Bill Nye and The Planetary Society Host Canadian Space Program Celebration

Toronto, Canada – The Planetary Society, the world’s largest space interest group, Bill Nye the Science Guy and special guests will visit The University of Toronto’s Convocation Hall to celebrate Canada’s space program and engage the global community. On the evening of Wednesday, October 1, 2014, live local and online audiences will head for the final frontier for a lively celebration of Canada’s space science achievements.

Entitled “We See Thee Rise: The Canadian Space Program Today and Tomorrow,” the two-hour show will feature a presentation by Mr. Nye and a panel discussion for The Planetary Society’s weekly radio and podcast series, Planetary Radio. Fans in the Hall and watching the live webcast will also be entertained by Dream World, a unique and entertaining Ottawa-based band. Speakers include:

Bill Nye, Planetary Society CEO
Mat Kaplan, moderator and Planetary Radio host
Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Space Agency astronaut who will have just returned from a week-long, underwater adventure as part of the 19th NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) mission
Gordon Osinski, The University of Western Ontario’s Associate Director of the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration
Elizabeth Howell, space and science contributing writer for Universe Today, Space.com and other notable publications

"The Planetary Society’s mission is to empower the world’s citizens to advance space science and exploration, and the first step is to get the public excited about it,” said Kate Howells, national coordinator for Canada. “Exploration is an adventure that all of humanity participates in, and Canada has always had a significant, though often understated role. We want to celebrate the amazing things we’ve done as a country to advance space exploration, and inspire those who will someday take Canada even farther into space," Howells added.

Bill Nye, Planetary Society CEO, stated: “Nations establish space programs, because they see the value in the academic, engineering, and scientific achievements that always emerge from space exploration. Being in Toronto with the world’s space explorers from every discipline will further international cooperation in space. Together, we will accomplish great things. It is inspiring.” The Pasadena, CA-based nonprofit organization works to create an informed and enthusiastic global space community.

The audience will hear about the Planetary Society’s expanding, homegrown Canadian programs, offering a wide range of ways for space enthusiasts from BC to NS to become involved. 

Tickets are on sale for $10. A very limited number of $75 tickets are also available for a special VIP reception, and include admission to the stage show. Planetary Society members can attend the stage show and the reception for a special discounted price of $50. Tickets are available at planetary.org/weseetheerise. No tickets will be sold at the door for either event. Doors will open at 7 p.m., with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. in The University of Toronto’s Convocation Hall, 31 King’s College Circle
, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1. 

PRESS PASSES: The Planetary Society welcomes attendance by credentialed journalists, photographers, and videographers. Media representatives must register on The Planetary Society website to obtain press passes: http://bit.ly/1sDyc3r. 

PRESS CONFERENCE & INTERVIEWS: A press conference with Bill Nye and other Planetary Society leaders will occur October 1, 3 to 3:45 p.m. EDT at Convocation Hall. Limited phone interviews are available prior to the event date. Please register: http://bit.ly/1sDyc3r. 

Print-ready photography for publication purposes available upon request.

Media Resources

Event Photography: View in Dropbox 
Photo credit: John Packman / The Planetary Society

Biographies:
Bill Nye 
Mat Kaplan 
Jeremy Hansen
Gordon Osinski
Elizabeth Howell

Multimedia: Planetary Radio, Videos, Images

General Images: The Bruce Murray Space Image Library