FLAGSTAFF FESTIVAL of SCIENCE: the FIRST 25 YEARS BY KeviN SCHINDleR & BONNie SteveNS FREE ADMISSION INTO EVERY ACTIVITY Preface The story of the Flagstaff Festival of Science is as rich as the subject it cele- In loving memory of Flagstaff Festival of Science brates. We intend this book to capture the founding members Robert Fried and Amy LeGere. spirit and significance of this annual event while recalling the unique circumstances that make it possible. While a year-by-year review would be enjoyable for many of us to read, such an effort is beyond the scope Acknowledgments of this book. We have, however, included a KS – Thanks to fellow Festival of Science board yearly listing of themes, keynote speakers members—past, present and future—for your shared and program titles, host sites, sponsors Contents passion of Flagstaff’s science, and to the scientists and board members (starting with the first Foreward…4 who gave us a reason to celebrate. Jeff Hall, Bryan board in 1992). Bates and Mary DeMuth reviewed portions of the The Essence of the Regarding the keynote presenters—in Flagstaff Festival of text. As with all things, thanks to my wife Gretchen the early years multiple individuals were Science…5 and children Alicia, Sommer and Lauren for a lifetime sometimes highlighted as featured speak- Celebrating Science of inspiration and love. ers. Our list identifies the keynote speaker Copyright ©2014 in the Skylight City…14 as the top-billed speaker for the year, with a by Kevin Schindler Developing BS – Thank you to all the inquisitive souls who have presentation usually on the opening Friday the Festival ISBN 978-0-692-28603-6 evening. In 1997, the main speaker was for- wondered beyond the boundaries of our knowledge of Science…34 and enriched the Flagstaff Festival of Science. Special ever identified as the Shoemaker Keynote Science: Design & Layout thanks to Fred for his love and enthusiasm and to all Presenter, in honor of Gene Shoemaker, The Endless Frontier…41 my children who are making the world a better place: who tragically died earlier that year. Andi Kleinman Logan, Tyler, Ashley, Jacob, Jillian, Paul and Lily. The sponsor listings include the Festival’s The Authors…48 supporters at the following levels: Come- Printing tary Friend, $250; Planetary Friend, $500; Aspen Printing, Cosmic Friend, $1,000; Galactic Friend, Flagstaff, Arizona $2,500; and Supernova Friend, $5,000. Much of the historical information in this book was gleaned from the private records Cover Photos of board members Steve Smith and Brenda Horsehead Nebula: Russ Ruggles San Francisco Peaks: A. Kleinman Strohmeyer. These, along with transcripts of interviews with Ivo Lucchitta, John and Ginger Giovale, Jeannette Baker and Gene Hughes, are now stored in Cline Library’s This book is made possible by the Special Collections and Archives at North- generous support of W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. ern Arizona University. 2 3 1990 SCIENCE FROM THE GROUND UP Foreward The Essence of the Antarctica—The Earth’s Barometer Apollo astronauts Jack Schmitt and Alan Bean; geo- Arctic Explorer Will Steger Flagstaff Festival of Science HOst PARtiCipaNts physicist Larry Soderblom; Space Shuttle astronauts The Arboretum at Flagstaff Braeside Observatory Linda Godwin, Bonnie Dunbar and John Grunsfeld; Anticipating the collision of a fiery Coconino National Forest Lowell Observatory Mack Corporation astronomer/comet discoverer Carolyn Shoemaker; pa- comet screaming toward a huge “Science is an adventure of the mind.” Museum of Northern Arizona — Ivo Lucchitta Northern Arizona University gaseous planet; unearthing and U.S. Geological Survey leontologist David Gillett; National Geographic Emerg- U.S. Geological Survey Planetary Geologist U.S. Naval Observatory W.L. Gore & Assoc. ing Explorer Alexandra Cousteau; and now, one of the imagining a new kind of dinosaur SPONSORS find out, “What happens next?” Arizona Daily Sun • Arizona Public Service • Citibank world’s leading researchers in DNA and anthrax, Dr. as it reveals itself bone by bone; or Days Inn-Hwy 66 • First Interstate Bank Flagstaff Public Library • Fred Nackard Wholesale Liquor Paul Keim! And this is only a partial list of the distin- making human footprints in the impos- Scientists understand why Christo- Monteverde Design • Northland Printing Pepsi Cola Co. of Flagstaff • Ralston Purina Security Pacific Bank • Southern Union Gas guished nationally and internationally known scientists sible stillness of moon dust. Such are pher Columbus had to, needed to, sail. W.L. Gore & Assoc. who have appeared here in Flagstaff, Arizona, over the the moments that make hearts pound, It’s a hunger for knowledge that over- 1991 past 25 years as keynote speakers for the Flagstaff breaths quicken and adrenaline surge. It rides everything SCIENCE AT ITS PEAK Field Trip to the Moon Festival of Science. Their appearance has been a sig- is in these instances that we feel most else—resources, Apollo Astronaut Jack Schmitt nificant part of what evolved from a luncheon meeting alive. comfort, ex- HOst PARtiCipaNts The Arboretum at Flagstaff of Flagstaff area scientific leaders in October 1989, haustion, even Braeside Observatory If scientists were writing the novel Coconino National Forest Flagstaff Medical Center with a pledge to develop a Festival of Science to be of their lives, there would be long, te- safety. Scien- Lowell Observatory Museum of Northern Arizona Northern Arizona University held in April 1990, as a part of Northern Arizona Univer- dious passages of training, researching, tists are driv- U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Naval Observatory sity’s Honor’s Week activities. Details of the Festival en by such W.L. Gore & Assoc. questioning, experimenting, disappoint- SPONSORS were to be developed by a working group… and work ment, exasperation, failure and then passion that Arizona Daily Sun • Coconino Center for the Arts Coconino National Forest they did! You will see, as you read this brief history of they enter into that Economic Develop. Culture & Arts Programs trying again. But some pages would be Flagstaff Health Management Corp. Flagstaff Visitors Center • Fred Nackard Wholesale Liquor the Flagstaff Festival of Science, that their work, and page-turners, some chapters would be zone where they forget to eat. They Museum of Northern Arizona • Northern Arizona University Northland Printing • The Transition Foundation W.L. Gore & Assoc. • Warner Cable & The Disney Channel that of successive groups, has led to the development cliffhangers, and every discovery would lose track of time. Their imagination Wilson Family/The Wilson Foundation of one of the finest, if not the finest, festivals in the ignite a new spark, encouraging them to and thoughts of the possibilities put a nation. As the one whose claim to fame is for having spring, bounce or even a leap in their called the original group together and for appointing step. They can’t wait for the mysteries Dr. Jeanette Baker as the university representative, I of their environment to reveal them- can only say how pleased and proud I am of the Fes- selves. For them, the workday doesn’t tival, of its accomplishments, of its successes and of end and they don’t want it to. For sci- its longevity. The cooperation exhibited by Northern entists, every day holds such possibility Arizona University and its scientific neighbors in bring- that it feels like Christmas Eve. ing about this world-class Festival attests to the syn- ergistic relationship that can be developed between an institution of higher education and its community. And now, read, enjoy and look forward to the next 25 years! Dr. Eugene M. Hughes, President Emeritus Northern Arizona University Ivo Lucchitta: Earthly Musings–Wayne Ranney’s Geology Blog; Therizinosaur: Victor Leshyk; Alan Bean: NASA 4 5 1992 OUR CHANGING PLANET Planetary Fire and Ice “Every time I dive, I am reminded of archaeologist Howard Carter’s Geophysicist Larry Soderblom famous comment at the door to Tutankhamen’s tomb. BOARD MemBERS ‘What do you see?’ he was asked. ‘Wonderful things!’ he answered. Baker, Jeanette; NAU, President — James Delgado, Ph.D. Smith, Steve; W.L. Gore, Pres. Elect LeGere, Amy; W.L. Gore, Sec. Maritime Archaeologist Franz, Otto; Lowell Observatory, Treasurer Chase, David; David Chase & Co. Giovale, Ginger; W.L. Gore Lockwood, Wes; Lowell inquisitive minds, to see what they see, he was using. Lucchitta, Ivo; USGS Reed, Patsy; NAU feel what they feel, have access to what “I couldn’t HOst PARtiCipaNts The Arboretum at Flagstaff few people have access to. With the Braeside Observatory really articulate Coconino National Forest Glen Canyon Environmental Studies Festival everyone has the opportunity why space was Lowell Observatory Museum of Northern Arizona to hold a front row ticket into the known Northern Arizona University “The driving force for me is the adventure,” says important to U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Naval Observatory and the unknown. W.L. Gore & Assoc. storm chaser Warren Faidley. “I like it when I don’t me,” he says. SPONSORS Astronaut, test pilot and NASA Sci- “Certainly, it’s Arizona Daily Sun • Bank of America know what I’m going to see. It’s like opening a pres- Big Brothers Big Sisters • Clear Aire Radio Coconino National Forest ent. Odds are you are not going to see something ence Mission Director John Grunsfeld, important for Economic Develop. Culture & Arts Programs First Interstate Bank • Flagstaff Visitors Center KAFF/KMGN • KNAU • KNAZ TV/Channel 2 over the top…but you might. It’s about trying to be Ph.D., says, “It’s that curiosity that improving the KVNA • Kay McKay • Northern Arizona University Northland Printing • The Transition Foundation drives us all, and has driven us since quality of life W.L. Gore & Assoc. • Warner Cable & The Disney Channel in the right place at the right time and being as pre- Wilson Family/The Wilson Foundation pared as you can be.