Transformers: Space (No, not those Transformers)
One of the best things about this event last week was that the hashtag #transforners was trending and many people on twitter got really excited only to find out that it was, in the words of one user, “just some stupid space thing.” I’ll agree to disagree with that assessment because this event was AMAZING.
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine, Bill Nye… oh never mind, just look at the program:
The program for the Transformers: Space event put on by the Washington Post.
It was truly remarkable to have that many interesting people in the same room. Some highlights: Bill Nye and Jim Bridenstine talking about Climate Change and how NASA’s mission is to present the data that the planet is warming due to carbon dioxide emission to the public and to congress (YES!)—not to tell the politicians what to do with it (mixed feelings, but I understand). The astronauts—including the former head of the NASA Education Office (now called the Office of STEM engagement), Leland Melvin—talking about how the earth looks so fragile in space and how there are no red and blue patches or borders. Similar comments about how looking down makes them remember that we’re all together on this spaceship called Earth, floating in the vast black ocean of space. George Whitesides, the CEO of Virgin Galactic, talking about commercial spaceflight and bringing more people to space to see that view. And, oh, Bill Nye sat right behind me for most of the event! I tried to get a selfie, but he left before the event ended. Sneaky.
Here are the video segments of the event, if you’re interested:
And here are some of my own photos from the event. As always, click on them to make them larger and read the captions.
