Space scientist: John Zarnecki - Audio: Recent Episodes
The Open University
Are we alone in the universe? How did our solar system evolve? These are the kind of questions that inspire John Zarnecki, Professor of Space Science in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at The Open University. In the course of his 30 year career, Zarnecki has taken part in several high profile space probe missions. In this album, he recalls the landing of the Huygens probe on Titan, explains why space has become essential for communication and navigation today and describes technology developed by the space programme that's set to improve our lives on Earth.
Zarnecki talks about the projects and ideas that drive him: sending scientific instruments into outer space, how our solar system evolved, and whether life exists on other planets.
Transcript -- Zarnecki talks about the projects and ideas that drive him: sending scientific instruments into outer space, how our solar system evolved, and whether life exists on other planets.
In 2005, a probe landed on Titan, Saturn's largest moon. Zarnecki describes how it felt to gather real time data one and a half billion kilometres away from Earth.
Transcript -- In 2005, a probe landed on Titan, Saturn's largest moon. Zarnecki describes how it felt to gather real time data one and a half billion kilometres away from Earth.
How instruments devised to analyse the atmosphere on Mars are now being adapted to detect tuberculosis in Africa.
Transcript -- How instruments devised to analyse the atmosphere on Mars are now being adapted to detect tuberculosis in Africa.
Using the internet to create a live observatory for students worldwide, and Zarnecki's dream to provide instruments for the next Chinese lunar mission.
Transcript -- Using the internet to create a live observatory for students worldwide, and Zarnecki's dream to provide instruments for the next Chinese lunar mission.