InSight Science Goals
The InSight mission seeks to uncover how a rocky body forms and evolves to become a planet by investigating the interior structure and composition of Mars. The mission will also determine the rate of Martian tectonic activity and meteorite impacts.
The InSight Mars lander has two science objectives that support the Mission's science goals:
Formation & Evolution: Understand the formation and evolution of terrestrial planets through investigation of the interior structure and processes of Mars.
Tectonic Activity: Determine the present level of tectonic activity and meteorite impact rate on Mars.
Why Mars?
Previous missions to Mars have investigated the surface history of the Red Planet by examining features like canyons, volcanoes, rocks and soil. However, signatures of the planet's formation can only be found by sensing and studying its "vital signs" far below the surface.
In comparison to the other terrestrial planets, Mars is neither too big nor too small. This means that it preserves the record of its formation and can give us insight into how the terrestrial planets formed. It is the perfect laboratory from which to study the formation and evolution of rocky planets. Scientists know that Mars has low levels of geological activity. But a lander like InSight can also reveal just how active Mars really is.
Photo above from the Astronomical Society
Editor's Note: The seismic data will be put out on the Internet within a few months after acquisition; the images, too, will be put out and the community of photo interpreters will be at work on those.
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Ocean McIntyre, a science assistant for NASA's Europa Clipper Mission, describes her ... Just like actual scientists, citizen scientists like me delight in being useful and ... NASA InSight Team on Course for Mars Touchdown.
IRIS Seismographs in Schools - Regional Networks
IRIS's Seismographs in Schools Program serves teachers across the country and around the world using seismic instruments or real-time seismic data in K-16 ...
Astronomical Society of the Pacific: For more than 100 years, the ASP, a 501c3 nonprofit astronomy organization headquartered in San Francisco, has inspired professionals, researchers, educators, amateurs, and armchair astronomers to look up and wonder about our place in the universe, and about what the universe can teach and tell us.
Around the world, in classrooms, museums, planetariums, national parks, state parks, nature centers, astronomy clubs, city sidewalks, online and your own backyard, the ASP fosters scientific curiosity, advances science literacy, and shares the excitement of exploration and discovery.
We design and deliver innovative astronomy toolkits, programs, publications and education guides in our mission to inspire youth and adults across the economic spectrum – in support of their success as science, technology and academic leaders.
The ASP partners with NASA, AAS, National Science Foundation, and other leading professional and educational organizations in North America and overseas. Funding also comes from generous ASP members and donors committed to advancing science literacy through astronomy.
At the ASP, we:
- Connect scientists, educators, amateur astronomers and the public.
- Share the results of astronomical research and news through our publications.
- Design and deliver professional development, services and toolkits to educators.
- Organize a national forum for science and science education through our annual meeting.
- Recognize excellence in astronomy and astronomy education through our awards.
- Communicate the excitement of astronomy and science to the public.
Our primary goals:
- Serve:
- Professional astronomers through our publications and connections.
- Education & public outreach professionals through our national meetings and collaborations.
- Communicators through our materials, programs and expertise.
- K-12 teachers through our networks, resources and training programs.
- Informal educators through our networks, materials and workshop opportunities.
- Amateur astronomers through our networks, training and outreach tools.
- Public audiences through our resources, outreach programs and memberships.
- Grow our programs, networks and publications to connect our diverse audiences and stakeholders.
- Build on our recognized leadership in using astronomy to advance science literacy, engagement and connectivity.
- Strengthen our organizational foundation based on an agile, integrated and multi-faceted approach to science education and public outreach.
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