Rings around the solar system this week on planetary Radio. Radio. Hi everyone, welcome to Public Radio's travel show that takes you to the final frontier.

I'm at Kaplan. Planetary astronomer Mark

Schowalter keeps an eye on the rings surrounding the four biggest planets in

our neighborhood. He and his colleagues believe these giant loops of dust, rock, and ice can tell us a lot about

how whole planetary systems form.

He'll share his thoughts and tell us about the latest observations of the rings of Uranus as that world

approaches its equinox. Mark will also talk about the recent Jupiter flyby completed

by the New Horizons spacecraft as it speeds toward Pluto.

New Horizons is the topic of this week's Q&A segment provided by Emily Lochuwala, and

you'll want to stick around for our what's up look at the night sky with Bruce Betts. Why? Because we're going

to announce the beginning of our fifth anniversary contest and how you might win a

piece of Mars. So much space news and so little time. By the time you hear this, both a

space shuttle and a Chinese moon mission may have lifted off. Discovery hopes to head for the

International Space Station on October 23rd.

The Lunar Orbiter lifts off the next day.

Changier 1 is named after a Moon Goddess.

Out at Saturn, the Cassini spacecraft is celebrating 10 years in space.

You can join the party at planetary.org, where there's a beautiful family portrait of Saturn,

its rings, and some of its moons.

That's where you can also read about how the Planetary Society is honored a couple of top flight

planetary citizens. Paula S. Abstel, Senior Executive Producer of the Nova TV Series, and Mike Maylin of

Maylin Space Science Systems.

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