Explore Worlds
Find Life
Defend Earth
The Planetary Report • November/December 2001
A New View
On the Cover: Two days after its closest approach to Jupiter, Cassini captured a stunning sight: a crystal-clear image of Io with Jupiter's swirling bands of atmosphere in the background. Although Io seems to be floating just above Jupiter’s clouds, there is actually room for two and a half Jupiter-size planets between the gas giant and its innermost moon. Cassini collected its last images of the Jovian system in March 2001. The spacecraft is now on the final leg of its six-and-a-half-year journey, intending to keep its July 1, 2004 appointment with Saturn.
Features
6 The Society's New Leader: An Interview with Westley T. Huntress Jr.: Jennifer Vaughn and Charlene Anderson sit down with the new head of the Society, Wes Huntress, and let him explain, in his own words, where he sees us heading and what lies in store for space exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life.
12 The Strange Acceleration of Pioneer 10 and 11: John Anderson analyzes the Pioneer's flight and their acceleration toward the Sun for no apparent reason.
18 Mars Odyssey Enters Mars Orbit: Bruce Betts reports on Odyssey's successful orbit insertion.
Departments
3 Members' Dialogue Clearing the air; thanks from readers around the world
4 World Watch Saving the Pluto-Kuiper Belt mission; a change in NASA administration
20 Q&A Why is the Moon's crust deficient in iron while Earth's is enriched? Will Odyssey photograph Phobos and/or Deimos? How do we define a "moon" when it comes to Saturn?
22 Society News Society discounts, scholarship program; what do you think NASA should be doing?
The Planetary Report • November/December 2001
Help advance space science and exploration! Become a member of The Planetary Society and you'll receive the full PDF and print versions of The Planetary Report.