SCIENCE OFF THE SPHERE
Research Area: Educational Activities and Outreach: Educational Demonstrations
Expedition(s): 29- 32
Principal Investigator(s): ● Donald R. Pettit, PhD, NASA’s Johnson Space Center,
Houston, Texas
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Science off the Sphere is a collaborative effort between
Astronaut Dr Don Pettit and the American Physical Society
demonstrating unique physical properties that occur on the
International Space Station.
EARTH BENEFITS
The simple demonstrations using everyday materials for
Science off the Sphere play a major role in inspiring the next
generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.
SPACE BENEFITS
Science off the Sphere demonstrations provide insight into how
fluids and materials behave differently in microgravity
compared to gravity on Earth.
RESULTS
Astronaut and chemical engineer, Dr Don Pettit,
demonstrates unique physical phenomena that occur in
microgravity during his free time on the international Space
Station. The videos are downlinked and posted to the Science
off the Sphere website
(http://www.physicscentral.com/explore/sots/). At the end
of each video Dr Pettit poses a challenge question. A winner
is chosen randomly from all correct answers submitted. The winner's name is read from space
and they receive a snazzy T-shirt from Earth. The following videos are found at the Science off
the Sphere website.
PUBLICATION(S)
Fontana P, Pettit DR, Cristoferetti S. Sodium chloride crystallization from thin liquid sheets,
thick layers, and sessile drops in microgravity. Journal of Crystal Growth. October 15,
2015;428:80-85. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2015.07.026.
Fontana P, Schefer J, Pettit DR. Characterization of sodium chloride crystals grown in
microgravity. Journal of Crystal Growth. June 2011 ;324:207-211. doi:
10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2011.04.001.
This investigation is complete and all results are published.
ISS031E035391 – Close-up view of a
4 inch polished metal sphere used to
construct a Van de Graaff generator,
along with Lego bricks, a rubber band,
aluminum foil, and a drill. The image
of Expedition 31 flight engineer Don
Pettit is reflected in the sphere. Image
was taken in the Harmony Node 2
during Expedition 31. NASA image.