Not just an idea out of science fiction, asteroid mining is gaining traction. New companies plan to harvest raw materials, ranging from water to precious metals, from these rocky near-earth objects.

At the June Eastside Science Café, join Planetary Resources, Inc.’s Chris Lewicki to explore why asteroids are attractive sources of a range of raw materials and how this fits with the future of space exploration.

The free presentation “Asteroid Mining: Science Fiction or Opportunity?” begins at 7 p.m. June 10 at Wilde Rover, 111 Central Way in Kirkland.