Contributed Article/Courtesy City of Safford
SAFFORD – The Safford City/Graham County Library will host author David Baron on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 5:30 p.m. Baron will discuss his latest release, “The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America”.
A mere century ago, Martians were thought to be real—not fictional—creatures. Percival Lowell, founder of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, discovered supposed irrigation canals on Mars. Soon, an all-out craze swept society. You could read about the Martians in The New York Times, hear of them in Sunday sermons, and see them depicted on Broadway. Biologists debated whether the aliens were winged or gilled. Inventors devised schemes for communicating with Mars. Philosophers and theologians proposed questions Earth might ask its older, wiser neighbor.
Best-selling author David Baron will present a fast-paced, highly illustrated talk—filled with period photographs and depictions of the putative Martians themselves— and reveal what the episode says about the human mind: The fallibility of our senses, the power of belief, and the lure of sensationalism. It is a tale both cautionary and uplifting. Although the Martians never were real, the excitement about them was genuine and world-changing, for it sparked a new genre called science fiction and helped launch us into space—toward Mars.
David Baron, an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, is the author of “The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze That Captured Turn-of-the-Century America”. A former science correspondent for NPR and Chair in Astrobiology at the Library of Congress, he has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and other outlets.
This program is one in a series of events scheduled to coincide with the presence of “Discover Exoplanets: The Search for Alien Worlds,” now on display at the Safford City-Graham County Library. This interactive, all-ages exhibition explores the fascinating world of space science and astronomy. It is displayed Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., through Nov. 20.
The Safford Library is proud to be selected to be one of 10 sites nationwide to host Discover Exoplanets. This exhibition was developed by the Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) in partnership with NASA’s Universe of Learning. This project was made possible through support from NASA, under cooperative agreement number NNX16AC65A.
About the City of Safford
Nestled in the heart of Southeastern Arizona’s Gila Valley, the City of Safford is a vibrant rural community and the largest municipality in Graham County, with a population of just over 10,000. Incorporated in 1901 and becoming a city in 1955, Safford serves as the central hub for Southeastern Arizona. The City operates many services and facilities, supported by over 230 dedicated staff members, including full-time employees, seasonal workers, volunteer firefighters, and council members. In addition to providing essential utilities such as gas, water, electricity, wastewater, and sanitation, the City of Safford operates a golf course, airport, library, and landfill that serve the broader county. Safford is committed to providing exceptional services and fostering a thriving community for all residents and visitors.
For more information about the City of Safford, contact us at 928-432-4000 or visit us at https://www.cityofsafford.us.
