Jupiter Millennium Flyby: Science

Science

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA

Cassini's science investigation teams have planned a comprehensive study of Jupiter over the period 1 October 2000 through 31 March 2001. In conjunction with studies by the Galileo spacecraft presently orbiting Jupiter and the groundbased radio observations made by the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) program, the results of these studies will greatly improve our understanding of the solar system's largest planet.

Cassini's instruments can be broadly classified as Remote Sensing instruments and Fields & Particles instruments. Remote sensing instruments observe from a distance. This set includes the cameras, spectrometers, radar, radio, and the Magnetospheric Imaging Instrument's (MIMI's) Ion and Neutral Camera (INCA, an instrument more commonly classified with the Fields & Particles group).

The fields and particles instruments make in situ measurements of the environment around the spacecraft. These instruments measure magnetic fields, the masses, electrical charges, and densities of atomic particles, the quantity and composition of dust particles, and the strengths of plasma (electrically charged gas) waves and radio waves.

You will find general information about each science instrument and investigation by clicking on the links below. These links will also include Jupiter data releases as the data are prepared and released. Results can be expected from the various instruments frequently. Only two experiments, the Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer and Radio Science, and the Huygens probe for studying Saturn's moon Titan, will not be taking data during the swingby.

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Last updated 11/03/00.