Exploring the Europa Clipper Mission: Deep Diving into a Secret Ocean World – Tess Grindlay
Date/Time: Wednesday March 12, 2025 starting at 7:30PM
Location: University of Victoria, Bob Wright Centre, Lecture Theatre A104. Park in Lot 1 (pay parking) and cross Ring Road
Abstract: NASA’s Europa Clipper launched October 14th, 2024. This ground-breaking probe is now on its way to Jupiter’s mysterious moon Europa – a world covered entirely in a thick layer of ice that may have a vast saltwater ocean hidden underneath. Europa’s cold exterior contains a lively inner world, with geysers launching water vapour into space and evidence of an induced magnetic field. Learning more about Europa and its environment will propel planetary science research forward, as well as provide insight into the possibility of life existing outside of Earth. This presentation will introduce the Europa Clipper probe and provide useful background knowledge on the mission. Additionally, we will discuss the technologically advanced instrumentation on board and the exciting mission objectives the Europa Clipper plans to accomplish.
Bio: Tess Grindlay is an undergraduate student at the University of Victoria (UVic) in her final year of studying Physics and Astronomy. She previously worked at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) as a co-op student where she assisted with the initial roll-out of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Canadian science programs. She has also worked on astronomy research projects into galaxy characteristics and merger interactions. Tess is also very passionate about astronomy outreach, having volunteered at Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (FDAO) Star Parties and at UVic’s Observatory Open House Program.
