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The Planetary Report

Volume XXIX, Number 3, May/June 2009

On the Cover

Click to enlarge > Credit: NASA / ESA / HEIC and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI / AURA / R. Corradi and Z. Tsvetanov)

The Cat's Eye nebula (NGC 6543) was one of the first planetary nebulae to be discovered. The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) first revealed, in 1994, its intricate structures, including concentric gas shells, high-speed jets of gas, and unusual shock-induced knots of gas. This portrait of the Cat's Eye nebula, captured in September 2004, was one of our Members' favorite Hubble images. To view more Members' favorites, see page 12.

"One massive star expires in a series of violent explosions, shedding veils of fusion-forged elements that race through the cosmos. When enough of these elements congregate elsewhere, they may eventually produce new stars, planets, or even organisms. We, and everything around us, are formed from the final throes of distant, long-dead stars. In our universe, death is the engine of life."
—Minna Lunney

From The Editor

This issue of The Planetary Report, more than any other issue I can recall, reflects the ideas, opinions, and choices of Planetary Society Members. As you page through, you'll see what you and your fellow Members have done and what you've made possible.

You'll see the report on our 2009 Member Survey-an overwhelming success by any measure. Jim Bell, the new Planetary Society president, has heard what you want our organization to do, and, as he promises, we're on it!

We describe progress on our Members' top-rated concern: monitoring potentially dangerous asteroids and comets. The survey results coincided with our selection of winners of the Shoemaker Near Earth Objects Grants, confirming that we were on the right track with our project priorities.

Then, you'll read a feature composed of Members' words and pictures-at least, the pictures you chose as your favorites taken by the Hubble Space Telescope during its first few incarnations. Planetary Society Members can take justifiable pride in the just-completed Hubble repair mission. Three years ago, you campaigned to save the Hubble (and keep NASA from shutting down the Voyager spacecraft), so you can rightfully say you played a role in making this mission happen.

And there's so much more we're doing. You can track our actions even more closely if you become a "fan" of The Planetary Society on Facebook. We have a very active community growing there, with daily postings, links to new web features, event announcements, and much more.

So stay in touch! Joined together, Planetary Society Members are a force to be reckoned with.

—Charlene M. Anderson

Features

You Spoke Up: The Planetary Society 2009 Member Survey
by Jim Bell

We Make It Happen! Planetary Defense: Shielding the World From Asteroids
by Bruce Betts

All Hail Hubble! Planetary Society Members Salute the Hubble Space Telescope

Departments

World Watch
Questions and Answers
Members' Dialogue

The Planetary Report is available only to Members of The Planetary Society. If you'd like to read these and other exciting features, JOIN THE PLANETARY SOCIETY TODAY!

MEMBERS: Download this and other back issues of The Planetary Report in PDF format from the For Members section of the website.