Alyssa Rhoden and the Rise of the Europa Underground

Alyssa Rhoden studies Jupiter’s moon Europa…from a distance. She, many other scientists and millions of space exploration fans around the globe want to see a mission to this ice world that hides a vast, warm ocean.  That’s why she and several colleagues have created Destination: Europa, and they want your help.  Emily Lakdawalla updates us on Curiosity’s electrical problem, and Bill Nye joins Space News in saluting Virgin Galactic and SpaceX.  Bruce Betts is tracking ISON, but it’s too soon to tell if this will be the comet of the century.  He joins host Mat Kaplan for another installment of What’s Up.

Related Links

• Destination: Europa Website
• Alyssa Rhoden
• Ken Herkenhoff: Curiosity Update-Electrical Problem
• Emily Lakdawalla: Reviews of Toys for Kids of Space Geeks
• Planetary Society Comet Blog Archive

Trivia Contest

This week's prize is the new and stylish Planetary Radio t-shirt!

This week's question:
Approximately how far from Earth is the Orion Nebula?

To submit your answer:
Complete the contest entry form at http:planetary.org/radiocontest or write to us at [email protected] no later than Monday, December 2, at 2pm Pacific Time.  Be sure to include your name, mailing address and shirt size.

Last week's question:
MOM is India's Mars Orbiter Mission. Amuse us: If we launched a mission with the acronym "DAD" what would it stand for?

Answer:
The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:
What observational technique was used to discover the rotation periods of Venus and Mercury?

Answer:
Earth-based radar.