Planetary Astronomy; an Appraisal of Ground-Based Opportunities (1968) / Chapter Skim
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Recommendations
Recommendations
Pages 69-79
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From page 69... ...
* Space Science Board, A Review of Space Research, NAS-NRC Pub.
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From page 70... ...
1 We recommend that a 60-inch telescope with mirrors of superior optical quality and designed specifically for spectroscopy, interjerometry, photography, and photometry of the planets be erected as soon as possible at a dry site with exceptionally good seeing in the Southern Hemisphere. Chapters 2 and 3 have detailed the contributions that radar astronomy is making to planetary studies in testing gravitational theory and in determining orbital elements, planetary radii and rotations, and characteristics of planetary surfaces and atmospheres.
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From page 71... ...
The recent development of inexpensive telescopes using all-metal mirrors has made significant contributions in the infrared region. A 120-in.aperture telescope would collect larger amounts of radiation and would provide increased spectroscopic resolving power in the infrared windows and in the 1-mm regions of the spectrum.
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From page 72... ...
We also recommend that a high-resolution 3 cm-to-millimeter wavelength radio facility be constructed and made available for planetary studies; and that the feasibility of a radio facility able to provide large collecting area for low-resolution observations at millimeter wavelengths be studied. Recent work in the infrared spectroscopy of planetary atmospheres, discussed in Chapters 4 and 6, has emphasized the value of high-resolution Fourier spectroscopy.
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From page 73... ...
In addition to the above recommendations, other areas are important in the development of planetary studies. Astrometric Observations of Comets and Asteroids The present, almost total, lack of astrometric observations of comets and asteroids made in the Southern Hemisphere limits study of comets whose orbits are only fractionally north of the ecliptic and restricts observations of asteroids that come to opposition during the short nights of northern summer.
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From page 74... ...
In addition, because of attenuation in planetary atmospheres, one is generally probing only the upper strata, regions that are generally very difficult to explore at other wavelengths. Ultraviolet observations will also enable us to examine planetary coronas formed by escaping atomic constituents such as hydrogen and oxygen.
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From page 75... ...
A systematic, coordinated laboratory program should be supported to determine the effects on spectral signatures (ultraviolet to microwave) of varying the physical and chemical parameters of likely planetary surface materials.
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From page 76... ...
The establishment of a national society for planetary sciences or of an affiliate of an existing society would be highly desirable to serve as a forum for discussion and a cohesive force to facilitate recruitment of personnel, to assist in obtaining financial support or facilities for projects of unusual merit, and to encourage publication of results. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS The Space Science Board Panel on Planetary Astronomy recommends ways in which ground-based planetary astronomy can advance our knowledge of the evolution of the solar system and contribute substantially to a significant planetary space program.
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From page 78... ...
d. One is a 'sphere, f .length*
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