From the Drawing Board to the Stars NASA Science News for June 13, 2000 In this scientific human interest story, Dr. Jim Burch, principle investigator for NASA's IMAGE space weather satellite, describes what it's like to visualize a modern space mission and then, years later, to make it happen. Burch shares his experiences as a competitor for mission funding, as a coordinator of far-flung personnel and institutions, and as an onlooker during the anxious moments of launch. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast13jun_1.htm?list

Solar wind disturbance passes Earth Space Weather News for June 13, 2000 The shock front from a beautiful full-halo coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on June 10 apparently passed by Earth at approximately 2200 UT on June 12. Although the solar wind velocity increased substantially, geomagnetic disturbances so far have been mild. The chances for widespread aurora tonight are low. For more information please see http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com ---

Solstice Moon NASA Science News for June 14, 2000 This week's full Moon, which takes place just four days before the June solstice, will appear unusually big and colorful to observers in the northern hemisphere. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast14jun_1.htm?list __ You are subscribed to Science.NASA.gov NASA Science News mailing list with the address marci@ALOHA.NET.

Any solstice celebrations planned, anyone?

Ocean Tides Lost and Found NASA Science News for June 15, 2000 Lunar tides impart tremendous energy to Earth's oceans, but where does it all go? Scientists studying data from the orbiting TOPEX/Poseidon satellite believe they now have an answer. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast15jun_2.htm?list __

Thursday's Classroom for June 15, 2000 This month's full Moon will appear bigger and more colorful than usual because it occurs so close to the northern summer solstice. Students can learn more about the Moon and the famous illusion that makes the Moon appear larger when it's near the horizon by making an edible Moon Munchie spyglass, calculating Loony Basketball Math, and reciting "Full Moon Wherewolf" homonym poetry. For more information, please visit http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com Thursday's Classroom Note: These lessons are relevant even after this week's full Moon. For several days following June 16, the Moon will appear nearly full and, of course, there's another full Moon every month. Each one hovers above the horizon for a while as it rises, triggering the 'Moon Illusion.' The illusion simply lasts longer for northern observers near the time of the summer solstice.

The Incredible Ions of Space Transportation NASA Science News for June 16, 2000 After nearly 40 years of development and the successful flight of Deep Space 1 in 1998-1999, ion propulsion has now entered the mainstream of propulsion options available for deep-space missions. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast15jun_1.htm?list __

From: NASA Science News Precedence: Bulk Space Lasers Take Aim at the Wind NASA Science News for June 19, 2000 NASA scientists are studying a type of radar that uses laser light instead of microwaves to provide snapshots of the winds that travel the globe. Knowing the wind's speed and direction over large areas could help meteorologists answer the riddle of tomorrow's weather and benefit many areas of the world's economy. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast19jun_1m.htm?list

Scientists Discover Sugar in an Interstellar Cloud NASA Science News for June 20, 2000 Scientists have discovered a molecular cousin to table sugar in a giant interstellar cloud known as Sagittarius B2. The discovery of this sugar molecule in a cloud where new stars are forming means it is increasingly likely that chemical precursors to life are formed in such clouds long before planets develop around stars. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast20jun_1.htm?list

Asteroids Have Seasons, Too NASA Science News for June 21, 2000 Earth isn't the only world where seasons are changing this week. Millions of miles from our planet, southern winter is giving way to spring on asteroid 433 Eros. As the Sun rises over the south pole of Eros, instruments on NASA's NEAR-Shoemaker spacecraft will catch a glimpse of never-before-seen terrain. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast21jun_1.htm?list __

Coming Soon: Better Solar Storm Warnings NASA Science News for June 22, 2000 In the past, predicting the onset of a geomagnetic storm was difficult. Forecasters couldn't say with much precision how long it would take for a solar coronal mass ejection to reach Earth. Now scientists have created a model that reliably forecasts the arrival of these billion-ton gas clouds. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast22jun_1m.htm?list __

I heard on the news on the radio on the way to work that they've found water on Mars.

Indeed.......here is the NASA press release: Mars Surprise -- images reveal signs of recent water flow on Mars NASA Science News for June 22, 2000 In what could turn out to be a landmark discovery in the history of Mars exploration, scientists using data from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft have observed features that suggest current sources of liquid water at or near the surface of the red planet. NASA scientists compare the features to those left by flash floods on Earth. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast22jun_2.htm?list __

The Ups and Downs of Ozone NASA Science News for June 26, 2000 Scientists are watching carefully as the ozone layer, which protects animal and plant life from harmful solar ultraviolet radiation, begins an uncertain recovery. Ozone destroying chemicals in the atmosphere are on the decline, but the timing and nature of the expected recovery -- and even whether a recovery is occurring at all -- are controversial topics. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast26jun_1m.htm?list

Giant Planet Power Breakfast NASA Science News for June 27, 2000 Jupiter and Saturn have spent much of the last few months hidden in the bright glare of the Sun. Now they are rising before dawn and are visible again with the naked eye. This week the slender crescent moon will join the pair for a dazzling show in the sky before sunrise. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast27jun_1.htm?list __

Setting Sail for the Stars NASA Science News for June 28, 2000 Scientists met last month to discuss the latest developments in solar sail technology. A new mission, the Interstellar Probe, could carry a spacecraft beyond the edge of the solar system by 2018. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast28jun_1m.htm?list __

Making a Splash on Mars NASA Science News for June 29, 2000 On a planet that's colder than Antarctica and where water boils at ten degrees above freezing, how could liquid water ever exist? Scientists say a dash of salt might help. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast29jun_1m.htm?lis

Earth reaches its greatest distance from the Sun on the 4th of July NASA Science News for June 30, 2000 The Earth will reach its greatest distance from the Sun this year on the 4th of July, but don't expect a break from the heat of northern summer. This article discusses Earth's slightly elliptical orbit and the effects (some negligible, some substantial) that lopsided orbits have on planets around the solar system. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast30jun_1m.htm?list __

Mars passes by the Sun Space Weather News for July 3, 2000 Solar activity was low over the weekend and is expected to remain so for the next 24 to 48 hours. Nevertheless, on July 1st and 2nd coronagraphs on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory captured a beautiful sequence of images showing Mars as it passed less than one degree from the Sun. The animation includes several coronal mass ejections associated with small solar flares. For more information visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Here Comes Comet Linear NASA Science News for July 05, 2000 Comet 1999 LINEAR S4, which can already be seen through binoculars, is expected to become a faint naked-eye object similar in appearance to the Andromeda Nebula as it glides by the Big Dipper this month. Maximum brightness is expected on July 23, 2000.

Some Comets Like it Hot NASA Science News for July 07, 2000 Amateur astronomers are discovering pieces of a giant comet that broke apart in antiquity as the fragments zoom perilously close to the Sun. You can join the hunt, too. All you need is a computer and an internet connection to view realtime data from the orbiting ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast07jul_1.htm?list

Space Weather News for July 8, 2000 Coronagraphs on board the orbiting ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) recorded a full halo coronal mass ejection (CME) on July 7th. Forecasters estimate that material from the CME will arrive in the neighborhood of Earth on July 11th. While the CME was ongoing, SOHO's wide field coronagraph also captured the planet Mercury racing by the Sun twice as fast as the drifting field of background stars. Mercury joined two other planets, Mars and Venus, in the coronagraph's field of view. For animations and more information, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

A solar wind disturbance arrives at Earth Space Weather News for July 10, 2000 The shock front from a July 7th coronal mass ejection has apparently reached our planet about a day earlier than expected. The disturbance, recorded by NASA's ACE spacecraft at 0600 UT on July 10, was not extraordinarily vigorous. Nevertheless, skywatchers are advised to be on the alert for aurora. For more information please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Cosmic Light Pollution NASA Science News for July 10, 2000 A series of unmanned balloon flights will measure the subtle ultraviolet glow of the night sky and help unravel one of the most perplexing mysteries of astrophysics -- the origin of ultra high-energy cosmic rays. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast10jul_1.htm?list

The propagation continues upward: SFI=225 up from 215 | A=28 up from 18 | K=3 down from 4 at 2100 on 11 July. SAF: moderate to high, GMF: at active to minor storm levels Aurora Level: 5 Solar Wind: 543.3 km/s at 5.7 protons/cc More: http://hfradio.org/propagation.html

Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 15:26:37 -0500 From: NASA Science News Comet Borrelly or Bust NASA Science News for July 11, 2000 NASA's experimental Deep Space 1 probe --left for dead after a guidance system failure in late 1999 -- was revived last month in a thrilling cross- the-solar-system rescue conducted by JPL engineers. The craft set sail again on June 28, 2000, just in time for a planned rendezvous with periodic comet Borrelly in 2001. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast11jul_1.htm?list

Brown Dwarf Solar Flare NASA Science News for July 12, 2000 The Chandra X-ray Observatory has detected the first-ever flare from what's known as a brown dwarf, or failed star. Scientists were surprised at the outburst, which unleashed an amount of energy comparable to a small solar flare. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast12jul_1m.htm?list

Aurora Warning Space Weather News for July 13, 2000 Stargazers in both hemispheres are advised to watch for auroras tonight as the result of a strong solar wind disturbance that struck Earth's magnetosphere at approximately 0940 UT (5:40 a.m. EDT) on July 13th. The strong geomagnetic storm that started this morning may now be subsiding, but another interplanetary shock wave is expected to arrive on July 14th and extend the current period of geomagnetic unrest. Auroral displays at middle latitudes are possible (but by no means guaranteed) around local midnight on July 13th through 15th. For more information please visit http://www.spaceweather.com Photographers who capture pictures of Northern or Southern Lights during the next few days are invited to send their images as attachments to webmaster@spaceweather.com for display on SpaceWeather.com.

SFI=232 up from 230 | A=31 up from 12 | K=2 down from 5 at 2100 on 13 July. SAF: moderate to high, GMF: at unsettled to minor storm levels Aurora Level: 7 Solar Wind: 618.4 km/s at 3.6 protons/cc More: http://hfradio.org/propagation.html

Pacific Lunar Eclipse NASA Science News for July 14, 2000 This weekend the Moon, the Sun and the Earth will align for the longest total lunar eclipse in 140 years. The best places to see the event are in and around the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii and Australia. Observers along the west coast of North America will be able to see a partial eclipse just before the Moon sets on Sunday morning. During totality skywatchers may also be able to spot the asteroid 4 Vesta, which coincidentally makes a rare appearance as a naked-eye object during the days around the eclipse. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast14jul_1m.htm?list

Powerful Solar Flare Triggers Radiation Storm Space Weather News for July 14, 2000 This morning an X5-class solar flare, one of the most powerful flares of the current solar cycle, triggered a proton storm in the neighborhood of our planet. Just after the eruption, coronagraphs on board the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory recorded a full halo coronal mass ejection heading toward Earth at greater than 1000 km/s. Please visit http://www.spaceweather.com for details and updates on this developing story.

The following Alerts and Warnings are in effect: sr@hfradio.org The following Alerts and Warnings are in effect: Magnetic A-Index greater than 50 Watch for 15 Jul 2000 UT Comment: K-indices of greater than 6 are possible beginning at 1800 UT on 15 July Magnetic A-Index greater than 50 Watch for 16 Jul 2000 UT Comment: K-indices of greater than 6 are possible beginning at 1800 UT on 15 July Magnetic A-Index greater than 50 Watch for 17 Jul 2000 UT Comment: K-indices of greater than 6 are possible beginning at 1800 UT on 15 July Magnetic K-Index of 6 Observed 14 Jul 2000 from 15:00 to 18:00 UT Comment: None More: http://hfradio.org/propagation.html

A Solar Radiation Storm NASA Science News for July 14, 2000 A powerful solar flare on July 14th triggered an intense radiation storm in the vicinity of Earth. The eruption was followed by a fast-moving coronal mass ejection that is expected to strike Earth's magnetosphere as early as Saturday. The impact could trigger Northern and Southern Lights bright enough to be seen in spite of this weekend's brilliant full Moon. Such a display is by no means guaranteed, but it is possible. Observers across the Pacific could be in for a very rare treat: the sight of shimmering colorful aurora during the total lunar eclipse of July 16, 2000. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast14jul_2m.htm?list __

Solar Wind data is incorrect due to proton overload of the sensors on the spacecraft. True solar wind speed is approx. 775 to 800 km/s with a density of approx. 25 to 30 protons/cm3 ADVISORY: The shock wave from Friday's fast-moving coronal mass ejection could arrive as early as 1900 UT. ALERT(S): Magnetic A-Index Greater than 50 Watch for 15 Jul 2000 UT Comment: K-indices of Greater than 6 are possible beginning at 1800 UT on 15 July Magnetic A-Index Greater than 50 Watch for 16 Jul 2000 UT Comment: K-indices of Greater than 6 are possible beginning at 1800 UT on 15 July Magnetic A-Index Greater than 50 Watch for 17 Jul 2000 UT Comment: K-indices of Greater than 6 are possible beginning at 1800 UT on 15 July Magnetic K-Index of 6 Observed 14 Jul 2000 from 15:00 to 18:00 UT Comment: None Magnetic A-Index Greater than 30 Warning valid from 15 Jul 2000 0000 to 0600 UT Comment: None The following Warning was EXTENDED at 0000 UT on 15 Jul 2000 and is now valid through 0000 UT on 17 Jul 2000 Magnetic K-Index Greater than 6 Warning valid from 13 Jul 2000 1438 to 15 Jul 2000 0000 UT Comment: None The following Alert was CONTINUED at 0100 UT on 15 Jul 2000 Protons Event Greater than 10 MeV @ Greater than 10pfu BEG 14 Jul 2000 1050 UT Comment: The current proton flux is approximately 8500 pfu's. The following Alert was CONTINUED at 0100 UT on 15 Jul 2000 Proton event Greater than 100 MeV @ Greater than 1pfu BEG 14 Jul 2000 1040 UT Comment: The current proton flux level is approximately 100 pfu's . A maximum proton flux of approximately 400 pfu's was reached at 1620 UT on 14 July. Magnetic A-Index Greater than 30 Observed 15 Jul 2000 0600 UT Comment: None Type II Radio Emission 15 Jul 2000 1433 UT Comment: Estimated shock velocity = 788 km/s More: http://hfradio.org/propagation.html

An Extreme Geomagnetic Storm is Underway Space Weather News for July 15, 2000 A powerful shock wave from the fast-moving July 14th coronal mass ejection has arrived in the neighborhood of Earth. An extreme geomagnetic storm was underway at 1900 UT (3:00 p.m. EDT) on July 15th. If conditions persist as they are now, aurora could be visible at middle (and possibly even equatorial) latitudes. The best time to view aurora is usually near local midnight. In this case, sky watchers are advised to look for aurora as soon as night falls. For more information and updates please visit http://www.spaceweather.com Readers are invited to send pictures of tonight's aurora and the July 16, 2000, total lunar eclipse (visible across the Pacific Ocean) as an email attachment to phillips@spacescience.com for possible posting on spaceweather.com and/or spacescience.com. For more information about the lunar eclipse: Pacific Lunar Eclipse http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast14jul_1m.htm ************************** SEVERE GEOMAGNETIC STORM: Kp Index is at 9. A Index is 118. We are in a catagory G5 Storm. NOAA's Space Weather scale indicates the following effects: Power systems: grid systems can collapse and transformers experience damage. Spacecraft operations: extensive surface charging, problems with orientation, uplink/downlink, and tracking satellites. Other systems: pipeline currents reach hundreds of amps, HF (high frequency) radio propagation impossible in many areas for one to two days, satellite navigation degraded for days, low-frequency radio navigation out for hours, and the aurora seen as low as the equator. The Proton Monitor on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory is registering solar wind speeds in excess of 900 km/s The wave of solar particles - known as a solar proton event - is already four times more intense than any other event detected since the launches of SOHO in 1995 and ACE in 1997. At mid-afternoon (UT) on July 14th, the storm of particles from the Sun was still intensifying. More: http://hfradio.org/propagation.html

X-ray Star Stuff NASA Science News for July 18, 2000 Astronomers using the Chandra X-ray Observatory are seeing how supernovae spray the essential elements of rocky planets and life into interstellar space. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast18jul_1m.htm?list

Unveiling the Infrared Sky NASA Science News for July 20, 2000 Your home computer can become a portal to a wonderland of stars, thanks to a massive release of images from an infrared sky survey sponsored by NASA and the National Science Foundation. The current release is based on a volume of data several hundred times larger than that contained in the human genome! FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast20jul_1.htm?list __

Coronal Mass Ejection 21 July 2000 There is high probability that the CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) from the major M-class solar flare of 19 July 2000 will arrive today. It is expected to hit the Earth almost head-on. It is not expected to be as intense as this last weekend's event. Auroral activity is expected to increase to storm levels on 21 July 2000. There is a good chance for observations of auroral activity from many dark-sky middle latitude regions, particularly prior to midnight when the moon is still below the horizon and optimal observing conditions exist. Moonrise occurs near local midnight. TWO ADDITIONAL M-Class flares occured today: :ALERTS: X-Ray event M5/1B/S12W14 BEG 20 Jul 2000 2022 MAX 20 Jul 2000 2025 END 20 Jul 2000 2028 UT Comment: None X-Ray event M5.5 BEG 21 Jul 2000 1430 MAX 21 Jul 2000 1437 END 21 Jul 2000 1443 UT Comment: None More: http://hfradio.org/propagation.html

Watch for Aurora tonight!!!

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 29 - July 21, 2000 This has been quite a week for solar activity, with blasts of solar wind dominating space weather news. Saturday was the big day for HF radio blackouts and aurora, with the planetary A index jumping to an incredible 152 and the mid-latitude A index at 148. The planetary K index, updated every three hours, was at 9 for three readings on Saturday. A K index reading of 9 over a 24-hour period would be equivalent to an A index of 300. This is big, really big. These numbers are associated with an extreme geomagnetic storm that was nearly off the scale. On Friday one of the most powerful solar flares of the current cycle triggered a storm of protons directed toward earth. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory recorded a full halo coronal mass ejection heading toward earth at greater than one-million meters per second. Check out animations of this event at http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/CME/. There are only a few events of this magnitude in the average solar cycle. The only factor that probably impeded a spectacular aurora visible far down into the U.S. was that this is the summer season. A dark evening sky would reveal a rich tapestry of northern lights. Of course, it being winter in the southern hemisphere, bright displays were reported in Australia and New Zealand. The author made a weak attempt Saturday night, walking barefoot into the middle of the street and trying to peer north past city lights, but no auroral glow was visible. Seattle is north of the 47th parallel, and although there were no local reports of aurora, there were observations as far south as 40 degrees in Europe, Asia, and parts of Eastern North America. If you point your web browser toward http://www.sec.noaa.gov/info/kp-aurora.html you will see a nice map from the June, 1968 issue of Sky and Telescope which shows how far south aurora may be visible depending on the planetary K index. What is not clear from this map is whether it shows how far south the edge of the aurora extends, or how far south it is visible when looking north. Another coronal mass ejection emerged on Wednesday, July 19, but the predicted effect is uncertain because the ejection may not be aimed squarely at earth. On Thursday the planetary K index went up to 6 for several hours, but by the end of the UTC day it was 3. The planetary A index for Thursday was 43, and the College A index, recorded in Alaska, was 57. The latest forecast shows the planetary A index rising to 50 on Friday, then dropping to 20 and 15 and then 10 on Saturday through Monday. Solar flux peaked for the recent short term at 252.9 on Thursday, and is expected to drop to 245, 235, 230 and 225 on Friday through Monday. The next short term minimum is predicted around July 28 at 170, followed by another peak above 200 around August 6-9. The author has received many more inquiries recently asking for explanations of the various parameters reported in this bulletin. Although the explanations were repeated six weeks ago, it is probably time to run them again, and they follow this paragraph. Feel free to send questions to the author via k7vvvarrl.net. Amateur Radio operators who use HF generally like increased sunspots because they correlate with better worldwide radio propagation. When there are more sunspots, the sun puts out radiation which charges particles in the earth's ionosphere. Radio waves bounce off of these charged particles, and the denser these clouds of ions, the better the HF propagation. When the ionosphere is denser, higher frequencies will reflect off of the ionosphere rather than passing through to space. This is why every 11 years or so when this activity is higher, 10 meters gets exciting. 10 meters is at a high enough frequency, right near the top of the HF spectrum, that radio waves propagate very efficiently when the sunspot count is high. Because of the wavelength, smaller antennas are very efficient on this band, so mobile stations running low power on 10 meters can communicate world wide on a daily basis when the sunspot cycle is at its peak. There are also seasonal variations, and 10 meters tends to be best near the spring or fall equinox. The sunspot numbers used in this bulletin are calculated by counting the sunspots on the visible solar surface and also measuring their area. Solar flux is measured at an observatory in British Columbia using an antenna pointed toward the sun tuned to 2.8 GHz, which is at a wavelength of 10.7 cm. Energy detected seems to correlate with sunspots and with the density of the ionosphere. Other solar activity of concern to HF operators are solar flares and coronal holes, which emit protons. Since the charged ions in the ionosphere are negative, a blast of protons from the sun can neutralize the charge and make the ionosphere less reflective. These waves of protons can be so intense that they may trigger an event called a geomagnetic storm. The Planetary A index relates to geomagnetic stability. Magnetometers around the world are used to generate a number called the Planetary K index. You can hear the Boulder K index updated every three hours on WWV, or by calling 303-497-3235. A one point change in the K index is quite significant. A K index below 3 generally means good stable conditions, and above 3 can mean high absorption and poor reflection of radio waves. Each point change reflects a big change in conditions. Every 24 hours the K index is summarized in a number called the A index. A one point change in A value is not very significant. A full day with the K index at 3 will produce an A index of 15, K of 4 means A of 27, K of 5 means A of 48, and K of 6 means A of 80. You can find an explanation of these numbers on the web at http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/GEOMAG/kp_ap.html. The number reported here is the Planetary A index, which is a worldwide average based on the K readings from a number of magnetometers. The numbers reported on WWV are the Boulder K and A index, measured in Colorado. Generally the higher the latitude of the measuring station, the higher the K and A indices reported. This is because the effects of geomagnetic instability tend to concentrate toward the polar regions of the globe. Currently we are near the peak of the solar cycle, so conditions are generally better because of the increased ionization of the ionosphere. But along with the increased sunspots come more solar flares and coronal holes, producing disturbed conditions. Sunspot numbers for July 13 through 19 were 240, 243, 229, 268, 335, 343 and 342 with a mean of 285.7. 10.7 cm flux was 231.9, 203.9, 213.1, 218.9, 228.3, 261.9 and 249.9, with a mean of 229.7, and estimated planetary A indices were 33, 35, 152, 46, 9, 13 and 15, with a mean of 43.3.

Contrary Thermometers NASA Science News for July 21, 2000 Scientists are working to understand why the lower atmosphere isn't heating up as fast as some global warming models predict. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast21jul_1m.htm?list

Station Sightings NASA Science News for July 24, 2000 Thanks to a new NASA web site, stargazers can track the progress of the growing International Space Station (ISS) from their own backyards. Because it reflects sunlight down to Earth, the ISS often looks like a slow-moving star as it crosses the sky. It can even appear as bright as the star Sirius if you know when and where to look. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast24jul_1m.htm?list

Camping Out with the Planets NASA Science News for July 25, 2000 Earth's slender crescent Moon will glide by two brilliant planets in the dawn sky this week as it heads for a close encounter with Mercury on July 29th. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast25jul_1m.htm?list

You can tell when you look into the night sky which are stars and which are satellites. the satelittes are brighter and move across the sky. I don't get to see much of the night sky right now with this weather. I don't even get to use my pc in the evening, there is so much lightening that I have to unplug it.

Yikes, Dear!!! Blessed be the laptops which enable use even with lightning... but not connected to a modem. Alas, you are in down-time summer I guess. A Lot Less Snow NASA Science News for July 27, 2000 An instrument on board NASA's Terra satellite recorded much less snow than usual over parts of North America during the winter of 1999-2000. This story includes a snow map of North America in March 2000 and sample pictures from Terra's snow-mapping "MODIS" instrument. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast27jul_2m.htm?list

Comet LINEAR Misbehaves NASA Science News for July 28, 2000 Although comet LINEAR was not bright enough to see with the unaided eye when it passed by Earth this week, the comet is grabbing the attention of astronomers with peculiar behavior, including orbit-altering jets and fragments breaking away from its nucleus. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast28jul_1m.htm?list __

Comet LINEAR breaks apart Space Weather News for July 28, 2000 There is growing evidence that comet LINEAR, which made its closest approach to the Sun earlier this week, is disintegrating. Today's spaceweather.com features images and animations of the apparent breakup. Also, an interplanetary shock wave struck Earth's magnetosphere on July 28, 2000, triggering minor geomagnetic activity. For more information please visit http//www.spaceweather.com http//www.spaceweather.com

Back to the Future on Mars NASA Science News for July 28, 2000 In 2003, NASA plans to launch a relative of the now-famous 1997 Mars Pathfinder rover. Using drop, bounce, and roll technology, this larger cousin is expected to reach the surface of the Red Planet in January 2004 and begin the longest journey of scientific exploration ever undertaken across the surface of that alien world. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast28jul_2m.htm?list __

The Stuff Between the Stars NASA Science News for July 31, 2000 The cosmos is laced with tiny specks of dust that decide the fate of young stars and planets. Now, NASA scientists can study the properties of far-flung space dust using special laboratory facilities at the Marshall Space Flight Center. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast31jul_2m.htm?list _

Meltdown! Comet LINEAR comtinues to disintegrate.... NASA Science News for July 31, 2000 Comet LINEAR continued to blow itself apart this weekend as astronomers around the world monitored the action. The comet is still bright enough to see through amateur telescopes, but it's fading fast. This story compares the breakup of comet LINEAR with another famous fragmented comet, Shoemaker-Levy 9, that collided with Jupiter six years ago. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast31jul_1m.htm?list

Looking Forward to the International Space Station NASA Science News for August 02, 2000 Scientists at a recent media forum said they are eager to begin using the International Space Station as an innovative orbiting research laboratory. "The Hubble Space Telescope is to astrophysicists as the International Space Station will be to other researchers -- a working science laboratory in space," noted one participant. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast02aug_1.htm?list

Watching Wildfires from Space NASA Science News for August 04, 2000 NASA satellites are keeping a close eye on wildfires raging across the Western US. Every few hours, a global map of smoky aerosols is updated at the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer web site. Now, anyone with a connection to the Internet can share the same "bird's eye" view enjoyed by NASA scientists. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast04aug_1m.htm?list

A Comet Comes Apart Thursday's Classroom for August 3, 2000 http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com Late last month stargazers were eagerly anticipating the arrival of Comet LINEAR, which was expected to become the first naked-eye comet in three years. But the comet surprised observers by blowing apart as it passed near to the Sun. Even now, astronomers are watching intently as Comet LINEAR dissolves into a haze of gas and dust. This week's episode of Thursday's Classroom features stories for kids and educational lesson plans about comets and Comet LINEAR. Activities include: * Comet Cones -- Kids who sample one of these delicious treats will never forget the "dirty snowball" model for comets. * Really Big Numbers -- How many zeros are in Comet LINEAR's distance from Earth? Kids find out in this lesson about scientific notation. * The Comet Coloring Book -- Students can color original art by Duane Hilton as they follow along with this week's lessons. ...and more! Please visit http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com

Space Weather News for August 4, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com Comet LINEAR blew apart so thoroughly last week that astronomers can't find any sizable pieces from its fractured icy core. New groundbased images of the comet posted today revealed no fragments brighter than 22nd magnitude. The new data are fueling speculation that Comet LINEAR itself might have been the fragment of a larger body that passed through the inner solar system centuries ago. On a related note, SpaceWeather.com is pleased to announce a new feature: the weekly Meteor Outlook by Robert Lunsford, secretary general of the International Meteor Organization. Updated every Friday, the Outlook offers a comprehensive preview of likely meteor activity suitable for novices and experts. This week's update describes the growing rate of pre-dawn Perseid meteors leading up to the shower's maximum on August 12th.

Perseid Dawn NASA Science News for August 08, 2000 The Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 12, 2000. This year the bright, nearly-full Moon will outshine the Perseids most of the night, but for an hour between moonset and sunrise on Saturday morning, star gazers could witness a brief but beautiful meteor shower. The setting Moon may put on a show of its own Saturday. Wildfires and dust storms have filled parts of our atmosphere with aerosols. A low-hanging Moon seen through such dusty air can take on a beautiful pink or orange hue. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast08aug_1.htm?list

Meteors and a Full-halo Coronal Mass Ejection Space Weather News for August 9, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com SOLAR ACTIVITY: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory recorded a full-halo coronal mass ejection today from sunspot group 9114, near the center of the Sun's visible disk. Material from the eruption could trigger geomagnetic activity when it arrives in the vicinity of Earth in approximately three days. NEW ONLINE METEOR COUNTS: As part of our expanding coverage of meteor and comet activity, spaceweather.com will now feature daily meteor counts reported by a network of observers across North America. The daily-updated data includes visual and radio meteor detections. COMET LINEAR: A new picture from the ESO Very Large Telescope shows mini-comets inside Comet LINEAR's disintegrating core. For images, animations and expanded coverage of these items, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Perseid meteor update + an ongoing geomagnetic storm Space Weather News for August 11, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com On the eve of the Perseid meteor shower, sky watchers report seeing 10 to 15 meteors per hour streaming from the constellation Perseus. That's consistent with an expected peak rate between 30 and 50 visual meteors per hour before dawn on August 12th. The projected maximum is somewhat weaker than Perseid maxima of recent years, but observers are also reporting that this year's Perseid meteors have been pleasantly bright. The shower should put on a good show for northern hemisphere observers this Saturday morning. Readers are invited to send their photos of the 2000 Perseids to phillips@spacescience.com (Tony Phillips). There is a chance that Saturday morning sky watchers at higher latitudes could spot colorful auroras during the Perseid meteor shower. Our planet is experiencing an ongoing geomagnetic storm triggered by a southward-pointing interplanetary magnetic field in the vicinity of Earth. If conditions persist, high latitude (and possibly even mid-latitude) auroras are possible. For more information, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Twin Rovers Headed for Mars NASA Science News for August 10, 2000 The traffic on Mars is expected to double in the near future. NASA today announced plans to launch two large scientific rovers to the red planet in 2003, rather than the original plan for just one. This story includes a striking new video of the planned Mars 2003 rover mission. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast10aug_1.htm?list

Aurora & Meteor Alert Space Weather News for August 12, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com Last night, during the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, a shock wave from the Sun set off a beautiful display of aurora borealis. Observers in dark-sky areas across Canada and much of the United States were treated to the unusual spectacle of meteors seen against a backdrop of colorful Northern Lights. Auroras were spotted as far south as Los Angeles, CA. Conditions remain favorable for more aurora borealis Saturday night and Sunday morning. Plus, the Perseid meteor shower is not entirely over. Stargazers could see as many as 25 meteors per hour before dawn on Sunday, Aug. 13. If you have pictures of weekend auroras and/or Perseid meteors, we invite you to submit them to SpaceWeather.com as an email attachment sent to phillips@spacescience.com (Tony Phillips). For more information, including pictures of last night's aurora and the coronal mass ejection that energized the ongoing geomagnetic storm, please visit http://spaceweather.com

The Extraordinary Geomagnetic Perseid Meteor Shower NASA Science News for August 14, 2000 An interplanetary shock wave from the Sun struck Earth's magnetosphere just before the peak of the Perseid meteor shower on August 12, 2000, triggering a powerful geomagnetic storm. Stargazers across Canada and the United States were treated to the rare spectacle of a meteor shower seen against the backdrop of colorful Northern Lights. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast14aug_1.htm?list

NASA goes on SAFARI NASA Science News for August 16, 2000 Southern Africa offers a unique climate sub-system where scientists can study the effects of industrial activity, biomass burning and changing patterns of land usage on the environment. Last weekend an international team of scientists launched an intensive campaign -- part of the SAFARI 2000 project -- to study this complex region from the ground, the air and from space. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast16aug_1m.htm?list

The Indefatigable Ions of Deep Space 1 NASA Science News for August 17, 2000 NASA's Deep Space 1 probe, en route for an encounter with Comet Borrelly, has run its unique propulsion system for more than 200 days -- longer and more efficiently than anything ever launched. The almost imperceptible thrust from the system is equivalent to the pressure exerted by a sheet of paper held in the palm of your hand. The ion engine is very slow to pick up speed, but over the long haul it can deliver 10 times as much thrust per pound of fuel as more traditional rockets. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast17aug_1.htm?list

Arctic Ice Revealed NASA Science News for August 22, 2000 An orbiting radar has cut through clouds and dark of night to monitor the ebb and flow of Arctic ice. Scientists say the data could reveal important trends in global climate change. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast22aug_1.htm?list

Hot X-rays from a Cold Comet NASA Science News for August 23, 2000 Normally, x-ray astronomers concern themselves with the most violent and fiery denizens of the Universe. Colliding galaxies, supernova explosions and black holes are common targets for x-ray telescopes like NASA's powerful Chandra X-ray Observatory. But, last month researchers solved a cosmic mystery when they turned Chandra toward Comet LINEAR, a chilly snowball from the outer solar system. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast23aug_1m.htm?list

Counting Brown Dwarfs NASA Science News for August 24, 2000 Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have taken attendance in a class of brown dwarfs and found indications that these odd and elusive objects also tend to be loners. The Hubble census -- the most complete to date -- provides new and compelling evidence that stars and planets form in different ways. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast24aug_1.htm?list

Antibiotics in Orbit NASA Science News for August 25, 2000 Pilot studies indicate that microbial antibiotic production can be increased by up to 200 percent in space-grown cultures. Scientists who studied such antibiotics during the "John Glenn" shuttle mission in 1998 are looking forward to more low-gravity experiments on the International Space Station. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast25aug_1m.htm?list

New Evidence for an Alien Ocean NASA Science News for August 28, 2000 Fluctuations in the magnetic field surrounding Jupiter's moon Europa are a telltale sign of salty liquid water beneath the moon's icy crust. Europa could harbor the solar system's largest ocean. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast28aug_1.htm?list

Comet Champion of the Solar System NASA Science News for August 28, 2000 Less than seven months after the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory registered its 100th comet discovery, amateur astronomers help SOHO double its record-setting total. Scientists think that most of SOHO's comets are fragments from the breakup of a single giant comet long ago. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast28aug_2.htm?list

Culprits of Climate Change NASA Science News for August 29, 2000 For many years, researchers agreed that climate change was triggered by "greenhouse gases," with carbon dioxide from burning of fossil playing the biggest role. However, NASA funded scientists suggest that climate change in recent decades has been mainly caused by air pollution containing non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast29aug_1.htm?list

Evil-doers Beware! Space Scientists are on the Case NASA Science News for August 31, 2000 Two NASA scientists are working with the police and the FBI to track down criminals using out-of-this-world video technology. The new technique, called VISAR, is also expected to improve military reconnaissance, medical research and video on home computers. This story includes pictures and video of VISAR in action. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast31aug_1.htm?list

A Close Encounter with a Space Rock NASA Science News for September 01, 2000 This morning a half-kilometer wide space rock is zooming past Earth barely 12 times farther from our planet than the Moon. In cosmic terms, it's a near miss, but there is absolutely no danger of a collision. Instead, the encounter offers astronomers an unusually good opportunity to study a near-Earth asteroid. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast01sep_1.htm?list

Sunbathing at Solar Maximum NASA Science News for September 05, 2000 NASA scientists say that Solar Maximum is now in full swing. Does that mean you're more likely to catch a sunburn at the beach? The answer is "no," and this story explains why. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast05sep_1.htm?list

It's very hot in Austin right now, two days ago was the hottest day in history, About 110. And we're in solar max to boot!

I noted it was 112 in Austin tying the all time record and 115 in San Antonio. That is not civilized!!! How does that feel?? Instant mummification??!!

Ozone Hole Update NASA Science News for September 08, 2000 Antarctica's ozone hole now covers an area three times larger than the entire land mass of the United States - the largest such ozone-depleted region ever observed. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast08sep_1.htm?list There is a graphic: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/Geo/4.2

Audacious & Outrageous: Space Elevators NASA Science News for September 07, 2000 Science-fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke was once asked when the "space elevator," a notion he helped to popularize, would become a reality. Clarke answered, "Probably about 50 years after everybody quits laughing." Nowadays NASA scientists are taking the idea seriously. In fact, they've compiled plans that could turn the space elevators of science fiction into a real-life mass transportation system to space by the end of the 21st century. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast07sep_1.htm?list

Watch Out for the Harvest Moon NASA Science News for September 11, 2000 The Harvest Moon, arguably the most famous Full Moon of the year, arrives on Wednesday, Sept. 13th. Check out this story to discover what makes the Harvest Moon special and to ponder the possibility of Harvest Moons on another planet. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast11sep_2.htm?list

Where did all the sunspots go? Space Weather News for Sept 12, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com Telescopes monitoring the Sun recorded something extraordinary yesterday -- the solar disk was nearly devoid of spots. With solar maximum in full swing, the Boulder sunspot number dropped to its lowest value of the year. In spite of the "blank Sun," our planet could be in for a bit of space weather on Tuesday if, as expected, a solar coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on Saturday strikes a glancing blow to Earth's magnetosphere. The impact could trigger modest geomagnetic activity. In other space weather news, astronomers have discovered a bright Near Earth Asteroid that will pass by our planet on Sept. 17. Amateur astronomers can monitor the fast-moving space rock in 8-inch or larger telescopes. For more information, please visit http://SpaceWeather.com

Three Coronal Mass Ejections and a Near-Earth Asteroid Space Weather News for Sept. 17, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com No fewer than 3 coronal mass ejections appear to be heading toward Earth following solar eruptions on Friday and Saturday. The CMEs could trigger aurora at middle-latitudes when they arrive during the next few days. We invite aspiring aurora photographers to visit our online aurora gallery, which includes photo settings that worked well during the geomagnetic storm of August 12, 2000. Also, the bright Near-Earth asteroid 2000 RD53 will fly by our planet on September 17, barely 11 times farther away than the Moon. Amateur astronomers with 8 inch or larger telescopes can spot the space rock as it zooms by. (Note: There is no relationship between the asteroid and the CMEs.) For more information please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

A Good Month for Asteroids NASA Science News for September 20, 2000 September has been a good month for astronomers studying Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). No fewer than five sizable minor planets have flown past our planet since the beginning of the month, affording astronomers a close-up look at these ever-scary space rocks. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast20sep_1.htm?list

from the cool astronomy picture of the day site, \

http://www.heavens-above.com/ GSOC satellite tracking pages, good stuff! Tells you when to spot the shuttle, Mir, and other satellites.

Thanks for that...it is a great url to add to the bookmark list!!! I have used it to watch them go overhead. You can really see them just after it gets dark in the evening and same with the morning!

HAPPY AUTUMNAL EQUINOX Interplanetary Fall NASA Science News for September 22, 2000 Today Earth joins two other worlds in the solar system where it is northern autumn. Read this story to learn more about Earth's September equinox and to ponder the bizarre seasons of other planets. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast22sep_1.htm?list89800

I'm a day late, but I hope everyone (in the Northern Hemisphere) did have a Happy Autumnal Equinox. For those south of the Equator it was, of course, their Vernal Equinox.

What about the people that live on the Equator? I quess everyday is pretty much the Equinox for them.

It might be. Maybe Marcia can clear up what it would be.

Since it is "an imaginary line" encircling the globe - much like other latitude and logitude lines - it is likely and "imaginary" equinox! Can one stand on an imaginary line since it is just there - no width, no depth? Hmmm...Virtually, perhaps? I am devoid of incoming mail so I am back to using telnet to Hawaii on Line and Pine for email. The virtual stone age is back. They are going to get a call from me in the morning!

Mail returned to normal... Bright Planets and Random Meteors NASA Science News for September 28, 2000 This week's new Moon sets the stage for a "sporadic" meteor show featuring a cast of eye-catching stars and planets. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast28sep_1.htm?list

Peering into the Ozone Hole NASA Science News for October 02, 2000 Concentrations of ozone-destroying gases are down, but the Antarctic ozone hole is bigger than ever. It turns out there's more to ozone destruction than just CFCs. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast02oct_1.htm?list89800

The Moonlit Leonids 2000 NASA Science News for October 10, 2000 Our planet is heading for a minefield of cosmic dust streams laid down by periodic comet Tempel-Tuttle. The result could be a series of meteor outbursts on Nov. 17 and 18, 2000. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast10oct_1.htm?list ---

Sun Sample Return Mission Nears Launch NASA Science News for October 12, 2000 The science payload for NASA's Genesis spacecraft, which will collect samples of the solar wind and return them to Earth, is now complete. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast12oct_1.htm?list89800

Aren't they going to do some work on the space station, also?

I think that is also planned. Provinding they can move around in there once it is entirely stocked. Sounds claustrophobic... They will be in the direct path of solar wind and it behooves them to study it, certainly!

I guess the 100th Shuttle is up there now, right?

Shuttle finally got off the ground after the hurricane and mysterious pin kept it grounded. Check NASA tv to watch their goings-on http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/video45m.html Backyard Gamma-ray Bursts NASA Science News for October 16, 2000 With the successful launch of NASA's HETE-2 satellite, amateur astronomers will soon be able to spot the most powerful explosions in the Universe from the comfort of their own back yards. Professionals are also looking forward to the new data, which they hope will unravel the mysteries of gamma-ray bursts. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast16oct_1.htm?list

Number 100?

A Close Encounter with Asteroid Eros NASA Science News for October 26, 2000 5:00:00 PM NASA's NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft swooped 5 kilometers above the surface of 433 Eros on Oct 26th, marking its closest-ever approach to the tumbling space rock. Scientists hope the flyby will uncover clues about extra boulders and missing craters on the near-Earth asteroid. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast26oct_2.htm?list89800

Think so the 100th shuttle mission...and back down again.

Trick or Treat: It's Toutatis! NASA Science News for October 31, 2000 NASA scientists are monitoring a large near-Earth asteroid that tumbled past our planet on the morning of Halloween 2000. Amateur astronomers can spot it for themselves in telescopes later this month and through binoculars when it passes even closer to Earth in Sept. 2004. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast31oct_1.htm?list89800