2012 Edition -- Target 3: Saturn, Grade 5 and 6 Winner
2012 Edition -- Target 3: Saturn, Grade 5 and 6 Winner
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| Bradyn Shelley and Sam Phillips | ||||
| Shelley Elementary | ||||
| 6th Grade American Fork, Utah Teacher: Brandon Engles | ||||
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"Dear NASA Scientists, We are very excited to be taking part in this essay contest. We think you should choose Target 3, Saturn itself, for these three reasons. Our first reason is that you could observe and study Saturn's weather. Our second reason is that Spica will cross behind the rings, illuminating them, allowing you to research them. Our final reason is that you can still see the other two targets, along with the other moons and rings. In this essay, we will explain and give details about each of these three reasons. If you were to choose Target 3, it would be a very good chance to observe Saturn's weather patterns. You would also be able to research the planet's polar aurora, and study the Great White Spot, Saturn's gigantic storm. But who knows, a new storm could start, one bigger than the Great White Spot, and you could get photos of that. Maybe some of Saturn's colors will change - anything could happen. When the star, Spica, crosses behind the rings you would be able to research them. You might even discover the source of the rings! You could find out the density of the rings by the amount of light shining through, and Spica would also make it possible to see what types of materials the rings are made up of. Besides, things like that don't just happen every day. If there was a moon that did collide with Saturn, it could be possible to see if part of that moon's body of it is still in the rings. Target 3 would still provide a view of Target 1, Pan, and Target 2, the F Ring. Also, you would still be able to see the rest of the moons and rings. This way, even if something does happen with the other targets, you won't miss it! If you pointed Cassini at Pan, you wouldn't be able to see the F Ring, or vice versa. For example, what if you pointed Cassini at the F Ring, and something big happened on Pan? You would miss it. Or what if you pointed it at Pan, and the F Ring started to separate? You would miss it. This is why either one of the other two targets would be a bad idea. This is why we think Target 3, Saturn itself, would be the best target for Cassini to focus on. It would allow you to study Saturn's weather patterns, and its storms. When Spica crosses behind the rings, it would provide a once-in-a-lifetime chance to observe and study the rings. Target 3 would also provide a view of both of the other targets, Pan and the F Ring. We hope that this essay has convinced you to choose to point Cassini at Target 3. We thank you very much for reading this essay. |
