When the Huygens probe enters Titans atmosphere some of the largest telescopes in the world here on Mauna Kea will be watching in hopes of seeing signs of the entry- some will be looking at thermal wavelengths hoping to see the heated column of gass trailing the entering probe, others will look for emission from molecules excited by the heat and friction. Hawaii is uniquely situated to have a great view at the time of re-entry...

MAYBE the results of the observations will help evaluate the design of the probe's heatshield. Of course with our luck with weather the past week we may not see anything- I was supposed to have a 3 night run and the first 2 nights have had to be canceled because the domes were covered by more than inch thick layer of ice :( Maybe tonite we will get lucky...