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  • “Exploration is in our nature.” - Carl Sagan

Planetary Radio • Apr 25, 2018

Planetary Radio Live! – Celebrating Curiosity on Mars

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On This Episode

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Ashwin Vasavada

Mars Science Laboratory Project Scientist for Jet Propulsion Laboratory

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Abigail Fraeman

Deputy Project Scientist for NASA's Curiosity Rover

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Bruce Betts

Chief Scientist / LightSail Program Manager for The Planetary Society

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Mat Kaplan

Senior Communications Adviser and former Host of Planetary Radio for The Planetary Society

Join us for an utterly fascinating live conversation with Emily Lakdawalla about her brand new book, The Design and Engineering of Curiosity: How the Mars Rover Performs Its Job. Also joining us at Caltech were Curiosity Project Scientist Ashwin Vasavada and JPL Research Scientist Abigail Fraeman. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan close out the evening with a live edition of What’s Up, including the space trivia contest.

Emily Lakdawalla's book signing event
Emily Lakdawalla's book signing event Planetary Radio host Mat Kaplan was joined by colleague and Planetary Evangelist Emily Lakdawalla at Caltech to talk about her new book, The Design and Engineering of Curiosity. Also joining the conversation were Curiosity team members Ashwin Vasavada and Abigail Fraeman.Image: Richard Chute
The Design and Engineering of Curiosity: How the Mars Rover Performs its Job
The Design and Engineering of Curiosity: How the Mars Rover Performs its Job Author: Emily LakdawallaImage: Springer Praxis Publishing
Curiosity self-portrait atop Vera Rubin Ridge, sol 1943
Curiosity self-portrait atop Vera Rubin Ridge, sol 1943 Curiosity took this photo on January 23, 2018 from the southern side of the Vera Rubin Ridge, a topographic feature visible from orbit that separates the Bagnold Dunes from the taller part of Mount Sharp. From this vantage point, all the terrain that Curiosity has traversed is visible. It's also possible to see down into the valley beyond the ridge. Mount Sharp rises behind the rover's mast.Image: NASA / JPL / MSSS

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This week's question:

According to a NASA press kit, what does Mount Sharp, the mountain Curiosity is exploring, look like from orbit?

To submit your answer:

Complete the contest entry form at http://planetary.org/radiocontest or write to us at [email protected] no later than Wednesday, May 2nd at 8am Pacific Time. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Last week's question:

In Greek mythology, who were Andromeda’s mother and father? All three are constellations.

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

What was the first nebula observed that was tied to a supernova seen by humans?

Answer:

The Crab Nebula was the first astronomical object identified with a historical supernova explosion. Yes, it seems there was an earlier supernova observed by Chinese astronomers, but its nebula was identified long after the Crab Nebula.