Carolyn Porco

Leader, Imaging Science Team for Cassini Mission
Director of Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations (CICLOPS), Space Science Institute
President, Diamond Sky Productions
Country of birth: USA
Country of residence: USA

Educational background: BS in physics and astronomy, State Univ. of New York at Stony Brook; PhD in planetary science from Caltech

A typical work day.
I communicate with and coordinate the activities of my science team members and their associates in planning Cassini observations. I also direct the activities of the staff members within CICLOPS in designing future Cassini imaging observations, processing images and movies for public release, and writing or editing captions, news releases, and website content. I work with my own research associates in fi guring out what our fabulous images are telling us about the Saturn system and the solar system at large, and answer questions of the public and media about our mission at Saturn. Also, like many managers anywhere, I put out fi res and manage crises.

What I enjoy the most.
Our discoveries at Saturn! It's why I wanted this job to begin with: to be the captain standing on the bridge, peering out the window, leading a team of the most capable scientists around in this magnifi cent exploration of an alien environment. On a personal level, it has been tremendously interesting to meet with people from all walks of life who are also at the top of their game. Overall, these last ten years have been truly mind-expanding.

Words of wisdom.
Don't be so trusting. I really expected the noble challenge that we on Cassini had all undertaken to override petty politics. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, petty politics can be, and is, found everywhere there are people engaged in a common goal.