Come Celebrate Cassini's Jupiter Encounter with Arthur C. Clarke and Galileo Galilei

On December 30, 2000, NASA's Cassini spacecraft will encounter Jupiter on its long journey to Saturn. NASA's Cassini Program, in cooperation with The Planetary Society and Pasadena City College (PCC), will celebrate with a special event at PCC, "Jupiter in Myth, History and Science." Arthur C. Clarke will participate live by phone from his home in Sri Lanka, sharing his thoughts on the mission, 2001, and the New Millennium.

Jupiter, ruler of the gods in Roman Mythology, is also the king of the planets in our solar system. "Jupiter in Myth, History and Science" will explore the giant planet through the ages. A Cassini Mission Status Report will be a highlight of the evening. Other topics will range from the scientific exploration of Jupiter by ground-based observations and space missions to the early mythology about the planet. Actor Mark Thompson will assume the character of Galileo Galilei to offer a "first person" account of his famous telescopic observations of Jupiter and its moons. The program will have a strong audio-visual component with slides and videos from Pioneer, Voyager, Galileo, and the most recent images from Cassini.

The evening will conclude with a live audio link with renowned scientist and science fiction author, Arthur C. Clarke, a member of The Planetary Society's Advisory Council. Louis Friedman, the Society's Executive Director, will converse with him about Jupiter, the Cassini mission, "2001: A Space Odyssey," and the New Millennium.

The event is free and open to the public. it will be held at The Forum, Pasadena City College, 1570 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM on Saturday, December 30, 2000.