What does it mean to use space technology to improve life on Earth?
Evans: This means going beyond “gee whiz” and answering “so what?” Take methods used to study how stars form and to map Venus, for example. These techniques can be helpful on Earth, too. They’re being used to better understand Earth’s ozone hole and to assess earthquake risks. Both human health and the economy can benefit. EE: What are some specific research goals that JPL scientists are working on? Evans: Our work is kind of like having to find a needle in a haystack. We’re trying to measure one molecule of carbon dioxide in 1 million molecules of air. And we want to detect minute changes in the salt content of seawater. Changes equal to adding less than half a teaspoon of salt to one gallon of water. These are incredibly hard tasks. But scientists need these measurements. They will lead to more accurate forecasts of global warming. EE: Geology was your focus during college and graduate school. And it played a large role in the early part of your professional life. What sparked this i
