DOCSLIB.ORG

Scientific Context for the Exploration of the Moon

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Scientific Context for the Exploration of the Moon ReportReport Overview:Overview: TheThe ScientificScientific ContextContext forfor ExplorationExploration ofof thethe MoonMoon SpaceSpace StudiesStudies Board,Board, NationalNational ResearchResearch CouncilCouncil NationalNational AcademyAcademy ofof SciencesSciences FranciscoFrancisco P.P. J.J. ValeroValero CarlCarléé M.M. PietersPieters (Vice(Vice Chair)Chair) GeorgeGeorge A.A. PaulikasPaulikas (Chair)(Chair) CommitteeCommittee andand StaffStaff George A. Paulikas, The Aerospace Corporation (retired), Chair Carlé M. Pieters, Brown University, Vice Chair William B. Banerdt, Jet Propulsion Laboratory James L. Burch,Southwest Research Institute Andrew Chaikin, Arlington, Vermont Barbara Cohen, University of New Mexico Michael Duke, Colorado School of Mines (retired) Harald HiesingerHiesinger,, University of Muenster ,Germany Noel W. Hinners, Lockheed MarMartintin Astronautics (retired) Ayanna M. Howard, Georgia Institute of Technology David J. Lawrence, Los Alamos National Laboratory Daniel F. LesterLester,, McDonald Observatory PaPaulul GG.. Lucey, University of Hawaii Stefanie Tompkins, Science Applications International Corporation Francisco Valero, UniUniversityversity of California-San Diego John V. Valley, UnUniversityiversity of Wisconsin Charles D. Walker, Boeing (retired) and former Astronaut Payload Specialist Neville J. Woolf, University of Arizona Robert L. Riemer, David H. Smith, Rodney Howard, and Stephanie Bednarek, NRC staff NRC/NAS CMP/GAP 2 TheThe ContextContext Vision for Space Exploration The Moon is the first waypoint for human exploration in NASA’s VSE. Robotic missions that will precede and support human exploration of the Moon offer opportunities to accomplish important scientific investigations about the Moon and the solar system beyond. The current NRC/NAS study is intended to meet the near term needs for science guidance for the lunar component of the VSE. NRC/NAS CMP/GAP 3 In a Balanced Science Program Topography WhyWhy thethe Moon?Moon? The Moon is a witness to 4.5 billion years of solar system Albedo history. The Moon presents a record of planetary geologic processes in the purest form Early crust evolution Color Differentiation Composite Impact craters Volcanic processes Regolith processes and early Sun Iron The Moon provides accessible unique environments Polar regions Exosphere (atmosphere) Thorium Stable Platform NRC/NAS CMP/GAP 4 Polar H Overarching Themes of Solar System Exploration ConsensusConsensus StatementStatement It is the unanimous consensus of the committee that the Moon offers profound scientific value. The infrastructure provided by sustained human presence can enable remarkable science opportunities if those opportunities are evaluated and designed into the effort from the outset. While the expense of human exploration can not likely be justified on the basis of science alone, the committee emphasizes that careful attention to science opportunity is very much in the interest of a stable and sustainable lunar program. A vigorous near term robotic exploration program providing global access is central to the next phase of scientific exploration of the Moon and is necessary both to prepare for the efficient utilization of human presence and to maintain scientific momentum as this major national program moves forward. NRC/NAS CMP/GAP 6 PrioritizationPrioritization CriteriaCriteria The committee used the guidelines for setting science priorities outlined in the decadal survey New Frontiers in the Solar System: An Integrated Exploration Strategy (NRC, 2003): Scientific MMeriterit (most important) - including the degree to which an activity will test or alter an existing paradigm or prevalent hypothesis, if it will have a pivotal effect on future science endeavors, or if it is likely to significantly expand the factual basis of our understanding. Opportunity and realism for achieving a goal-addressing whether an activity is likely to produce the desired result in the time frame specified and whether the opportunity readily exists to address the goal. Technical readiness: Is the technology necessary to carry out the activity is available or anticipated in the time frame specified? NRC/NAS CMP/GAP 7 SCIENCESCIENCE CONCEPTSCONCEPTS (8)(8) [in order of Scientific Merit] Each includes several prioritized Science Goals (35). Concept 1: The bombardment history of the inner solar system is uniquely revealed on the Moon Concept 2: The structure and composition of the lunar interior provide fundamental information on the evolution of a differentiated planet Concept 3: Key planetary processes are manifested in the diversity of lunar crustal rocks Concept 4: The lunar poles are special environments that may bear witness to the volatile flux over the latter part of solar system history NRC/NAS CMP/GAP 8 SCIENCESCIENCE CONCEPTSCONCEPTS (cont.)(cont.) Concept 5: Lunar volcanism provides a window into the thermal and compositional evolution of the Moon Concept 6: The Moon is an accessible laboratory for studying the impact process on planetary scales Concept 7: The Moon is a natural laboratory for regolith processes and weathering on anhydrous airless bodies Concept 8: Processes involved with the atmosphere and dust environment of the Moon are accessible for scientific study while the environment remains in a pristine state NRC/NAS CMP/GAP 9 HighestHighest PriorityPriority ScienceScience GoalsGoals (11(11 ofof 35)35) 1. Test the cataclysm hypothesis by determining the spacing in time of the lunar basins. 2. Anchor the early Earth-Moon impact flux curve by determining the age of the oldest lunar basin (South Pole-Aitken Basin). 3. Establish a precise absolute chronology. 4. Determine the compositional state (elemental, isotopic, mineralogic) and compositional distribution (lateral and depth) of the volatile component in lunar polar regions. 5. Determine the extent and composition of the primary feldspathic crust, KREEP layer, and other products of planetary differentiation. H NRC/NAS CMP/GAP 10 HighestHighest PriorityPriority ScienceScience GoalsGoals (cont.)(cont.) 6. Determine the thickness of the lunar crust (upper and lower) and characterize its lateral variability on regional and global scales. 7. Characterize the chemical/physical of stratification in the mantle, particularly the nature of the putative 500-km discontinuity and the composition of the lower mantle. 8. Determine the global density, composition, and time variability of the fragile lunar atmosphere before it is perturbed by further human activity. 9. Determine the size, composition and state (solid/liquid) of the core of the Moon. 10. Inventory the variety, age, distribution, and origin of lunar rock types. 11. Determine the size, charge, and spatial distribution of electrostatically transported dust grains and assess their likely effects on lunar exploration and lunar-based astronomy The Context: InternationalInternational LunarLunar ExplorationExploration SMART-1 KAGUYA Chang’e Chandrayaan 1 LRO [ESA] [JAXA] [CNSA] [ISRO] [NASA] Launch 2003 2007 2007 2008 2008 Orbit 400 x 4000 km 100 km polar 200 km polar 100 km polar 50 km polar circular polar circular circular circular Objectives Technology Study lunar Surface Simultaneous Improve geodetic demonstration; origin and structure, composition net; evaluate polar investigate evolution; topography, and terrain areas; study poles; develop composition; mapping; radiation Sept 2006 technology for particle demonstrate environment impact ending future lunar environment impact probe exploration Payload Camera, spec Relay satellites, 4-band Hires stereo, Hires camera, laser profile, X-ray, multispec microwave, X- wedge imager, altimeter, UV, plasma imager, spec ray, γ-ray, laser altimeter, radiation, experiments profile, stereo, stereo, HE x-ray, radiometer, neutron X-ray spec, interferometer, impact probe+ spec, γ-ray spec; laser altimeter, X-ray spec, LCROSS-impact laser altimeter; energetic ions ions, radiation, radar sounder, spec profile, magnetometer, miniSAR, NIR plasma imager image spec NRC/NAS CMP/GAP 12 FindingFinding 1:1: EnablingEnabling activitiesactivities areare criticalcritical inin thethe nearnear term.term. NASA and the scientific community are currently underequipped to harvest the plethora of sophisticated data that will become available for the Moon over the next several years. Recommendation 1a: NASA should make a strategic commitment to stimulate lunar research and engage the broad scientific community by establishing two enabling programs, one for fundamental lunar research and one for lunar data analysis. Information from these two efforts, will speed and revolutionize understanding of the Moon as the Vision for Space Exploration proceeds. Recommendation 1b: The suite of experiments being carried by orbital missions in ddevelopmentevelopment will provide essential data for science and human exploration. NASA should be prepared to recover data lost due to failure of missions or instruments by reflying those missions or instruments where those data are deemed essential for scientific progress. NRC/NAS CMP/GAP 13 FindingFinding 2:2: StrongStrong tiesties withwith internationalinternational programsprograms areare essential.essential. The current level of planned and proposed activity indicates that almost every space-faring nation is interested in establishing a foothold on the Moon. RecommendationRecommendation 2:2: NASANASA shouldshould explicitlyexplicitly planplan andand carrycarry outout activitiesactivities withwith
Load more

Recommended publications
  • SPEAKERS TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE FAA COMMERCIAL SPACE 15TH ANNUAL John R
    15TH ANNUAL FAA COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE SPEAKERS COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION http://www.faa.gov/go/ast 15-16 FEBRUARY 2012 HQ-12-0163.INDD John R. Allen Christine Anderson Dr. John R. Allen serves as the Program Executive for Crew Health Christine Anderson is the Executive Director of the New Mexico and Safety at NASA Headquarters, Washington DC, where he Spaceport Authority. She is responsible for the development oversees the space medicine activities conducted at the Johnson and operation of the first purpose-built commercial spaceport-- Space Center, Houston, Texas. Dr. Allen received a B.A. in Speech Spaceport America. She is a recently retired Air Force civilian Communication from the University of Maryland (1975), a M.A. with 30 years service. She was a member of the Senior Executive in Audiology/Speech Pathology from The Catholic University Service, the civilian equivalent of the military rank of General of America (1977), and a Ph.D. in Audiology and Bioacoustics officer. Anderson was the founding Director of the Space from Baylor College of Medicine (1996). Upon completion of Vehicles Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland his Master’s degree, he worked for the Easter Seals Treatment Air Force Base, New Mexico. She also served as the Director Center in Rockville, Maryland as an audiologist and speech- of the Space Technology Directorate at the Air Force Phillips language pathologist and received certification in both areas. Laboratory at Kirtland, and as the Director of the Military Satellite He joined the US Air Force in 1980, serving as Chief, Audiology Communications Joint Program Office at the Air Force Space at Andrews AFB, Maryland, and at the Wiesbaden Medical and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles where she directed Center, Germany, and as Chief, Otolaryngology Services at the the development, acquisition and execution of a $50 billion Aeromedical Consultation Service, Brooks AFB, Texas, where portfolio.
    [Show full text]
  • NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE)
    Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 13, EGU2011-5107-2, 2011 EGU General Assembly 2011 © Author(s) 2011 NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) Richard Elphic (1), Gregory Delory (1,2), Anthony Colaprete (1), Mihaly Horanyi (3), Paul Mahaffy (4), Butler Hine (1), Steven McClard (5), Joan Salute (6), Edwin Grayzeck (6), and Don Boroson (7) (1) NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA USA ([email protected]), (2) Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA, (3) Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO USA, (4) NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD USA, (5) LunarQuest Program Office, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL USA, (6) Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA, Washington, DC USA, (7) Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lexington MA USA Nearly 40 years have passed since the last Apollo missions investigated the mysteries of the lunar atmosphere and the question of levitated lunar dust. The most important questions remain: what is the composition, structure and variability of the tenuous lunar exosphere? What are its origins, transport mechanisms, and loss processes? Is lofted lunar dust the cause of the horizon glow observed by the Surveyor missions and Apollo astronauts? How does such levitated dust arise and move, what is its density, and what is its ultimate fate? The US National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council decadal surveys and the recent “Scientific Context for Exploration of the Moon” (SCEM) reports have identified studies of the pristine state of the lunar atmosphere and dust environment as among the leading priorities for future lunar science missions.
    [Show full text]
  • Raptis-Rare-Books-Digital-Holiday
    1 FOR THE COLLECTION OF A LIFETIME The process of creating one’s personal library is the pursuit of a lifetime. It requires special thought and consideration. Each book represents a piece of history, and it is a remarkable task to assemble these individual items into a collection. Our aim at Raptis Rare Books is to render tailored, individualized service to help you achieve your goals. We specialize in working with private collectors with a specific wish list, helping individuals find the ideal gift for special occasions, and partnering with representatives of institutions. We are here to assist you in your pursuit. Thank you for letting us be your guide in bringing the library of your imagination to reality. FOR MORE INFORMATION For further details regarding any of the items featured in these pages, visit our website or call 561-508-3479 for expert assistance from one of our booksellers. Raptis Rare Books | 226 Worth Avenue | Palm Beach, Florida 33480 561-508-3479 | [email protected] www.RaptisRareBooks.com Contents History, Philosophy & Religion..........................................................................2 American History...............................................................................................10 Literature.............................................................................................................24 Heroes and Leaders.............................................................................................40 Travel, Adventure and Sport.............................................................................54
    [Show full text]
  • Exploration of the Moon
    Exploration of the Moon The physical exploration of the Moon began when Luna 2, a space probe launched by the Soviet Union, made an impact on the surface of the Moon on September 14, 1959. Prior to that the only available means of exploration had been observation from Earth. The invention of the optical telescope brought about the first leap in the quality of lunar observations. Galileo Galilei is generally credited as the first person to use a telescope for astronomical purposes; having made his own telescope in 1609, the mountains and craters on the lunar surface were among his first observations using it. NASA's Apollo program was the first, and to date only, mission to successfully land humans on the Moon, which it did six times. The first landing took place in 1969, when astronauts placed scientific instruments and returnedlunar samples to Earth. Apollo 12 Lunar Module Intrepid prepares to descend towards the surface of the Moon. NASA photo. Contents Early history Space race Recent exploration Plans Past and future lunar missions See also References External links Early history The ancient Greek philosopher Anaxagoras (d. 428 BC) reasoned that the Sun and Moon were both giant spherical rocks, and that the latter reflected the light of the former. His non-religious view of the heavens was one cause for his imprisonment and eventual exile.[1] In his little book On the Face in the Moon's Orb, Plutarch suggested that the Moon had deep recesses in which the light of the Sun did not reach and that the spots are nothing but the shadows of rivers or deep chasms.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Exploration Roadmap
    The Global Exploration Roadmap January 2018 What is New in The Global Exploration Roadmap? This new edition of the Global Exploration robotic space exploration. Refinements in important role in sustainable human space Roadmap reaffirms the interest of 14 space this edition include: exploration. Initially, it supports human and agencies to expand human presence into the robotic lunar exploration in a manner which Solar System, with the surface of Mars as • A summary of the benefits stemming from creates opportunities for multiple sectors to a common driving goal. It reflects a coordi- space exploration. Numerous benefits will advance key goals. nated international effort to prepare for space come from this exciting endeavour. It is • The recognition of the growing private exploration missions beginning with the Inter- important that mission objectives reflect this sector interest in space exploration. national Space Station (ISS) and continuing priority when planning exploration missions. Interest from the private sector is already to the lunar vicinity, the lunar surface, then • The important role of science and knowl- transforming the future of low Earth orbit, on to Mars. The expanded group of agencies edge gain. Open interaction with the creating new opportunities as space agen- demonstrates the growing interest in space international science community helped cies look to expand human presence into exploration and the importance of coopera- identify specific scientific opportunities the Solar System. Growing capability and tion to realise individual and common goals created by the presence of humans and interest from the private sector indicate and objectives. their infrastructure as they explore the Solar a future for collaboration not only among System.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploration Timeline A
    HOW DID OUR MOON FORM? MEET A LUNAR GEOLOGIST — Dr. Jeff Taylor, University of Hawaii What do you do? —— How did you get interested in this field? What is the most interesting question about the Moon that scientists are trying to solve? Do you want to go to the Moon? If someone wants to become a scientist, what should they do? EVOLUTION OF OUR MOON TRY THIS — What’s Needed Early Stages: A Magma Ocean — Make an Impact! Students model impact events and develop an understanding of the processes that cause cratering on the lunar surface. Getting Started Big Impacts, Big Basins — What features do they observe? Do they see the large round areas that have smooth dark interiors? Do they see smaller circular features? How might these have formed? What to Do Basin Filling — What do they observe? Can they identify different features of the crater? How do craters help geologists “see into” the inside of a planet? How did impactors traveling at different “velocities” influence the crater size or distribution of ejecta? Do the crater sizes or depths change? Wrapping Up Recent History — Can they identify impact basins, craters, and rays? EXPLORATIONXPLORATION TIMELINEIMELINE HINA MOVES TO THE MOON: Humans have been asking questions about our Moon since we first looked up at it in the sky. A HAWAIIAN STORY ABOUT OUR MOON WhatWhat isis oourur MMoonoon mmadeade oof?f? WWhathat aarere tthehe llightight aandnd ddarkark mmarkings?arkings? DDoesoes tthehe MMoonoon hhaveave ooceansceans aandnd aann aatmosphere?tmosphere? As telescopes became ever more powerful, the Moon’s rugged surface was revealed in increasing detail, but observations from Earth could not answer many scientific questions.
    [Show full text]
  • Project Apollo: Americans to the Moon John M
    Chapter Two Project Apollo: Americans to the Moon John M. Logsdon Project Apollo, the remarkable U.S. space effort that sent 12 astronauts to the surface of Earth’s Moon between July 1969 and December 1972, has been extensively chronicled and analyzed.1 This essay will not attempt to add to this extensive body of literature. Its ambition is much more modest: to provide a coherent narrative within which to place the various documents included in this compendium. In this narrative, key decisions along the path to the Moon will be given particular attention. 1. Roger Launius, in his essay “Interpreting the Moon Landings: Project Apollo and the Historians,” History and Technology, Vol. 22, No. 3 (September 2006): 225–55, has provided a com­ prehensive and thoughtful overview of many of the books written about Apollo. The bibliography accompanying this essay includes almost every book-length study of Apollo and also lists a number of articles and essays interpreting the feat. Among the books Launius singles out for particular attention are: John M. Logsdon, The Decision to Go to the Moon: Project Apollo and the National Interest (Cambridge: MIT Press, 1970); Walter A. McDougall, . the Heavens and the Earth: A Political History of the Space Age (New York: Basic Books, 1985); Vernon Van Dyke, Pride and Power: the Rationale of the Space Program (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1964); W. Henry Lambright, Powering Apollo: James E. Webb of NASA (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1995); Roger E. Bilstein, Stages to Saturn: A Technological History of the Apollo/Saturn Launch Vehicles, NASA SP-4206 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1980); Edgar M.
    [Show full text]
  • Next-Generation Laser Retroreflectors for the Science and Exploration of the Moon, Mars and Beyond
    3rd International Workshop on Instrumentation for Planetary Missions (2016) 4074.pdf Next-Generation Laser Retroreflectors for the Science and Exploration of the Moon, Mars and Beyond. S. Dell’Agnello1 for the SCF_Lab Team, D. Currie2, R. Richards3, J. Chandler4 1Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare – Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (INFN-LNF), via E. Fermi, Frascati (Rome), Italy, email [email protected] 2University of Maryland (UMD) at College Park, MD, USA 3Moon Express Inc (MEI), 19-2060 N Akron Rd, Moffett Field, CA 94035 4Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), MA, USA Introduction. We developed next-generation laser retroreflectors for solar system science and exploration in the framework of the Affiliation membership of INFN to NASA/SSERVI (Solar System Exploration Virtual Institute), INFN National Science Committees n. 5 (devoted to R&D) and n. 2 (devoted to science) [1] and in collaboration with ASI, the Italian Space Agen- cy. Applications cover landing and roving missions to the Moon, Mars (ExoMars 2016 lander, ExoMars 2020 Figure 1: MoonLIGHT (4”), Apollo (1.5”) reflectors Rover and Mars 2020 Rover) to future or proposed missions to Phobos/Deimos (sample return), icy/rocky INFN, UMD and MEI signed a private-public partner- moons of Jupiter/Saturn and asteroids/comets (ESA’s ship, multi-mission agreement to deploy MoonLIGHT AIM). These retroreflectors have been or will be fully on the Moon (1st mission: end 2017/early 2018). The characterized at the SCF_Lab (Satellite/lunar/gnss la- results of an optical performace characterization of ser ranging/altimetry Cube/microsat Characterization MoonLIGHT carried out at the SCF_Lab is in Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • Celebrate Apollo
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration Celebrate Apollo Exploring The Moon, Discovering Earth “…We go into space because whatever mankind must undertake, free men must fully share. … I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth. No single space project in this period will be more exciting, or more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish …” President John F. Kennedy May 25, 1961 Celebrate Apollo Exploring The Moon, Discovering Earth Less than five months into his new administration, on May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy, announced the dramatic and ambitious goal of sending an American safely to the moon before the end of the decade. Coming just three weeks after Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space, Kennedy’s bold challenge that historic spring day set the nation on a journey unparalleled in human history. Just eight years later, on July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong stepped out of the lunar module, taking “one small step” in the Sea of Tranquility, thus achieving “one giant leap for mankind,” and demonstrating to the world that the collective will of the nation was strong enough to overcome any obstacle. It was an achievement that would be repeated five other times between 1969 and 1972. By the time the Apollo 17 mission ended, 12 astronauts had explored the surface of the moon, and the collective contributions of hundreds of thousands of engineers, scientists, astronauts and employees of NASA served to inspire our nation and the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Apollo Anniversary: Moon Landing “Inspired World” by John Roach
    Lexia® PowerUp Literacy® Comprehension Passages Apollo Anniversary: Moon Landing “Inspired World” By John Roach [1] On July 20, 1969, at 10:56 p.m. ET, Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped off the “Eagle” onto the surface of the moon and said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Thirty-five years later, Steven Dick, NASA’s chief historian at the space agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., said that a thousand years from now, that step may be considered the crowning achievement of the 20th century. “Putting a man on the moon not only inspired the nation, but also the world,” Dick said. “The 1960s were a tumultuous time in the U.S., and the moon landing showed what could be accomplished at a time when much else was going wrong.” [2] Armstrong’s step was the culmination of a goal set forth by President John F. Kennedy on May 25, 1961. In a speech before a joint session of Congress, the President had announced his objective of “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth” before the end of the decade. The goal set in motion Project Apollo. Armstrong—together with astronauts Michael Collins and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr.—lifted off on the Apollo 11 mission on July 16, 1969, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9:32 a.m. ET. [3] About 76 hours later, the spacecraft entered lunar orbit. Armstrong and Aldrin boarded the lunar module, known as the Eagle, for descent to the lunar surface.
    [Show full text]
  • Lunar Science with ARTEMIS: a Journey from the Moon’S Exosphere to Its Core
    Lunar Science with ARTEMIS: A Journey from the Moon’s Exosphere to its Core A white paper submitted to the 2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey Primary author: K.K. Khurana Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP), University of California Los Angeles (310-825-8240, [email protected]) Co-authors: Affiliation Angelopoulos, V. ESS/IGPP, University of California Los Angeles Carlson, Charles W. SSL/University of California Berkeley, CA Delory, Gregory T. SSL/University of California Berkeley/NASA Ames Research Center Farrell, William M. NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD Grimm, Robert E. Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO Garrick-Bethell, Ian Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA Halekas, Jasper S. SSL/University of California Berkeley, CA Hood, L. L. Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, U. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Horanyi, M. LASP and Dept. of Physics, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO Lillis, Robert J. SSL/University of California Berkeley, CA Lin, Robert P. SSL/University of California Berkeley, CA Neal, Clive R. Dept. of Civil Engineering & Geological Sciences, U. of Notre Dame, IN Purucker, M. E. Raytheon at Planetary Geodynamics Lab., GSFC, Greenbelt, MD Russell, Chris T. ESS/IGPP, University of California Los Angeles, CA Schubert, Gerry ESS/IGPP, University of California Los Angeles, CA Sibeck, D. G. NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD Travnicek, Pavel IGPP, University of California Los Angeles, CA This white paper describes the planetary science objectives to be achieved by ARTEMIS, a two-spacecraft constellation en route to the Moon, and presents recommendations pertaining to future lunar science. 1 Motivation and Recommendations The inner planets hold critical information regarding the origin of the solar system and habitable environments within it.
    [Show full text]
  • Issue #87 of Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin
    Lunar and Planetary Information BULLETIN Fall 1999/NUMBER 87 • LUNAR AND PLANETARY INSTITUTE • UNIVERSITIES SPACE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION CONTENTS EXTRASOLAR PLANETS THE EFFECT OF PLANET DISCOVERIES ON FACTOR fp NEWS FROM SPACE NEW IN PRINT FIRE IN THE SKY SPECTROSCOPY OF THE MARTIAN SURFACE CALENDAR PREVIOUSPREVIOUS ISSUESISSUES n recent years, headlines have trumpeted the beginning of a I new era in humanity’s exploration of the universe: “A Parade of New Planets” (Scientific American), “Universal truth: Ours EXTRASOLAR Isn’t Only Solar System” (Houston Chronicle), “Three Planets Found Around Sunlike Star” (Astronomy). With more than 20 extrasolar planet or planet candidate discoveries having been announced in the press since 1995 (many PLANETS: discovered by the planet-searching team of Geoff Marcy and Paul Butler of San Francisco State University), it would seem that the detection of planets outside our own solar system has become a commonplace, even routine affair. Such discoveries capture the imagination of the public and the scientific community, in no THE small part because the thought of planets circling distant stars appeals to our basic human existential yearning for meaning. SEARCH In short, the philosophical implication for the discovery of true extrasolar planets (and the ostensible reason why the discovery of FOR extrasolar planets seems to draw such publicity) is akin to when the fictional mariner Robinson Crusoe first spotted a footprint in NEW the sand after 20 years of living alone on a desert island. It’s not exactly a signal from above, but the news of possible extrasolar WORLDS planets, coupled with the recent debate regarding fossilized life forms in martian meteorites, heralds the beginning of a new way of thinking about our place in the universe.
    [Show full text]