Conference Held to Discuss Mars’ Moons
On November 5-7, a scientific meeting was convened by the Mars Institute, titled “First International Conference on the Exploration of Phobos and Deimos: The Science, Robotic Reconnaissance, and Human Exploration of the Two Moons of Mars.” Held at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, it brought together the main heads of science—scientists, engineers, space exploration professionals, and students on a global basis over a period of three days. The focus was on the two satellites of Mars, and how they related to the Moon, Mars, small bodies, and the solar system.
The recent interest in Phobos and Deimos have been rekindled by several international space missions and concept studies. Says Dr. Pascal Lee, chairman of the Mars Institute and a co-convener of the conference: “Phobos and Deimos are two fascinating small worlds that have been somewhat overlooked. We are here to realize their full scientific and human exploration potential”.
Some of the questions being asked are “Are Phobos and Deimos captured asteroids or remnants from the formation of Mars itself”, “Are Phobos and Deimos related to each other?”, and “How much resources, in particular H20, do they contain?” Questions reviewed were coordinated with some of the upcoming robotic reconnaissance missions to the two moons, and in regard to Mars sample return missions in the near future. Conference Held to Discuss Mars’ Moons
Of course, as always, the subject of human missions to the two moons were brought into view, “Human missions to Mars’s moons are more feasible than to Mars itself in the short term. They would be scientifically exciting in their own right and would also serve as stepping stones to human landings on Mars.” says Lee.
The conference also held two side shows affiliated with the Mars Institute: an art exhibition of Mars space titled “Destination Mars” which was co-sponsored by the International Association of Astronomical Artists (AAA); and a display of NASA’s historical memorabilia which was associated with Asaph Hall, an American astronomer who had discovered Phobos and Deimos in 1877. And for those who are interested, the Mars Institute is a NFP public benefit research organization that is registered in the United States and Canada, whose mission is to advance the scientific study, exploration, and public understanding of Mars.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 27th, 2007 at 5:16 am and is filed under Public Relations, Space Agency News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
