|
MUSEUMS & MORE - Introduction
To tell the story of the international Cassini/Huygens mission to
Saturn and Titan, a team led by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has
produced a planetarium show called Ring World. Ring World was written by Dr. Bill
Gutsch, former head of the Hayden Planetarium and produced by Brian
Sullivan of Salt Lake City, Utah. Ring World was released in 2004 to planetariums across the US and internationally.
For more information, contact Jane Houston Jones at
Jane.H.Jones@jpl.nasa.gov or (818) 393-6435.
If you received the show kit or DVD please take a moment and complete the on-line event summary, or send comments to Jane at the address or telephone number above.
|
|
A young student, taking his "first-ever" look through a large-aperature
telescope, to observe the planet Saturn.
(Image Credit: Western Colorado Math and Science Center)
|
The Cassini-Huygens mission is of great interest to museums, planetariums and science centers around the country. The year 2002 marks the 40th anniversary of planetary exploration, and has sparked museums and planetariums to display exhibits and other materials featuring the wonders of space exploration and space science. The widespread celebration now offers more and more opportunities for space aficionados to get a close-up view of their favorite space mission, or learn about the many events and programs JPL is involved with around the country.
For example, many of these institutions have sought to educate the public of all ages in an informal setting about the importance of the Cassini-Huygens mission including the planet Saturn, its fascinating rings, and mysterious moon Titan.
|
|
A full-scale model of the Saturn-bound Cassini spacecraft on display at the California Science Center.
|
The Cassini-Huygens mission is an ambitious one-with its sophisticated instruments and sheer size, it is difficult to visualize, and even more difficult to study. Luckily, a full-scale replica of the Cassini spacecraft is on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The model spacecraft, standing as tall as a 30-passenger bus standing on end, is a majestic centerpiece in the Center's Air and Space Gallery.
The Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland, Calif., also features a smaller model of the Cassini spacecraft, along with models of the Stardust and Mars Odyssey spacecraft.
There are also several smaller models of the Cassini spacecraft on display at various educational centers around the country. These are mobile-they can travel with various scientists and educators to promote learning about its complexity and instruments and also provide a close-up perspective of the spacecraft's construction.
In its ongoing effort to promote the missions and objectives of JPL, Chabot also has "Cassini Spacecraft at Saturn," a 12' by 25' mural on display, painted by eight young master painters at an art academy in Los Angeles called La Academia de Artes Yepes, established by Latino artist George Yepes. The mural unveils some of the mysteries surrounding the vast Saturnian system and features Cassini's long journey to this intriguing area of the solar system.
|
