The Curiosity rover is busy sweeping over Mars, and has already beamed back color photos of the planet's surface to Earth.

Learn about the latest findings from the Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity rover when a scientist with the National Air and Space Administration (NASA) speaks at Anne Arundel Community College's astronomy club, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 13.

The special guest that evening will be Kelly Fast, Ph.D., a planetary scientist at the Goddard Space Flight Center, currently serving on detail with NASA.

Fast is a program scientist for the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission, which will launch to Mars in late 2013. Her research includes the study of planetary atmospheres, including the chemistry in Mars’ atmosphere and the effects of impacts in Jupiter’s atmosphere as observed from the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, according to a release. The MAVEN mission will study the upper atmosphere and water escape on Mars.

Following the presentation, questions from the audience will be addressed. Then, weather permitting, the group will engage in some stargazing with commentary. Participants can look through the college's telescopes, or bring their own equipment.

The Dragun Science Building is on the AACC Arnold campus, 101 College Parkway. For information, contact faculty adviser Beth Hufnagel at brhufnagel@aacc.edu or at 410-777-2271.