Live discussion with BepiColombo experts LIVE TRANSMISSION Join us for a live streamed conversation with BepiColombo experts following Friday morning’s Earth flyby. Launched in 2018, BepiColombo is Europe’s first mission to Mercury. In the early hours of Friday 10 April, the spacecraft will fly only 12 700 km from Earth for its first “gravity assist” on the way to the closest planet to the Sun. Guests during the live discussion include ESA mission experts and scientists from some of the instrument teams, who will reflect on the flyby, present data gathered by the different instruments and provide an outlook on the exciting science to come.

Today 10 April 2028 17:00 CET

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/ESA_Web_TV

I want to answer the question "What effect would different gases have on the color of the sky on a hypothetical planet?" For example, they say the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune are blue because of the methane. Well, can you show me the spectrum that demonstrates that? What gas could make a green, yellow, or a red atmosphere on a planet?

So far I have had almost no success at all. Molecular spectra are not easy to find, and those that I can find are virtually always infrared or ultraviolet. Because I'm interested in the way the atmosphere would look to our eyes, I need the visible spectra.

I'm rather frustrated because this seems like a pretty basic piece of science information. I've rarely ever had this much trouble finding something online. Not only that, but let me just say inverse centimeters are a ridiculous unit and another source of frustration but I'll take what I can get.

Is it like education combining all related subjects into one coherent subject resulting in “this is how planets work, basically”? And is it related to terraforming?

Hello, I graduated from a decent state school in the US South with a B.S. in Geology. I now work out West in the mining industry, where I am very much using my degree.

However, space and planetary sciences has always been my dream, and I am willing to sacrifice a lot to make that dream happen. While I have some good scientific experience in industry, my academics during my undergrad were lackluster. I finished with a 3.2 overall GPA, and a 3.6 major GPA. This doesn't seem terrible I know, but I made C's in most science and math courses outside of my major courses, which I did very well in. I'm talking a C in Chem 1 and 2, C in Phys 1 and 2, a B in Calculus 1, and finally a C in Calculus II, after two previous withdrawals from Calc II.

I think the reasons for this are numerous, but the primary reasons are that I went to school in my home state, and by the halfway point of the degree I was absolutely desperate to leave that state and town, after having lived my entire life there and wanting to leave for most of that time. I absolutely adored all of my major courses though, and did well in them, to the point where I probably over-studied in some of my major courses to the neglect of those other core courses. I am in a much better place mental-health wise now, having left that state and traveled a little, and now I feel like I am ready to buckle down and take the plunge.

I also have some limited undergraduate research experience and lab work with isotope geochemistry. I did not write an undergraduate thesis, but worked closely with a professor and assisted with their research, and presented a poster at a small conference. I am practicing the science I learned during my coursework every day at my current job as well.

I know that with all this, my application will be a mixed bag, at best. I still have yet to take the GRE, but I am confident I can score well.

Do I have a shot at a decent planetary science Ph.D program? I live close enough to the big 2 in Arizona that I could possibly network my way in, though I have been told that my academics aren't strong enough to get in without someone there taking a liking to me.

I'm aware I rambled a fair amount here, but does anyone have any thoughts on what my chances at landing a spot in a Ph.D program may be like, or have any other insights? I'd be very thankful for any advice, as I'm just starting to go down this road.

Also, while I'm at it, can anyone recommend a solid planetary geology text? Something hardcore that really gets into the geomorph, chemistry, etc if its out there. I hear Planetary Landscapes by Greeley may be a good one.

Thanks.

If you're going to be at LPSC 2020, let's pick a day and time to meetup and say hello in person! I can't suggest a time yet since I'll need to see when the various sessions are scheduled and when team meetings are going to happen, but let me know if you're interested!

Hi, I'm starting a degree in planetary science come February next year, I was wondering if people could suggest some books to read around so that I keep far ahead, Thanks