Cassini Significant Events 04/14/10 - 04/20/10
The most recent spacecraft telemetry was acquired on April 20th from
the Deep Space Network tracking complex at Goldstone, California. The
Cassini spacecraft is in an excellent state of health and all subsystems
are operating normally. Information on the present position and speed of
the Cassini spacecraft may be found on the "Present Position"
page at:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/presentposition/
Wednesday, April 14 (DOY 104)
All teams submitted Port 1 Spacecraft Activity Sequence Files today
as part of the Science Operations Plan process for S63. The files will be
merged and sent back out to the teams for review.
Thursday, April 15 (DOY 105)
This week the Composite Infrared Spectrometer took several
compositional sit and stare observations of Saturn to measure oxygen
compounds in the stratosphere as a function of latitude and performed an
exercise to quantify the effects of ring particle impacts on the mirror
performance by monitoring scattered infrared solar radiation as a
function of offset angle from the sun. The Magnetospheric and Plasma
Science instruments took measurements as part of the solar wind aurora
campaign to observe the acceleration region of the magnetosphere and the
Saturn kilometric radiation source regions. Radio Science performed an
Ultra Stable Oscillator characterization and periodic instrument
maintenance. Imaging Science observed the Saturnian satellites Albiorix
and Bebhionn, obtained low resolution, low elevation, high-phase images
of the E ring, and took images of the transit of Titan across Dione for
orbit determination purposes.
Sunday, April 18 (DOY 108)
Orbit Trim Maneuver (OTM) #243 was performed today. This was an
apoapsis maneuver setting up for the Enceladus 9 encounter on Apr. 28
(Apr. 27 in PDT). The Reaction Control Subsystem burn began at 6:44 AM
PDT. Telemetry immediately after the maneuver showed a burn duration of
38.25 seconds, giving a delta-V of 44.56 mm/s. All subsystems reported
nominal performance after the maneuver.
Monday, April 19 (DOY 109)
Members of the Saturn Observation Campaign reported this week that
Apr. 24 is International Astronomy Day and Saturn will be prominently
visible below the moon and Mars. Contact your closest Saturn Observation
Campaign volunteer for Saturn viewing opportunities here:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/saturnobservation/volunteermembers/
Tuesday, April 20 (DOY 110)
The Cassini Program made it into the news this week in a New York
Times article: A Saturn Spectacular, With Gravity's Help:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/science/space/20cassini.html?hp=&pagewanted=all
The Cassini Science League has posted a report on the effects of ring
shadow on the atmosphere of Saturn. Saturn's atmosphere is affected by
seasonal changes just like Earth's is, but perhaps even more so, because
the poles spend nearly 15 Earth-years in winter darkness and the next 15
years in sunlight. On top of that, the cooling shadow of the rings causes
differences in heating and sunlight-driven chemistry between the shaded
and sunlit parts of Saturn's atmosphere. For the full text of this
article link to here:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/cassiniscienceleague/science20100420/
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