Learn about the recently launched Europa Clipper mission with Robert Pappalardo, Europa Clipper Project Scientist at JPL.
By News Desk
Explore how Europa Clipper’s findings might enhance our understanding of icy moons and the mission’s implications for astrobiology.
The Europa Clipper mission that launched in October 2024 promises to revolutionize our understanding of one of the most intriguing moons in the solar system: Jupiter’s icy satellite Europa. Dr. Robert Pappalardo, a senior research scientist and fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and a leading expert on Europa, will deliver a guest lecture on the scientific objectives of this groundbreaking mission. The spacecraft is designed to conduct detailed reconnaissance of Europa’s ice shell, subsurface ocean, surface and atmospheric composition, and geological activity. Using a suite of sophisticated instruments, Europa Clipper will monitor potential plumes of water vapor and provide information needed to assess Europa’s habitability, addressing fundamental questions about the moon’s potential to harbor life.
Dr. Robert Pappalardo will also explore how Europa Clipper’s findings may enhance our understanding of icy moons across the solar system. He will discuss the mission’s implications for astrobiology, as Europa’s ocean is considered one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life. The mission’s highly anticipated data will not only help determine if Europa could support life but will also provide insight into the formation and evolution of icy worlds, offering critical clues about the broader processes that shape planetary systems.
- 4:30 pm: Reception
- 5:00 pm: Lecture
Click here to register for this lecture.
Registration is required. Seating is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
The Science of the Europa Clipper Mission December 4, 2024 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Location Caltech - Ramo Auditorium 1200 E California Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91125
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