Detailed images of the Earth’s changing oceans, atmosphere and land processes, captured by NASA satellites over the past half century -- from as far as a million miles away and as near as the International Space Station -- will be shared in a presentation in Bend on Oct. 14.
In “There is No ‘Planet B:’ Tracking Earth’s Changing Climate from Space,” Michael Freilich, a recently retired NASA science administrator and former Oregon State University professor will explore the spaceborne tools that monitor our planet, as well as what the data they capture tells us about our changing climate. He’ll also show how scientists and others use these findings to advance quality of life around our planet.
“There is No ‘Planet B’” will take place at 6:30 p.m., on Oct. 14 at the Tower Theater in downtown Bend.
Freilich is an oceanographer, microwave remote sensing expert, educator and science administrator who directed NASA’s Earth Science Division from 2006 through February 2019.
Prior to working at NASA, Freilich was a professor and associate dean in Oregon State University’s College of Earth, Oceanic, and Atmospheric Sciences, and a researcher at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Caltech.
As director of NASA’s $2 billion per year Earth Science Division, Freilich led the revitalization of NASA’s fleet of Earth observing research missions. He introduced technological and research advancements in NASA’s Earth Science and Applications Program; developed partnerships with the private space industry sector; expanded interagency and international collaborations; and with the U.S. Geological Survey, initiated the nation’s first multi-decade, multi-spacecraft sustainable land imaging program.
An elected fellow of the American Meteorological Society and 2004 recipient of the society’s Verner E. Suomi Award, Freilich has received national and international recognition, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award for Senior Executives, NASA's Public Service Medal, the European Space Agency’s Remote Sensing Achievement Award, and the Director’s Research Achievement Award from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Tickets for “There is No ‘Planet B’” are $7.50 for general admission and are available online at OSUcascades.edu/planet-b.
Free tickets are available for local high school and college students in the OSU-Cascades Office of Student Life in Tykeson Hall, Room 110. OSU-Cascades is located at 1500 S.W. Chandler Ave. in Bend. Student tickets are limited in quantity.
For accommodations for disabilities or questions, contact 541-322-3100 or info@osucascades.edu.
Note to Editors: Digital images are available for download and use with this article: https://beav.es/ZBr
About OSU-Cascades: Oregon State University’s campus in Bend, Ore. features outstanding faculty in degree programs that reflect Central Oregon’s vibrant economy and abundant natural resources. Nearly 20 undergraduate majors, 30 minors and options, and three graduate programs include computer science, energy systems engineering, kinesiology, hospitality management, and tourism, recreation and adventure leadership. OSU-Cascades expanded to a four-year university in 2015; its new campus opened in 2016.