To express how different Mars is to Earth, WSU’s Planetarium will discuss the possibilities of life on Mars in presentations on Friday and Sunday.

The demonstration “Mars: The Next Giant Leap” will be given by Adrienne Fountain, a sophomore studying music composition.

“We have a cool application that is very interactive,” Fountain said.

Participants will enter a dome to watch a movie-like presentation about Mars and what it is like in comparison to Earth.

“Most of it is sitting back and watching the funky graphics,” Guy Worthey, associate professor in the department of physics and astronomy, said.

Mars has a 24-hour day and has seasons that are similar to Earth’s. Worthey said that in its early stages of life, Mars’ environment was much like Earth’s. It is also close to Earth’s size and has water, he said.

The water that scientists once believed would be able to sustain life is actually salt water. It also has unpredictable weather such as death storms, or dust storms.

“Mars is always interesting,” Worthey said. “It’s cool in a nifty sense.”

Worthey hopes that participants will leave feeling more informed and appreciative of the natural universe, “and perhaps a little more full of wonder and awe,” he said.

“Mars: The Next Giant Leap” will take please from 7 – 8 p.m. tonight at the WSU Planetarium in Sloan Hall. Admission is $5. Cash or check will be accepted.

Reporting by Elizabeth Schemenauer