Cassini and Juno - Iowa State Fair 2007

Exploring Gas Giants with the Cassini and Juno Spacecraft

Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, Iowa
August 14, 2007

On August 14, 2007, the Cassini and Juno science teams were showcased at the Iowa State Fair as part of the University of Iowa's "Be Remarkable" exhibit. The science teams presented some of the 'remarkable' space physics research in progress in the Dept. of Physics and Astronomy.

"Exploring Gas Giants with the Cassini and Juno Spacecraft" featured the two largest planets of the Solar System, Jupiter and Saturn, and the role the University of Iowa plays in studying those planetary systems. Cassini is currently in its third year studying Saturn, its rings, satellites, and magnetosphere while in orbit. In 2011, the Juno mission will be launched on a five-year trajectory to Jupiter, where it will become the first polar orbiter of Jupiter and will study the deep interior of the planet in order to understand the planet's origin and its polar magnetosphere.

Support staff interacted with hundreds of visitors of all ages, but the display was most appealing to the youth in the crowd. The display was supported by University of Iowa staff members Bill Kurth, George Hospodarsky, and Kathy Kurth, as well as representatives from the Juno mission educational outreach office.

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