« Back to The PI's Perspective

< Return to Main Article

NOVA Visits New Horizons

A crew from the PBS science series NOVA visited the New Horizons mission operations center at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md., recently to film segments for a program on “The Pluto Files,” based on astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson’s book of the same name. New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern sparred with author and program host Tyson about Pluto’s planetary status, before providing an overview of the mission and spacecraft. Below are some photos from the Nov. 17 shoot; the episode is tentatively scheduled to air in early March 2010.


Alan Stern and Neil deGrasse Tyson discuss the New Horizons spacecraft in the mission operations center.

NOVA crew members prep cameras and microphones outside the main entrance of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

With cameras rolling, New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern (left) greets NOVA host Neil deGrasse Tyson at the main entrance of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

Producer Terri Randall discusses a “Pluto Files” scene with New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern and program host Neil deGrasse Tyson.

NOVA crew members transform the New Horizons Mission Operations Center’s situation room into a studio for a segment on “The Pluto Files.”

The New Horizons Mission Operations Center’s situation room is a blur of activity as NOVA producer Terri Randall discusses ideas with mission Principal Investigator Alan Stern and program host Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Holding up nine fingers, New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern lets NOVA host Neil deGrasse Tyson know just how many planets there are in our solar system.

New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern (left) and NOVA host Neil deGrasse Tyson debate the status of Pluto and like planets in the solar system.

New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern (left) and NOVA host Neil deGrasse Tyson debate the status of Pluto and like planets in the solar system.
 

View The PI's Perspective Archive >