NASA Astronaut To Present Images Of Earth
From Space At UNH GIS Day Nov. 17

Contact: David Sims
603-862-5369
Science Writer
Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space

Date



DURHAM, N.H. -- If you’ve ever dreamed of looking at the Earth from space through the eyes of an astronaut, the next best thing will be presented  Wednesday, Nov. 17, at the University of New Hampshire when NASA Astronaut  Jay Apt lands for this year's Geographical Information System (GIS) Day 2004 Conference and College Fair.
     
The fair will be held on the UNH Durham campus at the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS) in Morse Hall. Admission is free.
          
An astronaut and author, Apt will take participants on a tour of Earth as viewed through the photographs taken by NASA astronauts in Earth orbit. He will review geography, natural change, and human-induced change to the Earth's surface as he presents his unique photos of the planet.  Many of the stunning photographs he will display are from his National Geographic book, "Orbit: NASA Astronauts Photograph the Earth."
     
As in the past, this year's conference is open to the public from noon to 5 p.m.  Apt's presentation will be held at 12:30 p.m. He will conduct a book signing at 1:30 p.m.
     
Other featured attractions at this year's GIS Day Conference include the Earth from Space NASA Satellite imagery collection and a scale model of the latest NASA Earth Observing System satellite, AURA, which is on loan from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
    
Events will also feature a GIS Day store, a professional Geo-Spatial Science Vendor Hall, a regional professional Geo-Spatial Science Map and Poster Gallery, and a regional Geo-Science College Fair.  This year's events are expected to include about 100 professional presentations and attract more than 800 guests throughout the day.
     
Those interested in geography, geology, cartography, Global Positioning System (GPS), surveying, remote sensing, space science, or Geographic Information System (GIS), will find something of interest at the GIS Day 2004 Geo-Spatial Science Conference and College Fair.

For further information, call 603-862-1792 or visit the GIS Day website at http://gisday.sr.unh.edu.