2014: The Year We Landed on a Comet

Not just landed. Orbited, too. European Space Agency Senior Science Advisor Mark McCaughrean helps us celebrate the Rosetta orbiter and the Philae lander. Emily Lakdawalla prepares for the end of another spectacular ESA mission: Venus Express. Casey Dreier fills in for Bill Nye with news of two upcoming space events in Washington D.C. Another listener will win observing time from iTelescope on this week’s What’s Up segment with Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan.

Related Links:

• More of Mark McCaughrean—Find out what Rosetta could have in common with Luke Skywalker at the end of its mission, along with plans for celebrating the comet's perihelion.
• “Ambition” – Short Science Fiction Film inspired by the Rosetta/Philae mission
• December 1 Space Café on Astrobiology
• December 2 Presentation in Dirksen Senate Office Building: The Future of Solar System Exploration
• Close to the End for Venus Express
• iTelescope.net

This week's prize is another account loaded with 200 points (value of $200 US) for remotely-operated observing on the iTelescope.net worldwide network of instruments.

This week's question:

What are the TWO active region numbers assigned to the giant sunspot that was visible during the most recent partial solar eclipse. The second number was assigned when the region reappeared as the Sun rotated.

To submit your answer:

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

Last week's question:

What is the approximate mass of the Philae lander? Hint: It’s more than an ant.

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

When did the French Guiana Space Centre become operational?

Answer:

The French Guiana Space Center became operational in 1968.