Looking for alien life at the ballpark

For many people, the word “alien” means ET, Chewbacca or some green-headed space monster. But for a group of University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers, alien life is very different from the Hollywood version. These scientists are bringing the search for life in outer space back home to Earth. By looking at the Earth’s oldest rocks and fossils they hope to help future NASA missions to Mars and beyond look for evidence of microbial life.

On Friday, June 5, the researchers are taking science to the ballpark to share their work with the crowd at the Madison Mallards’ first Friday night game of the season.

With interactive science stations, extremophile trading cards and a scientist throwing out the first pitch, the Wisconsin Astrobiology Research Consortium (WARC) is hoping to raise awareness of astrobiology research at UW–Madison.

“By sponsoring a night at the ballpark, we are aiming to reach people that might not come to your typical science event,” says Brooke Norsted, head of outreach for WARC. “We want to share this research with a broader audience.”

The gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the game starts at 7:05 p.m. Science stations staffed by WARC researchers will be up before the game. Astrobiology trivia and movies will be broadcast on the video board before and during the game. Other fun, informative activities will happen throughout the night.

The WARC consists of researchers from UW–Madison, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Georgia-SREL. Funding for this research and outreach is provided by the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI).