ten years ago today the Cassini spacecraft flawlessly executed a
spacecraft flawlessly executed a
spacecraft flawlessly executed a nail-biting 96-minute burn to become the
nail-biting 96-minute burn to become the
nail-biting 96-minute burn to become the first man-made object to go into orbit
first man-made object to go into orbit
first man-made object to go into orbit around Saturn and Cassini carried with
around Saturn and Cassini carried with
around Saturn and Cassini carried with it ESA’s Huygens probe which we later
it ESA’s Huygens probe which we later
it ESA’s Huygens probe which we later sent down to the surface of Titan and so
sent down to the surface of Titan and so
sent down to the surface of Titan and so we celebrate today because he needs
we celebrate today because he needs
we celebrate today because he needs ten-year anniversary and I’ll share with
ten-year anniversary and I’ll share with
ten-year anniversary and I’ll share with you just a few of the amazing findings
you just a few of the amazing findings
you just a few of the amazing findings that we’ve made with Cassini what we
that we’ve made with Cassini what we
that we’ve made with Cassini what we have here is one of my favorite pictures
have here is one of my favorite pictures
have here is one of my favorite pictures of Saturn in the Rings it’s a view that
of Saturn in the Rings it’s a view that
of Saturn in the Rings it’s a view that you won’t see from the earth Cassini is
you won’t see from the earth Cassini is
you won’t see from the earth Cassini is high above Saturn’s North Pole looking
high above Saturn’s North Pole looking
high above Saturn’s North Pole looking down in the Rings form a giant bullseye
down in the Rings form a giant bullseye
down in the Rings form a giant bullseye around the planet and you can actually
around the planet and you can actually
around the planet and you can actually see Saturn’s shadow going out across the
see Saturn’s shadow going out across the
see Saturn’s shadow going out across the Rings up on the north pole you see a
Rings up on the north pole you see a
Rings up on the north pole you see a greenish six-sided area we call this the
greenish six-sided area we call this the
greenish six-sided area we call this the hexagon very interesting and intriguing
hexagon very interesting and intriguing
hexagon very interesting and intriguing kind of storm Saturn is the second
kind of storm Saturn is the second
kind of storm Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system it
largest planet in our solar system it
largest planet in our solar system it only has pretty much a hydrogen
only has pretty much a hydrogen
only has pretty much a hydrogen atmosphere no solid surface underneath
atmosphere no solid surface underneath
atmosphere no solid surface underneath it and if you could build a bathtub big
it and if you could build a bathtub big
it and if you could build a bathtub big enough to hold Saturn Saturn would float
enough to hold Saturn Saturn would float
enough to hold Saturn Saturn would float so how big is Saturn really well if we
so how big is Saturn really well if we
so how big is Saturn really well if we put the earth and the moon to scale next
put the earth and the moon to scale next
put the earth and the moon to scale next to Saturn along with the distance
to Saturn along with the distance
to Saturn along with the distance between them we can see that Saturn is
between them we can see that Saturn is
between them we can see that Saturn is indeed huge in fact it would take 764
indeed huge in fact it would take 764
indeed huge in fact it would take 764 earths to fill up the volume of Saturn a
earths to fill up the volume of Saturn a
earths to fill up the volume of Saturn a giant planet indeed well let’s look a
giant planet indeed well let’s look a
giant planet indeed well let’s look a little bit more closely at that north
little bit more closely at that north
little bit more closely at that north polar hexagon if you look at the image
polar hexagon if you look at the image
polar hexagon if you look at the image on your left you can see this greenish
on your left you can see this greenish
on your left you can see this greenish area surrounded by a six-sided Jetstream
area surrounded by a six-sided Jetstream
area surrounded by a six-sided Jetstream Voyager 30 years ago saw this Jetstream
Voyager 30 years ago saw this Jetstream
Voyager 30 years ago saw this Jetstream with these six sides and it’s still
with these six sides and it’s still
with these six sides and it’s still there today it’s a very interesting
there today it’s a very interesting
there today it’s a very interesting puzzle greenish in color that’s it’s
puzzle greenish in color that’s it’s
puzzle greenish in color that’s it’s winter hemisphere as the Sun continues
winter hemisphere as the Sun continues
winter hemisphere as the Sun continues to shine in the north will see that
to shine in the north will see that
to shine in the north will see that greenish color become more the golden
greenish color become more the golden
greenish color become more the golden color were used to for Saturn’s
color were used to for Saturn’s
color were used to for Saturn’s atmosphere tiny white clouds circle
atmosphere tiny white clouds circle
atmosphere tiny white clouds circle inside the hexagon and Cassini
inside the hexagon and Cassini
inside the hexagon and Cassini discovered at the very
discovered at the very
discovered at the very the hexagon a giant hurricane that
the hexagon a giant hurricane that
the hexagon a giant hurricane that hurricane would span half the
hurricane would span half the
hurricane would span half the continental United States it would go
continental United States it would go
continental United States it would go from Washington DC to Tulsa Oklahoma a
from Washington DC to Tulsa Oklahoma a
from Washington DC to Tulsa Oklahoma a giant storm the sun is shining from the
giant storm the sun is shining from the
giant storm the sun is shining from the right and you can actually see shadows
right and you can actually see shadows
right and you can actually see shadows from the eye wall of that giant
from the eye wall of that giant
from the eye wall of that giant hurricane we study the hexagon in the
hurricane we study the hexagon in the
hurricane we study the hexagon in the hurricane net Saturn to get a better
hurricane net Saturn to get a better
hurricane net Saturn to get a better understanding of the weather here on the
understanding of the weather here on the
understanding of the weather here on the earth let’s move on to Saturn’s rings I
earth let’s move on to Saturn’s rings I
earth let’s move on to Saturn’s rings I actually started working on rings and on
actually started working on rings and on
actually started working on rings and on the Voyager days and so they hold a
the Voyager days and so they hold a
the Voyager days and so they hold a special place in my heart there’s a lot
special place in my heart there’s a lot
special place in my heart there’s a lot of intricate detailed structure inside
of intricate detailed structure inside
of intricate detailed structure inside of the Rings the Rings are made up of
of the Rings the Rings are made up of
of the Rings the Rings are made up of billions upon billions of icy particles
billions upon billions of icy particles
billions upon billions of icy particles orbiting Saturn in an intricate cosmic
orbiting Saturn in an intricate cosmic
orbiting Saturn in an intricate cosmic dance and every once in a while these
dance and every once in a while these
dance and every once in a while these particles jostle and run into one
particles jostle and run into one
particles jostle and run into one another the Rings have very simple names
another the Rings have very simple names
another the Rings have very simple names as you go outward you can have you can
as you go outward you can have you can
as you go outward you can have you can see you have the a ring on your far
see you have the a ring on your far
see you have the a ring on your far right then there’s a gap the very bright
right then there’s a gap the very bright
right then there’s a gap the very bright B ring most of the particles are there
B ring most of the particles are there
B ring most of the particles are there the particles range in size from tiny
the particles range in size from tiny
the particles range in size from tiny marbles to giant mountain sized
marbles to giant mountain sized
marbles to giant mountain sized particles that grayish ring is the C
particles that grayish ring is the C
particles that grayish ring is the C ring and then finally the innermost ring
ring and then finally the innermost ring
ring and then finally the innermost ring the D ring and at the end of the mission
the D ring and at the end of the mission
the D ring and at the end of the mission Cassini is going to dive in between
Cassini is going to dive in between
Cassini is going to dive in between Saturn’s D ring in the top of the
Saturn’s D ring in the top of the
Saturn’s D ring in the top of the atmosphere for some remarkable brand new
atmosphere for some remarkable brand new
atmosphere for some remarkable brand new science you’ll notice that there’s a
science you’ll notice that there’s a
science you’ll notice that there’s a black gap in between the a ring and the
black gap in between the a ring and the
black gap in between the a ring and the B ring that’s the Cassini division named
B ring that’s the Cassini division named
B ring that’s the Cassini division named after the astronomer Cassini who first
after the astronomer Cassini who first
after the astronomer Cassini who first discovered it and our mission is named
discovered it and our mission is named
discovered it and our mission is named in honor of that astronomer well Cassini
in honor of that astronomer well Cassini
in honor of that astronomer well Cassini had a rare opportunity in 2009 we were
had a rare opportunity in 2009 we were
had a rare opportunity in 2009 we were actually able to observe the Rings when
actually able to observe the Rings when
actually able to observe the Rings when the Sun was edged on to them and
the Sun was edged on to them and
the Sun was edged on to them and anything that would cast a shadow would
anything that would cast a shadow would
anything that would cast a shadow would be visible and seen so let’s look at the
be visible and seen so let’s look at the
be visible and seen so let’s look at the outer edge of the B ring and see what
outer edge of the B ring and see what
outer edge of the B ring and see what Cassini saw in 2009 here’s the outer
Cassini saw in 2009 here’s the outer
Cassini saw in 2009 here’s the outer edge of the B ring that bright ring with
edge of the B ring that bright ring with
edge of the B ring that bright ring with all of those structures the Cassini
all of those structures the Cassini
all of those structures the Cassini division on top the sun is shining from
division on top the sun is shining from
division on top the sun is shining from the top down and you can see all sorts
the top down and you can see all sorts
the top down and you can see all sorts of shadows here are particles that are
of shadows here are particles that are
of shadows here are particles that are one or two miles in size
one or two miles in size
one or two miles in size casting these long shadows at the edge
casting these long shadows at the edge
casting these long shadows at the edge of the ring and the ring itself is only
of the ring and the ring itself is only
of the ring and the ring itself is only about 30 feet thick a good analogy for
about 30 feet thick a good analogy for
about 30 feet thick a good analogy for how we see these shadows imagine
how we see these shadows imagine
how we see these shadows imagine yourself riding along on the space
yourself riding along on the space
yourself riding along on the space station you look down on Egypt and you
station you look down on Egypt and you
station you look down on Egypt and you want to find the pyramids but if you
want to find the pyramids but if you
want to find the pyramids but if you look at noon you won’t see any shadows
look at noon you won’t see any shadows
look at noon you won’t see any shadows and it’ll be very hard to pick them out
and it’ll be very hard to pick them out
and it’ll be very hard to pick them out now imagine that you look for these same
now imagine that you look for these same
now imagine that you look for these same pyramids at sunset and they’ll be
pyramids at sunset and they’ll be
pyramids at sunset and they’ll be casting these long shadows and they’ll
casting these long shadows and they’ll
casting these long shadows and they’ll be very easy to see on the desert in
be very easy to see on the desert in
be very easy to see on the desert in Egypt and in the same way Cassini for
Egypt and in the same way Cassini for
Egypt and in the same way Cassini for the first time could see that there were
the first time could see that there were
the first time could see that there were big particles in the Rings at the outer
big particles in the Rings at the outer
big particles in the Rings at the outer edge of the B ring these objects are
edge of the B ring these objects are
edge of the B ring these objects are probably made of a glimmer a shion’s of
probably made of a glimmer a shion’s of
probably made of a glimmer a shion’s of ring particles and the way these come
ring particles and the way these come
ring particles and the way these come together and coalesce give us
together and coalesce give us
together and coalesce give us information about how the planets in our
information about how the planets in our
information about how the planets in our solar system actually came together and
solar system actually came together and
solar system actually came together and formed as well this is a view of the
formed as well this is a view of the
formed as well this is a view of the largest moon in the Saturn system this
largest moon in the Saturn system this
largest moon in the Saturn system this is giant Titan it’s 3,000 miles across
is giant Titan it’s 3,000 miles across
is giant Titan it’s 3,000 miles across about the size of the planet Mercury a
about the size of the planet Mercury a
about the size of the planet Mercury a Titan has a liquid water ocean
Titan has a liquid water ocean
Titan has a liquid water ocean underneath its icy crust and this is one
underneath its icy crust and this is one
underneath its icy crust and this is one possible place that might Harbor life
possible place that might Harbor life
possible place that might Harbor life Titan has a thick nitrogen atmosphere
Titan has a thick nitrogen atmosphere
Titan has a thick nitrogen atmosphere it’s about four times as dense as the
it’s about four times as dense as the
it’s about four times as dense as the atmosphere in this room and the surface
atmosphere in this room and the surface
atmosphere in this room and the surface is a chilly – 290 degrees Fahrenheit
is a chilly – 290 degrees Fahrenheit
is a chilly – 290 degrees Fahrenheit there’s also methane in the atmosphere
there’s also methane in the atmosphere
there’s also methane in the atmosphere of Titan and that methane at the top is
of Titan and that methane at the top is
of Titan and that methane at the top is broken apart by sunlight forms these
broken apart by sunlight forms these
broken apart by sunlight forms these long smoggy hydrocarbons and gives Titan
long smoggy hydrocarbons and gives Titan
long smoggy hydrocarbons and gives Titan that sort of golden colored haze and we
that sort of golden colored haze and we
that sort of golden colored haze and we can’t really see through the haze and it
can’t really see through the haze and it
can’t really see through the haze and it took ESA’s Huygens probe to parachute
took ESA’s Huygens probe to parachute
took ESA’s Huygens probe to parachute down through to the surface of Titan to
down through to the surface of Titan to
down through to the surface of Titan to give us our first view of an amazing
give us our first view of an amazing
give us our first view of an amazing world it turns out that methane plays
world it turns out that methane plays
world it turns out that methane plays the same role on Titan that water plays
the same role on Titan that water plays
the same role on Titan that water plays here on the earth with the same kind of
here on the earth with the same kind of
here on the earth with the same kind of weather only now you have methane clouds
weather only now you have methane clouds
weather only now you have methane clouds methane rain methane flowing through the
methane rain methane flowing through the
methane rain methane flowing through the river channels and methane filling the
river channels and methane filling the
river channels and methane filling the lakes and seas in fact if you look at
lakes and seas in fact if you look at
lakes and seas in fact if you look at this image behind me that topmost black
this image behind me that topmost black
this image behind me that topmost black smudge that’s like Geum RA the second
smudge that’s like Geum RA the second
smudge that’s like Geum RA the second largest sea on Titan and if we look up
largest sea on Titan and if we look up
largest sea on Titan and if we look up close at that particular sea
close at that particular sea
close at that particular sea here’s the radar view at the long
here’s the radar view at the long
here’s the radar view at the long wavelengths you can penetrate down
wavelengths you can penetrate down
wavelengths you can penetrate down through the haze you can see the river
through the haze you can see the river
through the haze you can see the river channels of methane flowing into this
channels of methane flowing into this
channels of methane flowing into this particular Lake and even even tiny
particular Lake and even even tiny
particular Lake and even even tiny islands in this particular see this this
islands in this particular see this this
islands in this particular see this this seal IG MRI is about 50 percent bigger
seal IG MRI is about 50 percent bigger
seal IG MRI is about 50 percent bigger than Lake Superior here on the earth and
than Lake Superior here on the earth and
than Lake Superior here on the earth and it’s about 500 feet deep that’s
it’s about 500 feet deep that’s
it’s about 500 feet deep that’s something we found out with Cassini and
something we found out with Cassini and
something we found out with Cassini and if you take the seeds and you add up all
if you take the seeds and you add up all
if you take the seeds and you add up all the hydrocarbons that are present in the
the hydrocarbons that are present in the
the hydrocarbons that are present in the Seas it turns out there’s about a
Seas it turns out there’s about a
Seas it turns out there’s about a hundred times more hydrocarbons on Titan
hundred times more hydrocarbons on Titan
hundred times more hydrocarbons on Titan than all the reservoirs here on the
than all the reservoirs here on the
than all the reservoirs here on the earth it’s just too bad Titan so far
earth it’s just too bad Titan so far
earth it’s just too bad Titan so far away or our hydrocarbon problems would
away or our hydrocarbon problems would
away or our hydrocarbon problems would be solved and the Seas themselves are
be solved and the Seas themselves are
be solved and the Seas themselves are very interesting because you wonder with
very interesting because you wonder with
very interesting because you wonder with liquid methane could a form of life
liquid methane could a form of life
liquid methane could a form of life exist that would use liquid methane
exist that would use liquid methane
exist that would use liquid methane rather than water to form and move about
rather than water to form and move about
rather than water to form and move about so very intriguing to think about that
so very intriguing to think about that
so very intriguing to think about that for Titan now we move on to another
for Titan now we move on to another
for Titan now we move on to another world another moon around Saturn this is
world another moon around Saturn this is
world another moon around Saturn this is Enceladus Enceladus is only about 300
Enceladus Enceladus is only about 300
Enceladus Enceladus is only about 300 miles across so one tenth the size of
miles across so one tenth the size of
miles across so one tenth the size of Titan and what you see here is an icy
Titan and what you see here is an icy
Titan and what you see here is an icy white surface with very few craters and
white surface with very few craters and
white surface with very few craters and the brightness and the absence of
the brightness and the absence of
the brightness and the absence of craters tell us that this is a very very
craters tell us that this is a very very
craters tell us that this is a very very young surface and Cassini was the first
young surface and Cassini was the first
young surface and Cassini was the first to see at the South Pole you can see
to see at the South Pole you can see
to see at the South Pole you can see these bluish fractures down here at the
these bluish fractures down here at the
these bluish fractures down here at the bottom we nicknamed them tiger stripes
bottom we nicknamed them tiger stripes
bottom we nicknamed them tiger stripes they kind of reminded us of tiger
they kind of reminded us of tiger
they kind of reminded us of tiger stripes and we were really amazed to see
stripes and we were really amazed to see
stripes and we were really amazed to see what was coming out of these tiger
what was coming out of these tiger
what was coming out of these tiger stripes on this tiny moon I was amazed
stripes on this tiny moon I was amazed
stripes on this tiny moon I was amazed as everyone else when we first took a
as everyone else when we first took a
as everyone else when we first took a look and saw and this is in a backlit
look and saw and this is in a backlit
look and saw and this is in a backlit view coming out of those tiger stripes
view coming out of those tiger stripes
view coming out of those tiger stripes were Jets Jets of water vapor and water
were Jets Jets of water vapor and water
were Jets Jets of water vapor and water ice with some other compounds mixed in
ice with some other compounds mixed in
ice with some other compounds mixed in we saw dozens and dozens of these Jets
we saw dozens and dozens of these Jets
we saw dozens and dozens of these Jets actively going off some of the tiniest
actively going off some of the tiniest
actively going off some of the tiniest particles escape and actually go on to
particles escape and actually go on to
particles escape and actually go on to form a ring which in sulle this is orbit
form a ring which in sulle this is orbit
form a ring which in sulle this is orbit the e ring so just so intriguing to see
the e ring so just so intriguing to see
the e ring so just so intriguing to see in fact Cassini actually flew through
in fact Cassini actually flew through
in fact Cassini actually flew through those Jets and sampled their composition
those Jets and sampled their composition
those Jets and sampled their composition and we found carbon dioxide
and we found carbon dioxide
and we found carbon dioxide we found ammonia we found salts we found
we found ammonia we found salts we found
we found ammonia we found salts we found the kinds of ingredients that you’d need
the kinds of ingredients that you’d need
the kinds of ingredients that you’d need to find to have life and it turns out
to find to have life and it turns out
to find to have life and it turns out there’s a liquid water ocean underneath
there’s a liquid water ocean underneath
there’s a liquid water ocean underneath Enceladus South Pole supplying these
Enceladus South Pole supplying these
Enceladus South Pole supplying these Jets and vents and in a sense we have
Jets and vents and in a sense we have
Jets and vents and in a sense we have free samples we just don’t know if there
free samples we just don’t know if there
free samples we just don’t know if there might be life inside of these free
might be life inside of these free
might be life inside of these free samples so we have two worlds Titan and
samples so we have two worlds Titan and
samples so we have two worlds Titan and Enceladus that might possibly have life
Enceladus that might possibly have life
Enceladus that might possibly have life and finally another iconic backlit image
and finally another iconic backlit image
and finally another iconic backlit image this image was taken when Cassini was in
this image was taken when Cassini was in
this image was taken when Cassini was in Saturn’s shadow this doesn’t happen very
Saturn’s shadow this doesn’t happen very
Saturn’s shadow this doesn’t happen very often in the mission we took this mosaic
often in the mission we took this mosaic
often in the mission we took this mosaic that blueish ring around the outside
that blueish ring around the outside
that blueish ring around the outside that’s the e ring created by tiny
that’s the e ring created by tiny
that’s the e ring created by tiny particles coming from Enceladus now if
particles coming from Enceladus now if
particles coming from Enceladus now if you look at that white ring completely
you look at that white ring completely
you look at that white ring completely around Saturn sunlight is refracted
around Saturn sunlight is refracted
around Saturn sunlight is refracted through the atmosphere and that’s every
through the atmosphere and that’s every
through the atmosphere and that’s every sunrise and sunset on Saturn seen all at
sunrise and sunset on Saturn seen all at
sunrise and sunset on Saturn seen all at the same time there’s actually three
the same time there’s actually three
the same time there’s actually three other planets in this image if you look
other planets in this image if you look
other planets in this image if you look at the upper left there Mars and Venus a
at the upper left there Mars and Venus a
at the upper left there Mars and Venus a little bit difficult to see and if you
little bit difficult to see and if you
little bit difficult to see and if you just look here right here that tiny pale
just look here right here that tiny pale
just look here right here that tiny pale blue dot is actually the earth actually
blue dot is actually the earth actually
blue dot is actually the earth actually the earth and the moon and when in the
the earth and the moon and when in the
the earth and the moon and when in the 20 minutes when we’re taking those
20 minutes when we’re taking those
20 minutes when we’re taking those pictures of the earth in the moon we
pictures of the earth in the moon we
pictures of the earth in the moon we actually ask people go outside wave at
actually ask people go outside wave at
actually ask people go outside wave at Saturn
Saturn
Saturn so your photons can be captured by
so your photons can be captured by
so your photons can be captured by Cassini in these pictures of the earth
Cassini in these pictures of the earth
Cassini in these pictures of the earth and the moon and while you’re at it out
and the moon and while you’re at it out
and the moon and while you’re at it out there weigh me in fact how many people
there weigh me in fact how many people
there weigh me in fact how many people here waved is Saturn on that particular
here waved is Saturn on that particular
here waved is Saturn on that particular day well that’s great yeah my husband
day well that’s great yeah my husband
day well that’s great yeah my husband Tom and I were out there waving as well
Tom and I were out there waving as well
Tom and I were out there waving as well and we asked people to take pictures of
and we asked people to take pictures of
and we asked people to take pictures of themselves selfies and send us those
themselves selfies and send us those
themselves selfies and send us those selfies and we took all of those selfies
selfies and we took all of those selfies
selfies and we took all of those selfies and we recreated the Saturn backlit
and we recreated the Saturn backlit
and we recreated the Saturn backlit mosaic here it is made up of thousands
mosaic here it is made up of thousands
mosaic here it is made up of thousands of selfies so we were really happy to
of selfies so we were really happy to
of selfies so we were really happy to see all of the interest that the public
see all of the interest that the public
see all of the interest that the public had and we’re very grateful to NASA for
had and we’re very grateful to NASA for
had and we’re very grateful to NASA for continuing to fund the extended missions
continuing to fund the extended missions
continuing to fund the extended missions it’s been 10 years we hope to have
it’s been 10 years we hope to have
it’s been 10 years we hope to have another three years to our mission as
another three years to our mission as
another three years to our mission as well and very recently we had a naming
well and very recently we had a naming
well and very recently we had a naming contest we asked people you know we’ve
contest we asked people you know we’ve
contest we asked people you know we’ve got this exciting 22 orbits at the end
got this exciting 22 orbits at the end
got this exciting 22 orbits at the end of our mission help us name those orbits
of our mission help us name those orbits
of our mission help us name those orbits and we got 2,000 different entries
and we got 2,000 different entries
and we got 2,000 different entries sorted through those and we came up with
sorted through those and we came up with
sorted through those and we came up with the winning entry and I’m pleased to
the winning entry and I’m pleased to
the winning entry and I’m pleased to present for the very first time tonight
present for the very first time tonight
present for the very first time tonight the winner of that naming contest
the winner of that naming contest
the winner of that naming contest Cassini grand finale so thank you so
Cassini grand finale so thank you so
Cassini grand finale so thank you so much for your contributions and that’s
much for your contributions and that’s
much for your contributions and that’s that the name of the end of our mission
that the name of the end of our mission
that the name of the end of our mission and I’m going to be showing you a short
and I’m going to be showing you a short
and I’m going to be showing you a short movie that’ll show you something about
movie that’ll show you something about
movie that’ll show you something about the science we’ll be collecting in the
the science we’ll be collecting in the
the science we’ll be collecting in the last three years including a chance to
last three years including a chance to
last three years including a chance to see what one of those orbits look like
see what one of those orbits look like
see what one of those orbits look like in the grand finale and with Cassini we
in the grand finale and with Cassini we
in the grand finale and with Cassini we had a rare opportunity and we seized it
had a rare opportunity and we seized it
had a rare opportunity and we seized it now sit back and enjoy the movie
Cassini is there in the Saturn system
Cassini is there in the Saturn system now has been making discoveries for the
now has been making discoveries for the
now has been making discoveries for the last several years and there’s more to
last several years and there’s more to
last several years and there’s more to come
by studying the satellites in the
by studying the satellites in the Saturnian system we begin to understand
Saturnian system we begin to understand
Saturnian system we begin to understand something also about the origin of the
something also about the origin of the
something also about the origin of the solar system there is strong evidence
solar system there is strong evidence
solar system there is strong evidence now that most of the surface of Titan is
now that most of the surface of Titan is
now that most of the surface of Titan is in fact covered with organic material of
in fact covered with organic material of
in fact covered with organic material of some kind we’re going to be looking at
some kind we’re going to be looking at
some kind we’re going to be looking at lakes on the surface of this moon in
lakes on the surface of this moon in
lakes on the surface of this moon in detail we’re going to be looking at the
detail we’re going to be looking at the
detail we’re going to be looking at the atmosphere to see how the climate
atmosphere to see how the climate
atmosphere to see how the climate changes over time
changes over time
changes over time we have some global circulation models
we have some global circulation models
we have some global circulation models that tell us – the winds pick up we
that tell us – the winds pick up we
that tell us – the winds pick up we think there could be waves on the lakes
think there could be waves on the lakes
think there could be waves on the lakes of liquid methane
can you imagine anybody thinking that we
can you imagine anybody thinking that we would discover active cryovolcanism on
would discover active cryovolcanism on
would discover active cryovolcanism on one of these moons geysers one of the
one of these moons geysers one of the
one of these moons geysers one of the things that we’ll do in the next couple
things that we’ll do in the next couple
things that we’ll do in the next couple of years is make the first ever flyby
of years is make the first ever flyby
of years is make the first ever flyby through the plume when the plume output
through the plume when the plume output
through the plume when the plume output is at its maximum and then of course
is at its maximum and then of course
is at its maximum and then of course there’s the planet Saturn itself as we
there’s the planet Saturn itself as we
there’s the planet Saturn itself as we go through our series of orbits and as
go through our series of orbits and as
go through our series of orbits and as the seasons change it’s like having a
the seasons change it’s like having a
the seasons change it’s like having a brand new mission one Saturn year is
brand new mission one Saturn year is
brand new mission one Saturn year is nearly 30 earth years to be there for
nearly 30 earth years to be there for
nearly 30 earth years to be there for nearly half of a Saturn year is
nearly half of a Saturn year is
nearly half of a Saturn year is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity the Sun
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity the Sun
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity the Sun now is coming up on the North Pole so
now is coming up on the North Pole so
now is coming up on the North Pole so we’re getting to see territory that was
we’re getting to see territory that was
we’re getting to see territory that was in darkness when we first arrived in
in darkness when we first arrived in
in darkness when we first arrived in 2004 pretty soon we’ll have the whole
2004 pretty soon we’ll have the whole
2004 pretty soon we’ll have the whole hexagon and the hurricane inside of it
hexagon and the hurricane inside of it
hexagon and the hurricane inside of it illuminated by the Sun and then of
illuminated by the Sun and then of
illuminated by the Sun and then of course the missions end itself is
course the missions end itself is
course the missions end itself is completely unique starting in 2016
completely unique starting in 2016
completely unique starting in 2016 ending in 2017 these orbits will take us
ending in 2017 these orbits will take us
ending in 2017 these orbits will take us up and over the North and South Poles of
up and over the North and South Poles of
up and over the North and South Poles of the planet we’re actually going to dive
the planet we’re actually going to dive
the planet we’re actually going to dive in between the innermost edge of the
in between the innermost edge of the
in between the innermost edge of the d-ring and the buffer atmosphere of the
d-ring and the buffer atmosphere of the
d-ring and the buffer atmosphere of the planet itself from that we’re going to
planet itself from that we’re going to
planet itself from that we’re going to learn how is Saturn constructed from
learn how is Saturn constructed from
learn how is Saturn constructed from inside out we’ll also get the magnetic
inside out we’ll also get the magnetic
inside out we’ll also get the magnetic field of the planet the mass of the
field of the planet the mass of the
field of the planet the mass of the Rings for the very first time and get to
Rings for the very first time and get to
Rings for the very first time and get to sample a place that no spacecraft has
sample a place that no spacecraft has
sample a place that no spacecraft has ever flown before
ever flown before
ever flown before this is a mission that cannot be
this is a mission that cannot be
this is a mission that cannot be duplicated so we really want to take
duplicated so we really want to take
duplicated so we really want to take advantage of this opportunity to observe
advantage of this opportunity to observe
advantage of this opportunity to observe seasonal variation in the system
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