It’s going to be an out-of-this world night at the ballpark in Madison tonight. Brooke Norsted, head of outreach for the Wisconsin Astrobiology Research Consortium, admits a night at the Madison Mallards game is not your typical science event. Astrobiology night at Warner Park Stadium features interactive science stations, extremophile trading cards, a researcher throwing out the first pitch and researchers dressed as planets and moons.
Norsted says astrobiology, still a relatively new discipline, aims to answer the big questions about life beyond Earth. “What kind of life are we looking for? Are we looking for ET and Chewbacca? Are we looking for microbes? These are the kinds of things people can learn in a fun setting.” The Mallards are a popular destination for families with young kids, and Norsted says the next generation of astrobiologists may get their start at the ballpark. Also at the game will be actor Jake Lloyd, who played Anakin Skywalker. The Mallards take on the La Crosse Loggers in their first Friday home game of the Northwoods League season.