Example of Rapid Changes Example of Rapid Changes in Astrobiology in Astrobiology

Dr. Margaret S. RaceDr. Margaret S. Race

Beyond Planets…..Beyond Planets…..Other Places We’ve Explored Other Places We’ve Explored

(Moons, Comets, Asteroids, Sun, Rings, Kuiper Belt…..)

• Surprising New Finds…• Learn a Lot With New Technology• Learn by Comparing (With What We Know)

• Understand in Context of Astrobiology and Habitability

Number of Moons in Solar System

Planet Number of Known Moons1990 1997 2000 2004 2005

Mercury 0 0 0 0Venus 0 0 0 0Earth 1 1 1 1Mars 2 2 2 2Jupiter 16 16Saturn 17 18 22Uranus 15 15Neptune 8 8 8Pluto 1 1 1 1

Other Planets?

Updated # of Moons(http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/?sat_discovery)

Planet Distance Number of Known MoonsNumber of Known MoonsA.U. 1990 1997 2000 2004 2005 2010

Mercury 0.4 0 0 0 0 0 00

Venus 0.7 0 0 0 0 0 00Earth 1 1 1 1 1 1 11Mars 2 2 2 2 2 2 22

Jupiter 5 16 16 17

Saturn 10 17 18 22

Uranus 19 15 17 21

Neptune 30 8 8 8

(Pluto) 39 1 1 1

Updated # of Moons(http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/?sat_discovery)

Planet Distance Number of Known MoonsNumber of Known MoonsA.U. 1990 1997 2000 2004 2005 2010

Mercury 0.4 0 0 0 0 0 00

Venus 0.7 0 0 0 0 0 00Earth 1 1 1 1 1 1 11Mars 2 2 2 2 2 2 22

Jupiter 5 16 16 17 62 62 6262Saturn 10 17 18 22 30 47 6262

Uranus 19 15 17 21 27 27 2727Neptune 30 8 8 8 13 13 1313

(Pluto) 39 1 1 1 1 3 33

Cassini Photos of Moons of Saturn

on Approach

So far, 62 moons have been discovered in Saturn's orbit, and 53 of them have been officially named.

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/science/moons/index.cfm

Moons of Saturn from Cassini (NOTE: No impact craters on Enceladus)

The Cassini spacecraft discovered the long, cracked features dubbed "tiger stripes" on Saturn's icy moon Enceladus are very young. They are between 10 and 1,000 years old.

These findings support previous results showing the moon's southern pole is active. The pole had episodes of geologic activity as recently as 10 years ago.

These cracked features are approximately 80 miles long, spaced about 25 miles apart and run roughly parallel to each another.

The cracks act like vents. They spew vapor and fine ice water particles that have become ice crystals.

Enceladus, which ought to be cold and dead, instead displays evidence for active ice volcanism.

A huge cloud of water vapor over the moon's south pole, and warm fractures where evaporating ice probably supplies the vapor cloud.

What We See Generates New

Hypotheses

Some Take Home ThoughtsSome Take Home Thoughts

Science Is Science Is NotNot Just A Collection Of FactsJust A Collection Of Facts

Science doesn’t happen by Instant DiscoveriesScience doesn’t happen by Instant Discoveries

Science Is A ProcessScience Is A Process

Leap Frog Of Science/TechnologyLeap Frog Of Science/Technology Involves Variety Of Experts -- TeamworkInvolves Variety Of Experts -- Teamwork

Math Is The Language Of ScienceMath Is The Language Of Science

Science Involves Being Curious - Asking Questions…Science Involves Being Curious - Asking Questions… Over And Over And Over….Over And Over And Over….

Science Involves Science Involves Thinking Outside the BoxThinking Outside the Box

Today’s Reality Comes From Today’s Reality Comes From Yesterday’s ‘Outside The Box’Yesterday’s ‘Outside The Box’

andand

Today’s ‘Outside The Box’ Today’s ‘Outside The Box’ Represents Represents

Tomorrow’s PossibilitiesTomorrow’s Possibilities (Both Successes And Failures)(Both Successes And Failures)

YOUYOU are Part of Tomorrow! are Part of Tomorrow!

The World Need Lots of Experts… Many Occupations…and Roles..

Professional & Personal Decision Making…

Progress Is Based On Science And MathNeed To Keep Thinking… Lots Of Teamwork…

Soon It’ll Be Your Turn To Make Decisions….

Astronaut, Rocket Scientist, Doctor, Marine Biologist, Inventor, Lawyer, Nurse, Environmentalist, Nutritionist,

Journalist, Geologist, Clothing Designer, Chemist, Ethicist, Psychologist, Finance, Statistician, Artist,

Hospital Administrator, Business, Teacher, Auto Industry Sports Trainer, Architect, Computer Programmer,

Engineers, City Planner, Physics, Forensics, Agriculture, Environmental Management, Fire Sciences, Paramedic,

Green Technology, Film Making, ‘Consumer’, citizen, etc…

Who Knows What the Future Who Knows What the Future Holds ?Holds ?