DOCSLIB.ORG

Jjmo News 05 16.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Jjmo News 05 16.Pdf alactic Observer GJohn J. McCarthy Observatory Volume 9, No. 5 May 2016 In the Universe the Stronger Don't Last Longer See inside, pages 8 and 18 a http://www.mccarthyobservatory.org May 2016 • 1 The John J. McCarthy Observatory Galactic Observer New Milford High School Editorial Committee 388 Danbury Road Managing Editor New Milford, CT 06776 Bill Cloutier Phone/Voice: (860) 210-4117 Production & Design Phone/Fax: (860) 354-1595 www.mccarthyobservatory.org Allan Ostergren Website Development JJMO Staff Marc Polansky It is through their efforts that the McCarthy Observatory Technical Support has established itself as a significant educational and Bob Lambert recreational resource within the western Connecticut Dr. Parker Moreland community. Steve Barone Jim Johnstone Colin Campbell Carly KleinStern Dennis Cartolano Bob Lambert Mike Chiarella Roger Moore Route Jeff Chodak Parker Moreland, PhD Bill Cloutier Allan Ostergren Cecilia Dietrich Marc Polansky Dirk Feather Joe Privitera Randy Fender Monty Robson Randy Finden Don Ross John Gebauer Gene Schilling Elaine Green Katie Shusdock Tina Hartzell Paul Woodell Tom Heydenburg Amy Ziffer In This Issue "OUT THE WINDOW ON YOUR LEFT"............................... 4 JOVIAN MOON TRANSITS ................................................ 14 MOUNT MARILYN ........................................................... 4 RED SPOT TRANSITS ...................................................... 14 TRANSIT OF MERCURY .................................................... 5 MAY NIGHTS ................................................................ 14 MARS AT OPPOSITION ...................................................... 5 SUNRISE AND SUNSET ...................................................... 14 NUMBER NINE ............................................................... 6 ASTRONOMICAL AND HISTORICAL EVENTS ......................... 14 NEW MARTIAN MAPS ..................................................... 6 COMMONLY USED TERMS ............................................... 17 A TILTED MOON ............................................................ 7 REFERENCES ON DISTANCES ............................................ 17 SUPERNOVA BREAKTHROUGH ............................................ 8 INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION/IRIDIUM SATELLITES .......... 17 OFF-ROADING ON MARS ................................................. 9 SOLAR ACTIVITY ........................................................... 18 THE ASTRONOMERS MONUMENT AT GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY 10 IMAGE CREDITS ............................................................ 18 PUBLIC ASTRONOMY ...................................................... 11 SECOND SATURDAY STARS ............................................... 19 SPACE SHUTTLE HISTORY ............................................... 11 MAY GRAPHIC CALENDAR .............................................. 20 MAY SHOWERS ............................................................. 12 FORGOTTEN NAMES FOR AN ANCIENT WORLD ................... 12 MAY HISTORY ............................................................... 12 VEHICLE ASSEMBLY BUILDING INTERIOR ........................... 13 JUPITER AND ITS MOONS ................................................. 14 2 • May 2016 http://www.mccarthyobservatory.org May Astronomy Calendar and Space Exploration Almanac J a a c i o w 2 t Catching a Dragon d NASA Photo 4 N Cygnus, Soyuz and Progress NASA Photo http://www.mccarthyobservatory.org May 2016 • 3 “Out the Window Fecunditatis) was noteworthy only within 9 miles (14 km) of the lunar on Your Left” for a small crater (Theta Secchi) lo- surface. Along the way, the Apollo t’s been almost 45 years since cated on its flank. Jim Lovell, the 10 crew created dozens of informal Iwe left the last footprint on the Command Module Pilot on landmarks that could be used by dusty lunar surface. Sadly, as a the crew of Apollo 8, was one of the Armstrong and Aldrin, and mission nation founded on exploration and first people to circumnavigate the control, as waypoints to check their the conquest of new frontiers, we Moon. He named that ancient rock progress against the nominal descent appear to have lost our will to outcrop “Mount Marilyn” as a trib- timeline. The names appear on the lead as a space-faring nation. But, ute to his wife. Although unofficial, charts used by the astronauts, in tech- what if the average citizen had the name became part of the Apollo nical reports, and in transcripts of program lexicon and a landmark for communications between the astro- the first Moon landing. nauts and the ground. Apollo 10 was a dress rehearsal The 4,593 foot (1,400 m) high for Apollo 11, with astronauts Tho- Mt. Marilyn is just one of the land- mas Stafford and Eugene Cernan marks identified on the following taking the Lunar Module down to page. It was likely created over 4 the means to visit our only natural satellite; what would they see out the window of their spacecraft as they entered orbit around the Moon? This column may provide some thoughts to ponder when planning your visit (if only in your imagination). Prior to 1968, a triangular-shaped outcrop of rock located between two dark patches of lava (Mare Tranquillitatis and Mare NASA Photo: the Apollo 10 Command Module as seen from Mount Marilyn the Lunar Module with Mt. Marilyn Image: Bill Cloutier visible in the background 4 • May 2016 http://www.mccarthyobservatory.org billion years ago in the aftermath Union (IAU) named the outcrop Mars at Opposition of the impact that formed the “Mount Secchi.” Lovell would like The Earth will come between nearby basins. Following to the the IAU to reconsider and officially Mars and the Sun on May 22nd, an conclusion of the Apollo program, recognize Mt. Marilyn’s place in arrangement called Opposition. On the International Astronomical history. that day, Mars will rise with the setting Sun and be visible the Transit of Mercury entire night. At closest approach, Mercury’s orbit crosses the proximately 1/158 the size of the Sun Mars will be approximately 46.8 Earth’s orbital plane each year in (1/5 the size of Venus in 2012). million miles (75.3 km) from Earth early May and early November. If the The photo of Mercury during the (the distance at Opposition can inner-most planet is passing between 2003 transit (below) was taken vary from 34.6 million miles to 63 the Earth and Sun at that time, the through a small telescope (to mag- million miles due to Mars’ highly silhouette of Mercury can be seen nify the view). With solar activity elliptical orbit). The planet will crossing (transiting) the Sun’s bright relatively low, Mercury should be appear larger than in its previous disk. The alignment occurs infre- distinguishable from any small sun- 2014 Opposition (being almost 10 quently, on average only thirteen spots, particularly as it moves in front million miles closer), but unfortu- times each century. The last transit of the Sun over the course of the day. nately for northern hemisphere occurred in November 2006. The transit should not be viewed observers, 16.5° lower in sky. Unlike the transit of Venus which without proper eye protection (to do Mars can be found in the con- could be seen by the unaided eye otherwise risks serious eye damage stellation Scorpius during the (properly protected), finding the and blindness). Binoculars and tele- month of May. The planet will be more diminutive Mercury will likely scopes should be properly filtered as relatively bright with an apparent require optical aid. the Sun’s concentrated light and heat magnitude of -2.0. Mars will be On May 9th, the entire transit will can shatter glass and/or melt inter- relatively close to Antares (5° at be visible to observers along the east nal components. the beginning of the month and coast, beginning at 7:12 am EDT and The McCarthy Observatory will 12° at month’s end), the bright- lasting approximately 7½ hours. have updated information on est star in the constellation Scor- Mercury will cross the Sun in a the transit on its webpage pius and the 15th brightest star in descending direction from east to (www.mccarthyobservatory.org) the night sky. The red supergiant west. It will appear as a small black with possible viewing opportunities, is also known as the “Heart of the dot against the bright solar disk, ap- weather permitting. Scorpion.” The name Antares is derived from ancient Greek, mean- ing the rival or equal of Mars due to its similar reddish-orange hue. For telescopic observers attempt- ing to view the planet’s surface fea- tures, Martian weather reports can be found on the Malin Space Sci- ence Systems website (http:// www.msss.com/). The development of regional dust storms can be of particular interest since they can quickly grow to engulf the entire planet for months as they did in 2001. Mars rotates once every 24 hours and Mercury 37 minutes so the view will change little if you observe at the same time each night. To see the entire planet, you will need to observe at differ- ent times of the night or over a Transit: May 7, 2003 relatively long period of time (a Photo: Dr. Parker Moreland month or more). On nights of good http://www.mccarthyobservatory.org May 2016 • 5 seeing (steady atmospheric condi- tions), the bright polar ice caps should be visible. In May, it is late summer inLunar the northern hemi- sphere and the northern pole is tippedExploration towards Earth. Surface markings are difficult to discern on Mars due to its rela- tively small size and great distance, even in the largest telescope. A map or guidebook such
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Surface Characteristics of Transneptunian Objects and Centaurs from Photometry and Spectroscopy
    Barucci et al.: Surface Characteristics of TNOs and Centaurs 647 Surface Characteristics of Transneptunian Objects and Centaurs from Photometry and Spectroscopy M. A. Barucci and A. Doressoundiram Observatoire de Paris D. P. Cruikshank NASA Ames Research Center The external region of the solar system contains a vast population of small icy bodies, be- lieved to be remnants from the accretion of the planets. The transneptunian objects (TNOs) and Centaurs (located between Jupiter and Neptune) are probably made of the most primitive and thermally unprocessed materials of the known solar system. Although the study of these objects has rapidly evolved in the past few years, especially from dynamical and theoretical points of view, studies of the physical and chemical properties of the TNO population are still limited by the faintness of these objects. The basic properties of these objects, including infor- mation on their dimensions and rotation periods, are presented, with emphasis on their diver- sity and the possible characteristics of their surfaces. 1. INTRODUCTION cally with even the largest telescopes. The physical char- acteristics of Centaurs and TNOs are still in a rather early Transneptunian objects (TNOs), also known as Kuiper stage of investigation. Advances in instrumentation on tele- belt objects (KBOs) and Edgeworth-Kuiper belt objects scopes of 6- to 10-m aperture have enabled spectroscopic (EKBOs), are presumed to be remnants of the solar nebula studies of an increasing number of these objects, and signifi- that have survived over the age of the solar system. The cant progress is slowly being made. connection of the short-period comets (P < 200 yr) of low We describe here photometric and spectroscopic studies orbital inclination and the transneptunian population of pri- of TNOs and the emerging results.
    [Show full text]
  • Planet Positions: 1 Planet Positions
    Planet Positions: 1 Planet Positions As the planets orbit the Sun, they move around the celestial sphere, staying close to the plane of the ecliptic. As seen from the Earth, the angle between the Sun and a planet -- called the elongation -- constantly changes. We can identify a few special configurations of the planets -- those positions where the elongation is particularly noteworthy. The inferior planets -- those which orbit closer INFERIOR PLANETS to the Sun than Earth does -- have configurations as shown: SC At both superior conjunction (SC) and inferior conjunction (IC), the planet is in line with the Earth and Sun and has an elongation of 0°. At greatest elongation, the planet reaches its IC maximum separation from the Sun, a value GEE GWE dependent on the size of the planet's orbit. At greatest eastern elongation (GEE), the planet lies east of the Sun and trails it across the sky, while at greatest western elongation (GWE), the planet lies west of the Sun, leading it across the sky. Best viewing for inferior planets is generally at greatest elongation, when the planet is as far from SUPERIOR PLANETS the Sun as it can get and thus in the darkest sky possible. C The superior planets -- those orbiting outside of Earth's orbit -- have configurations as shown: A planet at conjunction (C) is lined up with the Sun and has an elongation of 0°, while a planet at opposition (O) lies in the opposite direction from the Sun, at an elongation of 180°. EQ WQ Planets at quadrature have elongations of 90°.
    [Show full text]
  • Martian Crater Morphology
    ANALYSIS OF THE DEPTH-DIAMETER RELATIONSHIP OF MARTIAN CRATERS A Capstone Experience Thesis Presented by Jared Howenstine Completion Date: May 2006 Approved By: Professor M. Darby Dyar, Astronomy Professor Christopher Condit, Geology Professor Judith Young, Astronomy Abstract Title: Analysis of the Depth-Diameter Relationship of Martian Craters Author: Jared Howenstine, Astronomy Approved By: Judith Young, Astronomy Approved By: M. Darby Dyar, Astronomy Approved By: Christopher Condit, Geology CE Type: Departmental Honors Project Using a gridded version of maritan topography with the computer program Gridview, this project studied the depth-diameter relationship of martian impact craters. The work encompasses 361 profiles of impacts with diameters larger than 15 kilometers and is a continuation of work that was started at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas under the guidance of Dr. Walter S. Keifer. Using the most ‘pristine,’ or deepest craters in the data a depth-diameter relationship was determined: d = 0.610D 0.327 , where d is the depth of the crater and D is the diameter of the crater, both in kilometers. This relationship can then be used to estimate the theoretical depth of any impact radius, and therefore can be used to estimate the pristine shape of the crater. With a depth-diameter ratio for a particular crater, the measured depth can then be compared to this theoretical value and an estimate of the amount of material within the crater, or fill, can then be calculated. The data includes 140 named impact craters, 3 basins, and 218 other impacts. The named data encompasses all named impact structures of greater than 100 kilometers in diameter.
    [Show full text]
  • The Opposition and Tilt Effects of Saturn's Rings from HST Observations
    The opposition and tilt effects of Saturn’s rings from HST observations Heikki Salo, Richard G. French To cite this version: Heikki Salo, Richard G. French. The opposition and tilt effects of Saturn’s rings from HST observa- tions. Icarus, Elsevier, 2010, 210 (2), pp.785. 10.1016/j.icarus.2010.07.002. hal-00693815 HAL Id: hal-00693815 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00693815 Submitted on 3 May 2012 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Accepted Manuscript The opposition and tilt effects of Saturn’s rings from HST observations Heikki Salo, Richard G. French PII: S0019-1035(10)00274-5 DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2010.07.002 Reference: YICAR 9498 To appear in: Icarus Received Date: 30 March 2009 Revised Date: 2 July 2010 Accepted Date: 2 July 2010 Please cite this article as: Salo, H., French, R.G., The opposition and tilt effects of Saturn’s rings from HST observations, Icarus (2010), doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2010.07.002 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript.
    [Show full text]
  • Summer ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR
    2020 Buhl Planetarium & Observatory ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR Summer JUNE 2020 1 Mon M13 globular cluster well-placed for observation (Use telescope in Hercules) 3 Wed Mercury at highest point in evening sky (Look west-northwest at sunset) 5 Fri Full Moon (Strawberry Moon) 9 Tues Moon within 3 degrees of both Jupiter and Saturn (Look south before dawn) 13 Sat Moon within 3 degrees of Mars (Look southeast before dawn) Moon at last quarter phase 20 Sat Summer solstice 21 Sun New Moon 27 Sat Bootid meteor shower peak (Best displays soon after dusk) 28 Sun Moon at first quarter phase JULY 2020 5 Sun Full Moon (Buck Moon) Penumbral lunar eclipse (Look south midnight into Monday) Moon within 2 degrees of Jupiter (Look south midnight into Monday) 6 Mon Moon within 3 degrees of Saturn (Look southwest before dawn) 8 Wed Venus at greatest brightness (Look east at dawn) 11 Sat Moon within 2 degrees of Mars (Look south before dawn) 12 Sun Moon at last quarter phase 14 Tues Jupiter at opposition (Look south midnight into Wednesday) 17 Fri Moon just over 3 degrees from Venus (Look east before dawn) 20 Mon New Moon; Saturn at opposition (Look south midnight into Tuesday) 27 Mon Moon at first quarter phase 28 Tues Piscis Austrinid meteor shower peak (Best displays before dawn) 29 Wed Southern Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornid meteor showers peak AUGUST 2020 1 Sat Moon within 2 degrees of Jupiter (Look southeast after dusk) 2 Sun Moon within 3 degrees of Saturn (Look southeast after dusk) 3 Mon Full Moon (Sturgeon Moon) 9 Sun Conjunction of the Moon and
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Events Around US Neptune Cycles US Neptune: 22°25’ Virgo Greg Knell
    Historical Events around US Neptune Cycles US Neptune: 22°25’ Virgo Greg Knell As we are in the midst of the United States’ Second Neptune Opposition, I initiated this research to consider the historical threads of this nation’s Neptunian narrative throughout its past 245 years. That this Neptune Opposition arrived to usher in the US’ First Pluto Return and its Fifth Chiron Return emphasized its prominence. Upon delving into this work, however, I came of the opinion that to isolate Neptune and its cycle would not do justice to what I sense is its place and purpose in the greater scheme of all relevant planetary cycles. Given that one Uranus cycle is roughly half of a Neptune cycle, Uranus Oppositions and Returns coincide with Neptune Squares, Oppositions, and Returns. Since its inception, the United States has had six Neptunian Timeline events: one return, two oppositions, and three squares. Among these, Pluto’s Timeline events have coincided four times. Given Pluto’s erratic orbit, this was by no means guaranteed. Pluto’s opposition occurred almost two-thirds through its entire orbit – in 1935, not even 100 years ago – instead of at the half way point of slightly before the turn of the Twentieth Century. This timing provides a clue as to the purpose, the plan, and the mission of these planetary cycles at this particular point in history. While it would be possible to isolate Neptune, perhaps, or any of the other cycles, I choose not to do so, as I do not believe that inquiry is worthy of individual pursuit for my purposes here.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pancam Instrument for the Exomars Rover
    ASTROBIOLOGY ExoMars Rover Mission Volume 17, Numbers 6 and 7, 2017 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/ast.2016.1548 The PanCam Instrument for the ExoMars Rover A.J. Coates,1,2 R. Jaumann,3 A.D. Griffiths,1,2 C.E. Leff,1,2 N. Schmitz,3 J.-L. Josset,4 G. Paar,5 M. Gunn,6 E. Hauber,3 C.R. Cousins,7 R.E. Cross,6 P. Grindrod,2,8 J.C. Bridges,9 M. Balme,10 S. Gupta,11 I.A. Crawford,2,8 P. Irwin,12 R. Stabbins,1,2 D. Tirsch,3 J.L. Vago,13 T. Theodorou,1,2 M. Caballo-Perucha,5 G.R. Osinski,14 and the PanCam Team Abstract The scientific objectives of the ExoMars rover are designed to answer several key questions in the search for life on Mars. In particular, the unique subsurface drill will address some of these, such as the possible existence and stability of subsurface organics. PanCam will establish the surface geological and morphological context for the mission, working in collaboration with other context instruments. Here, we describe the PanCam scientific objectives in geology, atmospheric science, and 3-D vision. We discuss the design of PanCam, which includes a stereo pair of Wide Angle Cameras (WACs), each of which has an 11-position filter wheel and a High Resolution Camera (HRC) for high-resolution investigations of rock texture at a distance. The cameras and electronics are housed in an optical bench that provides the mechanical interface to the rover mast and a planetary protection barrier.
    [Show full text]
  • Contents JUPITER Transits
    1 Contents JUPITER Transits..........................................................................................................5 JUPITER Conjunct Sun..............................................................................................6 JUPITER Opposite Sun............................................................................................10 JUPITER Sextile Sun...............................................................................................14 JUPITER Square Sun...............................................................................................17 JUPITER Trine Sun..................................................................................................20 JUPITER Conjunct Moon.........................................................................................23 JUPITER Opposite Moon.........................................................................................28 JUPITER Sextile Moon.............................................................................................32 JUPITER Square Moon............................................................................................36 JUPITER Trine Moon................................................................................................40 JUPITER Conjunct Mercury.....................................................................................45 JUPITER Opposite Mercury.....................................................................................48 JUPITER Sextile Mercury........................................................................................51
    [Show full text]
  • Mars Surface Context Cameras Past, Present, and Future 10.1002/2016EA000166 M
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Aberystwyth Research Portal Aberystwyth University Mars surface context cameras past, present and future Gunn, Matthew; Cousins, Claire Published in: Earth and Space Science DOI: 10.1002/2016EA000166 Publication date: 2016 Citation for published version (APA): Gunn, M., & Cousins, C. (2016). Mars surface context cameras past, present and future. Earth and Space Science, 3(4), 144-162. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016EA000166 Document License CC BY-NC-ND General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the Aberystwyth Research Portal (the Institutional Repository) are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the Aberystwyth Research Portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the Aberystwyth Research Portal Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. tel: +44 1970 62 2400 email: [email protected] Download date: 09. Jul. 2020 PUBLICATIONS Earth and Space Science REVIEW Mars surface context cameras past, present, and future 10.1002/2016EA000166 M. D. Gunn1 and C. R. Cousins2 Key Points: 1Institute of Maths, Physics and Computer Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK, 2Department of Earth and • Camera systems have been a core component of all instrument payloads Environmental Sciences, Irvine Building, University of St Andrews, St.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix I Lunar and Martian Nomenclature
    APPENDIX I LUNAR AND MARTIAN NOMENCLATURE LUNAR AND MARTIAN NOMENCLATURE A large number of names of craters and other features on the Moon and Mars, were accepted by the IAU General Assemblies X (Moscow, 1958), XI (Berkeley, 1961), XII (Hamburg, 1964), XIV (Brighton, 1970), and XV (Sydney, 1973). The names were suggested by the appropriate IAU Commissions (16 and 17). In particular the Lunar names accepted at the XIVth and XVth General Assemblies were recommended by the 'Working Group on Lunar Nomenclature' under the Chairmanship of Dr D. H. Menzel. The Martian names were suggested by the 'Working Group on Martian Nomenclature' under the Chairmanship of Dr G. de Vaucouleurs. At the XVth General Assembly a new 'Working Group on Planetary System Nomenclature' was formed (Chairman: Dr P. M. Millman) comprising various Task Groups, one for each particular subject. For further references see: [AU Trans. X, 259-263, 1960; XIB, 236-238, 1962; Xlffi, 203-204, 1966; xnffi, 99-105, 1968; XIVB, 63, 129, 139, 1971; Space Sci. Rev. 12, 136-186, 1971. Because at the recent General Assemblies some small changes, or corrections, were made, the complete list of Lunar and Martian Topographic Features is published here. Table 1 Lunar Craters Abbe 58S,174E Balboa 19N,83W Abbot 6N,55E Baldet 54S, 151W Abel 34S,85E Balmer 20S,70E Abul Wafa 2N,ll7E Banachiewicz 5N,80E Adams 32S,69E Banting 26N,16E Aitken 17S,173E Barbier 248, 158E AI-Biruni 18N,93E Barnard 30S,86E Alden 24S, lllE Barringer 29S,151W Aldrin I.4N,22.1E Bartels 24N,90W Alekhin 68S,131W Becquerei
    [Show full text]
  • Exomars Presentation
    EE XX OO MM AA RR SS Mission Objectives & Science Strategy J. L. Vago and the ExoMars project team Solar System Working Group – SSWG 8 September 2005, ESA HQ (F) The Aurora Programme ESA’s new programme to prepare for the human exploration of the Solar system. Characteristics: Defines a long-term space exploration strategy for Europe; Focuses on exploration infrastructure and technology development; Robotic missions in preparation of future human ones; Synergy between scientific and technological objectives; Provides a framework for cooperation with other space agencies. 2 What is ExoMars? • Is the first mission of ESA’s Aurora Exploration Programme. • ExoMars will deploy two science elements on the Martian surface: a Rover carrying the Pasteur payload, and a fixed station —the Geophysics/Environment Package (GEP). Scientific Objectives: Pasteur Rover: ¾ To search for traces of past and present life on Mars; ¾ To characterise, in the shallow subsurface, vertical distribution profiles for water and geochemical composition. GEP: ¾ To measure planetary geophysics parameters important to understand Mars’s evolution and habitability; ¾ To study the surface environment and identify hazards to human missions. Technology Objectives: To develop a European capability to land large payloads on Mars; To demonstrate high surface mobility and access to the subsurface; 3 To prepare technologies necessary for a Mars Sample Return mission. Why life on Mars? • Early in the history of Mars, liquid water was present on its surface; • Some of the processes considered important for the origin of life on Earth may have also been present on early Mars; • Asteroid and comet impacts may have been less severe on Mars, favouring the survival of life; • Establishing if there ever was life on Mars is fundamental for planning future human missions.
    [Show full text]
  • Neptune Closest to Earth for 2020 - a September 2020 Sky Event from the Astronomy Club of Asheville
    Neptune Closest to Earth for 2020 - a September 2020 Sky Event from the Astronomy Club of Asheville Earth reaches “opposition” with the solar Not to Scale system’s most distant planet on September 11th. At opposition, speedier Earth, moving counterclockwise on its inside lane, laps the outer planet, positioning the Sun directly opposite the Earth from Neptune. This puts Neptune closest to Earth for the year and in great observing position for those using a telescope. Rising at dusk and setting at dawn, the planet Neptune is visible all night during the month of September. Located in the constellation Aquarius, Neptune is positioned some 2.7 billion miles (or 4 light-hours) away from Earth at “opposition” this month. _________________________________ At magnitude 7.8, Neptune will appear as a small blue disk in most amateur telescopes. You will find Neptune along the ecliptic in the constellation Aquarius this year. In September, it will be located about 2° southeast of the 4.2 magnitude star Phi (φ) Aquarii. Like Uranus, Neptune has an upper atmosphere with significant methane gas (CH4). Methane strongly absorbs red light; thus, the blue end of the light spectrum, from the reflected sunlight, is what primarily passes through to our eyes, when observing this distant planet. Neptune’s Discovery Neptune was the 2nd solar system planet to be discovered! Uranus’ discovery preceded it, when William Herschel observed its blue disk, quite by accident, in 1781. But Uranus’ orbit had an unexplained problem – a deviation that astronomers called a “perturbation”. Johannes Kepler’s laws of planetary motion and Isaac Newton’s laws of motion and gravity could not adequately explain this perturbation in Uranus’ orbit.
    [Show full text]