You have the opportunity to make a contribution to space exploration history!
Your science team has the opportunity to compete for the privilege of deciding where to point the cameras onboard the Cassini spacecraft on June 10, 2008.
That day, the spacecraft will be approximately 793,000 kilometers (about 493,700 miles) away from Saturn's cloud tops, traveling toward Saturn at a speed of about six kilometers per second (approximately 13,400 miles per hour).
You'll have control of the spacecraft for 55 minutes, plenty of time to turn it as needed and point the cameras at pretty much any target you'd like.
The Science Planning Team studied all possible targets and cut the list to three images -- making your choice more manageable.
You are to weigh all the factors, and after choosing one of the three targets, explain the reasons for your choice in a 500-word essay. Your decision should be based on which image would yield the most scientific results. Just like actual scientists do, you are to explain what you hope to learn from the image you have selected. The artistic value of the image can be an added bonus to your decision.
The contest is open to all students in the U.S. between grades 5 and 12, working alone or in groups of up to four students. Deadline for submission is Noon, Pacific Daylight Time on May 8, 2008 (3:00 p.m. Eastern time). Visit the rules page for more information.
