiers: Mars" in association with NASA.

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is located on the UNC campus at 250 E. Franklin St.

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Morehead Center contact: Jeff Hill, (919) 843-7995 or jeff_hill@unc.edu