AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
MEDIA ALERT
AAS 24/08
30 September 2008
‘Martian embassy’ welcomes planetary occupants
In 1958 on an empty paddock in Canberra strange stirrings were afoot. A structure was taking
shape unlike anything previously seen on Earth. It was definitely out of this world,
interplanetary even. Was it a beacon? A monument? Some kind of strange headquarters? Or
was the government hiding something the people had suspected for years – the Martians are
here…and they quite like it!
It was quickly agreed the latter was the likely scenario and that business as usual was the
best way to go. The locals weren’t surprised these superior beings had chosen Canberra as a
place to live, what with its access to government, international embassies and Friday night
shopping.
As time wore on though, not a Martian had been seen (although there were suspicious
sightings, particularly on Capital Hill). People started to suspect something was amiss.
Perhaps the structure was nothing to do with science fiction, but maybe science…an
academy of science?
On Thursday the 2nd of October from 10 am to 4 pm, the Martian Embassy aka the Shine
Dome, home of the Australian Academy of Science will open its pod bay doors to greet the
community.
Experience the worlds of physical and biological science with talks on discovering our
universe and plants and our planet.
Explore the futuristic yet timeless architecture of the heritage-listed Dome with guided tours
by architects.
Behold the fascinating collection of scientific artefacts, including treasures and letters of
Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson.
Goggle at the silent film showing the construction of the Dome and other intriguing footage.
The truth is in there…
What:
Shine Dome open day
When:
2 October, 10 am to 4 pm
Where:
Gordon Street, Acton, adjacent to the ANU
Cost:
Free entry and parking
Talks:
11:30 am Discovering our universe, Prof Brian Schmidt
1:30 pm Plants and our planet, Prof Susanne von Caemmerer
Tours:
11.00, 12.00, 2.00 and 3.00 o’clock
Media are very welcome to attend
Media contact: Richard Bray, richard.bray@science.org.au, 02 6201 9452, 0416 331 821
NEWS 
