Professor George Rhee says the Mars rover is an inspiration to a young generation of aspiring scientists. (Elizabeth Watts/FOX5)
UNLV is all set for stargazing. (Elizabeth Watts/FOX5)
UNLV is home to a powerful telescope. (Elizabeth Watts/FOX5)LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
A day after the Mars rover Curiosity successfully landed on the red planet, folks are still reeling with excitement over the mission.
"It's good to capture the enthusiasm of the public and inspire younger people to become scientists," UNLV Physics and Astronomy professor George Rhee said.
Rhee was holding his breath during the so-called "seven minutes of terror" when NASA had no control over the rover's landing on the red planet.
Rhee's teenagers and their friends were also watching with bated breath.
He's seen his department grow at UNLV over the years, and with the help of historic events like the Curiosity landing coupled with the internet and social media real-time updates, even more young minds are being inspired to pursue careers in science. Rhee says the drama of the landing, and not knowing whether it would be successful, is what gets America's attention.
"If dramatic events like that can get people involved, they can start to see the real excitement of science. That is discovering the world and seeing how great the universe is. That's a great thing," Rhee said.
Rhee says the public is invited to a free lecture at UNLV in honor of the International Year of Astronomy. It takes place Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. A professor will speak about the search for other planets like planet Earth.
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