West Texas Geology Foundation to host NASA’s Mars investigator

Steven Squyres , pictured at his Cornell University office in Ithaca, N.Y., Nov. 3, 2003, is the principal scientist for NASA's Mars exploration mission. Squyres helped design, build and test all the scientific tools on the twin solar-powered rovers, one of which is pictured behind him. (AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli) less Steven Squyres , pictured at his Cornell University office in Ithaca, N.Y., Nov. 3, 2003, is the principal scientist for NASA's Mars exploration mission. Squyres helped design, build and test all the scientific ... more Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close West Texas Geology Foundation to host NASA’s Mars investigator 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Earth’s red-hued neighbor, Mars, will be the focus of a luncheon sponsored by the West Texas Geology Foundation Tuesday at the Petroleum Club.

Guest speaker will be Steven Squyres, NASA’s principal investigator for the Rover Missions on Mars.

“I think it’ll be a very interesting story to hear. The recent success of ‘The Martian’ movie has Mars on everyone’s imagination,” said Jim Geitgey, foundation chairman.

Squyres’ appearance is the latest in a string of high-profile speakers at the annual luncheon, which is the main fundraiser for geoscience scholarships the foundation presents. Last year’s speaker was Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic. Two years ago, the speaker was Harrison Schmitt, the last astronaut to walk on the Moon.

Squyres will discuss NASA’s Mars and Rover programs. He has also agreed to speak to about 70 students, including high school robotics students, at the Blakemore Planetarium following the luncheon.

Geology students from Angelo State University, Midland College and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin have been invited to attend the luncheon.

Individual tickets are $750 and tables of eight can be sponsored for $10,000 or $5,000.

“I know it’s a lot of money but this is our primary fundraiser,” Geitgey said.

The foundation is an ancillary organization of the West Texas Geological Society, formed to support educational programs, including scholarships. Geitgey said the WTGS expects to provide $40,000 in geoscience scholarships this year. The two main sponsors this year include Nautilus Energy and Element Petroleum.