September 25, 2018

Speaker: Carolyn Porco (Space Science Institute, University of Colorado -- Boulder)

Carolyn will also deliver the Vanuxem Lecture on September 26.

Title: Highlights of Cassini's Exploration of Saturn

Abstract: For 13 years, the rich suite of scientific investigations onboard the Cassini spacecraft was brought to bear on everything in the Saturn system -- its atmosphere, magnetosphere, enormous rings, and retinue of moons. This presentation will highlight two areas of special interest. It will begin with a brief survey of those Cassini discoveries in the rings of Saturn that have wide-ranging application in astronomy. Then it will dive deep into the large and diverse collection of findings that Cassini returned on the moon Enceladus. In conjunction with theoretical studies, these results have produced an unusually detailed body of knowledge of what is at present the most well-understood, most accessible extraterrestrial sub-surface ocean and, possibly, the best place to search for extraterrestrial life in the solar system.

Visit Schedule:

Note: Carolyn's colloquium dinner will take place on Tuesday, September 25th, following the colloquium.

Carolyn's colloquium will held in Peyton 145 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. A Reception will occur prior to the talk at 3:45 in Grand Central.

Carolyn will be in Peyton 105A.

Tuesday (25 Sep 2018)

  • 12:45 pm: arrival at Peyton and equipment check in room 145

  • 1:00 p.m.:Jill Knapp, 106 Peyton

  • 1:30 p.m.: Sean Johnson (103 Peyton)

  • 2:00 p.m.: Jim Gunn

  • 2:30 p.m.: Jing Luan (Peyton 105A), coming from IAS.

  • 3:45 p.m.: Wine and cheese reception in Grand Central (Peyton)

  • 4:30 p.m.: Colloquium in Peyton room 145

  • 6:30 p.m.: Dinner at Cross Culture (301 N. Harrison St.)

Wednesday (26 Sep 2018)

(visitor room: 105A)

  • 10:00 a.m.: Dan Tamayo (Peyton 110)

  • 10:30 a.m.: free for prep

  • 11:00 a.m. : Adam Burrows (Rm. 105)

  • 11:30 a.m.: free for prep

  • 12:00 p.m.: free for prep

  • 12:30 p.m.: free for prep

  • 1:00 p.m.: Chris Chyba (meet in Grand Central; walk for coffee?)

  • 1:30 p.m.: Chris Chyba

  • 2:00 p.m.: Neta Bahcall (137 Peyton)

  • 3:00 p.m.: Ed Turner (208 Peyton)

  • 5:00 p.m.: equipment check and dry run in McCosh 10

  • 6:00 p.m.: Vanuxem Lecture in McCosh 10

Dinner Sign-up (students have priority; 8 MAX) - add your name here:

1. Speaker

2. Faculty host: Jim Gunn

3. Postdoc host: Sean Johnson

4. Goni Halevi

5. Rachael Beaton! (YAY!)

6. Samuel Yee

7. Lachlan Lancaster

8. Brianna Lacy

NO MORE THAN 8 PEOPLE (otherwise it is very difficult to properly interact with the speaker)