Houston Science Enthusiasts

HYBRID: The Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society will hold a meeting featuring a presentation by Gerry Campbell on "Gravitational Wave Astronomy."

The meeting at will be held at the University of Houston-Clear Lake STEM Building, Room 1203 starting at 7:30 p.m.. People should arrive between 7 and 7:15 p.m. Attendees should park in Parking Lots D3 or D4 no earlier than 7 p.m.

Please see the UHCL Map here -- Please park in lots D3 and D4. The STEM building is building #5 on the map. Come in from the east side and go left. When you come to the end of hallway, you should find the auditorium where the meeting will be.

The meeting can be accessed by going to the JSCAS YouTube Channel at the link: https://www.youtube.com/c/JSCAstronomicalSociety

Also, the JSCAS YouTube Channel link will be posted on the JSCAS web page: http://www.jscas.net

To submit questions for our presenters during the meeting, please either enter your questions as a YouTube comment (if you have an account that will allow doing so) or send your questions to: jscaslive@gmail.com

JSCAS is open to anyone who wants to learn about astronomy and membership is free. After joining, you’ll have access to our amazing Astronomy DVD Library with 100’s of choices to learn from (from Astronomy Magazine, NASA, The Great Courses, Discovery Channel, etc.).

Top image: C. Henze/NASA Ames Research Center

ONLINE: "Seaside Chats is an annual speaker series about ocean science and conservation topics associated with Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary."

February 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (CT) - Successful Partnerships: How to Remove 1,700 Pounds of Marine Debris from the Twilight Zone
Something unique happened in 2025 at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, a first of its kind effort and a new page in the marine debris removal playbook—how to successfully remove 1,700 pounds of marine debris from the seafloor 180 feet below. This is a partnership story of a federal agency, zoo and aquarium, not-for-profit, and marine salvage and response group of companies joining forces to not only complete their mission but also lay the groundwork for these areas to recover. Join us for a journey into the heavy lift of commercial diving in a national marine sanctuary, and learn about additional projects underway to support the health of our oceans for future generations. (Photos courtesy of Jake Emmert/Moody Gardens and Sierra Sarkis/NOAA)

Presented by Jake Emmert, Director of Marine Operations, Moody Gardens
Webinar Registration

Full Seaside Chats schedule: https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/education/seasidechats.html

HYBRID: The James A. Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University presents a Civic Scientist Lecture featuring Rice teaching professor of biosciences Scott Solomon, Ph.D., discussing his new book, "Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds."

Description: "As commercial space travel accelerates and plans for long-term human settlement beyond Earth move closer to reality, questions once confined to science fiction are becoming matters of scientific and policy relevance. We are on the cusp of a golden age of space travel in which, for the first time, it will be possible for large numbers of people to venture into space. But what happens to the human body and mind in the extreme conditions of space? What should space travelers expect during journeys to orbiting space stations, the Moon, or Mars — and what are the longer-term implications if some choose to stay? These questions extend even further when considering future generations: What would happen to children born on another planet, and how might life beyond Earth shape human evolution?

"At this event, Scott Solomon, teaching professor at Rice University, will discuss his new book “Becoming Martian” (MIT Press, 2026), which explores how humanity’s migration into space could reshape human biology and minds. Drawing on research from biology, genetics, and space science, Solomon will examine the potential physical, psychological, and evolutionary consequences of sustained life in space. A book signing will conclude the event.

"This event is part of the Civic Scientist Lecture Series, sponsored by Dr. Virginia Clark, with additional support from Benjamin and Winifer Cheng, Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering, and Weiss School of Natural Sciences."

This event is free, but registration is required. Click below to attend in person. You may also register to attend virtually.
https://www.bakerinstitute.org/event/civic-scientist-lecture-series-becoming-martian-scott-solomon

NOTE: RSVP'ing on this Meetup page DOES NOT mean you are registered for the event itself.

Campus parking: https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates

To sign up for the Baker Institute newsletter, including upcoming events, go here: https://bakerinstitute.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8b4052d865ef65a2030dbb9d&id=130c6f9ea3

Some game suggestions and how to play: Codenames, Taboo, Decrypto, Ransome notes, Just One, Bananagrams.

We will meet at Brasil. Street parking is available on Westheimer/Dunlavy or nearby streets. Location inside: from the entrance door go straight ahead to the transparent door, make a left before it and then make a right through the second transparent door. Make a left to reach the open area.

Come by, meet new people, and spend the evening playing games!