Friday, October 24, 2025 • 6 – 9:30pm
GRACE-FO Project Staff Scientist, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory “Monitoring the Global Water Cycle with GRACE-FO Missions”
Event Highlights:
• Faculty and student presentations
• Hands-on demonstrations and activities
• High-powered telescopes for viewing
• FREE event and open to the community
Food available for purchase
Faculty FLEX credit available
Sponsored
®
The Santa Clarita Community College District serves a 367-square-mile service area in northern Los Angeles County. College of the Canyons (COC), the single college within the district, has campuses in Valencia and Canyon Country as well as online. Located on a 153-acre campus in Valencia and a 70-acre campus in Canyon Country, the College offers classes during the fall and spring semesters, as well as summer and winter intersessions. COC offers approximately 99 associate degree programs and 176 certificates, along with 28 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs available in the University Center from multiple partner institutions.
Opened in 2007, the Canyon Country Campus is known as a comprehensive campus that offers high-quality instructional programs, supportive student services, and meaningful community partnerships. Since opening, the campus has offered approximately 9,000 classes and served more than 75,000 students. The campus continues to transform with excellent facilities and enhanced services, such as the Takeda Science Center, which provides state-of-the-art laboratories and classroom space for high-demand instructional programs, and the Student Services & Learning Resources Center, which offers integrated student support functions, library, tutoring, and classrooms. These dynamic facilities provide engaging classrooms, labs, student spaces, and support services in the center of campus. Overall, the Canyon Country Campus continues to provide relevant and supportive opportunities and pathways for students, including a significant number of classes offered in focused, short-term formats providing many convenient enrollment options.
College of the Canyons has maintained its status over the years as one of the largest employers in the Santa Clarita Valley and is a vital cultural, educational, and economic force in the region. The Canyon Country Campus contributes to this educational work and community impact. For more information, including class schedules and registration information, please visit the website below:
17200 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA 91351
(661) 362-3800 | www.canyons.edu/ccc
6 – 7pm Science Showcase (Lower Plaza)
Faculty and student presentations
6 – 9:30pm Explore Interactive Table Displays (Lower Plaza) and visit our indoor portable Planetarium (Science Center Lobby - Room 110)
• Stop by the table displays to see activities and projects, provided by College of the Canyons’ student clubs, departments and other groups.
• Sign up to experience our planetarium (Limited space available. First come first serve)
6 – 9:30pm Telescope Viewing (Lower Plaza)
Telescopes are provided by the Local Group Astronomy Club of SCV, the Antelope Valley Astronomer’s Club, and by College of the Canyons
7– 7:15pm Welcome & Opening Remarks (Science Center Lobby)
Paul Wickline, Campus Associate Vice President, and Mr. Anthony Michaelides, Campus Dean
7:15 – 7:20pm Local Group Astronomy Club (Science Center Lobby)
Dave Flynn, Member, The Local Group Astronomy Club of SCV
7:20 – 8pm The Unfolding Story of Exoplanets (Science Center Lobby)
Presenter: Dr. Athina Peidou, GRACE-FO Project Staff Scientist at NASA
8– 8:15pm Q&A
8:15– 8:30pm Closing Remarks
Thank you for joining us!!
The Earth is in a constant state of flux. From rising seas and shifting groundwater to changes in the oceans and the solid ground, these movements have a real impact on our world and our lives. Monitoring these changes is critical for managing everything, from natural disasters to water supply. This talk will dive into the incredible legacy of the GRACE satellite missions. For nearly a quartercentury, GRACE-series has been our eye in the sky, using a unique method of tracking changes in Earth’s gravity to map how mass moves around the planet. We’ll explore the first principles behind the mission, the technology that makes it possible, and the powerful real-world applications of this data.
Dr. Athina Peidou is a geodesist and a staff scientist for the GRACE-FO mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She uses satellite data to track Earth’s mass in motion—whether it’s water, ice, or the solid Earth itself. Athina specializes in developing new methods to expand the science return of satellite missions, which helps us better understand our planet’s hydrological patterns. Athina also handles fundamental geodetic operations, including estimating satellite orbits and establishing reference frames.
By Professor Teresa Ciardi
Greenhouse gases like water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) slow heat loss to space. Our sun heats the Earth during the day, and the greenhouse gasses act like a blanket, like insulation, keeping the Earth from getting super cold during the night. Our atmosphere is comprised of 76% nitrogen, 22% oxygen, and the other 2% is everything else including greenhouse gases. There are a few molecules that are very good at trapping heat. Sunlight is absorbed by the surface of the Earth and reradiated as infrared (heat), and the infrared radiation is easily absorbed by greenhouse gases. In order of abundance (on Earth): H2O, CO2, CH4, and N2O, O3, CFCs. These molecules are a small part of the 2% of atmosphere that is “Other Gasses”.
Global warming is the general increase in planet temperatures. There was a measured 4⁰F Increase between 1880 – 2020. A 4°F increase may not seem like a lot, but it can be the difference between ice caps and liquid water. Earth’s temperature has increased twice as fast per year in recent years compared to all recorded history!
Changes in global temperatures have been measured, and the data shows a direct correlation between CO2 levels and temperature change. In 2023, Earth experienced one of the hottest summers on record.
Greenhouse Effect Explained: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTvqIijqvTg Global Warming on Earth: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=wbR-5mHI6bo
On Venus, it is ALWAYS 900°F. Venus, with its CO2 atmosphere and complete cloud cover, is an excellent example of a run-away greenhouse effect.
Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society
For more information, please email: alphadeltanu@my.canyons.edu or visit:
https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/campuslife/clubs/list.php
Associated Student Government (ASG)
For more information, please visit: https://www.canyons.edu/asg
Astronomy & Physics Club
For more information, please email: apclub@my.canyons.edu or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/campuslife/clubs/list.php
Biological & Environmental Sciences
For more information, please visit: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/biology/index.php Chemistry Club
For more information, please email: cocchemclub@gmail.com or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/chemistry/club.php
Civic Engagement Club
For more information, please email: linda.beauregard-vasquez@canyons.edu or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/campuslife/clubs/list.php
Early Childhood Education-Children’s Center CCC
For more information, please email: faby.marton@canyons.edu or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/ece/index.php
Helping Us Become (HUB) Club
For more information, please email: linda.beauregard-vasquez@canyons.edu or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/campuslife/clubs/list.php Library
For more information, please visit: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/library/index.php
MESA/MESA LAB- Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement
For more information, please email: amy.foote@canyons.edu or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/mesa/index.php
Pre-Health Club
For more information, please email: PreHealth@my.canyons.edu or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/campuslife/clubs/list.php
Society of Physics and Engineering Students
For more information, please email: ashahla@my.canyons.edu or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/campuslife/clubs/list.php
Teachers of Tomorrow
For more information, please email: cgbarraza-port@canyons.edu or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/campuslife/clubs/list.php
Technology, Engineering, Coding, and Hardware (TECH) Club
For more information, please email: cocthechclub@my.canyons.edu or visit: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/campuslife/clubs/list.php
William S. Hart District – CTE Education Pathway
For more information, please email: https://www.hartdistrict.org
The Takeda Science Center is a beautiful and important facility at the Canyon Country Campus. Opened for initial classes in Fall 2021, the four-story structure is situated at the center of campus on Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook Drive, a campus road named in 2018 to honor the Chancellor’s 30+ years of service to College of the Canyons. With nineteen state-ofthe-art classrooms and labs, this facility is an important part of student access, engagement, and success on campus. An adjacent terraced amphitheater and plaza also provides student instruction and gathering space outdoors alongside the facility.
Our newest building, the Student Services & Learning Resources Center, is located to the south of the Science Center and provides a one-stop center for student support services, tutoring, library, and classroom spaces. Together, these two facilities are dynamic, student-benefiting landmarks at the heart of the Canyon Country Campus.
Our sincere THANKS to all who made this evening possible!
College of the Canyons Board of Trustees
Edel Alonso • Fred Arnold • Carlos Guerrero
Sharlene Johnson • Darlene Trevino
Interim Superintendent/President
Dr. Jasmine Ruys
Guest Speaker
Dr. Athina Peidou, GRACE-FO Project Staff Scientist at NASA
The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club
Logix, our Star Party Sponsor
The Local Group Astronomy Club of Santa Clarita
The Star Party Committee
Michaela Blain • Teresa Ciardi • Anthony Michaelides
Jamie Page • Maria Sanchez • David Vakil • Paul Wickline
All COC Departments, Clubs, and Staff who support this event!
Additional Information about the Canyon Country Campus, including info on how to support student scholarships, is available at — www.canyons.edu/canyoncountry
Student Scholarship QR Code – Thank You!