NASA@ My Library event marks historic spacecraft’s final Saturn orbit
SHOW LOW, Ariz. (September 6, 2017) – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Cassini spacecraft, after two decades in space in which approximately 13 years was spent observing Saturn at close range, will make its final approach to the giant planet on Sept. 15. To celebrate this final phase of Cassini’s mission, the public is invited to enjoy a short documentary about the spacecraft’s journey of exploration, participate in a craft activity and enter a drawing to win special space-related prizes on Friday, Sept. 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Show Low Public Library, 181 N. 9th Street. The event is funded by a NASA@ My Library program grant.
To expend all of the spacecraft's propellant, NASA operators began in April 2017 to deliberately plunge Cassini into the planet to ensure Saturn's moons will remain unspoiled for future exploration. Cassini’s course has consisted of a series of 22 orbits that each pass between the planet and its rings. Called the Grand Finale, this final phase of the mission will send Cassini into the planet's atmosphere, sending science data until the spacecraft burns up and disintegrates like a meteor.
NASA@ My Library is led by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute in partnership with the American Library Association Public Programs Office, the Pacific Science Center, Cornerstones of Science and the Education Development Center. Funding comes from NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
For more information, visit the library at 181 N. 9th Street, call (928) 532-4070 or visit the library’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/showlowlibrary.