Solar System Exploration: News & Events: Frequently Asked Questions

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does NASA's Science Mission Directorate do?

Our Solar System

Why explore the solar system?

How are you able to measure the temperature on the planets that are very far away like Pluto and Neptune? How can you determine the age of planets without going there to perform scientific experiments?

If the Sun is a star, then could the other larger stars have planets orbiting around them that are too small and/or too far away to see?

Your website says 1,300,000 Earths could fit inside our Sun. I am just wondering if this is crushed up or whole (assuming a perfect sphere)?

Is it possible that Mercury was at one time a larger planet than it is now because it got to close to the sun the heat was so hot it could've melted some of the outer crust of the planet?

I am doing a brochure about the planet Mercury for school and I need to know it's type of surface, atmosphere, color, size, interesting things you would see (moons, rings, etc.), weather and how you should dress on the planet.

Why is Venus called Venus. Where did it get its name?

Why is the ozone hole a problem?

What is El Niño?

Is the American flag still on the moon today?

Can you explain in more detail why Phobos orbits Mars twice a day instead of three times a day?

I submitted my name to be put put on a compact disc that will be mounted on the Mars Exploration Rovers, but I lost the link and would like to get copies of my certificate. Can you help?

How do spacecraft pass safely through the asteroid belt? I would have thought that as asteroids are debris of various sizes - scattered randomly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter - the odds would be very high of at least one smashing into a probe.

If we have gravitational pull on the moon and you need to land to have gravity then how can Jupiter have a gravitational pull on its moons if it is made of gas?

How much oxygen is on Jupiter?

What are Saturn's rings made of?

Why is Saturn called a 'gas' planet?

My teacher said something about "superheated water" on Uranus so I was wondering what that was all about. So is it true and if so, how do you know?

Why can't people live on Uranus?

I was wondering if you are planning to send a probe to Pluto?

If Pluto gets a thin atmosphere when it gets closer to the Sun, if somehow we landed on Pluto wouldn't we get burnt by the solar wind?

Beyond Our Solar System

What is space (what is it made of), and how did people discover space?

Where are Voyager 1 and 2 right now?

Where can I find a list of education websites at NASA field centers?

Why is NASA involved in education?

I have questions. Where can I get answers?

How can I apply for a NASA internship or summer job?

Who are we and what is a Forum?

What can the forums or broker/facilitators do for me?

For Museums & Planetariums

What informal education programs is the OSS working on?

Can I get a scientist to speak at my facility?

For Community Groups

Can I get a scientist to speak to my group?

How about an astronaut?

How can I visit NASA?

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NASA Official: Marilyn Lindstrom Outreach Manager: Alice Wessen Editors: Phil Davis and Kirk Munsell Science Writer: Samantha Harvey Webmaster: David Martin Last Updated: 10 Jun 2009
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