Hi!

I'm Michael Foerster. I'm new to this group, but not new to astronomy
in Northern Michigan. I'm a co-founder (with Bob Moler and John
Russel) of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society, many years ago.
I'm now an astronomer, and a NASA Ambassador for JPL.

After 22 years I am again teaching at Northwestern Michigan College
(just a few classes this Summer for fun). The classes are:
>Welcome to the Universe
>Mysterious Mars: The Hottest Story in the Solar System
>Are We Alone? The Search for Life in the Universe

Course descriptions and registration information follows. I hope you
can join us for an interesting presentation!


Thanks! ~Michael


**********
>"Welcome to the Universe!"<
[For a kid and their favorite adult]

Discover the Universe in 120 minutes! (And remember a special night
forever.) Spend a late evening with a young person at NMC's Rogers
Observatory guided by astronomer Michael Foerster, a NASA
Ambassador for the Jet Propulsion Lab.

Come explore the night sky watching planets set into the twilight as
the stars come out to play. Learn your way around the Universe,
find constellations, use simple star charts, and even observe
through the college's big telescope! From nearby Luna, to the
planets, to distant places in space where stars are even now being
born - there is so much to discover!

Cost includes an adult and young person as well as course materials
(supplemental materials will be available for purchase, if desired).
You may register an additional young person for $19.

Saturday, August 25th 2007, 9-11 p.m.
Code: 9740
NMC's Rogers Observatory, Birmley Rd.
Instructor: Michael Foerster
Cost: $29 ($25 with LIFE Discount)

Register by phone (800.748.0566, ext. 51700), or on the web at
http://nmc.edu/ees


**********
>"Mysterious Mars: The Hottest Story in the Solar System!"<

Join astronomer Michael Foerster, Solar System Ambassador for NASA's
Jet Propulsion Lab, for an up-close look at mysterious Mars. From
the discovery of water on Mars, to the question of life on an alien
world, and looking at the rover robots that keep going (and
going!), the 4th planet is in the news! What have we learned? When
(if ever) will people walk on the sands of Mars? Join us for an
amazing visual journey to the Red Planet! This is a luncheon
presentation - registration fee includes lunch.

Wednesday, August 22nd, Noon-1:30 p.m.
Northwestern Michigan College's Oleson Center; Rm. A (Main Campus)
Cost: $17 with lunch buffet . . . . . Code: 9726
Cost: $8 without lunch . . . . . Code: 9728
Cost: $29 ($25 with LIFE Discount)

Register by phone (800.748.0566, ext. 51700), or on the web at
http://nmc.edu/ees


**********
>"Are We Alone? The Search for Life in the Universe"<
"There are some 400 billion stars in our galaxy alone. If it's just
us, seems like an awful waste of space" (from the movie "Contact").
It is perhaps the greatest question asked by science, philosophy, and
religion - is there life beyond the Earth? In all the vastness of the
Universe, is our little planet the only place that has witnessed the
spark of life? Michael Foerster, NASA Ambassador and astronomer, will
explore the possibilities. Learn about where we may find life in our
Solar System, how we have found over 230 alien worlds (so far!) that
orbit distant stars beyond our Sun, and how astronomers have
discovered "New Earth" - an alien planet 20 years away that may be a
future home for humanity! We will examine the latest news from the
frontiers of science as we ask - what, and who, is out there?

Thursday, August 23rd, 6:30-9 p.m.
Code: 9700
NMC's Main Campus - Scholars Hall, Room 109
Instructor: Michael Foerster
Cost: $35

Register by phone (800.748.0566, ext. 51700), or on the web at
http://nmc.edu/ees