2012 Edition -- Target 2: F Ring, Grade 5 and 6 Winner
2012 Edition -- Target 2: F Ring, Grade 5 and 6 Winner
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| Evan T. Grahn | ||||
| Magnolia Elementary School | ||||
| 6th Grade Upland, Calif. Teacher: Mrs. Ginger Nehls | ||||
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"For the Cassini Scientist For A Day Contest, I have selected Target Number 2: Saturn's F ring. I think that Cassini should be pointed at Saturn's F ring. The thing that fascinates me the most about Saturn's F ring is what some people call "mini-jets." I find it amazing how the "mini-jets" are formed. I liked watching the videos on the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory website that showed debris floating into the F ring and how the debris bounces off carrying out the ice particles. What I find really intriguing is how "mini-jets" can be destroyed or created by the debris in the F ring. What causes this process? The other thing that is really interesting to me are Saturn's moons, Prometheus and Pandora. I think my favorite characteristic of these two moons is that they are what shapes the F ring. It is extraordinary how they are what mostly causes the debris to make the "mini-jets." This process is like how a snow plow pushes snow to the side of the road. In this scenario, the F ring is the side of the road and the debris in the F ring is the snow. How this happens is astonishing, and I would like to know more about this. I think Cassini's study of Saturn's F ring would answer a lot of mysterious questions, such as why does the F ring have its own self gravity? How does the F ring get replenished every few million years? How do the ice particles get that far out into the F ring without getting trapped in the closer rings? Saturn's F ring is a phenomenal educational opportunity and is just waiting for Cassini to visit it. That is why I want Cassini to explore Saturn's "F' ring so that we can learn as much as we can, and that is why my choice is Target Number 2: Saturn's F ring." |
