Approaching Pluto, and Learning About Uwingu From Alan Stern

His mission to Pluto and beyond is just the start.  New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern is the PI for other missions and instruments in space.  The former Associate Administrator of NASA's Science Directorate is a Vice President at the Southwest Research Institute.  He tells us that all's well, but New Horizons is preparing for a possibly bumpy visit to Pluto.  Alan also extends a special invitation to Planetary Radio listeners as he explains Uwingu, his new company that will raise funds for space science by allowing anyone to propose and vote for new planet names.  Bill Nye wonders with the rest of us what Curiosity scientists have found on Mars, while Emily shares a beautiful new landscape captured by the big rover.  Bruce Betts extends a couple of invites of his own on What's Up: A new round of Shoemaker Near Earth Object grants, and your chance to entertain Bruce and Mat with your guess of what Curiosity has found.

Related Links

• New Horizons Mission
• Uwingu
• Pretty Picture: A Geologist's Paradise on Mars
• Hey Astronomers! The New Shoemaker NEO Grant Call
  

Trivia Contest

This week's prize is a beautiful and informative 2013 Year In Space wall calendar.

This week's question:
What do you think Curiosity has discovered on Mars?  The most creative and/or humorous answer will win.

To submit your answer:
Send an email no later than Monday, December 3, at 2 pm Pacific time to [email protected] containing:

Last week's question:

Last week's question:
What is the third most common element in the photosphere of the Sun by weight?

Answer:
The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:
What was the first and only radio station to broadcast the first episode of Planetary Radio?

Answer:
Mighty KUCI in Irvine, California!  Followed by WMUH in Allentown, PA