8-31-04
BEHREND PRESENTS RING WORLD:
THE CASSINI-HUYGENS MISSION TO SATURN AND TITAN
After seven years of interplanetary flight, the NASA-ESA Cassini-Huygens spacecraft entered Saturn's orbit on July 1, 2004. On Friday, September 24, Director of the School of Science and Professor of Physics and aAtronomy Dr. Roger Knacke will present the current findings from this mission and share its agenda for the coming months. His lecture will be held in the Otto Behrend Science Building, Room 101, at 7:30 p.m.
The spacecraft is currently exploring Saturn's rings and 31 known moons. From their observations, scientists hope to understand how planets formed 4.6 billion years ago. The Huygens probe will parachute onto the surface of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, in January 2005. Titan is unique because it is the only satellite in our solar system that possesses its own atmosphere. This atmosphere is much like that of early Earth's, and exploration may offer insight into how life began. The Huygens probe will offer humankind its first peek at the Titan's surface.
The lecture is free and open to the public. The level of Knacke's presentation will be suitable for a non-technical audience. Astronomical observing at Penn State Behrend's Mehalso Observatory will follow the lecture, weather permitting. For more information, call the School of Science at 814-898-6105.
Contact: Jen Town 814-898-6522 jlt234@psu.edu
Contact:
Loretta Brandon
814-898-6063 (O)
E-mail: lzb6@psu.edu