NASA-Ames Research Center Astrophysics Scientist Dr. Scott Sandford will present The Stardust Mission: Bringing Home a Comet Wednesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. in the Smithwick Theater at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

As co-director of the mission, Sandford will describe the project, which was launched in 1999. The goal of the mission is to rendezvous with a comet in 2004 and return samples to Earth by 2006. This will be humanity's first opportunity to study the original material from which our solar system is made—and which has been frozen into each comet.

A renowned expert in the field of meteoritics, or the study of rocks that fall from space, Sandford has helped discover a number of such rocks in Antarctica. Among his other scientific interests are molecules in the great clouds of cosmic raw material among the stars—some of which may be connected with the development of life in the universe.

The lecture is presented as part of the 4th Annual Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series sponsored by Foothill College, NASA-Ames Research Center, SETI Institute and Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early to locate parking. Visitors must purchase a required campus parking permit for $2. Parking lots 1, 5, 6 and 7 provide easy access to the theater. From Interstate 280, exit El Monte Road and travel west.

For more information, access the astronomy web site or call (650) 949-7888.