| In December 2000, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena,
California selected David Sheppard as its Solar System Ambassador to
the Carlsbad area. The position is entirely voluntary and does not
pay a salary. The Solar System Ambassadors program is managed by
JPL, the National Aeronautics & Space Administration's (NASA)
lead field center for the robotic exploration of the Solar System. |
JPL Solar System
Ambassador Lectures
by David Sheppard
NMSU-Carlsbad
Lecture Hall, Room 153 7:00-9:00 PM
Free to the Public
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Lecture 1:
Our Star, The Sun
21 Feb 01
The evolution of the Universe
following the Big Bang from which it was created and the origin
and evolution of the sun. Discussion of the internal nuclear
reactions that fuel the sun, and the sun’s ultimate demise.
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Lecture 2:
JPL Mars Projects
11 Apr 01
Results of past and present
JPL missions to Mars: Mariner 9, Viking, Pathfinder and Mars
Global Surveyor. Future missions. The search for water and life on
Mars.
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Lecture 3: Asteroids & Comets
12 Sep 01
What is the danger to
Earth from Asteroid and Comet impact? The Tunguska impact of 1908
in Siberia; the impact 65 million years ago that caused the
extinction of the dinosaurs. JPL missions to asteroids and comets;
joint missions with the European Space Agency.
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Lecture 4: Missions to Jupiter
and Saturn
11 Oct 01
JPL’s exploration of Jupiter and Saturn to include: past Voyager
missions to both planets; the current Galileo Mission at Jupiter;
and the Cassini mission to Saturn and Titan.
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