Friday, February 2, 2007
By Amanda Karr
The Daily Reflector

Friday, February 02, 2007
With a low temperature of -225 degrees Farenheit at the poles, Mars is "not a very nice place to visit," Greenville's newest solar system ambassador noted Thursday.

The temperatures do not make the planet any less interesting. With questions of the existence of water and two Exploration Rovers that have been sending back data for three years, there's plenty to learn about the so-called Red Planet.

Rhett Butler/The Daily Reflector Bill All gives a presentation on Mars at Sheppard Memorial Library on Thursday.

Bill All offered an overview on the planet and its exploration to a handful of people Thursday at Sheppard Memorial Library.

The presentation was All's first educational program as a solar system ambassador.

The ambassador program is a public outreach program out of the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, Calif. The lab is a division of the California Institute of Technology and a lead research and development center for NASA.

All, 59, joins nearly 500 other solar system ambassadors in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The Greenville area's former ambassador recently resigned his local post. All was happy to pick it up, joining the program in January.
All's interest in astronomy began early, and he has recently expanded on the hobby.

"I grew up in the days of the space race, watching the rockets go up and landing on the moon," All said. "That was always exciting. I never quite had the grades to really excel and go places you might say."

About four years ago he bought what he describes as a moderately-sized telescope, which he makes use of regularly as president of the Carolina Skies Astronomy Club. The club holds regular public viewings at the Bradford Creek Soccer Complex during which All offers others a peek through his telescope.

"I get almost as much enjoyment providing views to people who can't afford such equipment," he said.

It's important for the public to understand space advances, All said.

"The more we understand about space, the more we understand about our own planet," he said. "A lot of spinoffs occur because of space exploration. Velcro comes to mind. Medical advances have been dependent on what we've learned through space exploration with International Space Station."

As a requirement of the ambassador program, All must hold at least four educational programs a year. He said he is looking forward to the challenge and is eager to spread an interest in space and astronomy.

"Space technology has become a daily part of our lives and gives an opportunity for nations to work together," he said.

For more information on All and the Carolina Skies Astronomy Club visit www.weseestars.org.

Amanda Karr can be contacted at akarr@coxnc.com and 329-9574.