NASA has made a special call for proposals for its Cassini mission: they want to hear what schoolchildren think the spacecraft should observe.
First launched during the International Year of Astronomy 2009, the International Edition of the Cassini Scientist for a Day essay contest takes the long-running US contest and opens it up to children from around the world. After all, the spectacular images that the Cassini spacecraft takes of Saturn and its moons are enjoyed by people everywhere.
The contest gives children a behind-the-scenes look at the work of the Cassini science planning team and shows them the decisions that have to be made: With so many wonderful things waiting to be discovered about Saturn, which observational target will yield the most important scientific discoveries?
Children are given a choice of three celestial objects that the Cassini spacecraft can observe. Will they choose to learn more about Saturn’s moon Hyperion with its mysterious sponge-like appearance? Or will they think that two moons are better than one and want Cassini to observe Rhea & Titan. Or will they opt for the ringed planet Saturn?
After watching three short videos, in which scientists working on Cassini explain which of the three options they think is the best, students are challenged to write a 500-word essay backing one of the missions. There’s no right or wrong answer here, as a winner will be chosen for each of the three observational targets. But entrants have to make a strong scientific case for their chosen mission. The winners and their classmates will be invited to participate in a web-based videoconference with Cassini scientists.
In the US the contest is reserved for students in grades 5 to 12, but other participating countries are allowed to relax this age restriction – please check with the organiser for your country. Contact details for local organisers can be found here. And to make the contest open to more children, the essays can be written in the student’s native language.
The deadline for entries is 26 October 2011 for most countries, but the UK and Turkey have an extended deadline of 18 November 2011 and 15 December 2011 respectively. Please check the website for full competition rules – and good luck!
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