"occultation studies of pluto, KBO's and other outer-solar-system objects" we propose to continue our successful occultation studies of objects in the outer solar system, which we have so far used…
Ended Grant For Research Awarded Last action
- Contract number
- NNX08AO50G
- Awardee
-
President & Trustees Of Williams College UEI JVZEJJ6N5EM8
- Awarding agency
-
Shared Services Center
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Obligated
- $196,584
Award facts
- Contract value 100% obligated
- $196,584.00 Current and potential, with all options
- Completion date 100% complete
- Current and potential, with all options
- Funding agency
- Headquarters National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- NAICS code
- Not on record
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
- Competition
- Full and Open Competition · 0 offers Basic Research
- Pricing
- Other
- Place of performance
- Williamstown, MA 01267, USA
Award details come from SAM.gov/FPDS.
Transactions
| Action | Obligated | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Other Administrative Action | $0 | |
| Funding Only Action | $66,527 | |
| Funding Only Action | $67,167 | |
| Original award | $62,890 |
Description
"occultation studies of pluto, KBO's and other outer-solar-system objects" we propose to continue our successful occultation studies of objects in the outer solar system, which we have so far used to study and monitor the atmosphere of pluto; to rule out an atmosphere for charon and to determine its size, shape, density, and rock-ICE fraction; and to study triton's atmosphere. Our most recent occultation observations, of pluto on 2006 june 12 and 2007 march 18 and of charon on 2005 july 11, used frame-transfer CCD's provided to our MIT-williams consortium with an equipment grant from NASA for the purpose. Our most recent paper describes changes in pluto's atmosphere from 1988 to 2006. In the next three years, we propose not only to observe pluto and charon further but also to extend occultation observations to the recently discovered large kuiper-belt objects. As our predictions based on our astrometry become available, we will obtain use of suitable telescopes (our observations in 2007 used telescopes of 8.4, 6.5, and 2.4 meter diameter) and observe with our CCD/GPS systems. Broader goals: our recent MIT/williams results indicate that pluto's atmosphere has been warming post-perihelion, meaning that sufficient atmosphere will remain at NASA's new horizons' 2015 arrival, providing planning information useful for NH's science team. Understanding pluto and similar objects being discovered in the kuiper belt are playing an increasingly important role in understanding the structure and origin of our solar system. Our new results will be quickly incorporated in articles with undergraduate coauthors and in nationally distributed books. On campus, we will include them in courses and public planetarium shows. A supplemental e/PO grant to our previous occultation NASA research grant is being used for a very successful series of teacher workshops at our planetarium, with special attention paid to the outer solar system, linking to this research grant.
Quick answers
Who was awarded contract NNX08AO50G?
NNX08AO50G was awarded to President & Trustees Of Williams College by Shared Services Center (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) on May 2, 2008.
How much is contract NNX08AO50G worth?
The government has obligated $196,584 on NNX08AO50G.
Which agency awarded contract NNX08AO50G?
Shared Services Center (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) awarded NNX08AO50G, with funding from Headquarters (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
Was contract NNX08AO50G competed?
The extent of competition for NNX08AO50G was full and open competition. The government received 0 offers.
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