Broadcast 3559 Hotel Mars with Dr. Alan Stern

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • helix-space the space show sponsor

  • The Space Foundation Conference

The Space Foundation Conference

Feedback: What did you think of this show?: 

Guests: John Batchelor, Dr. Alan Stern, Dr. David Livingston.  Topics:  The dark side of Pluto.  

You are invited to comment, ask questions, and discuss the Space Show program/guest(s) on the Space Show blog. Comments, questions, and any discussion must be relevant and applicable to Space Show programming. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are not permitted without prior written consent from The Space Show (even if for personal use) & are a violation of the Space Show copyright. We do not permit the commercial use of any Space Show program or part thereof, nor do we permit Space Show programs to be edited, placed on YouTube, or other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted in news articles, papers, academic & research work but must be cited or referenced in the proper citation format. Contact Dr. Livingston for questions about our copyright and trademark policies which we do enforce.  This program is archived on The Space Show website, podcasting, and blog sites with permission from John Batchelor. Please visit the John Batchelor Show website for more information about this fine program, www.johnbatchelorshow.com.  Remember, your Amazon Purchases Can Help Support The Space Show/OGLF (www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htmPlease note that audio and transition issues are a result of copying the John Batchelor broadcast & are not within my control as they originate in the Batchelor studio.

John Batchelor and I welcomed back Dr. Alan Stern to discuss the dark side of Pluto and what we know from the New Horizons spacecraft flyby of Pluto several years ago.  I suggest you read the Nature article on "Pluto's Darkside spills its secrets-including a hidden ocean."  The article was written by Shannon Hall on July 29, 2020.  Dr. Stern discusses the paper he co-authored which served as the basis for the Nature article.

Alan described the imaging discoveries for the dark side, compared the far (dark) side to the front of Pluto, talked about a possible under the surface liquid ocean, a chaotic surface with lots of strange features including very large cracks deeper than our Grand Canyon.  He also described how the dark side imaging was done and why the resolution was less than on the main side of Pluto but many many times better than what had been seen before via telescopes.  During our two segment nearly 20 minute discussion, Alan took us through the main imaging discoveries and the unique attributes of structures on the dark side being exactly opposite to a related structure on the face of Pluto that was revealed during the flyby.  We also talked about the need for future orbiter missions to Pluto, the type of instrumentation that should be on a future mission, and how to circumvent, if possible NASA budget constraints and competition for other worthy planetary missions.

Please post your comments/questions for this discussion on our blog for this show.

You can email Mr. Batchelor or Dr. Alan Stern through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com. Alan can also be reached through his site at the Southwest Research institute in Boulder.

 

Tags: 

Guest: 

Tagline: 

The dark side of Pluto per a new Nature Journal article

WARNING: Using Disqus Comments on the Space Show:

To ensure your comments do NOT get caught in the Disqus automatic spam filter systemplease login to your Disqus account or create a verified/approved Disqus account.

Posting multiple URL links WILL TRIGGER the Disqus automatic spam filter system.

19 Aug 2020 John Batchelor, Dr. David Livingston, Dr. Alan Stern
Your Amazon Purchases Helps Support TSS/OGLF (see www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm)

The Space Show Toll Free Number is only available on live broadcast programs. Please call 1-866-687-7223

Sponsor Banner

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • helix-space the space show sponsor

  • The Space Foundation Conference