THE PLANETARY REPORT SEPTEMBER EQUINOX 2014 VOLUME 34, NUMBER 3 Planetary.Org
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THE PLANETARY REPORT SEPTEMBER EQUINOX 2014 VOLUME 34, NUMBER 3 planetary.org BEYOND HUMAN VISION TURNING UP THE COLOR ON SATURN’S ICY MOONS TESTIFYING FOR SCIENCE C VOLATILES ON MERCURY C EXOPLANETS: HONING THE HUNT ADVOCATING FOR SPACE CASEY DREIER is director of advocacy for The Planetary Society. A Key Witness for Exploration Planetary Science Gets Its Day in Congress THE E-MAIL ARRIVED early ownership rights of natural science community and the on a warm morning during resources collected in space important work they do,” the final days of August. It to private companies. said House Science Commit- was from a staff member Jim’s testimony focused tee Chairman Lamar Smith on the U.S. House of Repre- on two major points: (R-TX) in a prepared state- sentatives Subcommittee on 1. Advances in planetary ment before the hearing. “I Space, writing to let us know science depend heavily hope that [the White House] that in a week and a half on planetary explora- is paying attention to today’s there would be a hearing on tion missions, and discussion.” the state (and fate) of plane- 2. Today’s dollars pay for The hearing was a clear tary science and, by the way, tomorrow’s missions. sign that The Planetary So- would The Planetary Soci- Although planetary science ciety’s continued advocacy ety’s president be interested looks strong, it’s because for the health and future in testifying? the current suite of missions of planetary exploration ABOVE On September 10, Yes—yes, he would. were paid for in the past. The missions is working. That 2014, Planetary Society Eleven busy days later, Jim rate of new missions being success is a direct result President Jim Bell [center] Bell arrived in Washington, built today has decreased of our members’ efforts to testified before the U.S. D.C. to address the uncertain substantially. As current contact their representa- House of Representatives future of planetary science missions age and end, there tives, and their donations Subcommittee on Space about the importance at NASA. As a professional will be few replacements in support of our programs. of continued funding planetary scientist, he un- ready to continue explor- Little known fact: Congress, for planetary science. derstands the major scientific ing the solar system. In fact, for the most part, does questions of his field inside after 2017, there will be no not pay for its witnesses to and out. As president of The NASA spacecraft exploring travel to D.C. to speak. The Planetary Society, he gets the outer planets or inner Society was able to provide the importance of continued planets. Since advances in travel for Jim Bell to testify space exploration for society planetary science depend in front of Congress thanks at large. In short, he was a so heavily on new data from to the generosity of you, perfect witness for the sub- spacecraft, there will be a our members. committee. drop in science activity in Congress, particularly The hearing, Exploring these crucial areas. These the House of Representa- To hear Jim Bell discuss his Our Solar System: The ASTER- gaps can be mitigated, Jim tives, has strongly support- Congressional appearance, listen to this episode OIDS Act as a Key Step, took argued, by restoring the ed planetary exploration in of Planetary Radio: a close look at the recent budget to historical levels as both its monetary appropri- bit.ly/1m8hWqD cuts to NASA’s Planetary soon as possible. ations and policy authoriza- Society Planetary The for Dayal Tushar Photo: Science Division initiated by The congressional repre- tions. We’re building better the White House in 2013. It sentatives on the subcom- support in the Senate and also examined a proposed mittee were receptive and in NASA. Our message is Read Jim’s full written bill, the American Space they enjoyed seeing samples getting out there—planetary testimony [pdf download]: Technology for Exploring of the stunning images of science is great exploration bit.ly/1v4yv8G Resource Opportunities In our solar system that we bang for the buck—and last Deep Space (ASTEROIDS) provided for the testimony. month’s hearing testifies Act, which would grant “We value the planetary to that. 2 THE PLANETARY REPORT C SEPTEMBER EQUINOX 2014 CONTENTS SEPTEMBER EQUINOX 2014 ADVOCATING FOR SPACE A Key Witness for Exploration 2 Jim Bell testifies on Capitol Hill. COVER STORY Blue Pearls for Rhea 8 Paul Schenk creates color-enhanced maps of Saturn’s icy moons. Missives from MESSENGER 14 Rebecca Thomas describes a surprisingly volatile-rich Mercury. DEVELOPMENTS IN SPACE SCIENCE Honing the Hunt 20 Bruce Betts talks about a new exoplanet project, and OSETI getting back on the rails. DEPARTMENTS 4 Your Place in Space Bill Nye reports on The Planetary Society’s Strategic Plan. 6 Happening on Planetary Radio Fascinating guests and some special live events! 6 On Planetary.org New things are happening all the time on The Planetary Society’s blogs! 7 Questions & Answers Looking back at the Sun? 7 Factinos A Neptune-sized planet with clear skies! 19 What’s Up? A meteor shower and a partial solar eclipse. 22 Snapshots from Space The view from Pillinger Point. Mars and the full Moon over Saint Peter’s Basilica. Photo: Tushar Dayal for The Planetary Society Planetary The for Dayal Tushar Photo: 23 MySky ON THE COVER: Cassini, like all robotic explorers we launch into deep space, has deepened our understanding of our solar environs in many ways—some anticipated and some not. Dialing up Cassini’s infrared, green, and ultraviolet filters draws out details in the surfaces of Saturn’s icy moons that we cannot see in natural color wavelengths. This map of Enceladus’ far side shows the redepositon of icy dust (pink and yellow) from the “tiger stripe” vents (cyan tinted) at the moon’s South Pole. CONTACT US The Planetary Report (ISSN 0736-3680) is published quarterly at the Editor DONNA E. STEVENS The Planetary Society editorial offices of The Planetary Society, 85 South Grand Avenue, Art Director LOREN A. ROBERTS for HEARKEN CREATIVE 85 South Grand Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105-1602, 626-793-5100. It is available to members of The Copy Editor AXN ASSOCIATES Pasadena, CA 91105-1602 Planetary Society. Annual dues in the United States are $37 (U.S. dollars); Technical Editor JAMES D. BURKE General Calls: 626-793-5100 in Canada, $40 (Canadian dollars). Dues in other countries are $57 (U.S. Science Editor BRUCE BETTS E-mail: [email protected] dollars). Printed in USA. Third-class postage at Pasadena, California, and at Chief Operating Officer JENNIFER VAUGHN Internet: planetary.org an additional mailing office. Canada Post Agreement Number 87424. Director of Communications ERIN GREESON Viewpoints expressed in columns and editorials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent positions of The Planetary Society, its officers, or its advisers. © 2014 by The Planetary Society. All Rights Reserved. The Planetary Society and The Planetary Report: Registered Trademarks ® The Planetary Society. Planetary Radio and Planetfest ™ The Planetary Society. YOUR PLACE IN SPACE COFOUNDERS CARL SAGAN BILL NYE is chief executive 1934–1996 officer of The Planetary Society. BRUCE MURRAY 1931–2013 LOUIS D. FRIEDMAN Executive Director Emeritus BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman of the Board DANIEL T. GERACI Founder & co-CEO Investing in the Future Arithmos Financial Innovations That’s What We Do at The Planetary Society President JAMES BELL Professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University Vice President HEIDI HAMMEL IN THE COURSE of just about any human ing addition to the staff. You may already be Executive Vice President, Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy undertaking, be it laying out the streets of a reading Media Producer Jason Davis’ illuminat- Chief Executive Officer BILL NYE city, rotating crops, getting the kids to school ing blog, and you’ll soon be enjoying the videos Science Educator on your way to work, or deciding what pitch by Merc Boyan, another new media producer. Secretary C. WALLACE HOOSER to throw to the next batter in a baseball game, Our executive assistant Whitney Pratz has Associate Professor of Radiology, University of Texas we want to have a plan. We want to figure streamlined everyone’s workday, especially Southwestern Medical School G. SCOTT HUBBARD out just what we’re trying to accomplish Jennifer’s. Digital Marketing Manager Karen Professor, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and then come up with a way to get it done. Hames has improved the performance and Stanford University Well, ever since I took over here four years the overall look of our e-mail and marketing Treasurer LON LEVIN ago (I just celebrated my employment anni- communications. If you’re a Society volunteer, SkySevenVentures ALEXIS LIVANOS versary), the Board of Directors and many of thank you; I’m sure you’ve been in touch with Research Professor, Faculty Associate you have wanted the Society to have a plan—a Kate Howells, our dedicated, Canada-based Engineering & Applied Science, California Institute of Technology strategic plan. Thanks to the diligence of our volunteer network manager. I am delighted JOHN LOGSDON that many of you have already heard from our Professor Emeritus, Space Policy Institute, chief operating officer Jennifer Vaughn and The George Washington University the staff, along with our superb consultant new director of development Richard Chute; BIJAL “BEE” THAKORE Regional Coordinator for Asia Pacific, Warren Riley, we have an excellent strategic he brings valuable wisdom and experience to Space Generation Advisory Council plan. Look for it soon in mailboxes and on our operations. Our new director of commu- NEIL deGRASSE TYSON Astrophysicist and Director, planetary.org Hayden Planetarium, .