Martian Rendezvous Imminent

This September, two more space probes will arrive at Mars. After flying for the better part of a year in very loose formation, NASA's MAVEN and India's Mangalyaan orbiters will begin examining Mars with new eyes. This will bring the total number of operational satellites to five (three American, one European, and now one Indian), plus two surface rovers.

MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission) is on a daring mission to find out how Mars lost its atmosphere. The evidence is clear that Mars used to have a much denser atmosphere. There was once enough atmospheric pressure to allow vast amounts of water to exist for long periods of time. Yet, the current surface pressure is far less than one per-cent of what we enjoy.

MAVEN is on a mission to collect valuable data by directly sampling Mars' upper atmosphere. To do this, it will fly on highly elliptical orbits that will allow it to dip rather substantially into the Martian atmosphere; so much so that its solar panels are aerodynamically curved. MAVEN is armed with a sophisticated suit of instruments to analyze the samples and relay that information back to NASA's Deep Space Tracking Network.

MAVEN is due to arrive at Mars on September 21st. You can follow its progress at http://lasp.colorado.edu/home/maven/.

Meanwhile, India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) is due to enter orbit three days later on the 24th. If successful, citizens of India will join those of the United States, the Soviet Union (the efforts of the new Russian Federation have so far been unsuccessful), and the European Union as "Martian Explorers." That is indeed the primary objective of this mission: To win "face" over their Chinese rivals. While China has sent a rover to the moon, India will have sent a probe to Mars! Indian pride will be reminiscent of American pride of the late 1960s. (I'm all for friendly rivalries that spur us onward!)

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will use the space probe, nicknamed "Mangalyaan" ("Mars craft" in Hindi), to conduct a complete survey of the Martian surface and atmosphere. Of particular interest will be its search for traces of methane. The 15 kg. (33 lb.) probe carries a suit of five instruments. Though high-tech, none are revolutionary. However, it must be noted that the Indian mission cost only one-ninth of MAVEN's budget! (It must also be noted that NASA-JPL is assisting India by providing spacecraft communications, and navigation and tracking assistance through the Deep Space Tracking Network.)

Mangalyaan's progress can be followed at http://isro.org/mars/updates.aspx.

September 6th has been designated by NASA and many astronomical organizations as the night when everyone on the earth should look up and appreciate the moon. Some argue that because of its relative size Terra and Luna should be considered a twin-planetary system. There is no doubt that that bright orb profoundly affected human agricultural planning, spurred our imagination, and even generated terror in the faint-of-heart. What is certain is that the moon provided the perfect target for developing our ability to leave this planet. I often look up and marvel that I was privileged to witness those bold beginnings.

Mars and Saturn are still in the southwest after sunset after ruling the summer night sky. Jupiter is replacing Venus as the Morning Star after a stunning conjunction in mid-August. Venus has begun a sun-dive as it slips behind the sun to become the Evening Star in late fall.

Speaking of which, autumn officially arrives with the equinox on September 22nd at 7:29 p.m. – none too soon for those of us who enjoy cooler weather! Starting about then, the zodiacal light will become visible 80-120 minutes before sunrise as a tall triangle of glowing light reaching up from the eastern horizon.

Sunrise: 6:25 a.m./Sunset: 7:23 p.m. (August 30th)