Paul Schenk
Scientist - Lunar and Planetary Institute
The following interview is a written interview conducted by the Outreach team at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL).
Exploring worlds we have never seen before, in a region of the Solar System that is transitional between outer and inner and is still poorly understood.
To map and understand the nature of impact craters on Vesta and how they have shaped and altered its history, including the gigantic southern impact basin. We will be looking into one of most dynamic and dangerous phases in the formation of the Solar System, the formation of the large basins during the heavy bombardment.
That we have so little information available and will have to work fast when we get there.
Starting out and anticipating what we will find.
What will we see? How much did the big polar basin reshape Vesta's geology When did this big impact occur? What don't we know about large asteroids?
Deep sea diving (and scuba). Working (!!)
Architect, diver.
When I flunked out of art school. I took an astronomy class at the same time and discovered it was easy and a perfect fit for my space interests.
Watching Apollo and Mariner flights on the news. Carl Seyfert, my undergraduate advisor in Buffalo.
Childhood's End (among others).
Perseverance.
Planetary science is a global profession.