The Final Countdown at Saturn

Planetary Radio’s most frequent guest, Project Scientist Linda Spilker, returns with another update on the Cassini mission that is approaching its grand finale. Senior editor Emily Lakdawalla has a special announcement. Humans on Mars by 2033? Bill Nye sees a glimmer of hope. Our solar system’s biggest volcano is on the Red Planet. How big? Bruce and Mat share some dimensions on What’s Up.

Related Links:

• Cassini’s Top 10 Science Highlights of 2016
• Close Views Show Saturn’s Rings in Unprecedented Detail
• The Grand Finale—Why End the Cassini Mission?
• Emily Lakdawalla: A Writing Sabbatical
• Put People on Mars by 2033—for the Good of the Nation
• Bruce Betts' Online College Intro Astronomy Course 2017

This week's prizes are a lovely Planetary Radio t-shirt, now available in both men’s and women’s styles. Also, a 200-point iTelescope.net astronomy account, and a Planetary Society rubber asteroid.

This week's question:

Who sculpted the Fallen Astronaut statue left on the moon by the Apollo 15 astronaut Dave Scott?

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, February 7th at 8am Pacific Time. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Last week's question:

What solar system moon is closest in size to Mercury?

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

Approximately how wide is the combined, complex caldera of Olympus Mons, the Martian volcano?

Answer:

The complex caldera at the summit of Mars volcano Olympus Mons measures about 60 by 80 kilometers, and is 3 kilometers deep.