Space Science News

Space Science News for March 22, 2000 The Earth's magnetosphere is being buffeted by high-speed solar wind particles from a coronal hole straddling the center of the Sun's disk. The solar wind velocity has increased from 350 to 600 km/s during the past 12 hours. Follow the action at http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com MORE SPACE SCIENCE NEWS: #1 Curiouser and Curiouser: The exotic world of gamma-ray astronomy has taken yet another surprising turn with the revelation that half the previously unidentified high-energy gamma ray sources in our own galaxy actually comprise a new class of mysterious objects. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast23mar_1m.htm Curiouser and Curiouser #2 Solar Cycle Update: Is the real Y2K problem just starting? The solar cycle appears to be on schedule for a peak in mid-2000. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast22mar_1m.htm Solar Cycle Update

Space Science News for March 24, 2000 The Compton Gamma-ray Observatory is destined for a watery grave in the remote Pacific on June 3, 2000. At a press conference today, NASA officials cited human safety concerns in explaining their decision to de-orbit the satellite, which has revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos during a highly successful 9 year mission. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast25mar_1m.htm Farewell Compton MORE NEWS: The RADAR Cop in Space -- NASA's IMAGE satellite scheduled for launch on March 25 will revolutionize our understanding of Earth's magnetosphere and improve space weather forecasting. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast24mar_1m.htm The RADAR Caop in Space

SPACE WEATHER NEWS: On March 25, 2000, a solar flare erupted near the center of the Sun's disk. It appears that a coronal mass ejection was launched toward Earth. An interplanetary shock wave could pass our planet during the next 24 to 48 hours, triggering moderate geomagnetic activity and aurorae. For more information and daily updates please visit http://www.spaceweather.com . SpaceWeather.com

NASA Science News for March 29, 2000 With the discovery of extrasolar planets smaller than Saturn, astronomers are increasingly convinced that other stars harbor planetary systems like our own. FULL STORY at http://www.spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast30mar_1.htm Planet Hunters on Safari

Space Weather News for March 29-30, 2000 Aurora Watch: Skywatchers in northern Europe, Canada, Alaska, and the northermost tier of US states could be treated to a display of aurora borealis tonight thanks to elevated levels of geomagnetic activity late in the day on March 29. Also today, the SOHO spacecraft captured beautiful images of a full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun. Full-halo CMEs are massive bubbles of hot gas headed either directly toward or away from Earth. This one appears to have erupted on the back side of the Sun and is proceeding away from our planet. Details on both are available at http://www.spaceweather.com

NASA Science News for March 30, 2000 Next Thursday, April 6, three planets and the thin crescent Moon are going to put on a memorable sky show when the quartet converge inside a circle 9 degrees across. The grouping is just the prelude to a grander alignment of planets on May 5, 2000. Is doom at hand, as many mystics assert? Find out by reading the FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast30mar_1m.htm Planets for Dessert Also, for kids and kids-at-heart, a younger person's version of this article is available at the NASA Kids web site: http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/news/2000/news-planetalign.asp?se The Planets Line Up

Propagation Report from ARRL Geomagnetic indices did rise last Friday, the day before the contest, but even then the planetary K index rose only briefly to 4. On Saturday and Sunday the planetary K index was mostly 1 or 2, and during one period was even 0. What is really interesting is that the College K index, measured in Alaska where the geomagnetic activity is higher due to proximity to the polar region, was actually 0 over six 3 hour periods on Saturday and Sunday. Solar flux and sunspot numbers were higher this week than last, with average sunspot numbers up 54 points and average solar flux rising several points. Solar flux actually peaked for the short term during the previous week on March 22, when the noon reading at Penticton was 233.8 and the reading two hours later was 235.6. The low for week was Tuesday, when solar flux was 200.9. It may go lower this weekend, if solar flux this Sunday goes below 200. The predicted solar flux for the next five days, Friday through Tuesday, is 205, 200, 195, 205 and 210. Flux values may again dip below 200 around April 10-16, then peak near 250 around April 22 or 23. Possible days of geomagnetic upset, based on the solar rotation are April 18 and 19 and April 28. MSNBC ran another story this week on the so-called solar heartbeat. You can see the article at http://www.msnbc.com/news/389042.asp, which explains a theory concerning how layers of gas rotating at different speeds may affect the formation of sunspots and solar flares. MSNBC also ran a story about a new solar satellite that was launched last Saturday. Called IMAGE, or Imager for Magnetosphere-to-Aural Global Exploration, it will be used to study the relationship between solar wind and the earth's magnetosphere. It will deploy four wire antennas that are each 820 feet long, making it the longest artificial object in space. Read about it at http://www.msnbc.com/news/386647.asp?0a=235A162. NASA also ran a story on the IMAGE at http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast27mar_1m.htm. Sunspot numbers for March 23 through 29 were 236, 230, 243, 255, 227, 232 and 238 with a mean of 237.3. 10.7 cm flux was 224.1, 218.9, 205.1, 211.3, 204.9, 200.9 and 208.8, with a mean of 210.6, and estimated planetary A indices were 11, 10, 8, 5, 5, 5 and 9, with a mean of 7.6.

NASA Science News for April 1, 2000 On April Fools Day, 2000, NASA researchers are questioning the fate of five high-flying sweet treats that disappeared after a meteor balloon flight in April 1999. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast01apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 3, 2000 Like blood pulsing in an artery, newly discovered currents of gas beat deep inside the Sun, speeding and slackening every 16 months. The solar "heartbeat" throbs in the same region of the Sun suspected of driving the 11-year cycle of solar eruptions. Scientists are hopeful that this pulse can help them unravel the origin and operation of the solar cycle. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast03apr_1m.htm

Space Weather News for April 4-5, 2000 The interplanetary magnetic field in the vicinity of Earth turned southward on April 4. This condition often creates a weak point in our planet's magnetospheric shielding against the solar wind. Geomagnetic activity is currently high. If active conditions continue, observers in northern Europe, Canada, Alaska and the northern tier of US states could be in for a display of aurora borealis around local midnight on April 5 (when April 4 turns into April 5). The Moon is just one day past New, meaning that even very faint Northern Lights could be visible against tonight's dark skies. For more information see: http://www.spaceweather.com

NASA Science News for April 5, 2000 The Boulder sunspot number exceeded 300 this week as the sunspot cycle continued its march toward Solar Max. Do these high sunspot counts mean that the solar maximum will be bigger than expected? Find out the answer by reading the FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast05apr_1m.htm REMINDER: On April 6, 2000, the Moon, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn will put on a beautiful after-dinner sky show. DETAILS at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast30mar_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 6, 2000 During an unplanned rendezvous, the Ulysses spacecraft found itself gliding though the immense tail of Comet Hyakutake, revealing that comet tails may be much, much longer than previously believed. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast06apr_2.htm

Space Science News - April 6, 2000 An interplanetary shock front passed NASA's ACE spacecraft around 1630 UT on April 6, 2000, abruptly raising the solar wind velocity from 375 to nearly 600 km/s. Usually such disturbances arrive at Earth about one hour after they pass ACE. Aurorae at middle latitudes could be in the offing tonight. Follow this developing story at http://www.spaceweather.com.

NASA Science News for April 7, 2000 Subject: Geomagnetic Storm A major geomagnetic storm hit our planet on Thursday after an interplanetary shock wave passed by Earth on April 6, 2000. Displays of aurora borealis were spotted in Europe, Asia, Canada, Alaska and in the continental US as far south as North Carolina. The storm appears to be subsiding, but forecasters note that more aurorae might be visible Friday night. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast07apr_2m.htm

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 14 April 7, 2000 The sunspot number took a big leap this week, rising to 301 on Sunday. It has not been this high since November 12 of last year, when it was 324. Two days prior on November 10 meters the solar flux was 343, which is still the record for this cycle. The average sunspot count for the week was only up about 8 points though, and average solar flux was about the same as last week. Solar flux is a measurement of 2.8 GHz energy from the sun, measured at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory operated by the National Research Council Canada in Penticton, British Columbia. You can visit the observatory web site at http://www.drao.nrc.ca/. Sunspot numbers are calculated by multiplying the number of visible sunspot groups by 10, and adding the number of individual spots in all the groups. A multiplication factor is also used, and it differs for each observatory. You can see a complete explanation for sunspot numbers and their derivation at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast05apr_1m.htm. Geomagnetic indices have been high this week, with the average planetary A index almost double last week's number. The A index was in double-digits every day, with April 4 being the most disturbed. The planetary A index was 21, with planetary K indices as high as 5, and the mid-latitude index at 6 during the same period. Coming up on Saturday and Sunday is the HF CW weekend for the Japan International DX Contest. Unfortunately, as this bulletin is being written on Thursday night, a major geomagnetic storm is raging. An interplanetary shock wave passed earth at 1730z on April 6, and Aurora have been spotted in North America as far south as North Carolina. The planetary K index for the end of thez day on Thursday was 8, and the A index was 56. The Boulder K index at 0300z on Friday is also 8. A severe geomagnetic storm began at 0100z on April 7. For the next five days, Friday through Tuesday, the expected planetary A index is 30, 20, 15, 10 and 7. The predicted solar flux for the same five days is 175, 180, 180, 175 and 170. Solar flux is expected to rise above 200 again around April 14 and stay there well into the month of May. Sunspot numbers for March 30 through April 5 were 225, 248, 287, 301, 252, 184 and 221 with a mean of 245.4. 10.7 cm flux was 205.5, 225.4, 222.9, 219.3, 215.4, 206.7 and 194.4, with a mean of 212.8, and estimated planetary A indices were 10 meters, 19, 14, 16, 12, 21 and 12, with a mean of 14.9.

NASA Science News for April 10, 2000 On the heels of NASA's 7th annual Great Moonbuggy Race, engineers from the Apollo program discuss the challenges of building the original Lunar Rover. This story includes RealVideo of one of the original rovers in action on the Moon. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast10apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 11, 2000 Where's the Edge?: Will humans always be confined to the Solar System? Not if NASA's Advanced Space Transportation Program has a say in the matter! Find out how scientists are working to turn science fiction into standard practise with new and innovative ways to reach the stars. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast11apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 12, 2000 A group of volunteer scientists is converging on Huntsville for an out-of-this-world meeting -- the High Energy Astrophysics Workshop for Amateur Astronomers. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast12apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 14, 2000 The sled dogs of California's Eastern Sierra are unhappy. Why? A persistent La Ni�a condition in the Pacific has left the mountain range with less than its usual supply of snow. As data continue to flow in from Earth orbit, NASA scientists are working to understand how El Ni�o and La Ni�a affect our global climate. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast14apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 17, 2000 NASA's Cassini spacecraft, currently en route to Saturn, has successfully completed its passage through our solar system's asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. FULL STORY at http://www.spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast17apr_3.htm

NASA Science News for April 18, 2000 April's Lyrid Meteor Shower: The oldest known meteor shower peaks on the morning of April 22. Bright moonlight will reduce the number of shooting stars that are easy to see, but many meteor enthusiasts will be watching anyway because it's been over 3 months since the last major meteor display. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast18apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 21, 2000 Amateur astronomers attended a unique meeting in mid-April to learn about high-energy astrophysics and how they can participate in it. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast21apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 24, 2000 Like an excited kid hoping to snag a fly ball at a professional baseball game, NASA's Stardust spacecraft has extended its high-tech "catcher's mitt" to collect a valuable space souvenir -- a batch of interstellar dust particles. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast24apr_1.htm

NASA Science News for April 25, 2000 Stargazers around the globe were treated to an unexpected and rare display of red-colored aurora on April 6-7, 2000, after a vigorous interplanetary shock wave passed by Earth. This story includes a gallery of more than 40 images showing the aurora borealis from Europe and over parts of the United States as far south as Florida. FULL STORY at http://www.spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast25apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 26, 2000 Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, a team of scientists has attacked one of astronomy's oldest and thorniest problems, determining the distance to a cosmic object. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast26apr_1m.htm

EXPLODING STAR FEATURED ON WEB SITE Wednesday, April 26, 2000 16:04 A spectacular view of an exploding star was released today on a new web site launched to mark the Hubble Space Telescope's 10th year in orbit. The multi-coloured fireball, some 6,500 light years from Earth in the constellation Aquila, looks like a giant eye in space. A few thousand years ago a dying star about the same size as the Sun erupted and threw off its outer layers to create the "planetary nebula" NGC 6751. Shells of gas were hurled into space at speeds of 25 miles per second, glowing with the strong ultra-violet radiation emitted by the star's hot exposed core. The celestial cataclysm offers a sobering vision of what is in store for us. Our own Sun is predicted to undergo the same death throes in about six billion years' time. When it happens nothing in the Solar System, including the Earth, will escape destruction. The image is one of a number of dramatic pictures now available on the new Internet site http://hubble.stsci.edu Others include infant galaxies that existed billions of years ago, and tall, gaseous pillars that serve as incubators for embryonic stars. NGC 6751 shows several poorly understood features. Blue regions mark the hottest glowing gas, forming a ring around the central stellar remnant. Orange and red colours mark the locations of cooler gas, which tends to lie in long streamers pointing away from the central star, and in a tattered ring around the edge of the nebula. The origin of the cooler clouds within the nebula is still uncertain, but the streamers are evidence that they are affected by radiation and raging winds from the hot star at the centre. The star's surface temperature is estimated to be a scorching 140,000C. Hubble will be decommissioned in 2010 and replaced by the even more powerful Next Generation Space Telescope. � Press Association Thanks for this, Maggie*

NASA Science News for April 27, 2000 An international team of cosmologists has released the first detailed images of the universe in its infancy. Analysis of the images is already shedding light on some of cosmology's outstanding mysteries -- the nature of the matter and energy that dominate intergalactic space and whether space is "curved" or "flat." FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast27apr_1.htm

NASA Science News for April 28, 2000 NASA scientists are working to solve the need for computer speed using light itself to accelerate calculations and increase data bandwidth. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast28apr_1m.htm

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 17 - April 28, 2000 Sunspots and solar flux were up this week. The average sunspot number was up over 40 points and average solar flux rose over 30 points over the past week. Geomagnetic indices have been mostly quiet, with April 24 the most active day. Last week's bulletin ARLP016 said that the solar flux should be up around 220 this weekend, but conditions are not cooperating. Although activity has been higher this week than last, it is not as high as expected. Solar flux is expected to hover around 175 to 185 until April 8, then dip below 170, and rise to around 200 from May 19 through 28. The planetary A index prediction indicates unsettled conditions for Friday. The A index should stay quiet from this weekend until May 6 and 7, when it may rise to 15. Predicted solar flux for the next five days, Friday through Tuesday is 180, 175, 175, 180 and 180. Sunspot numbers for April 20 through 26 were 179, 211, 226, 252, 222, 229 and 197 with a mean of 216.6. 10.7 cm flux was 180.6, 187.3, 201.8, 206.1, 205.6, 202.5 and 189.9, with a mean of 196.3, and estimated planetary A indices were 14, 10, 7, 8, 21, 6 and 4, with a mean of 10.

NASA Science News for May 1, 2000 One year ago this week killer tornadoes raged across Oklahoma. Now, NASA scientists are figuring out how to predict such storms using lightning data from Earth-orbit. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast01may_1m.htm

Space Weather News for May 1, 2000 A coronal mass ejection (CME) from a small sunspot group was recorded by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory on April 30, 2000. If material from the eruption is heading toward Earth, as animations of the CME suggest, then the shock wave will probably arrive late on May 2nd or sometime on May 3rd. Forecasters estimate a 30% chance of active geomagnetic conditions at middle-latitudes on May 3, 2000. For more information, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Since no one apparently cares to read about this in News I ave created a new topic in Geo for it. Too bad I could not telnet and link the two of them together. But, that is the way it is, and no one seems willing to do it for me. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/Geo/33/new

I'll do it ! Just email me or ask. In the instructions say "link news topic 21 to science" or whatever it is.

Please link this topic to Geo... I am most grateful. If you want to link it to science that is ok, too, but too many duplicates mess up my hot list! Mahalo plenty!

Linkage complete.

*Big Hugs* Mahalo!

NASA Science News for May 2, 2000 The eta Aquarid meteor shower, caused by bits of debris from Halley's Comet, will peak on May 5-6, 2000. Lunar observers will be watching the Moon on the nights after the shower for possible signs of meteorite impacts. FULL STORY at http://www.spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast02may_1.htm

I couldn't see this posted elsewhere, sorry if i've duplicated, I only just picked it up. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20000413/sc/space_quasar.html Astronomers Spot Most Distant Quasar Ever Observed WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Astronomers peering across the universe have spotted the most distant object ever observed, a quasar 26 billion light-years away, researchers said on Thursday. This quasar, confirmed as the most faraway object by scientists working with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, probably started sending its light in Earth's direction when the universe was less than a billion years old, the researchers said in a statement. The universe is thought to be about 14 billion years old now, give or take a couple billion years. And it has been expanding since the theoretical Big Bang that started it all. Quasars are extremely bright but extremely compact objects thought to be powered by matter-sucking black holes as massive as a billion suns. Michael Turner, a spokesman for the Survey at the University of Chicago, said this means that the quasar is about 26 billion light-years away now, but because of the expansion of the universe, it used to be a lot closer. ``When it emitted the light, it was only about 4 billion light-years from the space in the universe where Earth would be eventually,'' Turner said in a telephone interview. ``It's only when we talk about the most distant objects that we have to take the expansion of he universe into account.'' A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, about 6 trillion miles. Another way to think about cosmic distances and ages is to determine how bent the light gets as the universe expands. The more bent it gets to the red end of the spectrum, the older the object is determined to be. This is known as redshift. This newly observed object has a redshift of 5.8, the highest ever measured. It is in fact too red to be seen by the human eye, even with the most sophisticated equipment. But it was observed through data gathered by the Sky Survey last month, and scientists confirmed its distance last week. An image of the distant quasar can be viewed on the World Wide Web at http://www.sdss.org.

Interesting. I wonder if it is the same things as the Keck found a couple of weeks ago. I shall hunt it up and see. Thanks, Maggie!

A suggestion - please! We post articles and comments of length in Geo 24 for space stuff and this should just be for posting the news releases. Does that sound ok?

NASA Science News for May 3, 2000 A team of explorers including astrobiologist Richard Hoover and astronauts Jim Lovell and Owen Garriott traveled to Antarctica in January 2000 to search for meteorites and extreme-loving microbes. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast03may_1m.htm

The gps devices just got accurate down to 5 to 10 feet or better. A friend says he can see when he changes lanes on his now!

GPS stuff has gotten very sophisticated with an enormous constellation of satellites tracking your every move. Great stuff! That is the next thing on my son's wish list - he has installed ground monitors on Kilauea to check for movement in the surface (Supposedly, the entire seaward flank of Kilauea is gonna break off and we will all be dead from the terific tsunami generated thereby!)

Will you let us know when the tsunami heads this way so we can climb up onto some hills?

If you get a tsunami, I shall call you live and direct as you are fleeing! Count on it - and you'd better take my buddy with you *grin* You are both crucial to my well-being! (You gotta see this wallpaper on a good monitor! It is gorgeous! Hope he likes it, as well...)

Thursday's Classroom for May 4, 2000 The Amazing Moon Buggy + Planetary Alignment lessons This week, Thursday's Classroom takes a wild ride on the original interplanetary Sport Utility Vehicle: the amazing Apollo Moon Buggy. Students will tap their toes to the beat of the "Moon Buggy Boogie," play a stimulating game of "Lunar Rover Lunacy," covert measurements from English to metric units in "Moon Math," and more... Please visit: http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com Thursday's Classroom Also, a note for recent subscribers: The March 30, 2000, episode of Thursday's Classroom features lessons and activities related to the May 5, 2000, planetary alignment. See: http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com/index_30mar00.html Planetary Alignments

NASA Science News for May 4, 2000 Interplanetary Low Tide Tidal forces on Earth caused by other planets in the solar system will be at a low point this week when Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn "line up" on the far side of the Sun. The alignment won't be visible to the naked-eye, but there will be a meteor shower that could produce a nice sky show. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast04may_1m.htm Interplanetary Low Tide See also: http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast02may_1.htm 5/5/2000: The Meteor Shower

Three Planets and a Coronal Mass Ejection Space Weather News for May 4, 2000 The planets Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn have entered the field of view of instruments on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory as they approach the Sun for Friday's much-touted conjunction. Animations of this rare event include two coronal mass ejections with three planets in the background. For more information, please see http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 18 - May 5, 2000 It seems odd to view the solar disk at the peak of the solar cycle and see few sunspots, but that was the case this week. Solar flux, a measure of 2.8 GHz energy from the sun which correlates roughly with sunspots and the ionization of the particles which reflect HF radio waves, were down sharply this week. On Thursday, when this bulletin was written, the thrice daily solar flux numbers were 133, 134.5 and 134.7. Solar flux has not been this low since January. Average solar flux for this week dropped over thirty points, and average sunspot numbers were down over seventy points, when compared to the previous week. Geomagnetic conditions were fairly unsettled as well, with planetary A indices in the double-digits throughout the week, and K indices often as high as 4. There weren't any severe geomagnetic storms, but geomagnetic conditions were rarely quiet. Looking at monthly trends, the average monthly solar flux for January through April was 159, 174.1, 208.2 and 184.2. The lower activity should continue for the next few days. Predicted solar flux for Friday, May 5 through the following Tuesday is 130, 130, 135, 145 and 150. The predicted planetary A index for those days is 10, 15, 12, 10 and 10. KA5WQM wrote to remark on poor 10 meter conditions. He said that in central Oklahoma the band has been unusable since last Thursday. There are a couple of influences to consider. One is the season. Ten meters is much better right around the equinox, and we are moving every day closer to summer conditions when occasional short skip via sporadic E-layer propagation will be the norm. Of course the other factor is the lower sunspot activity and solar flux. Doing a path projection from Oklahoma to Hawaii with a solar flux of 230, there is a good bet for strong openings on 10 meters from 1800 to 2230z. Lower the solar flux to 170, and the period in which strong signals are likely over that path shrinks to 1930 to 2130z. With the solar flux at 130, communication is possible, but strong openings are much less likely. During this month 15 meters should be far better for long distance HF communications than 10. Sunspot numbers for April 27 through May 3 were 163, 238, 142, 126, 121, 108 and 113 with a mean of 144.4. 10.7 cm flux was 183.5, 183.4, 174.9, 169.5, 157.7, 152.8 and 137.3, with a mean of 165.6, and estimated planetary A indices were 13, 17, 12, 11, 14, 18 and 15, with a mean of 14.3.

Space Weather News for May 6, 2000 The wide field coronagraph on board the orbiting Solar and Heliospheric Observatory recorded a series of dazzling coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on May 5, 2000, with Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn in the background. These eruptions apparently came from active sunspot groups that are just over the Sun's western limb. CMEs like these, seen in profile, are unusually beautiful. This weekend the visible disk of the Sun is remarkably devoid of large sunspots as we approach the peak of the sunspot cycle in mid-2000. For more information and images please visit: http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

NASA Science News for May 8, 2000 NASA astronomers have collected the first-ever radar images of a "main belt" asteroid. It's a metallic, dog bone-shaped rock the size of New Jersey, an apparent leftover from an ancient, violent cosmic collision. The asteroid, named 216 Kleopatra, was discovered in 1880, but until now, its shape was unknown. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast08may_1.htm An Asteroid goes to the Dogs

I saw it, it does look like a giant dog bone.

Yup! Like the North American Nebula looks like its name, and the Owl Nebula and other goodies up there! Thanks for looking!

NASA Science News for May 9, 2000 The Sun appeared nearly featureless this weekend as the sunspot area dropped 10 times below its average value. Nevertheless, scientists say Solar Max is still on the way. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast09may_1m.htm Solar Ups and Downs

NASA Science News for May 11, 2000 Images made by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory show for the first time the full impact of the actual blast wave from Supernova 1987A. The observations are the first time that X-rays from a shock wave have been imaged at such an early stage of a supernova explosion. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast11may_1m.htm Impact! Chandra images a young supernova blast wave

Space Weather News for May 11, 2000 Material from a coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on May 8 is expected to pass by our planet late on May 11 or early May 12. Depending on the characteristics of the magnetic field within the disturbance, it could trigger minor geomagnetic storms on Earth. There is a slim chance of aurorae at mid-latitudes, but auroral activity will more likely be concentrated over high latitude regions including northern Europe, Canada and Alaska. Visit http://www.spaceweather.com for more information and updates. SpaceWeather.com ---

NASA Science News for May 12, 2000 NASA scientists have discovered unexpected spiral-shaped flames on Earth. By studying these peculiar flames, researchers hope to mitigate fire hazards on spacecraft and gain new insights about complex systems in nature. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast12may_1.htm Not Just Another Old Flame

NASA Science News for May 15, 2000 A black hole binary star system called XTE J1550-564 has recently become one of the brightest sources in the x-ray sky. Astronomers are fascinated by fluctuations in the x-ray emission from this source, which if converted to sound waves would feel like the deep rumbling vibrations from a bass speaker at a rock 'n roll concert. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast15may_1m.htm The Humming Black Hole

Aurora Watching The Sun is currently entering a peak of storminess, part of a cycle that lasts 11 years. This causes a stronger "solar wind," which is a constant stream of charged particles. When these particles hit the Earth's magnetic field, the interaction releases visible light, which we in the north know as the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights (there's the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, Down Under). During these storm peaks, the spectacular auroras can be visible much further south than usual. You can learn more about auroras, check out the space weather forecast, and download aurora videos at http://www.sec.noaa.gov/ Click here to learn more about auroras. http://dac3.pfrr.alaska.edu/~pfrr/AURORA/INDEX.HTM

NASA Science News for May 16, 2000 The planets Venus and Jupiter will pass less than 42 arcseconds apart on May 17. Because the pair is so close to the Sun, only the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory will have a good view of the close encounter, which is similar to the "Christmas Star" conjunction of 2 BC. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast16may_1.htm?list A Christmas Star for SOHO

Full Halo Coronal Mass Ejection Space Weather News for May 16, 2000 On May 15 a coronagraph on the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory captured rare images of a full halo coronal mass ejection with 4 planets and the Pleiades in the field of view. Material from the eruption could arrive in the neighborhood of Earth on May 17 or 18. For more information and animations, visit http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

Students take control of a prototype Mars Rover NASA Science News for May 17, 2000 Students from around the country will take control of a prototype Mars rover named FIDO as it explores a western Nevada desert. The FIDO rover is a testbed for future missions, including the proposed Mars Mobile Lander that is currently under study for a possible launch in 2003. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast17may_1.htm?list Heel, FIDO, Heel!

Gravitational Lenses The hallmark of a scientific theory is that it makes predictions about the real world that can be tested. Interestingly, Einstein's theory of general relativity posed major problems for verification: The differences it predicted from Newton's laws were so small they were extremely difficult to measure -- especially with the technology available in the early part of the twentieth century. One prediction that could be checked concerned a gravitational field's ability to bend light rays, a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. Sir Arthur Eddington used a solar eclipse in 1919 to test the theory. He looked at the position of a distant star in line with the edge of the sun during the eclipse (allowing it to be observed in the daytime). It appeared to be shifted 1.75 arc seconds from its actual place in the sky. The gravitational field of the sun was bending the light arriving from that star, providing an early confirmation of Einstein's theory.

To Be or Not to Be, La Nina? NASA Science News for May 18, 2000 Just last month, scientists were predicting that current La Ni�a conditions would persist, but now data from Earth-orbiting satellites show that it may be on the decline. Is it too soon to revise the 2000 hurricane forecast? FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast18may_1m.htm To Be or Not to Be, La Ni�a?

I could not resist posting this image. The solar coronal outburst framed the items you can see listed behind the solar image. Quite extraordinary! Why were conditions so rough on HF? Noise can get very high, especially here in the Pacific North West. Signals get weaker than normal on some bands, and deep fades occur. Why? CME -- that's why. What's a CME? A coronal mass ejection is a huge (like, larger than earth... or bigger!) gas bubble threaded with magnetic field lines. This bubble is ejected from the Sun. This ejection of gas lasts for several hours, and if it is directed toward the earth, can result in a very high energy bombardment into our atmosphere and ionosphere. And our Geomagnetic field becomes very active. A highly active Geomagnetic field degrades radio communications http://hfradio.org/propagation.html#CME1

Great Ganymede! NASA Science News for May 19, 2000 This weekend NASA's Galileo spacecraft will pass 808 km above the surface of our solar system's largest moon, Ganymede. The spacecraft will hunt for signs of mysterious "cryptovolcanoes" and collect new data on Ganymede's unique magnetic field. This story includes plasma wave audio sounds from Ganymede's magnetosphere recorded during a previous flyby. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast19may_1.htm Great Ganymede! __

The Secret Lives of Alien Volcanoes NASA Science News for May 19, 2000 The latest images of Io from NASA's Galileo spacecraft reveal a bizarre world of hot volcanoes, sulfurous snowfields, and slip-sliding mountains. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast19may_2.htm?list The Secret Lives of Alien Volcanoes

Here's some more info on "dark matter". http://dmtelescope.org http://www.bell-labs.com/org/physicalsciences/projects/darkmatter/darkmatter.html

Ooh - good stuff to read on a dark Friday night. But, I am stuck with the W3.1 laptop because my newly installed norton antivirus has frozen the entire computer and everytime it come time to boot the task bar it shuts it down again. and we scandisk and try again with the same results. Now, what do I do?

Yikes, NORTON is hanging your system? I know you mentioned that McAfee caused problems, but I'm surprised about Norton. There's a way to boot the computer up in "windows safe mode", so you can uninstall whatever is causing problems...let me go look it up.

OK, here's the info from my Windows 95 guide (the one distributed with new PCs). 1. Restart your computer. 2. When you see the following text: "Starting Windows 95...", press and release the F8 function key. This should display a menu. 3. Type the number for the option you want (or select it with the down arrow key). I would try the "Safe mode" option, that boots Windows with a minimal configuration, and try uninstalling Norton. Hopefully you'll be able to boot the system normally after that. Then I'd call Norton to complain. Who needs an anti-virus program that causes more problems than an actual virus?? Good luck!

Good advice about booting in to Safe Mode. Sometimes this alone will fix some problems.

That's what I did - as I wrote in computer conf/virus topic, I think the problem might just be the factthat I enabled Norton to check all drives at startup. There is one imbedded (know how to rid of them?!) program which is the first to load on the task bar and that is precisely where the problem came and it would shut down completely each time. I slept on it and came up with the same idea as you did and you can see that it worked. I deleted the Norton but kept the zipped download so I can reinstall it if my conclusions are correct - and have it not examine the drives until everything is up and running. However, if it still has a problem with that particular program (which I never use - an internet connection which I do not prefer but NEC did...), it will continue to shut down my computer at every encounter?! Yes?

Someone even gave me a crutch I did not remember till just now...Your computer's FATE lies in F8. It is a good one to remember!

Radio JOVE -- NASA helps students tune in to radio bursts from Jupiter Jupiter is a source of powerful radio bursts that can produce exotic sounds on common ham radio receivers. NASA scientists are helping students tune in to the giant planet as part of an innovative educational program called Radio JOVE. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast22may_1.htm?list Radio JOVE

Do you know the name of the embedded program? If it's in your Startup folder, you should be able to delete it from the Startup folder to keep it from running. If it's not there, it might be in the win.ini or system.ini file; at least I think Windows 95/98 still has those files...they would be in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system directory. The only other place I can think of would be the Windows Registry, but you'd have to hunt through the Registry keys for it. There should be a Registry Editor program (regedit.exe or regedt32.exe) in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system directory. (I'm not sure exactly where it is on Windows 95/98, and I'm on and NT system right now.)

(Answered the above in The Software/Computer conference) Galileo swoops by the largest moon in the Solar System NASA Science News for May 23, 2000 On Saturday, May 20, 2000, NASA's Galileo spacecraft successfully flew past the largest moon in our solar system -- Ganymede, which orbits around Jupiter. Galileo dipped to 809 kilometers (503 miles) above the surface in the spacecraft's first flyby of Ganymede since May 7, 1997. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast23may_1.htm?list A Big Moon Close Up

Ginny, the really odd thing is that it does not show up in the taskbar remove/add nor in the start/startup folder... it is so exasperating!

NASA Science News for May 24, 2000 Crystal balls rarely have anything to do with science, but soon NASA researchers will be using a set of quartz spheres to examine one of the last, untested portions of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. The spheres make up four extraordinary gyroscopes heading for Earth orbit on board the Gravity Probe B mission in 2002 to measure the twisting and compression of space and time around our rotating planet. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast24may_1m.htm?list

NASA Science News for May 26, 2000 The pioneering space station concepts of the mid-1950's don't look much like the erector-set habitat in orbit today. Read about Werner von Braun's early designs for an outpost in space and how he advocated his ideas to the public 50 years ago. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast26may_1m.htm?l=NzMwMjk2IG1hcmNpQEFMT0hBLk5FVCBTTkdMSVNUIC66FwsfrRgz

What's the Matter with Antimatter? NASA Science News for May 29, 2000 Antimatter -- it may be the ultimate fuel for space travel, but right now it is fleeting, difficult to work with and measured in atoms instead of kilograms or pounds! In this two-part story we'll explore what antimatter is, and how it may be used for space propulsion. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast29may_1m.htm?list

Solar Activity Puffs Up Earth's Atmosphere NASA Science News for May 30, 2000 As a result of the approaching solar maximum, Earth's atmosphere is puffed up like a marshmallow over a campfire leading to extra drag on Earth-orbiting satellites. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast30may_1m.htm?list

Advanced Space Propulsion Workshop begins this week NASA Science News for May 31, 2000 Scientists and engineers are gathering in Pasadena today to discuss cutting-edge research in space transportation at a workshop sponsored by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast31may_1m.htm?list

Arctic Asteroid! NASA Science News for June 1, 2000 In January, 2000, a seven meter, 200 metric ton rock from space streaked across the skies of western Canada. The meteor was at least as bright as the Sun before it exploded over the Yukon Territory. Scientists have recovered fragments of the carbon-rich rock, which researchers say is the most valuable meteorite find in at least 30 years. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast01jun_1m.htm?list

Yukon Meteor Blast Thursday's Classroom for June 1, 2000 On January 18, 2000, a "small" 200 metric ton asteroid streaked across the skies of western Canada and exploded in the atmosphere. Now, scientists have recovered fragments of the space rock and discovered that they are members of a rare class of meteorites possibly containing amino acids and other organic compounds. In this week's episode of Thursday's Classroom, students can learn more about the Yukon meteor by attending a "Cosmic BBQ," calculating "Fractions of a Meteorite" and more. VISIT: http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com Thursday's Classroom: Yukon Meteor Blast

Mercury Rising -- see Mercury and the Moon this Saturday NASA Science News for June 2, 2000 There are two really good times to see Mercury this year and next week is one of them. Good Mercury-watching begins this Saturday evening, June 3, when a slender crescent Moon and the elusive planet appear together for stargazers just after sunset. Mercury's apparition as an evening star will continue through mid-June. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast02jun_1.htm?list

First Light for a Space Weather Satellite NASA Science News for June 5, 2000 NASA's IMAGE mission, a unique satellite dedicated to the study of space storms, has returned its first pictures of electrified gas surrounding our planet. Using antennas as large as the Empire State Building, IMAGE is taking an unprecedented look at Earth's magnetic environment and its response to fierce gusts of solar wind. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast05jun_1m.htm?list __

June's Invisible Meteors NASA Science News for June 6, 2000 During the next week thousands of meteors will streak through the sky, but don't expect to see many. They are the Arietids and zeta Perseids -- the most intense daytime meteor showers of the year. The best way for many meteor enthusiasts to enjoy the show is by listening to meteor echoes on a common FM or ham radio. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast06jun_1m.htm?list __

Solar activity report for 6/5/00 Region 9026 continues to produce M-class flares, and the A index increases. Sunspots : 132 SFI : 171 A index : 21 K index : 3 Conditions for the last 24 hours : Solar activity was moderate. The geomagnetic field was unsettled to active. Forecast for the next 24 hours : Solar activity will be moderate to high. The geomagnetic field will be unsettled to active. Solar activity forecast SOLAR ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED TO BE AT MODERATE TO HIGH LEVELS. REGION 9026 WILL LIKELY PRODUCE M-CLASS FLARES WITH AN ISOLATED CHANCE OF AN X-CLASS FLARE. Geomagnetic activity forecast : THE GEOMAGNETIC FIELD IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AT UNSETTLED TO ACTIVE CONDITIONS THROUGH DAY ONE. MOSTLY QUIET TO UNSETTLED LEVELS ARE EXPECTED ON DAY TWO. UNSETTLED WITH OCCASIONAL ACTIVE PERIODS ARE LIKELY ON DAY THREE DUE TO A FAVORABLY POSITIONED CORONAL HOLE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF EFFECTS FROM THIS MORNING'S C4/CME AT 05/0325Z.

The above post was from a Yahoo weather club of which I am a memeber. There is another club I'd like you to consider if you are logged into Yahoo, Jack and I would be happy for you to join the conversation going on in there. http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/seti2000

Here Comes the Sun! Space Weather News for June 6, 2000 An intense "X-class" solar flare today was followed by a full-halo coronal mass ejection. Material from the leading edge of the disturbance is expected to arrive on Thursday, June 8, with possible auroral displays to follow. For images and updates please visit http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

More Solar Eruptions on June 7, 2000 Space Weather News for June 7, 2000 Following close on the heels of yesterday's two X-class solar flares, a third powerful X-class flare erupted today at approximately 1545 UT. Soon afterward, coronagraphs on the orbiting Solar and Heliospheric Observatory detected a faint full halo coronal mass ejection. It appears to be heading in the direction of Earth at ~800 km/s. This latest full halo CME will probably extend the geomagnetic disturbances expected to begin on Thursday when an interplanetary shock wave spawned by a CME on June 6 collides with our planet's magnetosphere. Aurora watchers are advised to be on the alert for Northern Lights beginning after sunset on Thursday, June 8. For more information, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

Impact: An Interplanetary Shock Wave Passes Earth Space Weather News for June 8, 2000 A vigorous shock wave passed NASA's ACE solar wind monitoring spacecraft this morning at 0842 UT. Disturbances detected by ACE usually reach Earth about an hour later. This disturbance was the leading edge of a gigantic bubble of gas ejected from the Sun on June 6. It's been expanding toward our planet for the past day and a half. For more information and updates please visit http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2000 16:40:9 Subject: Solar Storms A'brewing Thursday's Classroom for June 8, 2000 This morning an interplanetary shock wave hit Earth's magnetosphere triggering aurora over some parts of our planet. In this episode of Thursday's Classroom, students can learn more about space storms and aurora by calculating the speed of a coronal mass ejection, playing Sunspot Twister, or producing their own Space Weather report. For more information and activities, please visit http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com Thursday's Classroom

A Little Physics and A Lot of String NASA Science News for June 9, 2000 One day space tethers may be used for boosting orbits, powering satellites, and even sending payloads to the Moon or Mars -- all without the expense of conventional propellants. Scientists discussed this innovative technology at the recent Advanced Space Propulsion Workshop held in Pasadena, CA. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast09jun_1.htm?list __

From that article: "In one variant of a momentum-exchange tether, the faster-moving tether system grabs a slower-moving satellite in a lower orbit using a grapple at the end of a tether line between 20 and 200 kilometers long. After orbiting around the Earth once together, the rotating tether system tosses the satellite forward into a higher orbit, somewhat like a roller derby skater grabbing a teammate and slinging them forward. The first skater transfers some of their momentum to the second skater, leaving the first skater going slower afterward. Similarly, the tether system gives some of its momentum to the satellite, ending up in a lower orbit."

A friend made this comment in email this morning: They used to think about a tether attached to the surface of the earth with the outer end 100's of miles into space. Theoretically the outer end would have orbiting velocity. Objects could climb up the tether into orbit. The problem was the strength and weight of such a tether; probably impossible. These present suggested uses for tethers may be more practical.

A solar flare, a CME, and a solar wind disturbance -- all in one day! Space Weather News for June 10, 2000 The prolific flare-producing sunspot group #9026 unleashed another moderately strong solar flare today. The eruption was accompanied by a partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME) that might be Earth-directed. If so, material from the CME would arrive in the vicinity of our planet on June 12 or 13. A SOHO coronagraph animation of the event shows a beautiful billowing CME peppered by speckles and meteor-like streaks resulting from energetic particles hitting the spacecraft's camera. Earlier in the day, as predicted, a solar wind disturbance from a CME on June 7 struck Earth's magnetosphere. Active geomagnetic conditions were observed for about nine hours, but have since subsided. For more information and pictures, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2000 08:30:40 -0700 SFI=187 | A=24 | K=3 up from 2 at 1500 on 12 June. SAF: moderate, GMF: at quiet to minor storm levels Aurora Level: 4 Solar Wind: 469.6 km/s at 1.3 protons/cc More: http://hfradio.org/propagation.html

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

Water on the Space Station NASA Science News for November 2, 2000 Rationing and recycling will be an essential part of life on the newly-populated International Space Station. In this article, the first of a series about the challenges of living in orbit, Science@NASA explores where the crew will get their water and how they will (re)use it. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast02nov_1.htm?list89800

They picked the callsign "alpha" in a jublilant video conference to Mission HQ. It's the beginning of man in space for perhaps the rest of history, there may never be a time when man is not in space from now on.

Much Ado about 2000 SG344 NASA Science News for November 7, 2000 Later this century a relic from NASA's earliest space exploration efforts might return to Earth, if current estimates are confirmed. The near-Earth object, which follows an orbit almost identical to our planet's, looks like an asteroid but may be an Apollo-era rocket booster. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast06nov_2.htm?list89800

Space Weather News for Nov. 9, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com RADIATION STORM: High-energy particles are bombarding satellites this morning after a solar eruption unleashed a strong radiation storm. Radio blackouts and minor satellite glitches are possible while the storm persists. NEAR-EARTH ASTEROID 2000 UG11: A 250-meter asteroid zoomed past Earth on Tuesday just 6 times farther from our planet than the Moon. New video clips show the space rock racing through the sky on Nov. 1st - 7th. AURORA BOREALIS: Geomagnetic storms on November 3rd and 6th triggered widespread aurora. Pictures of the Northern Lights are now available on SpaceWeather.com. For more information and images please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Aurora Alert Space Weather News for Nov. 9, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com The Nov. 8th solar eruption that triggered an ongoing radiation storm around Earth also launched a coronal mass ejection (CME) that appears to be heading in the direction of our planet. The CME raced away from the Sun traveling faster than 2000 km/s and it could strike Earth's magnetosphere late Friday or Saturday. Forecasters estimate a 25% chance of severe geomagnetic storms at middle latitudes during the next 48 hours. Stay tuned to http://spaceweather.com for continuing coverage. Photographers who capture images of the aurora are invited to send them as email attachments to webmaster@spaceweather.com for display on SpaceWeather.com.

Breathing Easy on the Space Station NASA Science News for November 13, 2000 Life support systems on the International Space Station provide oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and manage vaporous emissions from the astronauts themselves. It's all part of breathing easy in our new home in space. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast13nov_1.htm?list89800

Wanted: Leonid Meteor Spotters Space Weather News for Nov. 15, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com The 2000 Leonid meteor shower is just around the corner. Forecasters expect at least two outbursts of shooting stars as Earth passes through debris from comet Tempel-Tuttle this Friday and Saturday. Spaceweather.com will post current meteor counts and reports from around the world beginning Thursday and continuing through the end of the shower. We invite all our readers to participate and report what they see. All you need are clear skies! Visit http://www.spaceweather.com for more information and observing tips. And don't forget NASA's live webcast of the Leonids from the stratosphere! Visit http://www.leonidslive.com for details.

Lighting Up the Ecosphere NASA Science News for Nov. 15, 2000 Using satellite images of city lights at night, NASA scientists are mapping the spread of urban areas around the globe and monitoring their impact on our planet's ecosystem. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast15nov_1.htm

Flowing Sand in Space NASA Science News for Nov. 17, 2000 NASA scientists are sending sand into Earth orbit to learn more about how soil behaves during earthquakes. Their results will help engineers build safer structures on Earth and someday on other planets, too. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast17nov_1.htm

A Solar Flare Stuns Stardust NASA Science News for November 22, 2000 Earlier this month one of the most intense solar radiation storms in decades temporarily blinded NASA's Stardust spacecraft, which is heading for a rendezvous with comet Wild-2. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast22nov_1.htm?list89800

Weekend Aurora Warning; Asteroid Toutatis Brightens Space Weather News for Nov. 24, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com SOLAR FLARES: This morning, two powerful solar flares triggered an ongoing radiation storm around Earth. The eruptions from a sunspot group near the center of the Sun's visible disk also launched two coronal mass ejections toward our planet. Sky watchers should be alert for aurora when the CMEs strike Earth's magnetosphere later this weekend. ASTEROIDS: Near-Earth asteroid Toutatis, which passed close to Earth on Halloween, is actually brightening as it moves away from our planet. Amateur astronomers can spot the space rock in 8- to 10-inch telescopes as it reaches peak brightness next week. For more information, visit http://www.SpaceWeather.com .

Microscopic Stowaways on the ISS NASA Science News for November 26, 2000 Wherever humans go microbes will surely follow, and the Space Station is no exception. In this article, NASA scientists discuss how astronauts on the ISS will keep potentially bothersome microorganisms under control. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast26nov_1.htm?list89800

That was pretty interesting. It shows that there is so much more think about than you first realise when going into space. I always thought it was a case of piling five guys into a rocket and shooting them up to an orbiting spacecan. I guess it's not that simple...

Nope, or we would have done it long ago... and a lot more guys would have died...

Sky show tonight: a close encounter between Venus and the Moon Space Weather News for Nov. 29, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com The recent spate of geomagnetic disturbances produced auroras mainly at high latitudes. Middle- and low-latitude observers didn't see much in the way of Northern Lights. But tonight there's a sky show that anyone can enjoy: a dazzling close encounter between Venus and the crescent Moon. Visit http://www.spaceweather.com for details about that and to view a gallery of pictures captured during this week's geomagnetic storms.

Far-out Housekeeping on the ISS NASA Science News for November 29, 2000 Life in space is a daring adventure, but somebody still has to cook dinner and take out the trash. Science@NASA interviews two astronauts about the thrill and routine of daily life in orbit. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast29nov_1.htm?list89800

The ham satellite (the big one the hams have been waiting for) is succesfully up! Any news on this Marci?

Oh, I forgot to mention, someone pointed out Jupiter to me when I was in Japan. Is it possible to see Jupiter with the naked eye??? I was unconvinced but secretly impressed :-)

Of course it is, Jupiter can be very visible.

Well I wasn't sure :-) Cool, I've seen Jupiter :-)

Get a cheap pair of binoculars, Mike - you can see the four Galillean moons easily. And, they change from night to night as you watch them orbit!!!

EO-1: It's not just a good idea, it's the law! NASA Science News for December 4, 2000 NASA's Earth Observing-1 satellite blasted off last week with a payload of new instruments that could revolutionize remote sensing. The work of the new satellite is regarded as so important it's actually required by law. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast04dec_1.htm?list89800

Sedimentary Mars NASA Science News for December 4, 2000 4:00:00 PM New Mars Global Surveyor images reveal sedimentary rock layers on the Red Planet that may have formed underwater in the distant martian past. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast04dec_2.htm?list89800

So, they're debating how much water may have been on Mars, and whether the liquid was water (probably), these sedimentary layers were found on the giant canyon that would stretch from NY to California. They should drop the next lander in this sediment!

..but only if they are sure it would be able to hear their commands. We lost the last one that way... I'd like a specimen for my collection, thank you!!! Santa,I have been naughty but soooo nice this year...

The best of both worlds, right? Which is more important, this sedimentary area or the ice cap areas where there may be water for a landing? And when is the next Mars launch?

I'll let you know when I know - stay tuned... A Disintegrating Glacier NASA Science News for December 6, 2000 Recent satellite images reveal two new icebergs floating off the Antarctic coast. The icy behemoths are fragments of the Ninnis Glacier. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast05dec_1.htm?list89800

Latest Mars updates are available at http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/

Get a cheap pair of binoculars, Mike - you can see the four Galillean moons easily. And, they change from night to night as you watch them orbit!!! That is cool, Marcia!! When I was in school I dropped Astro so that I could concentrate on other stuff (like smashing rocks to pieces with hammers and blowing up alternate universes with Quantum singularities... :-) I should definitely start checking out the sky a bit more. Trouble is it means going outside at night when it's all cold. Still, I guess in the summer it could be a joint trip with one of my lady friends.... :-)

One of the brightest objects in the sky will be the space station with the solar panels unfurled. Has anyone seen this yet or does anyone know a website for times, dates to view it?

Terry, I posted the satellite tracking and spotting of ISS back a few... for all satellites: http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTime/JTrack/ For ISS and such: http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTime/JTrack/Spacecraft.html

Cool, I'll check it out, have you seen it yet?

ISS updates http://www.spaceflightnow.com/ops/stage4a/status.html This is Shuttle mission 97

Have not yet seeen it. The last time I looked I saw the space junk re-entry. That was REALLY neat!!! ISS seems to orbit so they are over Hawaii quite frequently, so I'll hunt again. Did see the Shuttle and MIR linked up - brilliant like Venus!!!

Pass the Can Opener, Please In early December engineers in Waco, Texas, will cut a hole big enough to drive a truck through in the aft fuselage of a 747SP jumbo jet. It's a key step in converting the airliner into the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), whose 2.5-meter (98-inch) telescope will peer at the heavens from an altitude of 41,000 feet beginning in 2003. A Yuletide Partial Solar Eclipse During the partial eclipse of the Sun on December 25, 2000, the Moon passes slightly north of the Sun's center as seen from nearly all parts of North America south of the Arctic Circle. A Passing Affair Cassini will pass 9.8 million km from Jupiter, en route to Saturn, on December 30th.

The Baffling Geminid Meteor Shower NASA Science News for December 8, 2000 Most meteor showers are caused by comets, but the Geminid meteor shower, which peaks next Wednesday morning, seems to come from a curious near-Earth asteroid. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast08dec_1.htm?list89800

Curious indeed!

Marcia, maybe Santa Claus will bring you that Martian rock for Christmas this year. Do you have a Lunar rock to go with it? Just kidding. On the disintergrating glazier, a few years ago an iceberg broke off the Anarctic Ice Shelf that was slightly smaller than the state of Rhode Island. Suffice to say, it was easily visible from space.

It's probably still afloat?

That, or fused into the polar ice sheet next winter....

NEWSALERT: Sunday, December 10, 2000 @ 0557 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, SHUTTLE DEPARTS STATION --------------------------------------------- With hugs and handshakes, the Endeavour astronauts bid farewell to the crew of space station Alpha Saturday, closed hatches between the two spacecraft and undocked to wind up an edge-of-the-seat mission to install a huge set of solar arrays. http://spaceflightnow.com/ops/stage4a/001209fd10/ Follow the mission's progress in our status center: http://spaceflightnow.com/ops/stage4a/status.html Watch video clip of shuttle crew departing station: http://spaceflightnow.com/ops/stage4a/video/001209farewell_qt.html FOUR ADDITIONAL MOONS DISCOVERED ORBITING SATURN ------------------------------------------------ An unprecedented surge in planetary moon discoveries continued this week as astronomers reported the discovery of four more moons orbiting Saturn, bringing the total number of moons found around the planet since October to ten. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/10saturnmoons/ DELAYED ARIANE 4 ROCKET LAUNCH RESET FOR MONDAY ----------------------------------------------- After a postponement to double-check the rocket's nose cone, Arianespace has rescheduled the flight of Ariane 4 launcher carrying the Eurasiasat 1 communications satellite for Monday evening from South America. http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v137/status.html

The Incredible Shrinking Ozone Hole NASA Science News for December 12, 2000 After reaching record-breaking proportions earlier this year the ozone hole over Antarctica has made a surprisingly hasty retreat. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast12dec_1.htm?list89800

Christmas Eclipse NASA Science News for December 14, 2000 A solar eclipse is coming on Christmas Day, 2000. The winter landscape across parts of North America will assume an eerie cast, and cooler-than-usual winds might swirl, as the New Moon glides across the face of the Yuletide Sun. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast15dec_1.htm?list89800

This Mars life story is *new*, as reported by MSNBC today. "Dec. 13 � A new scientific report offers compelling evidence that primitive life existed on Mars, NASA says. Researchers report that tiny magnetite crystals, identical to those used by aqueous bacteria on Earth as compasses to find food and energy, have been found in the Martian meteorite ALH84001."

Really nice!!!! Thank you Big Time for posting that image!

NEWSALERT: Friday, December 15, 2000 @ 1612 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now HUBBLE SEES SATELLITE FOOTPRINTS IN JUPITER AURORA -------------------------------------------------- Check out a spectacular Hubble Space Telescope close-up view of an electric-blue aurora that is eerily glowing one half billion miles away on the giant planet Jupiter. Auroras are curtains of light resulting from high-energy electrons racing along the planet's magnetic field into the upper atmosphere. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/15hubble/ UNIVERSE'S MOST MASSIVE SPIRAL GALAXY REVEALED ---------------------------------------------- The most massive spiral galaxy known so far in the Universe has been discovered by a team of astronomers. This galaxy is located at a distance of approximately 6 billion light-years and its measured mass is more than 1,000 billion times that of the Sun. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/15spiral/ TWIN TELESCOPES POISED TO EXPLORE STRUCTURE OF UNIVERSE ------------------------------------------------------- More than 300 people traveled thousands of miles to a remote mountaintop in Chile for the dedication of two of the most powerful survey instruments ever built: the Baade and the Clay 6.5-meter reflecting telescopes. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/15carnegie/

Weekend Aurora Watch Space Weather News for Dec. 14, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com A coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on Thursday appears to be heading for Earth. The disturbance could trigger aurora late Saturday or (more likely) Sunday when it strikes our planet's magnetosphere. For details and animations please visit http://www.spaceweather.com .

NEWSALERT: Saturday, December 16, 2000 @ 0520 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now CHINA PLEDGES DEVELOPMENT OF MANNED SPACE PROGRAM ------------------------------------------------- China is poised to launch the second test flight of its Shenzhou spacecraft -- an orbiter capable of carrying an astronaut into space -- a Chinese official said this week in his year-end press briefing in Washington. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/15china/ STATION CREW AWAITS SPARE PARTS FOR AIR SCRUBBER ------------------------------------------------ The international space station's air purification system is working smoothly, NASA's lead flight director said Friday. But unexpected equipment failures during the crew's first six weeks in space have left the astronauts just one failure away from a possible forced evacuation. http://spaceflightnow.com/ops/stage4a/001216scrubber/ KENNEDY SPACE CENTER CELEBRATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 2000 ------------------------------------------------------- During the past year, NASA's Kennedy Space Center began an ambitious schedule of Space Shuttle launches as construction of the International Space Station shifted into high gear, plus managed six rocket launches and formed partnerships across the board. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/16ksc2000/

CHRISTMAS SOLAR ECLIPSE http://www.skypub.com/sights/eclipses/solar/001225partial.html

Learning from Lightning NASA Science News for December 17, 2000 Little by little, lightning sensors in space are revealing the inner workings of severe storms. Scientists hope to use the technique to improve forecasts of deadly weather. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast17dec_1.htm?list89800

Geomagnetic activity alert + near-Earth asteroid news Space Weather News for Dec. 19, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com METEORS & AURORA: Sky watchers who venture outside to view the Ursid meteor shower Thursday night or Friday morning might also spot aurora borealis. A coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on Monday is likely to buffet Earth's magnetosphere later this week. Forecasters estimate a 20% chance of severe geomagnetic activity when the CME arrives. NEAR-EARTH ASTEROIDS: A newly-discovered near-Earth asteroid, 2000 YA, will pass just two lunar distances from Earth on Dec. 22nd. There's no danger of a collision, say scientists, but the small space rock will be near enough to see through large amateur telescopes or through small telescopes equipped with CCD cameras. For more information, images and animations, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

There was a very interesting piece this morning on NPR on the Saturn moon, Euuropa. It seems there may be water beneath the ice that may support life. Even though the sun's energy is very distant, there is some kind of gravitational tide effect from Saturn and other moons that may be enough to generate higher temperatures and enable liquids under the icy surface. There is some kind of underwater sub expedition planned by NASA in the next 10 years. This could be an exciting development, I haven't searched o the net yet, but I'm sure there's more out there on this, on NPR.org's site for sure.

Correction, substitute Jupiter for Saturn. Big detail. EUROPA & HOW LIFE BEGINS $ NPR's Richard Harris explores what it would take for life to begin elsewhere in the solar system. Pictures released yesterday of Jupiter's moon Europa suggest that the chemicals necessary for life may exist in large frozen oceans there -- just waiting for the right conditions to sprout life. On Earth, oceanographers think that life may have begun in a similar primordial soup at the bottom of the ocean. They're looking at unique heat-resistant organisms that live next to hot-gas vents on the ocean floor.

I posted that bit of info in Geo 24 - the astronomy topic update. Fascinating stuff! (...and we knew which planet you meant *hugs*)

Martian Micro-Magnets NASA Science News for December 20, 2000 Certain types of bacteria on Earth are atomic engineers -- atom by atom they build tiny magnetic crystals to help themselves follow our planet's magnetic field. Now scientists have found such crystals in an unlikely place: a martian meteorite! FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast20dec_1.htm?list89800

Watching the Angry Sun NASA Science News for December 22, 2000 As the Sun's stormy season approaches its zenith, solar scientists have the best seat in the house, using the largest coordinated fleet of spacecraft and ground observatories ever assembled to observe angry outbursts of solar radiation. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast22dec_1.htm?list89800

A meteor outburst, after all.... Space Weather News for Dec. 22, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com METEORS: Sky watchers in Europe and on the US west coast spotted a modest outburst of Ursid meteors Thursday night. Astronomers had hoped for a more impressive display, but the flurry of faint shooting stars was nevertheless welcomed because it confirmed a new model of cometary debris streams. AURORA WATCH: Conditions may be favorable for high-latitude auroras tonight. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) near Earth turned sharply southward after a solar wind disturbance arrived in the neighborhood of our planet. South-pointing IMFs make our magnetosphere more vulnerable than usual to solar wind gusts -- additional gusts could trigger Northern Lights. For more information visit http://www.spaceweather.com

NEWSALERT: Monday, December 25, 2000 @ 0050 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD HOLIDAY GREETING ------------------------------------- The international space station crew offer the people of planet Earth greetings for the holiday season in a message from their orbiting home 235 miles up. The three men are the first residents of the new station, beginning what is planned to be a continuous human presence in space for the 21st century. Watch video message: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/video/001224greetings_qt.html Astronauts report first Santa sighting: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/video/001224santa_qt.html CARGO SHIP SET FOR REDOCKING TO SPACE STATION --------------------------------------------- Spaceflight Now will have complete live coverage of Tuesday's redocking of the Progress M1-4 cargo freighter to the international space station. Cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko will manually guide the craft to the orbital linkup using two joysticks and a television picture. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html See our timeline of the redocking sequence: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/fdf/redocking.html RARE CHRISTMAS ECLIPSE VIEWABLE IN NORTH AMERICA ------------------------------------------------ On Christmas Day, step outside and get a rare Christmas present-a partial solar eclipse! Sky watchers living in the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean will have a perfect view of the partially eclipsed Sun. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/24eclipse/ SANTA BECOMES TEST PILOT AT FLORIDA'S SHUTTLE LANDING SITE ---------------------------------------------------------- Not only does Santa Claus know when you are sleeping or awake -- bad or good, he also knows with pinpoint accuracy the exact location of each planned delivery stop. With newly-installed GPS on his sleigh, Santa plans to fly by the Kennedy Space Center to test his space-age equipment. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/24santaslf/ OBSERVATIONS CONFIRM THE UNIVERSE WAS HOTTER IN PAST ---------------------------------------------------- A fundamental prediction of the Big Bang theory has finally been verified. For the first time, an actual measurement has been made of the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation, at a time when the Universe was only about 2.5 billion years old. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/24vlthot/ SCIENTISTS DELIGHTED BY FIRST IMAGES FROM EO-1 SATELLITE -------------------------------------------------------- Scientists have seen the first images from NASA's Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) spacecraft launched last month and now flying in formation with the Landsat 7 satellite. Researchers say they are excited with the performance of the instruments on the EO-1 technology demonstrator. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/23eo1first/ SPACEHAB RESEARCH MODULE TO FLY ON '02 SHUTTLE MISSION ------------------------------------------------------ A commercial Spacehab Research Double Module will be flown aboard a space shuttle in 2002 for a NASA science flight. Spacehab is marketing a portion of space in the module to commercial users, including other national space agencies. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/23sts112/

too bad it's rainy here, we won't be able to witness the christmas eclipse *frown*

check in Geo 24 for my ex's Pennsylvania shots.

did, thanks sweetie! *HUGS*

Merry Christmas Dear - and *Happy Hugs* to go with it. What was your surprise??? (We need to talk, I think)

yes--did you get my msn invite? (for IM?)

nope!!! I'll send you one!!! I had this problem with B earlier.

Wolfie, I was in up in your 'hood yesterday, Shey and I went to Tyler to see mjy dad, but we had a short visit as we were trying to get home before any of the heavy weather predicted for today.

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, December 26, 2000 @ 1510 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now BRIEF LOSS OF CONTACT RAISES FEARS ABOUT MIR STATION ----------------------------------------------------- Contact with the unmanned Russian Mir space station was briefly lost today. While normal communications later were restored, the incident heightened concern about the Russians' ability to precisely control the abandoned station's upcoming re-entry and breakup. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/26mir/ CARGO SHIP REDOCKS TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ------------------------------------------------- Cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko remotely piloted an unmanned Progress supply ship to a trouble-free manual redocking with the international space station today as the two spacecraft sailed 230 miles above Mongolia. Includes video clips. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/001226redock/ OCEAN-HARBORING MOON GANYMEDE SEEN BY CASSINI --------------------------------------------- The solar system's largest moon, Ganymede, is captured here alongside the planet Jupiter in a color picture taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft earlier this month at a distance of 16.5 million miles. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/26cassgany/ LAUNCH SCHEDULE --------------- See our Tracking Station for a the latest listing of upcoming space launches for the New Year. http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/

Solar Eclipse Pictures Space Weather News for Dec. 26, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com If bad weather, over-sleeping, or simply not living in North America prevented you from seeing the Christmas 2000 solar eclipse, now you have a second chance. The SpaceWeather.com eclipse gallery features dozens of images captured by sky watchers using everything from professional hydrogen-alpha telescopes (that show sunspots and solar filaments) to makeshift solar filters assembled from computer CDs. Visit http://spaceweather.com for more...

NEWSALERT: Saturday, December 30, 2000 @ 0505 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now CASSINI HAS CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE JOVIAN KIND TODAY ---------------------------------------------------- NASA's Cassini space probe makes its 6-million mile flyby of Jupiter today at 1012 GMT (5:12 a.m. EST). The encounter acts as a gravity-assisted sling-shot, boosting the craft's speed by 2,500 mph to over 30,000 mph for its continued trek to Saturn. We'll have a wrap up story following a news conference later today. http://spaceflightnow.com/cassini/ CASSINI EYES JUPITER'S CLOUDS IN GREAT DETAIL --------------------------------------------- Images taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft using three different filters reveal cloud structures and movements at different depths in the atmosphere around Jupiter's south pole. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/30cassclouds/ HEAVY DOSE OF RADIATION CAUSES GALILEO GLITCHES ----------------------------------------------- NASA's Galileo spacecraft passed through the highest radiation environment it will experience in its current orbit of Jupiter late Thursday. The exposure caused an alarm from the probe's camera system and a computer reset in another portion of the spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/30galileorad/ SPACE STATION RESIDENTS GIVE NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE ----------------------------------------------- The Alpha astronauts beamed down New Year's greetings Friday, saying "let the real space odyssey 2001 proceed." Commander William Shepherd, flight engineer Sergei Krikalev and Soyuz pilot Yuri Gidzenko fielded questions from reporters in an early morning communications session, saying they plan to mark the arrival of the new year with at least one - and probably two - special meals. (Includes video clip!) http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/001229greet01/

Galileo Looks for Auroras on Ganymede NASA Science News for December 28, 2000 NASA's durable Galileo spacecraft flew above the solar system's largest moon this morning in search of extraterrestrial Northern Lights -- a telltale sign of Ganymede's unique magnetic field. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast28dec_1.htm?list89800

New color movie stars Jupiter's clouds / Galileo's dark encount NEWSALERT: Thursday, December 28, 2000 @ 0525 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now CASSINI MAKES FIRST COLOR MOVIE OF JUPITER'S CLOUDS --------------------------------------------------- Imagery from NASA's Cassini spacecraft has been used to generate this first color movie of Jupiter's horizontal bands of clouds from the Saturn-bound probe. The orange and white bands slide in opposite directions from each other and a swirl of winds gyrate around Jupiter's Great Red Spot. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/28jupmovie/ GALILEO HAS DARK ENCOUNTER WITH JOVIAN MOON GANYMEDE ---------------------------------------------------- NASA's intrepid Galileo spacecraft zips past Ganymede on Thursday for a unique close encounter that provides a chance to study the faint auroral glows on the solar system's largest moon. (Includes video clips!) http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/28ganyflyby/ MARTIAN WATER MAY BE ICE IN PLANET'S INTERIOR --------------------------------------------- Liquid water that once flowed on the surface of Mars could now be locked up deep in the planet's interior as an unusual form of ice, scientists reported earlier this month. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/28marsice/ SURPRISE SWITCH FOR MIR EMERGENCY CREW -------------------------------------- Russian space managers have changed the makeup of a two-man cosmonaut crew on standby for a flight to the abandoned Mir space station in the event of any future emergency that might cause an uncontrolled re-entry. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/001227mircrew/ RESEARCHER PROPOSES DARING ASTEROID SAMPLE RETURN ------------------------------------------------- In the wake of NASA's successful Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous space mission, a University of Arkansas researcher is putting together a team of scientists to take asteroid research to the next level -- bringing asteroid samples back to Earth. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/27asteroid/ CONTACT RESTORED WITH NEW AMATEUR RADIO SATELLITE ------------------------------------------------- The amateur radio community received a welcome Christmas present Monday when workers were able to restore contact with the AMSAT-OSCAR 40 satellite that had been silent for nearly two weeks. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/27ao40/ IRIDIUM SATELLITES USED TO MAP GLOBAL SPACE WEATHER --------------------------------------------------- Scientists are now able to simultaneously measure the magnetic and electrical fields over large areas of the ionosphere above the Earth's polar regions, allowing great improvement in the understanding and forecasting of global space weather and helping prevent disruption of communication and power systems. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/27iridiumsci/ RUSSIANS LAUNCH SIX COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITES --------------------------------------------- A Ukrainian-made Tsyklon 3 rocket loaded with six Russian communications satellites blasted off Wednesday. The launch occurred at approximately 1900 GMT (2 p.m. EST) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0012/27tsyklon/

More Cassini URLs NASA Jupiter Millennium Flyby: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/jupiterflyby/ Cassini mission site: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/cassini Cassini imaging science team: http://ciclops.lpl.arizona.edu/

Retreat of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet NASA Science News for December 27, 2000 Scientists say that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is retreating more slowly than they thought. In fact, it may have been growing just 8,000 years ago -- long after the end of the most recent Ice Age. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast27dec_1.htm?list89800

Wow, what a plethora of space news today. Great work, gleaning all this Marci!

Get our your receivers tonight - over 100/hour expected!! I am delighted you find it interesting - lots of goodies in there! Listen to the Quadrantids tonight Space Weather News for January 2, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com The Quadrantid meteor shower will peak over North America before dawn on Wednesday morning, January 3rd. No matter where you live you can listen to the shower by tuning in to a radio meteor listening station at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The installation, located in Huntsville, AL, is perfectly situated to detect a Quadrantid outburst. For more information and realtime audio please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, January 2, 2000 @ 0541 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now STATION SKIPPER WRITES POEM TO USHER IN THE NEW YEAR ---------------------------------------------------- The international space station's Exedition One commander, Bill Shepherd, has written a poem capturing his thoughts and reflections, as he and Russian shipmates, Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev, usher in 2001. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/001231poem/ SHUTTLE ATLANTIS GOES FOR SIX HOUR RIDE TO PAD TODAY ---------------------------------------------------- Rolling along at speeds reaching one-mile per hour, space shuttle Atlantis will be transported from Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building to the seaside launch pad 39A after sunrise today. Atlantis is due for blastoff later this month on a space station assembly mission. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html DESPITE PUMMELING, EARLY EARTH CONDITIONS RIPE FOR LIFE ------------------------------------------------------- Even during an extraordinarily violent era in Earth's early history, when our young planet was being whacked by asteroids and comets so frequently that scientists refer to it as "Late Heavy Bombardment," conditions most of the time at the Earth's surface were quite hospitable for the microbes that lived here, according to new research. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/01earlyearth/ SEA LAUNCH TO LOFT RADIO BROADCASTING SATELLITE ----------------------------------------------- The Sea Launch command ship and Odyssey platform are sailing to the equatorial waters of the Pacific Ocean for next week's flight of a Zenit 3SL rocket with the first of two broadcasting spacecraft for XM Satellite Radio. http://spaceflightnow.com/sealaunch/xm1/status.html THERE WERE A LOT SPACE HEADLINES OVER THE HOLIDAYS! --------------------------------------------------- Do you need to catch up on the news that occurred over the holidays? Check out our weekly archived reports for all the space headlines, including Cassini's beautiful pictures and movies of Jupiter from its recent flyby, the new fears about Mir, NASA's revived mission to Pluto and the latest with the international space station. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/breaking_archive.html LAUNCH SCHEDULE --------------- See our Tracking Station for a the latest listing of upcoming space launches for the New Year. http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/

A New Look for the New Year NASA Science News for January 3, 2001 The Science@NASA home page has a new look and we're pleased to offer a host of new services as well, including Spanish-language science stories ... and more! FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast03jan_1.htm?list89800 ---

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, January 3, 2001 @ 0601 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES IN DISTANT GALAXIES MEASURED ----------------------------------------------------- Two astronomers at The University of Texas at Austin, working with an international team of collaborators, have shown that they can provide reliable measurements of black hole masses for active galactic nuclei such as quasars even at great distances. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/03holemeasure/ NEXT TEST FLIGHT OF CHINESE CAPSULE EXPECTED SOON ------------------------------------------------- Amid much speculation regarding a possible launch date for China's second prototype manned spacecraft, called Shenzhou, the Hong Kong-based Wen Wei Po newspaper is reporting that workers are readying the spacecraft for a launch some time in early January, possibly this week. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/03china/ COMPUTER TROUBLE FORCES HALT TO ATLANTIS ROLLOUT ------------------------------------------------ A problem with the main computer inside the crawler-transporter Tuesday forced NASA to stop the rollout of space shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building to the seaside launch pad 39A. Atlantis was returned to the VAB for swap-out of the crawler. Rollout is now set for Wednesday. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010102rollout/ THERE WERE A LOT SPACE HEADLINES OVER THE HOLIDAYS! --------------------------------------------------- Do you need to catch up on the news that occurred over the holidays? Check out our weekly archived reports for all the space headlines, including Cassini's beautiful pictures and movies of Jupiter from its recent flyby, the new fears about Mir, NASA's revived mission to Pluto and the latest with the international space station. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/breaking_archive.html LAUNCH SCHEDULE --------------- See our Tracking Station for a the latest listing of upcoming space launches for the New Year. http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/

Earth at Perihelion NASA Science News for January 4, 2001 This morning at 5 o'clock Eastern Standard time Earth made its annual closest approach to the Sun. Although sunlight falling on our planet is 7% more intense today than it is in July, northerners shouldn't expect any relief from winter. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast04jan_1.htm?list89800

The Case of the Missing Mars Water NASA Science News for January 5, 2001 Plenty of clues suggest that liquid water once flowed on Mars --raising hopes that life could have arisen there-- but the evidence remains inconclusive and sometimes contradictory. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast05jan_1.htm?list89800

Russian PM Orders Demise of Aged Mir Space Station - Jan 5 2001 7:01AM MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has signed a resolution ordering that the aged Mir space station be taken out of orbit and sunk into the ocean early this year, the Russian space agency said Friday. A spokesman for space agency Rosaviakosmos said that Kasyanov had signed the document on Dec. 30, formalizing a government decision from November to take the nearly 15-year-old Mir, originally intended to orbit Earth for just five years, out of service due to a lack of funding. The order calls for establishing a commission to determine how Mir will be brought down, and also says that resources that had been dedicated to the orbiter were to be focused on the $60 billion International Space Station (ISS). The ISS, a 16-nation venture, uses technology developed for Mir, which for years was the world's only manned space station. During its lifetime Mir helped Soviet and Russian cosmonauts set a string of space endurance records that have been the nation's pride -- and the envy of the envy of the better-funded United States. But in recent years a spate of mishaps dulled the revolutionary space station's image, including a near-catastrophic collision with a cargo craft and a communications failure on Christmas day last month that sparked fears that Mir was spinning out of control. U.S. space officials have pushed Russia to dump Mir, saying it drained sparse resources that would be better spent on Russia's role in the International Space Station.

Aurora Watch and Lunar Eclipse Photos Space Weather News for January 11, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com AURORA WATCH: SOHO coronagraphs recorded a full-halo solar coronal mass ejection (CME) on Wednesday that could hit Earth's magnetosphere by week's end. Our planet is already inside a faster-than-usual solar wind stream that could set the stage for auroras when the CME arrives. Visit SpaceWeather.com for details and animations of the CME. LUNAR ECLIPSE: While you're at spaceweather.com, check out our growing gallery of images from Tuesday's total lunar eclipse. Pictures include shots of the copper-colored Moon seen over Europe, Asia and the Middle East as well as striking views of a partially-eclipsed Moon rising over the eastern parts of the USA. Visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Chandra Links Pulsar to Historic Supernova NASA Science News for January 11, 2001 New evidence from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory suggests that a known pulsar is the present-day leftover from a stellar explosion witnessed by Chinese astronomers in 386 AD. The discovery could force astronomers to rethink what they know about the ages of neutron stars. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast11jan_1.htm?list89800

Ballooning for Cosmic Rays NASA Science News for January 12, 2001 12:00:00 PM Astronomers have long thought that supernovas are the source of Galactic cosmic rays, but there's a troubling discrepancy between theory and measurements. An ongoing balloon flight over Antarctica could shed new light on the mystery. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast15jan_1.htm?list89800

CME buffets Earth; Stardust flyby Monday morning Space Weather News for January 13, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com AURORA WATCH: As expected, the leading edge of a coronal mass ejection that billowed away from the Sun on January 10th reached our planet today. Although conditions seemed favorable for auroras, the passing shock wave did not trigger substantial geomagnetic activity. STARDUST: On Monday morning, NASA's Stardust spacecraft will fly by Earth for an orbit-altering gravity assist maneuver designed to send Stardust on its way to comet Wild 2. Amateur astronomers with mid-sized or large telescopes might be able to spot the spacecraft as it races by and brightens, perhaps, to 10th or 12th magnitude. Visit http://www.spaceweather.com for details.

NEWSALERT: Saturday, January 13, 2001 @ 0558 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now CHANDRA FINDS EVIDENCE OF BLACK HOLE 'EVENT HORIZONS' ----------------------------------------------------- Astronomers have used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to study some of the darkest black holes yet observed. Their work strongly confirms the reality of the "event horizon," the one-way membrane around black holes predicted by Einstein's theory of relativity. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/13chandrahole/ REMAINS OF OUR GALAXY'S 'LAST MEAL' DISCOVERED ---------------------------------------------- A telltale bulge in the disk of the Milky Way galaxy may be the remnants of a smaller galaxy consumed billions of years ago as our galaxy formed, astronomers announced this week. The discovery may provide scientists with new data to support -- or challenge -- existing models of how galaxies are created. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/13galremains/ STARDUST'S BLURRY VISION FIXED AS CRAFT NEARS EARTH --------------------------------------------------- As NASA's Stardust comet probe barrels towards Earth for a close encounter flyby on Monday, its navigation camera appears to be working again after an apparent post-launch contamination of the device. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/13stardustflyby/ NEWBORN STAR OFFERS INSIGHT INTO OUR SOLAR SYSTEM'S PAST -------------------------------------------------------- Evidence that small dust grains are agglomerating into larger blocks inside a persistent shell of gas and dust around a young, nearby star is giving a team of astronomers a rare glimpse into the process that likely formed our solar system. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/13newborn/ EARLIER HEADLINES ----------------- REPORT: U.S. NEEDS STRONGER DEFENSE ROLE IN SPACE http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/12milspace/ NEW IMAGES SHOW DETAIL OF NEIGHBOR GALAXY'S GAS http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/12galaxygas/ ROCKET STAGE REPLACEMENT ON TAP FOR SEA LAUNCH ZENIT http://spaceflightnow.com/sealaunch/xm1/status.html

New Evidence for Black Holes NASA Science News for January 12, 2001 By seeing almost nothing, astronomers say they've discovered something extraordinary: the event horizons of black holes in space. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast12jan_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Friday, January 12, 2001 @ 0527 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now HUBBLE FINALLY MAY HAVE PROOF BLACK HOLES DO EXIST -------------------------------------------------- NASA's Hubble Space Telescope may have, for the first time, provided direct evidence for the existence of black holes by observing the disappearance of matter as it falls beyond the "event horizon." http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/11hubblehole/ REPORT: U.S. NEEDS STRONGER DEFENSE ROLE IN SPACE ------------------------------------------------- Calling space a "top national security priority," an independent commission chaired by the nation's next Secretary of Defense concluded in a report released Thursday that the United States military needs to take a more active and better focused role in Earth orbit. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/12milspace/ NEW IMAGES SHOW DETAIL OF NEIGHBOR GALAXY'S GAS ----------------------------------------------- Using radio telescopes in the U.S. and Europe, astronomers have made the most detailed images ever of Hydrogen gas in a spiral galaxy other than the Milky Way -- the galaxy M33, known to amateur astronomers as the Pinwheel Galaxy. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/12galaxygas/ NEARBY GALAXIES YIELD CLUES TO EARLY UNIVERSE --------------------------------------------- Astronomers are using these three NASA Hubble Space Telescope images to help tackle the question of why distant galaxies have such odd shapes, appearing markedly different from the typical elliptical and spiral galaxies seen in the nearby universe. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/11hubbleuv/ ROCKET STAGE REPLACEMENT ON TAP FOR SEA LAUNCH ZENIT ---------------------------------------------------- The Sea Launch vessels have set sail for home, departing the equatorial waters of the Pacific Ocean on a voyage back to the United States so a portion of the Zenit 3SL rocket can be replaced in the wake of an aborted engine ignition sequence this week. http://spaceflightnow.com/sealaunch/xm1/status.html U.S. FIRM TO BUILD CHINESE COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE --------------------------------------------------- Space Systems/Loral announced this week that it had received a contract from a Hong Kong-based satellite operator to build Apstar 5, a replacement for the aging Apstar 1 communications spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/12apstar5/

NEWSALERT: Monday, January 15, 2001 @ 1757 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ENGINEERS ASSESS NEW BOOSTER WIRING ISSUE ----------------------------------------- With shuttle Atlantis poised for launch Friday on a critical space station assembly mission, NASA managers plan to meet late today to assess the resolution of booster wiring problems and the results of weekend inspections that have raised additional concerns. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010115srb/ Watch our Mission Status Center for updates today: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html

NEWSALERT: Monday, January 15, 2001 @ 0528 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SUPERNOVA MAY CONTROL THE CENTER OF OUR GALAXY ---------------------------------------------- Scientists using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have discovered that an apparent supernova remnant in the center of our galaxy might help regulate a nearby supermassive black hole and that such relationships between supernova remnants and black holes might be common throughout the universe. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/15galaxycenter/ MARS ORBITER CHECKS OUT LANDING SITE FOR FUTURE PROBE ----------------------------------------------------- The European Space Agency has announced the selection of a landing site for the British Mars lander, Beagle 2, that will be carried to the red planet aboard ESA's Mars Express orbiter in 2003. Newly released images from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor shows the landing zone. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/15beagle2/ BRITISH AND CHINESE SATELLITES HEAD FOR SPACE RENDEZVOUS -------------------------------------------------------- A tiny British-built spacecraft is achieving a variety of firsts in the nanosatellite technology field. SNAP-1 will finish off this series of ground-breaking accomplishments in the next few months as it approaches a rendezvous with another satellite. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/15snap1/ ATLANTIS ASTRONAUTS BOUND FOR CAPE ---------------------------------- The five astronauts that will ride space shuttle Atlantis into orbit later this week to attach the U.S. Destiny laboratory to the international space station are scheduled for arrival at Kennedy Space Center on Monday evening. Launch is scheduled for early Friday morning from Florida. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, January 16, 2001 @ 0500 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now WIRING CHECKS DELAY SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LAUNCH TO FEBRUARY ------------------------------------------------------- On the eve of shuttle Atlantis' countdown to launch Friday, NASA managers on Monday instead ordered engineers to haul the spacecraft back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for work to test suspect wiring in the ship's booster separation system. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010115srb/ MOST DETAILED VIEW INTO DARK CLOUD UNVEILED ------------------------------------------- Astronomers have just taken an important step towards answering the fundamental question of which processes are responsible for transforming a dark and diffuse interstellar cloud of gas and dust into a much denser, shining object. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/16eso/ STARDUST SLING-SHOTS PAST EARTH ON COURSE TO COMET -------------------------------------------------- Officials at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California say that Stardust is now on course to Comet Wild 2, where it will collect dust samples for return to Earth. That word comes after a close encounter with Earth early Monday, marking the completion of the craft's first solar orbit since its launch in 1999. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/16stardust/ A SHOCKING TIME FOR CLUSTER 2 ----------------------------- Studies of near-Earth space will never be the same again. For the first time in the history of space exploration, identical instruments on four spacecraft have begun to return simultaneous measurements of a region of space known as the bow shock. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/16cluster/ GALILEO KEEPS PROBING JOVIAN MAGNETOSPHERE ------------------------------------------ This week finds Galileo completing week 12 of a 14-week-long survey of the Jovian magnetosphere. Playback of data stored during the spacecraft's December 2000 passage through the Jupiter system is not scheduled to start until early next month. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/16galileothisweek/

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, January 17, 2001 @ 0426 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NASA'S SHUTTLE CHIEF DEFENDS ROLLBACK DECISION ---------------------------------------------- Launch of the next space shuttle mission has been delayed from Friday to no earlier than Feb. 6. NASA's shuttle program manager said in the end, the launch team had little choice after problems surfaced with wiring. "I guard against the phenomena of 'go fever' like it was the plague. And you have to be very sensitive as you get closer to launch." http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010116dittemore/ Station 'Alpha' reacts to shuttle delay: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/video/010116shepreax_qt.html CHINA'S SHENZHOU 2 CAPSULE RETURNS TO EARTH SAFELY -------------------------------------------------- The Shenzhou 2 spacecraft returned safely to Earth Tuesday, touching down in China's inner Mongolian region at 1122 GMT after making 108 orbits. The mission paves the way for a future manned mission by the Chinese. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/16china/ INDIVIDUAL STARS SPOTTED IN ANDROMEDA'S BULGE --------------------------------------------- An individual team, including an astronomer of Observatoire de Paris, has recently observed for the first time individual stars in a very dense -- but very interesting -- zone of an external galaxy, enabling for the first time an eagerly awaited comparison with the corresponding zone (bulge) of our Milky Way galaxy. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/17andromeda/ SPACE TUG POISED FOR LAUNCH TO RUSSIA'S MIR STATION --------------------------------------------------- The Progress M1-5 cargo ship, the last spacecraft to visit Russian Mir space station, rolled out to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Tuesday. Blastoff is scheduled for early Thursday. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010116progroll/ NASA OPENS 2ND GENERATION REUSABLE ROCKET PROGRAM ------------------------------------------------- NASA has created a new program office to lead its effort to enable development of a new reusable launch vehicle for flight in 2010 that will be dramatically safer and less expensive than today's rockets. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/17rlv2/ THE EASTERN U.S. KEEPS ITS COOL WHILE THE WORLD WARMS ----------------------------------------------------- Much of the Earth has warmed over the last half-century, but the eastern half of the United States has shown a cooling trend. NASA-funded research indicates cooler temperatures in the eastern U.S. are caused by an increase in sun-shielding clouds produced by warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/17easttemp/

Russia to Lauch Mir Space Station's Nemesis BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (Reuters) - Russia launches a cargo rocket on Thursday to help it bury the last vestige of the Soviet Union's ambitious space exploration program -- the record-breaking Mir space station. The unmanned Progress M1-5 vessel, one of the craft that were used to ferry food and water to Mir, will this time only carry enough fuel for its own engines to guide Mir out of orbit and into the Pacific Ocean. The rocket is due to blast off from Kazakhstan's windswept Baikonur cosmodrome at 0656 GMT. It is scheduled to dock four days later with the 130-tonunmanned space station. In early March, both will crash into the ocean. Space officials have said up to 40 tonnes of debris will reach the earth's surface at a speed high enough to smash through two meters (6.5 feet) of reinforced concrete. Russia has said it expects Mir to hit earth on March 5-6 but the precise date and time will depend on solar activity and the success of the Progress mission. If the automatic docking controlled from the earth fails, a Russian crew of Gennady Padalka and Nikolai Budarin is ready to take off in 12 days to guide the station out of orbit manually. This would end the 15-year history of Mir, whose first part was launched into orbit on February 20, 1986, with an originally designed life-span of just three years. Russia, struggling to overcome an economic crisis after almost a decade of steep recession, could not find $200 million needed to maintain the station. It decided in November to dump Mir into the ocean on its 15th birthday. Yuri Koptev, head of Russia's space and aviation agency, said last month there was little point in maintaining a station where cosmonauts spent 80 percent of their time on repairs. Cash-strapped Russia, where power cuts regularly plunge whole regions into darkness and many people use kerosene lamps and home-made stoves to survive the winter, has long regarded the station as an example of its technological genius. MANY RECORDS SET The station, visited by 28 long-term expeditions with a total of 106 cosmonauts, has set many records. Kazakh cosmonaut Talbat Musabayev spent more than 30 hours in one month working outside the station to secure his place in the Guinness Book of Records. Russian Sergei Avdeyev, who spent 747 days in space, remains the only cosmonaut in the world to have toasted the New Year three times in orbit. But Mir has also seen a number of frustrating glitches. In February 1997, fire broke out when cosmonauts tried to change an air filter. A few months later, Mir's energy supply fell dramatically after a Progress cargo craft hit it during docking and damaged its solar batteries. In September 1997, a computer failed, leaving Mir spinning aimlessly. Two years later, the station went into hibernation after Mission Control shut down its main computer by accident. After the dumping of Mir, Russia will focus on the ambitious $60 billion, 16-nation venture to build the International Space Station (ISS). But for many who remember the heyday of the Soviet space industry, when state funds were spent generously on the sector to dazzle the West with its achievements, the dumping of Mir will mean the end of an epoch. "Thursday's launch would have been nothing out of the ordinary if it wasn't aimed at guiding Mir out of its orbit," Nikolai Zelenshchikov, first deputy head of the Energiya corporation that runs Mir, told Reuters. "This is sad, but we understand that Mir's work must come to an end and we should then switch over to building the ISS."

Precocious Earth NASA Science News for January 17, 2001 Tiny zircon crystals found in ancient stream deposits suggest that Earth harbored continents and liquid water remarkably soon after our planet formed. Life could have established a foothold on Earth 400 million years earlier than expected. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast17jan_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Thursday, January 18, 2001 @ 0220 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ICE MAY HAVE FORMED MARTIAN CHANNELS ------------------------------------ Some channels on the surface of Mars believed to have been formed by running water may have instead been carved by streams of ice. Channels in one region of Mars share a number of key characteristics with those created by ice streams that flow beneath Antarctica's surface and empty into the surrounding oceans. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/18marsice/ U.S. WEATHER SATELLITE LAUNCH BUMPED TO SATURDAY ------------------------------------------------ A vintage Titan 2 rocket built in the 1960s is poised for a $430 million launch before sunrise Saturday from Central California carrying a crucial replacement global weather satellite for the U.S. military. The liftoff was delayed 24 hours so workers could replace a faulty cabling used in pre-flight rocket testing. http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/g9/preview.html CASSINI PROBE FAILS TO FIND LIGHTNING ON VENUS ---------------------------------------------- Space physicist Donald Gurnett says that a search for lightning on Venus in 1998 and 1999 using the Cassini spacecraft failed to detect high-frequency radio waves commonly associated with lightning. The possible existence of lightning at Venus has long been controversial. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/18cassvenus/ GLOBALSTAR ACTS TO ASSURE FUNDS FOR FURTHER OPERATIONS ------------------------------------------------------ Globalstar has announced that, in order to have sufficient funds available for the continued progress of its marketing and service activities, it has suspended indefinitely principal and interest payments on all of its funded debt and dividend payments on its preferred stock. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/18globalstar/ EXPERIMENTAL EUROPEAN SATELLITE SWITCHES ROCKETS ------------------------------------------------ Europe has officially dropped a previous agreement with Japan to launch the Artemis experimental communications satellite aboard the unproven H-2A rocket in favor of using an Ariane 5 booster. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/18artemis/

The Eastern U.S. Keeps Its Cool NASA Science News for January 18, 2001 While surface temperatures across most of the globe are on the rise, the eastern U.S. appears to be slowly cooling. Scientists say the trend could be a result of increasing cloud cover triggered by warming Pacific waters. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast18jan_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Friday, January 19, 2001 @ 0606 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now REMARKABLE NEW VIEWS CAPTURES OF ORION NEBULA --------------------------------------------- Orion the Hunter is perhaps the best known constellation in the sky, well placed in the evening at this time of the year for observers in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and instantly recognizable. The new pictures captured by astronomers are a must see! http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/19orion/ NUCLEAR ENGINE PROMISES TO SLASH TRAVEL TIMES TO MARS ----------------------------------------------------- A novel type of nuclear reactor could cut make it possible for spacecraft to travel from the Earth to Mars in as little as two weeks, one Israeli researcher has found. A little-known isotope of an artificially produced element could power future robotic or human spacecraft far more efficiently than chemical or other nuclear propulsion sources. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/19marsnuclear/ SPACE STATION CREW FACES TOUGH SCHEDULE --------------------------------------- An 18-day delay for the next space station assembly mission has thrown a wrench into the on-board crew's timeline, compressing an already busy schedule of work that must be completed before arrival of their replacements in early March, officials said Thursday. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010118issupdate/ LAUNCH OF PROGRESS FREIGHTER TO MIR SCRUBBED -------------------------------------------- Orientation troubles aboard the abandoned Russian space station Mir forced officials to scrub Thursday's planned launch of an unmanned freighter that will ultimately deorbit the outpost in March. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010118scrub/ TITAN ROCKET TO LAUNCH WEATHER SATELLITE SATURDAY ------------------------------------------------- The 26-hour countdown is scheduled to begin this morning at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California leading to Saturday's launch of a U.S. military weather satellite aboard a refurbished Titan 2 rocket booster. We will have live coverage launch! http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/g9/status.html STARDUST LOOKS DOWN ON MOON'S NORTH POLE ---------------------------------------------- Just after NASA's Stardust spacecraft successfully flew by the Earth on Monday to use the planet's gravity to change its orbit, the comet-bound probe took a series of images of the Moon to calibrate its onboard camera. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/19stardustlunar/ LEONIDS ROSE TO OCCASION, DESPITE BAD WEATHER --------------------------------------------- Read about the adventures and results of European astronomers as they attempted to image the Leonids meteors by splitting up into teams and working from different locations to create stereo observations. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/19leonids/ CASSINI SPACE PROBE JOURNEYS INTO JUPITER'S MAGNETOSPHERE --------------------------------------------------------- NASA's Cassini spacecraft shows that the craft recent was inside Jupiter's magnetosphere at the same time the Galileo probe flew within the vast surrounding environment of charged particles moving under the influence of the planet's magnetic field. This marks the first time humankind has placed two spacecraft within the magnetosphere of an outer planet at the same time. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/19jupmagnet/

Wow, Mirs finally coming down in March.

Yup - hope their aim is good!!! Layers of Mars Last year NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft spotted mysterious layered regions on Mars. If the layers are sedimentary deposits that formed underwater, as some scientists suspect, they could be the best places to hunt for elusive Martian fossils. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast23jan_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Friday, January 26, 2001 @ 0257 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now Sponsored by European AstroFest 2001 http://www.astronomynow.com/astrofest WORLD'S LARGEST HUMAN GATHERING SEEN FROM SPACE ----------------------------------------------- Space Imaging's Ikonos satellite has taken a detailed color photograph of the largest human gathering in the history of the world, the Maha Kumbh Mela, a spiritual event held every 144 years in Northern India. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/26ikonos/ NASA SETTLES ON NEW SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH SCHEDULE ------------------------------------------------- As expected, NASA managers Thursday agreed on a revised near-term shuttle launch schedule, delaying the next flight one day to February 7 and the flight after that from March 1 to March 8. Other downstream flights face delays of several weeks and two space station crew rotation missions are under review. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010125sked/ See our updated master timeline of Atlantis' flight: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/fdf/98plan.html OLD CARGO SHIP LEAVES MIR TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW ONE ------------------------------------------------- The Progress M43 cargo ship departed the Mir space station Thursday. The craft, which joined Mir last October, left from the Kvant-1 module to free up the docking port for arrival of Mir's deorbiting tug launched Wednesday. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010125progm43/ NASA CRAFT REVEALS EARTH'S INVISIBLE MAGNETIC TAIL -------------------------------------------------- The first large-scale pictures of the hidden machinations of the Earth's magnetic force-field are now available, including confirmation of a suspected but previously invisible "tail" of electrified gas. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/26image/ EUROPE'S SATELLITES TRACK CLIMATE CHANGES ----------------------------------------- In July an Ariane 5 launcher will send into orbit Europe's big new environmental satellite, Envisat. Scientists will expect fresh insights into how the world is changing from the 8-tonne spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/26esaearth/ SCIENTISTS RUSH TO PROPOSE PLUTO MISSION ---------------------------------------- On December 20, NASA announced that it would be soliciting proposals for a mission to the Pluto-Charon system and the Kuiper Belt beyond to arrive at Pluto by 2015. The formal announcement of opportunity was released January 19. Proposals are due on March 21. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/26plutorush/

Earth's Invisible Magnetic Tail NASA Science News for January 25, 2001 The first global views of our planet's magnetosphere, captured by NASA's IMAGE spacecraft, reveal a curious plasma tail that stretches toward the Sun. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast25jan_1.htm?list89800

Greening of the Red Planet A hardy microbe from Earth might one day transform the barren ground of Mars into arable soil. Scientists discussed the possibility at a recent NASA-sponsored conference FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast26jan_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Saturday, January 27, 2001 @ 0610 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now Sponsored by European AstroFest 2001 http://www.astronomynow.com/astrofest DEORBITING TUG ARRIVES AT SPACE STATION MIR ------------------------------------------- After a three-day chase, an unmanned cargo ship successfully reached Russia's space station Mir today, becoming most likely the last arrival from Earth to the outpost. The Progress M1-5 spacecraft, carrying propellant for Mir's deorbiting, docked to the station at 0534 GMT (12:34 a.m. EST). http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010127dock/ TECHNICAL SNAG HITS NASA'S MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR ----------------------------------------------- One of the orientation-controlling reaction wheels has failed aboard NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft in orbit around the Red Planet, the space agency says. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/27mgswheel/ ATLANTIS RETURNS TO PAD AFTER BOOSTER CHECKS -------------------------------------------- Space shuttle Atlantis is back on its seaside launch pad for the first human spaceflight of 2001. The shuttle was rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building on Friday after precautionary cable inspections on the spaceship's twin solid rocket boosters. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html BOEING'S DELTA 2 ROCKET TO FLY TUESDAY -------------------------------------- The first Delta rocket launch of 2001 is scheduled for early Tuesday from Cape Canaveral with a replacement Global Positioning System military navigation satellite onboard. http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d283/status.html AOL USERS --------- The links below should make it easier for AOL users to reach our stories. DEORBITING TUG ARRIVES AT SPACE STATION MIR TECHNICAL SNAG HITS NASA'S MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR ATLANTIS RETURNS TO PAD AFTER BOOSTER CHECKS BOEING'S DELTA 2 ROCKET TO FLY TUESDAY

NEWSALERT: Monday, January 29, 2001 @ 0226 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now Sponsored by European AstroFest 2001 http://www.astronomynow.com/astrofest DELTA 2 ROCKET POISED TO CARRY GPS SATELLITE -------------------------------------------- A Boeing Delta 2 rocket stands ready for an overnight liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Tuesday with a replacement NAVSTAR Global Positioning System military navigation spacecraft. We will have live coverage! http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d283/status.html Watch our live streaming Webcast: http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d283/live_qt.html 15 YEARS AFTER CHALLENGER ------------------------- On a bitterly cold January morning 15 years ago Sunday, space shuttle Challenger and her seven-member crew made a fateful voyage into history. Spaceflight Now marked the anniversary with a comprehensive timeline of the events of that day. (Includes video and audio clips) http://spaceflightnow.com/challenger/timeline/ ULYSSES SOLAR EXPLORER DETECTS MAGNETIC SHIFT --------------------------------------------- An intriguing change in the Sun's magnetic field has been spotted by the solar probe Ulysses. Although the shift had been previously known by scientists, this is the first time the event has been detected by a spacecraft out of the elliptic plane of the solar system, where all planets but Pluto orbit. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/28ulysses/ VIRTUAL RAINS HERALD DAWN OF NEW CLIMATE UNDERSTANDING ------------------------------------------------------ Weather prediction is hard enough. But what are the possibilities for predicting events related to weather? With new tools being developed at Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA's ever increasing suite of Earth observations, scientists just might be on the road to estimating future weather-related incidents. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/29virtualrain/ COMPANIES JOIN FORCES TO CREATE 2ND GENERATION RLV -------------------------------------------------- Kelly Space and Vought Aircraft Industries jointly announced last week that the two companies had signed a teaming agreement and submitted proposals to develop, in cooperation with NASA, a 2nd Generation Reusable Space Launch Vehicle. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/28sli/ NEXT ARIANE 4 ROCKET IS ON THE LAUNCH PAD ------------------------------------------ A pair of European military communications satellites are almost ready to take to the skies aboard an Ariane 4 launch vehicle that is currently undergoing final tests at its South American launch pad. http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v139/status.html 'PSEUDOGYRO' CAN SAVE SATELLITES FROM FAILURE --------------------------------------------- Software developed by The Aerospace Corporation can save satellites from failure, extend the on-orbit life of satellites with ailing hardware gyros, and save large sums of money in insurance costs, among other benefits. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/29pseudogyro/

Wow, a new shuttle (rlv? is that like an suv?) wonder what it will look like?

From the drawings I have seen, it looks very much like the current one but more swept-back angle to the tail. High-latitude Aurora Warning Space Weather News for January 30, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com A coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on Sunday could buffet Earth's magnetosphere late Tuesday or perhaps Wednesday. Sky watchers at higher latitudes (including places like Canada, Alaska, and the northern tier of US states) should be alert for auroras after local nightfall for the next two days. For more information please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 @ 0647 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now Sponsored by European AstroFest 2001 http://www.astronomynow.com/astrofest PIN-POINTING BLACK HOLES IN DISTANT GALAXIES -------------------------------------------- The most detailed images ever made of faint, distant radio galaxies, located billions of light years from Earth, reveal that many of them harbor central massive black holes. It adds further support to the belief that super-massive black holes are inextricably linked with the way galaxies formed in the early universe. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/31pinpoint/ ASTRONOMERS TAKE THE PULSE OF A SUN-LIKE STAR --------------------------------------------- A team of astronomers has precisely measured the 'throbbing' of a Sun-like star that lies 24 light-years away. The slow 'pulse rate' of the star confirms ideas of what the Sun will be like a few billion years from now. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/31pulsating/ CASSINI UNCOVERS JUPITER'S MAGNETIC BUBBLE ------------------------------------------ NASA's Cassini space probe had made the huge magnetosphere surrounding Jupiter visible in a way no previous spacecraft has been able to do. The magnetosphere is a bubble of charged particles trapped within the magnetic environment of the planet. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/31jupmag/ X-RAY VIEW INTO A STARBURST --------------------------- Luminous starburst galaxies are where a lot of young stars are currently forming. They come in different varieties including those where creation is concentrated at its nucleus and activity at the center is so intense that fantastic 'bubbles' are created giving rise to streams of hot gas, or 'superwinds'. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/31starburst/ THE FIRST 'RINGED MOLECULE' FOUND AROUND STARS ---------------------------------------------- Life as we know it is based on the ability of the carbon atom to form ring-shaped molecules. But rings of carbon are not exclusive to Earth, as experts in space chemistry now know. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/31ringed/

The Solar Wind at Mars NASA Science News for January 31, 2001 Scientists think Mars once had a thicker atmosphere than it does today, perhaps even comparable to Earth's. But where did all that Martian air go? New evidence from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft supports a long-held suspicion that much of the Red Planet's atmosphere was simply blown away -- by the solar wind. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast31jan_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 @ 1200 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now Sponsored by European AstroFest 2001 http://www.astronomynow.com/astrofest BOEING DELTA 2 ROCKET LOFTS ANOTHER GPS SATELLITE ------------------------------------------------- Exactly ten years after the U.S. military troops reaped the benefits from the Global Positioning System while fighting the Gulf War in featureless deserts, a new satellite was launched into orbit today to keep the constellation going. http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d283/ Also see our Mission Status Center: http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d283/status.html BUILDING BLOCKS FOR LIFE MAY HAVE COME FROM OUTER SPACE ------------------------------------------------------- The chemical building blocks necessary for the formation of life on Earth, as well as rudimentary structures that could have been the basis for the first cells, may have come from outer space, one group of scientists has concluded. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/30spacelife/ CHANDRA SEES MULTITUDE OF NEW STARS FORMING NEARBY -------------------------------------------------- NGC 3603 is a bustling region of star birth in the Carina spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy, about 20,000 light-years from Earth. For the first time, this Chandra image resolves the multitude of individual X-ray sources in this star-forming region. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/30chandra/ MIR IN STABLE MODE AS DISCARDED FREIGHTER REENTERS -------------------------------------------------- The Progress M43 cargo spacecraft, which undocked from Russia's space station Mir last week, reentered Earth's atmosphere Monday where it burned up. The supply ship was replaced with a fresh craft over the weekend that carries the fuel needed to deorbit Mir in March. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010129progm43/ GALILEO WRAPPING UP JOVIAN MAGNETOSPHERE STUDY ---------------------------------------------- This week, Galileo winds down on its 14-week-long successful collaboration with the Cassini spacecraft to study the influence of the solar wind on the Jovian magnetosphere. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/30galileothisweek/ NASA NAMES STS-108 SHUTTLE MISSION ASTRONAUTS --------------------------------------------- Astronauts have begun training for the STS-108/Utilization Flight-1 mission to rotate International Space Station crews and to deliver experiments and scientific racks for the station's U.S. Laboratory, Destiny. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0101/30sts108crew/

I was reading yesterday that a New York museum has de-classified Pluto, stripping it of planetary status. Apparently Pluto is twice as big as the next biggest asteroid in the Kuiper Belt (not sure of my terms here, memory plays trick), but only about an eighth as big as Uranus. So the museum's exhibit shows only 8 planets, and they reckon Pluto will be "happier as the king of the Kuiper Belt rather than the smallest, furthest planet". Who even knew that asteroids orbited the sun beyond the planets? Not me.

I was reading yesterday that a New York museum has de-classified Pluto, stripping it of planetary status. WOT? New Yorkers! They seem to think they are the center of the world. ;-) I don't think Astrologers will dare remove Pluto from natal charts.

Astronomers have considered Pluto an escaped Uranian moon for years... Astrologers are in an entirely different universe from astronomers...are they not??? Hubble gives preview to death of our Sun NEWSALERT: Thursday, February 1, 2001 @ 0602 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now Sponsored by European AstroFest 2001 http://www.astronomynow.com/astrofest ANT-LIKE SPACE STRUCTURE PREVIEWS DEATH OF OUR SUN -------------------------------------------------- This dramatic Hubble Space Telescope image, showing 10 times more detail than ground-based views, reveals the "ant nebula" -- a dying, Sun-like star. Hubble directly challenges old ideas about the last stages in the lives of stars. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/01hubble/ JUPITERS MAY BE CRITICAL IN FORMING HABITABLE WORLDS ---------------------------------------------------- If you're looking for solar systems with Earth-like planets that could harbor life, one scientist believes you should first look for planets with the mass and orbit of Jupiter that could nurture smaller worlds. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/01habitable/ MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR COMPLETES PRIME MISSION -------------------------------------------- NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft, which has collected more information about the red planet than all previous missions combined, completed its primary science mission Wednesday and now begins a new era of continued exploration. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/01mgs/ SOLID ROCKET BOOSTER MAKERS MERGE AS ALLIANT BUYS THIOKOL --------------------------------------------------------- Rocket motor maker Alliant Techsystems announced Wednesday it had reached an agreement to purchase Thiokol Propulsion for $685 million in cash. Alliant builds the solid-fueled boosters for Delta, Titan 4B, Pegasus and Taurus rockets; Thiokol manufactures the space shuttle solid rocket boosters. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/01alliant/ JET PROPULSION LABORATORY GETS NEW LEADER ----------------------------------------- Dr. Charles Elachi has been named the new director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, replacing Dr. Edward C. Stone effective May 1. Elachi has served in a variety of research and management positions at JPL since 1971. Most recently, he has been director for space and Earth science programs. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/01jplchief/

NEWSALERT: Saturday, February 3, 2001 @ 1844 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now TAKE A PEEK AT THE RED PLANET'S FRETTED TERRAIN ----------------------------------------------- Martian "fretted terrain" occurs in regions of buttes and mesas that stand at the erosional margin where northern low-lying plains meet the higher-standing cratered uplands. Found mostly in the mid-northern latitudes, some of the best examples of fretted terrain occur in Deuteronilus Mensae, as seen here. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/03mgslyot/ SPACESUIT CONCERN ARISES AS ATLANTIS NEARS LAUNCH ------------------------------------------------- Two EVA spacesuits packed aboard space shuttle Atlantis will have to be replaced before launch next week after concerns were raised about their integrity. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html COMET COLLISIONS: ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVED? ------------------------------------------- Recurring collisions between comets during the solar system's formation may have ground smaller comets to bits, leaving only big comets larger than 20 kilometers (12 miles) to survive. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/03oort/ CLUSTER 2 CLEARED FOR SCIENTIFIC WORK -------------------------------------- Cluster's unique mission formally got under way this week when the European Space Agency Commissioning Review Board gave unanimous approval for the start of scientific operations. Cluster's mission is to explore the magnetosphere - the region of space dominated by Earth's magnetic field. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/03cluster/

I heard on NPRs Earth and Sky this morning that the red dwarf stars, which are 80% of the stars in the Universe, are extrememly low energy. This is why we can't see even the closest one, Proxima Centauri. But they've revised the view that they could have planets with life, now they believe it's possible for life supporting planets to revolve around the red dwarfs. It was in interesting commentary.

Fascinating! I think I posted something about it back a few or on Geo 24 NEWSALERT: Monday, February 5, 2001 @ 0601 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now STATION'S DESTINY RIDES ON LABORATORY ATTACHMENT ------------------------------------------------ The shuttle Atlantis is set for launch Wednesday on a critical mission to deliver the $1.38 billion U.S. laboratory module, Destiny, to the international space station, finally clearing the way for the start of orbital research later this year. Read our comprehensive six-part mission preview report: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010204preview/ ASTRONAUTS FLY TO FLORIDA, COUNTDOWN BEGINS ------------------------------------------- With the five-member crew of space shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center, the launch team inside Complex 39's Firing Room 3 started the countdown on schedule Sunday night leading to liftoff at 6:11 p.m. EST (2311 GMT) on Wednesday. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html See our countdown timeline chart: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/fdf/98countdown.html NASA OPENS SPACE STATION SCIENCE COMMAND POST --------------------------------------------- The command and control center for scientific research aboard the international space station is open for business. The science command post linking Earth-bound researchers with their experiments and astronauts in orbit was commissioned Friday during ceremonies at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/04isspoc/ SAND DUNES LOOK LIKE SHARKS' TEETH IN MARS CRATER ------------------------------------------------- Sometimes, pictures received from Mars Global Surveyor's Mars Orbiter Camera are "just plain pretty." This image, taken in early September 2000, shows a group of sand dunes at the edge of a much larger field of dark-toned dunes in Proctor Crater. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/04mgsshark/ HUYGENS RELAY LINK MYSTERY FULLY UNRAVELLED ------------------------------------------- A special calibration test is being conducted with the Huygens receivers on board the Saturn-bound Cassini spacecraft. The test results will provide a solid engineering basis for the design of new mission scenarios which can recover the Huygens relay link performance following a problem uncovered previously. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/04huygens/

Carbonated Mars NASA Science News for February 5, 2001 Here on Earth the only way to make carbonate rocks is with the aid of liquid water. Finding such rocks on Mars might prove, once and for all, that the barren Red Planet was once warm and wet. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast04feb_1.htm?list89800

Aren't there supposed to be signs on Mars of terrain forms which could only have been created by water erosion.

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, February 7, 2001 @ 0538 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now LAUNCH DAY ARRIVES FOR ATLANTIS AND DESTINY LAB ----------------------------------------------- The trouble-free countdown continues at Kennedy Space Center as Atlantis nears its sunset launch today at 6:11 p.m. EST (2311 GMT), but weather at overseas emergency landing sites could be a stumbling block in getting the shuttle airborne with the Destiny laboratory module for the international space station. We will have extensive live coverage starting at 9:30 a.m. EST (1430 GMT) today! http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html Read our six-part mission preview report: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010204preview/ SPECTACULAR LAYERS OF MARS EXPOSED IN BECQUEREL CRATER ------------------------------------------------------ Toward the end of its primary mapping mission, NASA's Mars Global Surveyor acquired one of its most spectacular pictures of layered sedimentary rock exposed within the ancient crater Becquerel. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/07mgsbecquerel/ ARIANE 4 POISED FOR TONIGHT'S MILITARY MISSION ---------------------------------------------- Two European military communications satellites are stacked atop the most powerful version of Arianespace's Ariane 4 rocket for liftoff today from the jungle launch pad in Kourou, French Guiana. http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v139/status.html TITANIC COLLISION SEEN IN DISTANT UNIVERSE ------------------------------------------ A student astronomer in Australia has discovered the "wreckage" of a vast collision between two giant clusters of galaxies. The finding changes scientists' views of how clusters and individual galaxies evolve. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/07collide/ NASA PICKS BOEING DELTA 2 TO LAUNCH WEATHER SATELLITE ----------------------------------------------------- NASA has exercised a contract option to launch the NOAA-N polar-orbiting weather satellite aboard a Boeing Delta 2 rocket in January 2003 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/07noaan/

NEWSALERT: Thursday, February 8, 2001 @ 0740 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now LIFTOFF OF ATLANTIS! -------------------- Putting on a dramatic sunset sky show, the shuttle Atlantis blasted off and rocketed away after the international space station Wednesday, carrying a $1.4 billion module that will serve as the station's main laboratory and central control center. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010207launch/ Watch our Mission Status Center for live updates: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html EUROPE'S ARIANE 4 CARRIES OUT MILITARY MISSION ---------------------------------------------- Arianespace launched its first double military payload Wednesday, lofting a pair of communications relay satellites for the British and Italian defense ministries. http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v139/ U.S. COMMERCIAL SPACE INDUSTRY WORTH $61 BILLION ------------------------------------------------ The American commercial space industry generated $61.3 billion in direct and indirect economic effects in 1999, putting it on a par with many existing conventional industries, a new federal study concluded Wednesday. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/08faaforecast/ CONGRESS' SPACE POLICY: SUPPORTIVE BUT CAUTIOUS ----------------------------------------------- While the new Congress and the new President are both strong supporters of NASA and space exploration, don't except any major new initiatives from either in the immediate future, a key Congressman cautioned Tuesday. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/07congspace/ WHY DAZZLING STARS ARE GIVEN BORING BUT USEFUL NAMES ---------------------------------------------------- Of the 100 billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy, only a handful have colorful names, while the rest are designated by letters and numbers that are the stellar equivalent of a Social Security card. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/08naming/

NEWSALERT: Friday, February 9, 2001 @ 0411 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ATLANTIS TO RENDEZVOUS WITH SPACE STATION TODAY ----------------------------------------------- Space shuttle Atlantis is nearing the completion of its two-day pursuit to catch the international space station with the orbital linkup scheduled for 1650 GMT (11:50 a.m. EST) today. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010209dock/ Live coverage of docking: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html OLD BROWN DWARF-LIKE STARS DISCOVERED ------------------------------------- Astronomers have discovered a kind of star never previously observed. These small, cool stars look superficially like brown dwarfs but are actually the remnants of ordinary stars that have been whittled down to cool Jupiter-sized bodies over billions of years by spilling material over to a white dwarf companion star. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/09dwarf/ X-33 ENGINES PASS TEST ---------------------- Qualification test firings of the unique engines designed to propel America's X-33 space plane into high-speed, suborbital flight in 2003 began Tuesday at NASA's Stennis Space Center. The ignition test went the full scheduled duration of 1.1 seconds with no observed anomalies. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/09aerospike/ SPACE VIEWS OF EL SALVADOR SAVE LIVES AFTER EARTHQUAKE ------------------------------------------------------ Digital damage maps derived from satellite images are helping the teams clearing up after the disastrous earthquake in El Salvador. For the second time in a few short weeks, the recently-signed 'Charter on Disaster Relief' has swung into action to bring the satellite resources of the European, French and Canadian space agencies. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/09spot/

What did you think about the red dwarf reassessment, Marci?

Not sure. It will be an interesting and lively intellectual discourse as they try to sort out the what-ifs and where-ases of the theory. Since our sun is headed in that direction in another few billion years, it may be of some relevance. Here is something I refuse to take the blame for: Global Warming on Mars NASA Science News for February 9, 2001 Artificial greenhouse gases that are bad news on Earth could provide the means to make Mars a more comfortable place for humans to live. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast09feb_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, February 6, 2001 @ 0521 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SECRETS OF THE MARTIAN NOACHIAN HIGHLANDS ----------------------------------------- Among the most exciting places that the Mars Global Surveyor's Mars Orbiter Camera has photographed during its three and a half years in orbit has been this crater in central Noachis Terra. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/06mgsnoachis/ ATLANTIS COUNTDOWN ROLLS ON --------------------------- The countdown ticked along smoothly at Kennedy Space Center on Monday as engineers focused on loading Atlantis' three power-generating fuel cells. With a favorable weather forecast, the shuttle remains set for blastoff at 6:11 p.m. EST (2311 GMT) on Wednesday. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html See our complete STS-98 mission coverage: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/ TITAN 4 ROCKET COULD LAUNCH NEXT TUESDAY AT EARLIEST ---------------------------------------------------- A puzzling problem with a guidance computer is keeping a U.S. Air Force Titan 4B rocket and its sophisticated communications satellite cargo grounded at Cape Canaveral, Florida. http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/b41/010205inu.html ATLAS 3B AND PROTON ROCKETS PICKED BY ECHOSTAR ---------------------------------------------- The rockets that will loft the next two EchoStar direct-to-home TV broadcasting satellites were picked Monday and the joint U.S.-Russian venture International Launch Services won both contracts. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/06echostar/ ARIANE 4 PREPPED FOR ALL-MILITARY LAUNCH ---------------------------------------- Arianespace officials have cleared Ariane 4 rocket with a pair of European military communications satellite for launch on Wednesday evening at 2228 GMT (5:28 p.m. EST), the opening of a one-hour window. Liftoff will take place from ELA-2 at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v139/status.html

The Atlantis launch was really spectacular Wednesday. The con trail was colored almost like a rainbow. It seemed to go up faster this time.

It was stunning and I hope they make a poster out of it as it crossed the terminator and into sunset and full daylight as it rose. Did you see it go up, Lucie? How envious I am!!! Halo Coronal Mass Ejection Space Weather News for February 11, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com A beautiful coronal mass ejection billowed away from the Sun early Sunday. Although the bulk of the explosion was directed away from Earth, it appears that some of the ejecta is nevertheless heading our way. The edge of the expanding cloud will likely reach Earth on Tuesday and could trigger auroras at high latitudes. For more information, including movies of the event, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com.

NEWSALERT: Monday, February 12, 2001 @ 0237 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now PROBE TO ATTEMPT FIRST LANDING ON ASTEROID TODAY ------------------------------------------------ NASA's $223 million mission to get up-close and personal with an asteroid goes out with what could very well amount to a bang as the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft heads for an unprecedented landing on Eros today. http://spaceflightnow.com/near/status.html Tune into our live Webcast of the landing: http://spaceflightnow.com/near/live_qt.html SHUTTLE DOCKING PORT TO BE ADDED TO DESTINY TODAY ------------------------------------------------- Atlantis' spacewalking astronauts Tom Jones and Bob Curbeam plan to step outside the shuttle again on Monday to lend a hand attaching a cone-shaped docking port to the newly-installed Destiny lab. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010212fd6/ We will have live updates throughout the spacewalk: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html NASA DELIGHTED BY SMOOTH DESTINY LAB ACTIVATION ----------------------------------------------- The Atlantis astronauts and the international space station's three-man crew floated into the $1.4 billion Destiny module for the first time Sunday and sailed through the new laboratory's initial activation and check out. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010211fd5/index2.html LAUNCHES OF XM RADIO SATELLITES SHUFFLED ---------------------------------------- Sea Launch has decided to flip-flop the flights of its Zenit 3SL rocket carrying the two broadcasting spacecraft for XM Satellite Radio in the continuing wake of an aborted countdown January 8. http://spaceflightnow.com/sealaunch/xm1/status.html

Wow, live webcast of the Eros asteroid landing. What time?

NEAR Spacecraft Leaves Orbit to Land on Asteroid LAUREL, Md. (Reuters) - Space probe NEAR Shoemaker left its yearlong orbit of monster asteroid Eros and headed toward the big rock's surface on Monday, the first time any craft tried to land on this kind of cosmic object. "We're on a flight path now that will take us to the surface," mission Director Bob Farquhar said in an update from the project's headquarters outside Washington. The bus-sized spacecraft was never meant to land -- it orbited the 21-mile-long asteroid for a year, taking some 160,000 images and beaming them back to Earth -- but it was at the end of its expected life and had satisfied all its objectives, so Farquhar and others decided a landing attempt could provide some "bonus science." To get the solar-powered ship out of its 21-mile-high orbit, thrusters were fired around 10:31 a.m. EST to send it toward the asteroid. Four more burns were scheduled to slow NEAR to what scientists hoped would be a soft landing. The landing was scheduled for about 3 p.m. EST, but because it will take 17.5 minutes for light to travel the 196 million miles from the craft to Earth, scientists at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel said they would not have much information at the exact instant of touchdown. NEAR Shoemaker -- short for Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous and in honor of the late astronomer Gene Shoemaker -- was supposed to come down to Eros at a leisurely speed of from 2 to 7 mph. However, if things went awry during the complicated maneuver, the landing could be much faster and much harder. The craft could be flattened on impact. If all went as planned, however, NEAR would take images as it edged closer to Eros and send them back to Earth, as it has since it first started orbiting the asteroid on Valentine's Day 2000. When it landed, NEAR could hit one of the huge boulders that dot the asteroid's surface, or become buried in one of the so-called sand ponds. Or it could go into "ostrich mode" and turn its antenna toward the surface and away from Earth, and never be heard from again. It took NEAR about four years to travel a 2 billion-mile, looping route to Eros, named for the Greek god of love. At a cost of $223 million, the mission is considered a model for the cheaper, faster space flights envisioned by NASA. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has already rated the mission a success for the data it has collected about Eros, a so-called near-Earth asteroid that has the potential to collide with the planet in 1.5 million years or so. If Eros ever did hit Earth, the results would be catastrophic; indeed, a much smaller space rock is thought to have been responsible for wiping out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Astronomers were also interested in the composition of this rock because it is probably a remnant from the formation of the rocky inner planets of our solar system some 4.5 billion years ago.

NEAR Spacecraft Lands on Asteroid COLUMBIA, Md. (AP) - The NEAR spacecraft touched down on the barren, rocky surface of Eros, successfully completing history's first landing on an asteroid. NEAR's landing at about 3:05 p.m. EST Monday was confirmed when Mission Control received a beacon signal from the craft resting on the surface of Eros, some 196 million miles from Earth. ``I am happy to report that the NEAR has touched down,'' said Robert Farquhar, mission director. ``We are still getting signals. It is still transmitting from the surface.'' Engineers watching from monitors from Mission Control broke into applause at confirmation of history's first landing of a manmade object on an asteroid. The mission, controlled by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, also was the first into deep space operated by a non-NASA center. NEAR flawless performed five rocket firings, starting Monday morning, to drop it out of a 15-mile orbit of Eros and slow it toward the surface. Early indications are that Mission control completed its plan to guide NEAR to a feather-like touchdown by slowing its velocity, relative to the surface of the asteroid, to about the speed of a fast walk, 3 to 5 miles an hour. The landing completes a five-year, 2-billion-mile mission for the robot craft and boosts the technical experience in putting spacecraft on objects with extremely light gravity. ``This gives us a lot of practice,'' said Ed Weiler, NASA's chief scientist. ``We'll eventually want to land on comets because they hold the clues to beginnings.'' Weiler said the experience gained in the NEAR landing attempt on Eros can be applied in about a decade when NASA may launch a landing mission to a comet. NEAR became the first spacecraft to orbit an asteroid when it arrived at Eros, an object named for the Greek god of love, on Valentine's Day last year. The mission had been scheduled to end on Wednesday, anniversary of achieving orbit. Farquhar said it was decided to attempt the landing to squeeze a final bit of science out of the $223 million mission. No matter how the landing attempt ended, Weiler said, earlier, NEAR was ``a total success. It returned 10 times more data than expected.'' Officials targeted NEAR to land on Eros at the edge of a deep depression called Himeros. Scientists picked this spot because it is thought to be on the edge of two different geologic formations. During the final hours of its descent, NEAR furiously took pictures of Eros' surface as it drew closer and closer. Scientists hoped the final shots before impact would clearly show rocks as small as a fist, an unprecedented close-up view of an asteroid. ``In those final images, we'll be seeing objects that are just a few inches in resolution,'' said Andrew Cheng, chief project scientist of NEAR. Farquhar had warned in advance that landing NEAR n Eros is exquisitely ``tricky.'' NEAR was not designed to land anywhere. Shaped like tin can attached to four solar panels, the craft was not equipped with wheels or braces to absorb the landing force. Weiler commented, ``This is not a landing. It is a controlled crash.'' Eros has very light gravity, about one-thousandth that of Earth, which means that an object, such as NEAR, weighing 1,100 pounds on Earth, would weigh only slightly over a pound in the gravity field of Eros. A quarter, dropped from head-high on Eros, would take five seconds to fall to the surface. Weiler said the final descent of NEAR was actually slower than the asteroid's rotation and there was risk that the spinning space rock could actually swat the craft back into orbit. NEAR traveled more than 2 billion miles during its five-year mission. It was launched Feb. 17, 1996, into an independent solar orbit. NEAR swung by the Earth once to pick up speed and then streaked outward toward Eros, an asteroid in an elongated orbit that nears Mars and approaches Earth's orbit. In December 1998, a rocket firing designed to put the craft into orbit of Eros failed and NEAR sped past the asteroid. A second rocket firing series was successful and the spacecraft eventually returned to Eros and slipped into history's first orbit of an asteroid. The craft spent the last year snapping photos of Eros, second- largest of the asteroids that approach the Earth's orbit. The NEAR instruments also gathered information about the asteroid's composition, structure, size and shape. NEAR was built and operated under a faster-better-cheaper space exploration philosophy developed at NASA. Under the direction and control of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the spacecraft was designed, built and launched in just 26 months. Some deep space explorations have taken a decade or more to mount. NEAR is also the first deep-space mission to be operated by a non-NASA space center. On the Net: Mission site: http://near.jhuapl.edu/media/index.html

NEWSALERT: Monday, February 12, 2001 @ 2100 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NEAR SHOEMAKER SURVIVES ASTEROID LANDING ---------------------------------------- The NEAR Shoemaker probe is apparently alive and well after touching down on the surface of asteroid Eros today. The spacecraft returned remarkable close up views of the asteroid's surface as it swooped down to its historic landing. Check our home page for the latest news and pictures. http://spaceflightnow.com/

Pretty neat, they landed a craft not designed to land and a beacon kept sending back signals. The close ups are very clear and show some good size boulders ona very solid asteroid, not a pile of rubble or block of ice.

Looks amazing, doesn't it?! I NEED a litle piece for my collection!!! NEWSALERT: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 @ 0439 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NEAR PROBE MAKES HISTORIC LANDING ON ASTEROID EROS -------------------------------------------------- NASA's $223 million mission NEAR Showmaker spacecraft made an unprecedented landing on the surface of asteroid Eros Monday, returning spectacular pictures on the way down. Check our home page for the latest news, pictures and video. http://spaceflightnow.com/ ASTRONAUTS SAIL THROUGH 2ND SUCCESSFUL SPACEWALK ------------------------------------------------ The Atlantis astronauts staged a near-perfect spacewalk Monday, connecting a shuttle docking port to the $1.4 billion Destiny laboratory module, installing a mounting fixture for a new robot arm and opening the lab's picture window on the world. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010212fd6/index2.html Latest updates in our status center: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html EXPERIMENTS TO STUDY FAILURES ON SMALL SATELLITE ------------------------------------------------ NASA experiments on a small British satellite are studying the effects of radiation on the various systems that make up each experiment. To yield this information, engineers are actually hoping for the components to fail. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/13strv/ GALILEO PLAYING BACK RECORDED OBSERVATIONS ------------------------------------------ It is going to be a relatively quiet week for the Galileo spacecraft. On Friday, the spacecraft performs standard maintenance on its propulsion systems. Other than that, playback of the data stored on the on-board tape recorder continues. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/12galileothisweek/

The Sun Does a Flip NASA Science News for February 15, 2001 NASA scientists who monitor the Sun say that our star's awesome magnetic field is flipping -- a sure sign that solar maximum is here. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast15feb_1.htm?list89800

I am waiting, not so patiently for the pictures the camera will send back from the asteroid. They had better success there than on Mars and this one wasn't intended to be.

I agree, Lucie!!! NEWSALERT: Friday, February 16, 2001 @ 1800 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ATLANTIS DEPARTS STATION AFTER FLAWLESS LAB DELIVERY ---------------------------------------------------- The shuttle Atlantis undocked from the international space station today, leaving the outpost behind with a new $1.4 billion laboratory module and some 3,000 pounds of equipment and supplies. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010216undock/index2.html See our status center coverage of the mission: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html CHANDRA FINDS MOST DISTANT X-RAY GALAXY CLUSTER ----------------------------------------------- The most distant X-ray cluster of galaxies yet has been found by astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Approximately 10 billion light years from Earth, the cluster 3C294 is 40 percent farther than the next most distant X-ray galaxy cluster previously known. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/16chandra/ MARTIAN SEDIMENTARY ROCK FOUND IN UNLIKELY PLACE ------------------------------------------------ Although most of the best examples of layered sedimentary rock seen on Mars are found at equatorial and sub-tropical latitudes, a few locations seen at mid- and high-latitudes suggest that layered rocks are probably more common than we can actually see from orbit. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/16mgsspall/ FIRST CANADIAN ASTRONAUT GETS A PROMOTION ----------------------------------------- The Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency has announced the appointment of astronaut Marc Garneau as Executive Vice-President of the CSA. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/16garneau/ LAUNCH SCHEDULE --------------- Keep up-to-date with planned space shuttle and rocket launches from around the globe with our Worldwide Launch Schedule page http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/

SEMI-LIVE PICTURES FROM EROS ASTEROID http://near-mirror.boulder.swri.edu/iod/descent_image/image.jpg

Weekend Aurora Watch Space Weather News for Friday, Feb. 16, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com SOHO coronagraphs spotted a full-halo solar coronal mass ejection on Thursday that appears to be Earth-bound. The expanding cloud will likely reach our planet during the weekend and could trigger geomagnetic activity when it arrives. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for possible auroras. Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, NASA scientists say the Sun's enormous magnetic field is flipping! For more information please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

=========================================================== SKY & TELESCOPE'S NEWS BULLETIN - FEBRUARY 16, 2001 =========================================================== For images and Web links for these items, visit http://www.skypub.com =========================================================== "Astronomy: An Immersive Journey Through the Universe" is set of CD-ROMs that makes astronomy accessible to beginners and delivers the high accuracy required by serious astronomy enthusiasts. Use it to chart the positions of more than a million objects, take more than 60 expertly narrated tours, and enjoy thousands of graphics and photos. To order your copy for $29.95, visit Sky Publishing's online store (http://store.skypub.com/skypub/default.asp?links=REDAC) or call 800-253-0245. =========================================================== NEAR AND EROS MEET Although given no better than a 1-in-100 chance of survival, the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft thumped onto the dusty, boulder-strewn surface of minor planet 433 Eros on Monday and lived to tell about it. The spacecraft continued to broadcast to Earth after touching down at an estimated 1.5 meters per second at 3:05 p.m. EST (20:05 Universal Time). As mission personnel looked on anxiously, NASA tracking stations in California and Spain continued to receive a low-power signal (but no data) after the first-ever landing on a small solar-system body. The landing sequence began about 4 hours earlier, as a rocket firing forced NEAR-Shoemaker out of its 35-kilometer-high orbit and sent it on a collision course with Eros. Four more rocket firings, beginning at altitude of 5 km, slowed the craft during its 47-minute freefall. Engineering data and altitude measurements showed that the spacecraft descended to the surface just as planned, perhaps bouncing once before settling down tipped to one side and resting on the corners of two solar-cell panels. The touchdown site is on the shoulder of Himeros, a broad depression in the southern hemisphere. NEAR Shoemaker's onboard camera radioed more than 50 pictures as the surface drew closer. The landscape looked smooth and dust-covered for the most part, peppered with myriad boulders ranging from house- to fist-size. But mission scientists were most surprised by the lack of small impacts. "We are absolutely amazed by the absence of small, fresh craters," exclaimed imaging-team leader Joseph Veverka, as well as by numerous shallow sinkhole-like depressions. The final frame, taken from a height of 125 m, showed an area 6 m wide and revealed details only about 1 centimeter across. NASA had intended to cease tracking the spacecraft on February 14th, when the mission was to officially end. However, since the spacecraft survived, it has been granted a reprieve as scientists try to glean more useful data from the probe. LIFE UNDER FROZEN MARTIAN LAKES? The Antarctic lake Vostok, has received much attention for being an analog to the Europan surface. Scientist believe that the lake, covered by nearly 4 kilometers of ice, closely resembled the proposed ocean on Jupiter's frozen moon. Both bodies of water seemed to have formed by geothermal heating, and because the ice above is so thick, both seas remained sealed from sunlight and air for millions of years. Thus, if life exists in Lake Vostok (drilling missions have yet to reach the liquid layer), it's plausible that life could also exist on Europa. However, scientists now believe that Vostok better resembles another planet suspected of once harboring life: Mars. Natalia Duxbury (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and her colleagues suggest that Vostok did not form by geothermal heating after all. Instead models of Vostok created by the researchers imply that the Antarctic lake was originally an open body of water that froze over between 5 and 30 million years ago. And as such, any life found inside the lake would be older than the Antarctic ice sheet. This model bares a striking resemblance to the red planet. The Martian north pole is known to be covered with ice. However, Mars's axial tilt has changed dramatically throughout the planet's lifetime and the current polar regions were once much warmer. Therefore it is easy to assume that sometime in Martian history, the poles, like Duxbury's model of Vostok, were once open bodies of water that later froze over. Assuming life was present while Vostok was an exposed lake, and assuming life is seen the lake today, it seems possible that if life existed in an ancient Martian polar lake, it may still be there too. The European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter, scheduled for launch in 2003, will examine the Martian poles for buried liquid water. A similar experiment will eventually be flown to Europa as well. Details of the study can be found in the January 25th Journal of Geophysical Research. PLUTO'S PALETTE REVEALED During the 1980s Pluto and its satellite Charon repeatedly passed in front of and behind one another as seen from Earth, a fortuitous series of "mutual events" whose light curves allowed astronomers to create crude maps of Pluto's surface. The maps showed that the half of Pluto facing Charon was distinctly pink with a broad, dark belt girding its midsection. Theorists surmised that the planet's equatorial zone contained reddish organic byproducts derived from the frosts of nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide that cover the adjacent brighter regions. However, when Eliot F. Young (Southwest Research Institute), Richard F. Binzel (MIT), and Colorado high-school student Keenan Crane analyzed four mutual events recorded in both blue and yellow light, they got an unexpected surprise: the dark band actually consists of separate blue and yellowish red regions. As the trio of researchers report in the January issue of Astronomical Journal, these variegations may indicate that bluish frosts are mixed with dark material in varying amounts or that the equatorial belt has received different amounts of heat and radiation to drive the organic reactions in the icy surface. COMET MCNAUGHT-HARTLEY HIGH IN HERCULES Comet McNaught-Hartley (C/1999 T1) is still moving north, reaching yet higher in the morning sky for the Northern Hemisphere. The 8th-magnitude comet rises around 11 p.m. for midnorthern latitudes and is an easy target for binoculars as it moves through Hercules this coming week. By the first light of dawn, the comet will be about 65 deg. above the eastern horizon. Here are positions for McNaught-Hartley for 0 hours Universal Time in 2000.0 coordinates: Date R.A. Dec. Feb 17 17h 06m +30.4 deg. Feb 19 17 12 +32.3 Feb 21 17 17 +34.1 Feb 23 17 22 +36.0 For details and a finder chart for the month of February, see the Special Sky Events page at http://www.skypub.com/sights/skyevents/0102skyevents.html . THIS WEEK'S "SKY AT A GLANCE" Some daily events in the changing sky, by the editors of Sky & Telescope. FEB. 18 -- SUNDAY * Some doorstep astronomy: This is the time of year when the bright constellation Orion stands at its highest in the south in early evening. Look for Orion's Belt, a diagonal row of three stars, in its middle. FEB. 19 -- MONDAY * Jupiter's Great Red Spot should cross Jupiter's central meridian (the imaginary line down the center of the planet's disk from pole to pole) around 11:01 p.m. EST. The "red" spot is currently very pale orange-tan. It should be visible for at least 50 minutes before and after in a good 4- or 6-inch telescope if the atmospheric seeing is sharp and steady. For a list of all predicted Red Spot transit times, see http://www.skypub.com/sights/moonplanets/redspot.html . * Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede, casts its shadow on the planet from 9:42 to 11:55 p.m. EST. FEB. 20 -- TUESDAY * Mars is near Beta Scorpii this morning and Wednesday morning. Take a look with binoculars! In a telescope, Beta is revealed as a fine double star. FEB. 21 -- WEDNESDAY * More doorstep astronomy: Once you've found Orion and his Belt high in the south (see Sunday above), follow the line of the Belt to the lower left for about two fist-widths at arm's length to find brilliant Sirius. In the opposite direction, Orion's Belt points roughly to the group of bright Jupiter, yellow Saturn, and orange Aldebaran. FEB. 22 -- THURSDAY * Jupiter's Red Spot transits around 8:32 p.m. EST. FEB. 23 -- FRIDAY * New Moon (exact at 3:21 a.m. EST this morning). FEB. 24 -- SATURDAY * Shortly after sunset, look just above the western horizon, far below Venus, for the hairline crescent Moon. ============================ THIS WEEK'S PLANET ROUNDUP ============================ MERCURY is hidden deep in the glow of sunrise. VENUS is the brilliant object (magnitude -4.6) shining in the west during and after dusk. MARS (magnitude +0.6, in the head of Scorpius) rises around 1 a.m. and glows yellow-orange in the south before dawn. To its lower left is similarly-colored Antares. JUPITER and SATURN (magnitudes -2.4 and -0.2, respectively) shine brightly high in the southwest to west during evening. Jupiter is the brightest; yellowish Saturn is 8 degrees to Jupiter's lower right. To Jupiter's right are the Pleiades, and farther to Jupiter's left or upper left sparkles orange Aldebaran. URANUS and NEPTUNE are hidden in the glare of the Sun. PLUTO (magnitude 14; invisible without a large telescope) is in Ophiuchus in the southeast before dawn. (All descriptions that relate to the horizon or zenith -- including the words up, down, right, and left -- are written for the world's midnorthern latitudes. Descriptions that also depend on longitude are for North America. Eastern Standard Time, EST, equals Universal Time [GMT] minus 5 hours.) More celestial events, sky maps, and news of the world's astronomy research appear each month in SKY & TELESCOPE, the essential magazine of astronomy. See our enormous Web site and astronomy bookstore at http://www.skypub.com/. Clear skies!

Blazing Venus NASA Science News for February 20, 2001 Fiery Venus is a wonderful planet to look at, but you wouldn't want to live there! This is a good time to keep an eye on the second planet from the Sun as it approaches Earth and delivers a dazzling sky show. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast20feb_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 @ 1612 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ATLANTIS TAKES DETOUR TO MOJAVE DESERT LANDING ---------------------------------------------- Running two days late, the shuttle Atlantis dropped out of a cloudy Mojave Desert sky and glided to a smooth landing Tuesday at Edwards Air Force Base to wrap up an extended space station assembly flight. (Includes video!) http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010220landing/ Read our call of the landing: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html RUSSIAN MIR SPACE STATION REACHES 15TH ANNIVERSARY -------------------------------------------------- The Mir space station marked its 15th anniversary in orbit on Tuesday, one day after the captains of the Russian space program defended their decision to deorbit the pioneering outpost. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010220anni/ RESEARCH DETERMINES HOW PLANTS TELL WHICH WAY IS UP --------------------------------------------------- Scientists are expanding the understanding of how gravity affects plant growth, which has implications for agriculture and space travel. Extended space missions will need to use plants and know how gravity affects the growth of plants. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/21plants/

Nature's Tiniest Space Junk NASA Science News for February 21, 2001 NASA scientists are using an experimental radar to monitor a swarm of space dust surrounding our planet -- cosmic junk that can pose an electrical hazard to satellites. Now anyone can listen to the radar echoes, live on the Internet! (This story also includes an unusual radar movie of a 2000 Leonid meteor.) FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast21feb_1.htm?list89800

Any news on the status of Mir, Marci?

Not yet other than it will take a different trajectory than originally planned! NEWSALERT: Friday, February 23, 2001 @ 1518 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now TITAN 4 ROCKET LAUNCH ON HOLD ----------------------------- Saturday's scheduled launch of an Air Force Titan 4B rocket from Cape Canaveral has been postponed due to a vehicle issue. Further details on the problem and when the launch might be rescheduled are expected later today. http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/b41/status.html We'll have a live video Webcast of launch: http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/b41/live_qt.html ASTEROID OR COMET BLAMED FOR MASS EXTINCTION -------------------------------------------- Earth's most severe mass extinction - an event 250 million years ago that wiped out 90 percent of all marine species and 70 percent of land vertebrates - was triggered by a collision with a comet or asteroid, according to new findings. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/23extinct/ COLUMBIA UNVEILING DELAYED -------------------------- The overhauled space shuttle Columbia is being kept inside Boeing's assembly plant in Palmdale, California, longer than planned today because of bad weather. After nearly a year-and-a-half of major modification and inspection work, Columbia is due for rollout today to be mounted atop a 747 carrier aircraft for the trek back to Kennedy Space Center. http://spaceflightnow.com SOHO WATCHES KAMIKAZE COMET AS IT PLUNGES INTO SUN -------------------------------------------------- A comet that fell into the Sun on February 7 was tracked by two different instruments on the ESA-NASA SOHO spacecraft, enabling scientists to characterize it quite precisely. This was just one of nearly 300 comets discovered by SOHO since 1996! http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/23soho/ SPACE STATION RESIDENTS TO TAKE WEEKEND GETAWAY ----------------------------------------------- The three-man Expedition One crew living aboard the international space station will depart the orbiting outpost for a short time Saturday to move their Soyuz capsule to a different docking port. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html NEW TELESCOPE MAKES BLACK HOLE DISCOVERY ---------------------------------------- Working independently, two teams of astronomers have used the new 6.5-meter telescope at the MMT Observatory on Mount Hopkins, Ariz., to discover a massive black hole -- the first ever found in the galactic halo, thousands of light years above the Milky Way galactic plane. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/23mmt/

The Great Moon Hoax NASA Science News for February 23, 2001 12:00:00 PM Yes, there really is a Moon hoax, but the prankster isn't NASA. Moon rocks and common sense prove Apollo astronauts really did visit the Moon. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast23feb_2.htm?list89800

Apocalypse Then NASA Science News for February 23, 2001 They say lightning never strikes twice. Well, how about asteroids? A violent collision with a space rock, like the one that doomed the dinosaurs, may have also caused our planet's greatest mass extinction 250 million years ago. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast23feb_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Saturday, February 24, 2001 @ 1114 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SPACE STATION RESIDENTS TAKE WEEKEND GETAWAY -------------------------------------------- The three-man Expedition One crew living aboard the international space station departed the orbiting outpost for a short time this morning to move their Soyuz capsule to a different docking port. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html See a graphic illustrating the flyaround: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a/010224flyaround/graphic.html NEAR MISSION EXTENDED THROUGH END OF THE MONTH ---------------------------------------------- NASA granted an additional four-day extension for the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) Shoemaker mission on Friday so that the spacecraft can return additional data from the surface of the asteroid Eros through the end of the month. http://spaceflightnow.com/near/010223extend/ Previous coverage of NEAR Shoemaker's landing: http://spaceflightnow.com/near/status.html TITAN 4 LAUNCH DELAYED FURTHER ------------------------------ Launch of the $455 million Titan 4B rocket carrying a $750 million Milstar military communications satellite has been pushed back to Tuesday at the earliest. The extra time is needed so technicians can further study and fix a problem with the rocket's telemetry system. http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/b41/status.html JOHNSON SPACE CENTER CHIEF GEORGE ABBEY OUSTED ---------------------------------------------- NASA announced late Friday that George Abbey, one of the most powerful and enigmatic figures in the space program, was being replaced as director of the Johnson Space Center. Abbey, who becomes a special advisor to the NASA Administrator, was ousted in the wake of huge cost overuns in the international space station program. Read the NASA news release: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/23abbey/

NEWSALERT: Monday, February 26, 2001 @ 1100 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now BRITISH GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO NEO TASK FORCE --------------------------------------------- The British government issued a response Saturday to a task force report on the threat posed by near-Earth asteroids and comets, concurring with many of the recommendations in the report but promising little in the way of immediate, concrete action. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/26neo/ RUSSIANS LAUNCH SUPPLY SHIP FOR SPACE STATION ALPHA --------------------------------------------------- The Progress M-44 cargo freighter is bound for the international space station today after being propelled into orbit by a Russian Soyuz-U rocket. On Saturday, the three-man Expedition One departed the orbiting outpost for a short time to move their Soyuz capsule to a different docking port to make way for the Progress. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html CANADA STUDIES THIRD-GENERATION RADARSAT SATELLITE -------------------------------------------------- Work on the third Radarsat remote sensing satellite has officially gotten underway as the Canadian Space Agency issued a feasibility studies contract to MacDonald, Dettwiler, and Associates. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/26radarsat3/ GLITCH WITH TITAN 4 ROCKET RESOLVED, LAUNCH DATE SET ---------------------------------------------------- The Titan 4B rocket has been cleared for liftoff Tuesday with the Milstar communications satellite cargo, the Air Force announced Saturday after isolating and correcting a problem with the vehicle's first stage telemetry relay system. http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/b41/status.html GALAXY GROUPS SURVEYED BEYOND LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD ------------------------------------------------ In a cosmically short time, probably in a few billion years, our Milky Way galaxy will smash into the Andromeda galaxy. Pulled together by gravity, the two spiral galaxies will violently merge perhaps into another kind of galaxy, an elliptical galaxy. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/25groups/ HOW DID MATTER COME TO DOMINATE THE UNIVERSE? --------------------------------------------- The seemingly unremarkable fact that the universe is full of matter turns out to be something physicists can't quite account for. According to the big bang theory, equal amounts of matter and antimatter were created at the birth of the universe, but precious little antimatter is to be found in the universe today. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/25matter/

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, February 27, 2001 @ 1109 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now TITAN 4 ROCKET STANDS POISED FOR BLASTOFF TODAY --------------------------------------------------- There is $1.2 billion on the line today at Cape Canaveral where a powerful Titan 4B rocket awaits an afternoon launch carrying a crucial U.S. military communications satellite that will serve as a switchboard-in-the-sky. We will the most comprehensive live coverage throughout the day in our status center and Webcast. http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/b41/status.html Live streaming broadcast of the launch: http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/b41/live_qt.html NEW EVIDENCE FOUND TO SUGGEST ANCIENT MARS LIFE ----------------------------------------------- Crystals of the mineral magnetite, embedded within a famous Martian meteorite, have provided scientists with the latest evidence that primitive life once existed on Mars. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/27marslife/ GRISSOM 'FLIES' ONE LAST TIME AT CAPE CANAVERAL ----------------------------------------------- Lt. Col. Virgil "Gus" Grissom, one of America's first astronauts, will once again fly from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Grissom's "flight" is possible because the Air Force's Titan 4B rocket scheduled for launch today has been named "Gus" in honor of him. http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/b41/010226patch.html STRESS, CHAOS FORM SOLAR SYSTEM'S TALLEST MOUNTAINS --------------------------------------------------- Researchers studing images taken by the Galileo and Voyager spacecraft have found that enigmatic mountains on Jupiter's moon Io may be the combined result of heating, melting and tilting of giant blocks of crust. The moon has some of the tallest mountains in our solar system. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0102/27iomount/

NEWSALERT: Thursday, March 1, 2001 @ 1145 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NEAR SHOEMAKER PHONES HOME FOR THE LAST TIME -------------------------------------------- NASA's NEAR Shoemaker -- the intrepid space probe that provided the first intensive examination of an asteroid -- has finally reached the end of its five-year adventure. http://spaceflightnow.com/near/010228end/ STATION, SCIENCE SQUEEZED IN NASA BUDGET PROPOSAL ------------------------------------------------- President George W. Bush's 2002 budget proposal, released Wednesday, provides essentially no increase in funding for NASA while mandating serious reforms to the international space station and the cancellation of two planetary science missions. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/01budget/ HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE SPOTS A GALAXY ON THE EDGE ------------------------------------------------- NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has snapped this remarkable view of a perfectly "edge-on" galaxy. This new Hubble picture reveals with exquisite detail huge clouds of dust and gas extending along, as well as far above, the galaxy's main disk. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/01hubble/ JUPITER'S LARGEST MOON MAY BE A WET, SLUSHY PLACE ------------------------------------------------- Planetary scientists studying Jupiter's icy moon Ganymede have combined stereo images from the Galileo and Voyager missions and found provocative features on the moon. They have mapped long swathes of bright flat terrain that they think is evidence of water or slush that emerged one billion years or so ago. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/01ganymede/

Buck Rogers, Watch Out NASA researchers are studying insects and birds, and using so-called smart materials with uncanny properties to develop mindboggling new aircraft designs. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast01mar_1.htm?list89800

Sunspots and a Coronal Mass Ejection Space Weather News for March 2, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com SOLAR ACTIVITY: This week the face of the Sun looked remarkably blank as the sunspot number dropped to its lowest level in three months. But there's more to solar activity than sunspots! On February 28th a filament collapsed on the Sun and the eruption sent a coronal mass ejection toward Earth. The expanding cloud will likely reach our planet on Saturday, March 3rd, and trigger high latitude auroras. For more information about this and other space weather news, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com.

NEWSALERT: Friday, March 2, 2001 @ 1107 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NASA KILLS X-33 AND X-34 ------------------------ NASA announced Thursday that it would not provide any additional funding for the X-33 or X-34 launch vehicle technology demonstration programs, effectively killing both projects before either made its first flight. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/01x33/index2.html SETTING SAIL THROUGH SPACE -------------------------- The Planetary Society and Cosmos Studios are ready to test the first solar sail ever deployed in space later this year. Solar sails are seen by many space observers as the "wave of the future" that will revolutionize space flight as spacecraft travel beyond the solar system. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/02sail/ CALLING PIONEER 10 ------------------ The longest operating deep-space probe is getting at least one more chance for life as project managers have secured observation time with radio antennas to try to contact the spacecraft for the first time since last summer. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/02pioneer10/ RARE METEORITES REKINDLE SOLAR SYSTEM BIRTH DEBATE -------------------------------------------------- A new meteorite study is rekindling a scientific debate over the creation of our solar system. The study is based on the microscopic analysis of two rare meteorites recently discovered in Antarctica and Africa. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/02meteor/

NEWSALERT: Monday, March 5, 2001 @ 1348 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SHUTTLE DISCOVERY SET FOR SUNRISE LAUNCH THURSDAY ------------------------------------------------- The seven astronauts who will ride shuttle Discovery into space made a late-night arrival at Kennedy Space Center on Sunday as preparations remain on schedule to start the countdown today. The shuttle is poised for liftoff Thursday at 6:42 a.m. EST (1142 GMT). http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html STS-102 MISSION THEATER ----------------------- From countdown to touchdown we will provide the internet's most comprehensive video coverage of Discovery's mission to the International Space Station. Subscribe to the Mission Theater today! http://spaceflightnow.com/theater/theater.html VOLCANIC IO ERUPTS ------------------ Newly released images taken by NASA's Galileo spacecraft captures a dynamic eruption at Tvashtar Catena, a chain of volcanic bowls on Jupiter's moon Io, and changes in the largest active field lava flows in the solar system, the Amirani flow. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/04ioerupt/ PLUTO MISSION CLINGS TO LIFE ---------------------------- NASA will continue to accept proposals for a mission to Pluto at the request of Congress despite a proposed budget that includes no funding for such a mission, agency officials confirmed Friday. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/03pluto/ DID COMETS WATER EARTH? ----------------------- A physics professor at the University of Iowa says that he has found new evidence to support his theory that the water in Earth's oceans arrived by way of small snow comets. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/05smallcomet/ EUROPE, JAPAN PLAN JOINT MARTIAN OBSERVATIONS --------------------------------------------- Japanese and European Mars orbiters will keep each other company once they arrive at the red planet in 2003 and 2004. A recent meeting between the Mars Express and Nozomi teams forged an agreement to work together once their respective probes arrive in Martian orbit. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/05marscoop/ COMMERCIAL SATELLITE TO SCAN ALL OF JAMAICA ------------------------------------------- Space Imaging has signed an agreement with the government of Jamaica to take 1-meter, high resolution satellite images with the orbiting Ikonos spacecraft of the entire country to be used by land-related and mapping agencies. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/04jamaica/ EUTELSAT LOOKS ACROSS ATLANTIC TO BUY NEW SATELLITE --------------------------------------------------- EUTELSAT, the 48-member European Satellite Telecommunications Organization, has signed a contract for a broadband communications satellite from Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. The satellite, to be known as e-BIRD, is a spin-stabilized Boeing 376 HP model. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/03ebird/ To Subscribe: mailto:newsalert-on@astrolists.com

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, March 7, 2001 @ 0327 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now DISCOVERY 'GO' FOR LAUNCH AMID STATION BUDGET TROUBLE ----------------------------------------------------- With the shuttle Discovery poised for launch Thursday on the next space station assembly mission, senior NASA managers Tuesday attempted to downplay the potential impact of a projected $4 billion budget shortfall, calling an expected down-sizing a "minor adjustment." http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010306iss/ COUNTDOWN ROLLS ON FOR THURSDAY'S SHUTTLE LAUNCH ------------------------------------------------ The trouble-free countdown continues at Kennedy Space Center for shuttle Discovery's sunrise blastoff Thursday. The weather forecast is generally favorable with the only concern being unseasonably cold temperatures. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010306count/ STS-102 MISSION THEATER ----------------------- From countdown to touchdown we will provide the internet's most comprehensive video coverage of Discovery's mission to the International Space Station. Subscribe to the Mission Theater today! http://spaceflightnow.com/theater/theater.html RUSSIA OFFERS MODULE, EXTRA SOYUZ CAPSULE TO PARTNERS ----------------------------------------------------- Russian Aviation and Space Agency, Rosaviacosmos, has endorsed the development of the first commercially operated module of the international space station in hopes of charging rent to its partners. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/06enterprise/ CHECKING ON AN OLD AND ACTIVE COMETARY FRIEND --------------------------------------------- When Comet Hale-Bopp passed through the inner solar system in early 1997, it was admired in the sky as a "classical" comet, with a bright head and an enormous, multi-colored tail. Now four years later, astronomers have captured new views of the comet. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/07halebopp/ CHANDRA SNAPS REMARKABLE IMAGE OF GALAXY GROUP ---------------------------------------------- A new Chandra image reveals great detail and complexity in the central region of the compact galaxy group known as HCG 62. Such galaxy groups, which contain fewer galaxies than the better-known galaxy clusters, are an important class of objects because they may serve as cosmic building blocks in the large-scale structure of the Universe. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/07chandra/ UNIQUE DOUBLE-HEADER AS TWO SHUTTLES GRACE CAPE SKIES ----------------------------------------------------- Space shuttles Atlantis and Columbia made it back to Florida's Space Coast on Monday after lengthy cross-country ferry flights from California, but there wasn't enough parking spots at Kennedy Space Center for both spaceplanes and their carrier aircraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/06ferryflights/ BOEING'S DIGITAL CINEMA READY FOR VIEWING ----------------------------------------- Boeing digital cinema, a capability that enables same-day delivery of digital media via satellite to multiple movie theaters, is ready for viewing. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/06cinema/

Digital cinema, wow. What clever cracker will be first to break this for home consumption?

NEWSALERT: Thursday, March 8, 2001 @ 0545 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NASA COUNTS DOWN TO DISCOVERY'S SUNRISE LAUNCH ---------------------------------------------- The shuttle Discovery has been fueled for blastoff today on a flight to deliver the international space station's second full-time crew and nearly five tons of supplies and equipment, including the lab's first suite of scientific experiments. We are providing continuous live coverage in our status center: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html Read our comprehensive mission preview: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010307preview/ STS-102 MISSION THEATER ----------------------- From countdown to touchdown we will provide the internet's most comprehensive video coverage of Discovery's mission to the International Space Station. Subscribe to the Mission Theater today! http://spaceflightnow.com/theater/theater.html HUBBLE SPIES HUGE CLUSTERS OF STARS FORMED IN ANCIENT CRASH ----------------------------------------------------------- Studying galactic interactions is like sifting through the forensic evidence at a crime scene. Astronomers wade through the debris of a violent encounter, collecting clues so they can reconstruct the celestial crime to determine when it happened. Take the case of M82, a small, nearby galaxy that long ago bumped into its larger neighbor, M81. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/08hubble/ MIR REENTRY TARGET DATE SET --------------------------- Russian space officials decided to postpone the deorbiting of the Mir space station to around March 20 to save the propellant onboard the Progress spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010308reentry/ ARIANESPACE TO LAUNCH FIRST ARIANE 5 ROCKET OF 2001 --------------------------------------------------- The Ariane 509 rocket was rolled to its South American launch pad Wednesday in final preparation for liftoff this evening to deliver European and Japanese telecommunications satellites into orbit. http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v140/status.html

The End is Mir NASA Science News for March 10, 2001 Space station Mir, the heaviest thing orbiting our planet other than the Moon itself, will return to Earth around March 20th. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast10mar_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Monday, March 12, 2001 @ 0703 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ITALIAN-MADE 'MOVING VAN' DOCKED TO SPACE STATION ------------------------------------------------- The Leonardo Multipurpose Logistics Module has been mounted to the international space station with its 9,993 pounds of equipment and experiments for the U.S. Destiny laboratory. The astronauts are slated to enter the $150 million pressurized module in a few hours, then start unpacking its contents on Monday night. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010312fd5/ MARATHON SPACEWALK SETS NEW ENDURANCE RECORD -------------------------------------------- In a marathon spacewalk marked by unexpected glitches and lost hardware, two astronauts mounted critical equipment on the hull of the international space station Sunday. The 8-hour 56-minute long excursion, was the longest in spacewalk U.S. history. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010311fd4/ DISCOVERY MAKES BELATED DOCKING WITH STATION -------------------------------------------- The shuttle Discovery glided to a delayed-but-successful docking with the international space station early Saturday to deliver the first of three new crew members after flight controllers finally managed to lock down a possibly free-swinging solar panel. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010310fd3/ STS-102 MISSION THEATER ----------------------- We are providing the internet's most comprehensive video coverage of Discovery's mission to the International Space Station, including multiple views of Thursday's launch, extraordinary onboard video, daily news conferences and the mission highlights. Subscribe to the Mission Theater today! http://spaceflightnow.com/theater/theater.html REPORT: CHINA PLANS FIRST MANNED MISSION NEXT YEAR -------------------------------------------------- China plans to launch its first astronauts in late 2002 following more unmanned test flights of the Shenzhou test capsule, according to Japanese news reports. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/11china/ TWO SPACECRAFT REVEAL NEW DETAILS OF JUPITER'S AURORA ----------------------------------------------------- Bright auroras on parts of Jupiter where those shimmering glows have not previously been seen appear in new images taken from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The research is part of a joint study with Cassini to examine how the aurora is affected by the solar wind. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/10jupaurora/ UNIVERSE PUT ON THE SCALES -------------------------- Only 35 percent of the Universe's contents is in the form of matter, according to new findings. The rest is believed to be in the form of 'dark energy'. This measurement, the most accurate to date, is based on data from 141,000 galaxies. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/10weigh/

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 @ 1921 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now VOLCANOES MAY HAVE PLAYED ROLE IN MARTIAN LIFE ---------------------------------------------- Two of the oldest volcanoes on Mars, which have been active for 3.5 billion years, are providing clues to the possibility of life on the planet, according to preliminary analysis by geologists of new data from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/14marsvolcano/ STATION CREW ROTATION COMPLETE ------------------------------ Astronaut Susan Helms moved aboard the international space station today, completing the lab's first crew rotation and becoming the first woman to live aboard the outpost. The astronauts are ahead of schedule unloading the Leonardo cargo carrier. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010314fd7/ STS-102 MISSION THEATER ----------------------- We are providing the internet's most comprehensive video coverage of Discovery's mission to the International Space Station, including multiple views of liftoff, extraordinary cockpit launch video, daily news conferences and the mission highlights. Subscribe to the Mission Theater today! http://spaceflightnow.com/theater/ DEEP X-RAYS SHOW UNIVERSE TEEMING WITH BLACK HOLES -------------------------------------------------- For the first time, astronomers believe they have proof black holes of all sizes once ruled the universe. NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory provided the deepest X-ray images ever recorded, and those pictures deliver a novel look at the past 12 billion years of black holes. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/14chandra/ ASTRONOMERS FIND MISSING TYPE OF QUASAR --------------------------------------- Astronomy's "most wanted" list shortened by one this week when researchers announced that they had spotted the first type II quasar, an object on the fringes of the known universe whose existence they had suspected for two decades. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/14quasar/

Home, Space Home NASA Science News for March 14, 2001 On the ground, the International Space Station would be an odd looking building -- but space is an odd place to live! Find out how space weather, orbital free fall, and the Space Shuttle's payload bay shapes the architecture of the ISS. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast14mar_1.htm?list89800

So Mir's going to crash somewhere in Australia. Will it land on the locale of Survivor?

What a thought - and could they have envisioned a more spectacular ending for the series?! Welcome Interference -- astronomers get a new tool in the hunt for planets NASA Science News for March 15, 2001 NASA scientists have combined starlight from the two largest telescopes on Earth to form an extraordinary optical interferometer -- a powerful tool in the search for planets outside the solar system. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast15mar_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Thursday, March 15, 2001 @ 1700 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now RUSSIANS REFINE PLAN FOR REENTRY OF SPACE STATION MIR ----------------------------------------------------- After weeks of uncertainty, Russian space officials have set the early hours of March 22 as the definitive target for the Mir's fiery reentry into Earth's atmosphere. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010314date/ SPACE STATION CARGO TRANSFER IN HIGH GEAR ----------------------------------------- The Discovery astronauts spent the day repacking the Leonardo cargo module with space station trash and discarded equipment while the lab's departing crew members briefed their replacements on the finer points of operating the growing outpost. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010315fd8/ NOW SHOWING: MORE THAN A DOZEN SHUTTLE LAUNCH VIEWS --------------------------------------------------- Spaceflight Now's STS-102 Mission Theater is now showing more than a dozen varied views of shuttle Discovery's spectacular sunrise blast off last week. Among the 50 other clips available, are daily reports and mission highlights. Subscribe to the Mission Theater today! http://spaceflightnow.com/theater/ VOLCANOES ON JOVIAN MOON IO TRY ERASING THEIR AGE ------------------------------------------------- The amount of lava gushing from individual volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io dwarfs earthly comparisons, and the pace at which lava is repainting Io's surface suggests a novel technique for determining the relative ages of surface regions there. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/15io/

I watched a little bit of Mission to Mars last night, have you seen this Marci? How accurate is this movies portrayal of the technology we'd actually use on a mission like this?

Propagation from ARRL Solar flux declined this week, having reached a short-term peak a week prior to Wednesday. But average daily solar flux and sunspot numbers were higher this week than last. Daily sunspot numbers reached a peak of 174 on Monday. This is the highest it has been since February 9, when it was 179, or January 23, when it was 178. Geomagnetic conditions have been quiet, with A indices in the single-digits. Quiet conditions should continue, although there is a possibility that sunspot group 9373, currently at the center of the solar disk oriented toward earth, could produce some solar flares on Thursday or Friday. You'll hear the results on the WWV reports a few days later if the K index rises above 3. Solar flux is expected to be around 135 on Friday and 130 for the following few days, then rise to around 145 on March 22-24. By comparison, a year ago the average sunspot number and solar flux reported in this bulletin (ARLP011) was respectively 193.4 and 194.9. Scott Craig has a revised version of his Solar Data Plotting Utility, which works with the data presented in this bulletin. The new version was released last week, and has a new feature which can connect to the internet and automatically download the solar data from an ARRL FTP site. His website is at http://www.craigcentral.com, and the software is at http://www.craigcentral.com/sol.htm. Next week is the spring equinox, with anticipated spring propagation conditions. 15 and 20 meters should be open later into the evening, with 20 meters possibly open all night. 10 meters should improve around the change of seasons, but will probably degrade for worldwide propagation as spring moves toward summer. Sunspot numbers for March 8 through 14 were 98, 113, 131, 139, 174, 110 and 159 with a mean of 132. 10.7 cm flux was 167.2, 161.4, 160.1, 157.8, 157.6, 147.3 and 142.2, with a mean of 156.2, and estimated planetary A indices were 6, 6, 5, 4, 10, 7 and 7 with a

List-Subscribe: NEWSALERT: Friday, March 16, 2001 @ 1854 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now DISCOVERY TO STAY AN EXTRA DAY AT SPACE STATION ----------------------------------------------- Mission managers have decided to extend Discovery's stay at the International Space Station by one day. Meanwhile, the station's first crew looks forward to homecoming, if not Earth's gravity. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010316fd9/ GALILEO GETS FINAL REPRIEVE BEFORE CRASH INTO JUPITER ----------------------------------------------------- The resilient Galileo spacecraft doesn't know when it call it quits. So, NASA has outlined the details of one last mission extension, which includes five more flybys of the Jovian moons before a final plunge into the crushing pressure of the giant planet's atmosphere. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/16galileo/ WALKER SAYS NO TO NASA ADMINISTRATOR JOB ---------------------------------------- A former Congressman who had been considered as a leading candidate to succeed Dan Goldin as NASA administrator said Thursday he has no interest in the position. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/16walker/ SEA LAUNCH TO LOFT RADIO RELAY SATELLITE SUNDAY ----------------------------------------------- The countdown got underway Thursday for Sea Launch's planned Sunday mission to place the first digital audio relay spacecraft into orbit for XM Satellite Radio, a company that aims to broadcast music, news and entertainment programming directly to cars across America starting this summer. http://spaceflightnow.com/sealaunch/xm2/status.html TWIN TELESCOPES TEAM UP TO SHARPEN THEIR FOCUS ---------------------------------------------- The two largest telescopes in the world were linked together this week for the first time, a key step forward for efforts to directly observe extrasolar planets. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/16keck/ TWO ASTEROIDS GET IRISH TOUCH ----------------------------- Two asteroids have been given Irish names in time for St. Patrick's Day. Discovered in July 1987 by famed asteroid hunter and planetary astronomer Eleanor Helin, the asteroids have been officially christened by the International Astronomical Union and honor Irish contributions to astronomical research. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/16irish/ NOW SHOWING: MORE THAN A DOZEN SHUTTLE LAUNCH VIEWS --------------------------------------------------- Spaceflight Now's STS-102 Mission Theater is now showing more than a dozen varied views of shuttle Discovery's spectacular sunrise blast off last week. Among the 50 other clips available, are daily reports and mission highlights. Subscribe to the Mission Theater today! http://spaceflightnow.com/theater/

NEWSALERT: Monday, March 19, 2001 @ 0718 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now DISCOVERY DEPARTS THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ------------------------------------------------- The international space station's first commander formally turned the ship over to his replacement Sunday night, wishing the lab's second three-person crew good luck aboard the orbital outpost and urging them to "sail her well" during their four-and-a-half-month stay. Discovery then undocked to bring the Expedition One crew home. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010318fd12/ COMPUTER ISSUE RESOLVED AS MODULE RETURNS TO SHUTTLE ---------------------------------------------------- The Leonardo "moving van" was pulled away from the space station and returned to Discovery's payload bay Sunday morning after delivering five tons of equipment and supplies to the orbiting outpost. The move followed intensive troubleshooting to verify the health of the shuttle's flight computers. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010318fd11/ SATELLITE LAUNCHED TO BEAM DIGITAL RADIO ACROSS AMERICA ------------------------------------------------------- American motorists seeking something new from their car radios received a boost Sunday when a rocket launched from a platform in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and delivered a digital audio broadcasting satellite into orbit. http://spaceflightnow.com/sealaunch/xm2/ Read our call of the countdown and launch: http://spaceflightnow.com/sealaunch/xm2/status.html MIR VETERANS RECALL STATION'S GLORY, LAMENT ITS PASSING ------------------------------------------------------- As the shuttle and station crews wrapped up a quiet but productive day in space, four of the five Mir veterans on board reflected on the upcoming demise of the old Russian station, lamenting its passing but looking forward to the future. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010317fd10/ GROUND CONTROL PREPARES TO BOOST MIR'S POWER SUPPLY --------------------------------------------------- Russian mission controllers in Korolev plan to restart space station Mir's orientation system on Wednesday, or around 24 hours prior to the complex's scheduled deorbiting, officials said Friday. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010317control/ U.S. PROVIDES DATA TO RUSSIA FOR MIR SPLASHDOWN ----------------------------------------------- United States space specialists are providing Russian technicians with Mir space station positional data to help ensure the vehicle's safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010317usaf/ U.S. TO BUILD CONSTELLATION OF SATELLITES FOR TAIWAN ---------------------------------------------------- Taiwan has chosen Orbital Sciences to build a fleet of six microsatellites that aims to study Earth's atmosphere to aid scientists in weather and climate forecasting and ionosphere and gravity research fields. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/18rocsat/ To subscribe send email to newsalert-on@astrolists.com

Marcia, did you see the Wired article on the new rocket technology they want to use to send men to Mars, the propellant reaches a temperature of a million degrees and is contained by magnetic force. I think they said it could reach Mars in about 4 months. Pretty amazing.

No, but I will look for it and report back! Thanks! 2001 Mars Odyssey: Coming soon to a launch pad near you! NASA Science News for March 19, 2001 NASA's latest mission to Mars, an orbiter scheduled for launch on April 7, 2001, will seek out underground water-ice and explore space weather around the Red Planet -- and that's not all! FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast19mar_1.htm?list89800

Sprin5 , I searched Wired and subscribed to their news...could not find the article. Will look elsewhere but am most interested! Thanks for the Wired suggestion. I had forgotten it existed!

I actually read it in their magazine, I don't know if they carried it online. 140 days or so is a very fast trip to Mars considering current technology takes about 9 months.

That is truly incredible. I searched their site and weent back to the last century and did not find the article. I am sure more will be written about it, and when I find it, I will put it in here! Geomagnetic Storm Space Weather News for March 20, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com AURORA WATCH: A moderate geomagnetic storm that began Monday when a solar coronal mass ejection buffeted Earth's magnetic field shows no immediate signs of abating. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after local nightfall. HERE COMES THE SUN: Another coronal mass ejection is heading our way. SOHO coronagraphs spotted a very faint CME on Monday that could arrive in the neighborhood of our planet on March 22nd or 23rd. For updates and more information please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

It's in the light green Jan 2001 Wired that says "Touch me all over" on the cover. Zip Drive! Building the Fast Track to Mars. Page 96. Aa rocket that runs on million degree plasma and could someday fuel a fast track trip to Mars. VASIMR - variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket.

Taco Bell is going to give us all free tacos if the Russians can hit a target with the re-entering Mir: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010320/sc/taco_bell_mir.html

Ok will look for the Wired article online...thanks, Terry! NEWSALERT: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 @ 0825 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now TITO CONTROVERSY HEATS UP ------------------------- In an escalating battle of wills, NASA is staging a news conference today to discuss its opposition to Russian plans for launching American millionaire Dennis Tito to the international space station next month as history's first space tourist. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/20tito/ Read NASA news release on Tito training: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/20tito/index2.html STORMY WEATHER THREATENS SPACE SHUTTLE'S HOMECOMING --------------------------------------------------- The Discovery astronauts tested the shuttle's re-entry systems late Monday and packed up for landing early Wednesday to bring the international space station's first crew back to Earth after 141 days in the weightlessness of space. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010320eom/ We will have live landing coverage: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html See a detailed entry timeline: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/fdf/102entry.html FIRE ALARM SENDS STATION CREW SCRAMBLING ---------------------------------------- A fire alarm went off in the Destiny laboratory module of the international space station Monday. It turned out to be a false alarm, but it shut down ventilation systems, computers dropped off line and the station's new crew was unable to find the documentation needed to reactive critical systems. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010319falsealarm/ SPACE STATION MIR TO REMAIN ALOFT FOR AN EXTRA DAY -------------------------------------------------- Russian space officials have postponed the deorbiting of the Mir space station by 24 hours to Friday. The decision to delay the reentry was caused by lower than expected descent rate of the station in the upper atmosphere. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/010319date/ LOCKMART'S ATHENA ROCKET WELCOMED BACK AT NASA ---------------------------------------------- Lockheed Martin's Athena rocket, facing a very uncertain future after being left out of a NASA launch services contract two years ago, received favorable news from the space agency Monday. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/20athena/ STARDUST COMET PROBE'S VISION GETS FUZZY AGAIN ---------------------------------------------- In December, Stardust, the mission to Comet Wild 2 to capture dust particles and return them to Earth, cleared a coating that was clouding its camera optics by applying heat. Today, team members are investigating the reappearance of the coating, which is similar to the frost on a car windshield. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/20stardust/ ORBITAL PICKED TO BUILD THREE TV SATELLITES FOR PANAMSAT -------------------------------------------------------- PanAmSat has announced a new multi-spacecraft agreement with Orbital Sciences Corporation for the development of the next generation of Galaxy cable satellites. The contract solidifies Orbital as a major supplier in the world market for GEO communications satellites. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/20oscpas/

That %#*&%*# shuttle woke me up this morning at 2:30. I thought a tree had fallen on the house, it was so loud. When I got awake enough to start to think I realized what it was but the blasted thing raised me right up out of the bed. When it hits the earth's atmosphere it sounds like someone set off a pair of cannons in the back yard. This time it must have entered right over Polk county. Pleasant dreams.

Grumble grumbel - I'll trade you a few earthquakes and a volcanic eruption to hear that and watch a launch...*sighing with envy* Thanks for reporting! New Aurora Photos + A Geomagnetic Activity Alert Space Weather News for March 21, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com AURORA PHOTOS: The intensity of this week's strong geomagnetic storm surprised many forecasters. Nevertheless, quick-witted photographers around the world were able to capture beautiful photos of the aurora borealis. You can see some of the best images in our March 20th aurora gallery. GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY WARNING: Coronal mass ejections that left the Sun on March 19th and 20th could buffet Earth's magnetosphere before the weekend. Our planet may also be heading for an encounter with a solar wind stream. Together these events could trigger another round of geomagnetic activity. NEAR-EARTH ASTEROID: A newly-discovered asteroid will pass by Earth on March 23rd four and a half times farther away than the Moon. There's no danger of a collision, but the space rock (about the size of a football field) will be close enough for amateur astronomers to spy through properly-equipped telescopes. For more information please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Staying Cool on the ISS NASA Science News for March 21, 2001 In a strange new world where hot air doesn't rise and heat doesn't conduct, the International Space Station's thermal control systems maintain a delicate balance between the deep-freeze of space and the Sun's blazing heat. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast21mar_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Thursday, March 22, 2001 @ 1650 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now FINAL HOURS COUNTING DOWN FOR SPACE STATION MIR ----------------------------------------------- The space station Mir -- a relic of the once grand Soviet space program that later served as a stepping stone to today's world cooperation in orbit -- is making its final laps around Earth. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/status.html STATION PIONEERS BACK ON EARTH AFTER HISTORIC VOYAGE ---------------------------------------------------- After a dramatic reversal of fortune, the shuttle Discovery dropped out of orbit and glided to a pre-dawn landing at the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday, bringing the international space station's first full-time crew back to Earth after a 141-day space odyssey. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage5a1/010321land/ NASA CONTINUES PROTESTING SPACE JOYRIDE OF DENNIS TITO ------------------------------------------------------ NASA managers vow to continue efforts to convince their Russian counterparts not to launch U.S. millionaire Dennis Tito to the international space station next month, saying the would-be space tourist has not been properly trained and represents a clear safety threat to the multi-billion-dollar station and its crew. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/20tito/ RUSSIA STANDS FIRM ON TITO; COSMONAUTS RESUME TRAINING ------------------------------------------------------ The Russian Aviation and Space Agency ordered the Russian Soyuz taxi crewmembers to resume training at the Johnson Space Center on Tuesday but remained adamant that Dennis Tito would fly with to the space station with or without NASA's consent. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/20tito/russianreax.html DEEP SPACE 1 PROBE LOADS UP FOR TREK TO COMET --------------------------------------------- NASA's Deep Space 1 spacecraft, sailing through the solar system today, has taken delivery of a new cargo: the latest software for its ambitious encounter with Comet Borrelly this September. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/21ds1/ BLINKING STAR EXPLAINS MYSTERY ABOARD GALILEO --------------------------------------------- When a star tracker on NASA's Galileo spacecraft temporarily lost a star being used as a reference point for monitoring the spacecraft's attitude, engineers suspected an aberration in the equipment, not in the star. After all, this particular star is one of the 50 brightest in the sky. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/22galblink/ X-RAY TELESCOPE PROVIDES WEALTH OF DATA ABOUT COMET --------------------------------------------------- Most of their time is spent frozen in the outer reaches of the solar system. But when these balls of ice and dust, which we know as comets, decide to make an appearance, the spectacle is often grandiose. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/22comet/ POLAR TELESCOPE SIGHTS FIRST HIGH-ENERGY NEUTRINOS -------------------------------------------------- A novel telescope, buried deep in the Antarctic ice at the South Pole, has become the first instrument to detect and track high-energy neutrinos from space, setting the stage for a new field of astronomy that promises a view of some of the most distant, enigmatic and violent phenomena in the universe. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/22polar/ NASA ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES NEW TEAMS ----------------------------------------------- NASA has selected four new teams to become part of the agency's Astrobiology Institute (NAI), a national and international research consortium that studies the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life on Earth and in the universe. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/21astrobio/

NEWSALERT: Friday, March 23, 2001 @ 1624 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now MIR DIVES INTO PACIFIC ---------------------- The 15-year odyssey of the Russian space station Mir ended in an extraordinary fireball in Earth's atmosphere today. Fiery debris rained down on the South Pacific Ocean after a successful controlled reentry of the station. http://spaceflightnow.com/mir/status.html DELTA 2 ROCKET PICKED TO LAUNCH QUICKBIRD 2 SATELLITE ----------------------------------------------------- A commercial eye-in-the-sky with better vision than any other Earth imaging satellite will be lofted into space by a Boeing Delta 2 rocket this fall, officials announced Thursday. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/23quickbird2/ WHITE DWARFS SHED LIGHT ON DARK MATTER -------------------------------------- Some of the invisible "dark matter" that makes up most of the mass of our galaxy may be in the form of previously undetected white dwarf stars, astronomers reported this week. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/23darkmatter/ LAUNCH SCHEDULE UPDATES ----------------------- Our Worldwide Launch Schedule is updated regularly to reflect the latest news on human and unmanned rocket flights planned from spaceports around the globe. Today you can find out about newly announced delays for this June's space shuttle mission and the next two Titan 4 rocket launches. http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/

---------------------------------------------------------- / PHYSICSWEB: E-mail alert \ (http://PhysicsWeb.org) ========================================================== ---------------------------------------------------------- | News ========================================================== * First sighting of dark matter: (22 Mar) Astronomers have seen dark matter directly for the first time. Ben Oppenheimer of the University of California at Berkeley and colleagues in the US and UK have discovered a new kind of white dwarf that could account for up to a third of the 'dark' matter in the Universe. The extremely dim burnt-out stars were found in the 'galactic halo' that surrounds the Milky Way. Oppenheimer's team believes they represent part of the invisible matter - proposed to exist 70 years ago - that binds together galaxies and galaxy clusters with its gravitational pull (B R Oppenheimer et al 2001 Science at press). [ http://PhysicsWeb.org/article/news/5/3/10 ] ----------------------------------------------------------

Beam it Down, Scotty! NASA Science News for March 23, 2001 Solar power collected in space and beamed to Earth could be an environmentally friendly solution to our planet's growing energy problems. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast23mar_1.htm?list89800

Cannibal Coronal Mass Ejections NASA Science News for March 27, 2001 Fast-moving solar eruptions that overtake and devour their slower-moving kin can trigger long-lasting geomagnetic storms --and dazzling auroras-- when they strike Earth's magnetosphere. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast27mar_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, March 27, 2001 @ 0754 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NASA AND MILITARY CONTINUE SEARCH FOR MARS LANDER ------------------------------------------------- NASA said Monday that it would begin a joint review with a military mapping agency to investigate images that may have pinpointed the location for the lost Mars Polar Lander spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/27mpl/ NASA TESTS ROCKET MODEM USING GLOBALSTAR SATELLITES --------------------------------------------------- Imagine a day when self-diagnostic tools allow future rockets to phone home with vital information about their condition, location and performance. NASA engineers believe the technology could replace expensive ground systems, reducing the cost of space flight. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/25modem/ U.S. NAVY SATELLITE TO LAUNCH ATOP ATLAS 3 ROCKET ------------------------------------------------- Lockheed Martin's Atlas 3 rocket will be used to loft the U.S. Navy's eleventh satellite for the UHF Follow-On communications network, officials announced Monday. Scheduled for blastoff in 2003 from Cape Canaveral, the commercial mission will be managed under the auspices of International Launch Services. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/27atlas3uhf/ SPACE TELESCOPE USING MEMBRANES STUDIED --------------------------------------- Lockheed Martin has been contracted by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to conduct a study on a low-mass membrane telescope for NASA's New Millennium Program. The telescope concept would allow construction of an orbiting observatory with reduced weight and cost. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/26dart/ FINAL CREW MEMBERS NAMED TO HUBBLE OVERHAUL MISSION --------------------------------------------------- Three astronauts have been named to complete the STS-109 crew already in training for a mission that will feature five spacewalks to upgrade NASA's Hubble Space Telescope in late 2001. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/27sts109crew/ NASA NAMES FUTURE SPACE STATION EXPEDITION CREWS ------------------------------------------------ As the Expedition Two crew gets settled aboard the International Space Station, American crew members for future space station missions have begun formal training to meet launch dates, beginning in 2002. The 14 astronauts, six assigned to primary crews and eight assigned to backup crews. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/24expcrews/ MOVEMENT OF EARTH'S CRUST CAN BE DETECTED WITH GPS -------------------------------------------------- The same type of technology used by motorists to help them navigate city roadways can now be used to detect and measure the smallest movements in the Earth's crust, an international group of scientists has found. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/25gps/ TRW TO CONDUCT GOES-R WEATHER SATELLITE STUDY --------------------------------------------- TRW's weather systems business took another step forward with the award of a contract to study how to accommodate advanced sensors onto the next series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, starting with GOES-R, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/27goesr/ VETERAN SATELLITE TESTBED GETS NEW LEASE ON LIFE ------------------------------------------------ A NASA experimental satellite that completed its mission to test futuristic communications technologies has been given to a university-led consortium for use in educational studies. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/24acts/ STUDENT EXPERIMENTS TO FLY HIGH THANKS TO NASA ---------------------------------------------- A NASA education program will give high school students from across the country the opportunity for their dreams to literally take flight when experiments designed by the students fly on either a Space Shuttle or sub-orbital rocket. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/24kidexp/ NEW NASA 'TRAFFIC LIGHT' ACCELERATES COMPUTERS ---------------------------------------------- A new "traffic light" for computers, originally developed by NASA scientists, offers the potential to increase their speed and efficiency by prioritizing computer programs. The Portable Batch System enables system administrators to specify the order in which individual programs should be processed. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/26comp/

QUICK SPACE - Detecting Planet Killers as a Sideline http://www.spacedaily.com/news/deepimpact-01c.html - Finding Your Own Cloud Nine http://www.spacedaily.com/news/future-01b.html - India In High-Stakes Bid To Join Global Satellite Launch Club http://www.spacedaily.com/news/india-01b.html - Home, Space Home http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-01m.html - NASA And NIMA Continue Joint Review Of Mars Polar Lander Search Analysis http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-polar99-01a.html - Engineering a Better Faster Risotto http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-01a.html - A Constellation Of Orbital Power http://www.spacedaily.com/news/ssp-01b.html - World's Largest Plasma Wind Tunnel Reaches Completion http://www.spacedaily.com/news/windtunnels-01a.html ------------------ HEADLINES IN BRIEF March 27, 2001 ---------- SPACEGUARD - Detecting Planet Killers as a Sideline http://www.spacedaily.com/news/deepimpact-01c.html Paris (ESA) March 27, 2001 - A 100 metre-wide space rock known as 2001 EC16 paid a passing visit to Earth's vicinity last Friday. As it swept by at a little over 1.7 million km from Earth - approximately four and a half lunar distances - the only people to pay it much attention were a dedicated band of astronomers. ---------- TECH SPACE - Finding Your Own Cloud Nine http://www.spacedaily.com/news/future-01b.html Pasadena - March 26, 2001 - In the continuous quest to find cost-effective methods to explore the planets, NASA engineers have risen to the occasion by developing a variety of new balloon methods inspired by centuries-old, solar-heated hot-air balloons, as well as by conventional helium light-gas balloons. ------------------- ADVERTISEMENT --------------------- The Door Is Open To Cutting Edge Technologies MSU TechLink can help your company develop strategic partnerships between Department of Defense laboratories and aerospace companies in the Northwest. Partnering with DoD will help leverage R&D investments and enhance commercialization opportunities. Visit Techlink Today -- http://techlink.msu.montana.edu/aero.html -- ------------------------------------------------------- --------- SPACEMART - India In High-Stakes Bid To Join Global Satellite Launch Club http://www.spacedaily.com/news/india-01b.html Sriharikota (AFP) March 27 - 2001 - India will make its bid for membership of the exclusive global club of commercial satellite launchers on Wednesday with the long-awaited maiden mission of its newly-developed delivery rocket. The blandly-named Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is the most technologically challenging project so far undertaken by the Indian space programme and carries the hopes and aspirations of thousands of scientists, engineers and industrialists. ------------ STATION NEWS - Home, Space Home http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-01m.html Huntsville - March 27, 2001 - Homes on Earth provide shelter from the wind and rain. But a home in Earth orbit must shield its occupants from the solar wind, and it must withstand a steady rain of dust-sized meteoroids, many moving faster than a speeding bullet! --------- MARSDAILY - NASA And NIMA Continue Joint Review Of Mars Polar Lander Search Analysis http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-polar99-01a.html  Washington - March 26, 2001 - NASA and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) today said researchers from the two agencies will continue a joint review of the initial results of NIMA's search for the missing Mars Polar Lander. This analysis is extremely challenging, and has thus far produced no definitive conclusions. ------------- OPINION SPACE - Engineering a Better Faster Risotto http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-01a.html Herndon - March 27, 2001 - One of my nephews, due to circumstances beyond his control, ended up for a while in a very selective school. While he is blessed with many wonderful attributes, superior academic achievement isn't, and may not ever be, one of them. The faculty, quickly realizing this, spent an entire academic year not attempting to rescue him from drowning in academic quicksand, but rather figuring out how to get him to leave. ------- "SMALLER SATELLITES: BIGGER BUSINESS?" ------ Strasbourg will be the setting for the International Space University's 6th Annual Symposium. This year's theme will be small satellites with an emphasis on concepts, applications and markets. Join some of the world's leading experts, manufacturers and users in interdisciplinary presentations and discussions on a wide variety of issues pertaining to small satellites Strasbourg - May 21-23 - 2001 --------- http://www.isunet.edu/Symposium/ ---------- SPACEMART - A Constellation Of Orbital Power http://www.spacedaily.com/news/ssp-01b.html Huntsville - March 27, 2001 - It's December 2000 and the governor of California flips a switch illuminating the state Christmas tree on the capital lawn. Twenty minutes later, he orders aides to pull the plug. Why? Statewide power shortages. ---------- TECH SPACE - World's Largest Plasma Wind Tunnel Reaches Completion http://www.spacedaily.com/news/windtunnels-01a.html Paris (ESA) March 27, 2001 - On 13 March 2001 'wind-on' was achieved in the SCIROCCO Plasma Wind Tunnel. For the first time a 6200 degree Celsius hot air plasma, that is an ionized gas produced at extremely high temperatures and flowing at a speed of approximately 4 km per second, was generated in the newly constructed Italian arc jet test facility. ----------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS LIST NOTES -------------------------------------------- SpaceDaily Express is issued daily and lists all new postings to www.SpaceDaily.com Subscription is free: subscribe@spacer.com

Solar activity is on the rise... Space Weather News for March 27, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com SOLAR ACTIVITY: In recent days the Boulder sunspot number has rocketed to 339, its highest level since July 2000. At least one large sunspot group has a complex magnetic field that could harbor energy for powerful solar flares. Forecasters estimate a 20% chance of an X-class eruption during the next 24 hours. AURORA WATCH: An interplanetary shock wave buffeted Earth's magnetosphere Tuesday morning and another may be following close behind. A coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on March 25th will arrive late Tuesday or Wednesday and possibly trigger additional geomagnetic disturbances. In recent days Alaskan sky watchers have enjoyed some of the best auroras of the current solar cycle. Check out our gallery of aurora photos for the latest images. For more information and updates, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

-------------------------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - March 28, 2001 ** forward SpaceDaily Express to a friend ** -------------------------------------------- ----------- QUICK SPACE - What Should We Tell The Universe? http://www.spacedaily.com/news/outerplanets-01c.html - US and Taiwan Go COSMIC Over Atmospheric Studies http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cosmic-01a.html - TechLink Helps Companies in Northwest Blast Into AeroSpace http://www.spacedaily.com/news/techlink-01a.html - Staying Cool on the ISS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-01n.html - When Will Television Invades Mars http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-general-01b.html - Can Liquid Water Still Exist On Mars http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-water-science-01e.html - Failure IS an Option http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-01b.html ------------------ HEADLINES IN BRIEF March 28, 2001 ------------- SPACE SCIENCE - What Should We Tell The Universe? http://www.spacedaily.com/news/outerplanets-01c.html Pasadena - March 28, 2001 - NASA's embattled mission to Pluto and the Kuiper belt isn't on firm ground at the moment, but it's far from being totally dead. Even if the project is officially terminated in the short term, the possibility of resurrecting this mission in the future has not been eliminated. --------- SPACEMART - US and Taiwan Go COSMIC Over Atmospheric Studies http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cosmic-01a.html Boulder - March 28, 2001 - COSMIC is a joint U.S.-Taiwan scientific project, with a goal to launch a constellation of six microsatellites to collect atmospheric sounding measurements. The scientific foundation for COSMIC is the radio occultation (limb sounding) technique developed by JPL and Stanford University in the late 1960s to study planetary atmospheres. - TechLink Helps Companies in Northwest Blast Into AeroSpace http://www.spacedaily.com/news/techlink-01a.html Bozeman - March 27, 2001 - The TechLink Center at Montana State University is helping companies throughout the Northwest establish productive technology development and commercialization partnerships with NASA, the Department of Defense (DoD), and other federal agencies. ------------ STATION NEWS - Staying Cool on the ISS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-01n.html Huntsville - March 28, 2001 - The universe is a place of wide extremes: light, dark.. wet, dry.. air, vacuum.. hungry, fed. Human life tends to flourish in the balance. We feel most comfortable in places that are not too hot or too cold, not too light or too dark -- in other words, places that are "just right." --------- MARSDAILY - When Will Television Invades Mars http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-general-01b.html Miami - March 28, 2001 - If you like TV, you'll love the Mars Channel. Take your seats for the network premiere of interplanetary telly - Can Liquid Water Still Exist On Mars http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-water-science-01e.html Moffett Field - March 28, 2001 - In 1998, NASA's Associate Administrator Wesley Huntress, Jr., stated, "Wherever liquid water and chemical energy are found, there is life. There is no exception." ------------- OPINION SPACE - Failure IS an Option http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-01b.html Boise - March 28, 2001 - In the months since the twin failures of the Mars Polar Lander and the Mars Climate Orbiter, NASA has profoundly changed the manner in which it applies the "Faster, Better, Cheaper" philosophy of space exploration. --------------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS LIST NOTES -------------------------------------------- SpaceDaily Express is issued daily and lists all new postings to www.SpaceDaily.com Subscription is free: subscribe@spacer.com or remove@spacer.com ------------------------------------------------

The Lure of Hematite: Curious deposits of rust on Mars hint at ancient water NASA Science News for March 28, 2001 On rusty-red Mars, a curious deposit of gray-colored hematite (a mineral cousin of common household rust) could hold the key to the mystery of elusive Martian water. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast28mar_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Thursday, March 29, 2001 @ 0705 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now IRIDIUM SYSTEM COMPLETES ITS MIRACLE RESURRECTION ------------------------------------------------- Back from the brink of impending destruction, the reborn Iridium telephone satellite system relaunched commercial service Wednesday as the network's new owners prepare to debut data relay services via the orbiting constellation in June. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/29iridium/ LAST-SECOND ABORT GROUNDS FIRST FLIGHT OF INDIAN ROCKET ------------------------------------------------------- India's newest rocket was one second away from launch Wednesday on its inaugural flight when computers detected a malfunctioning engine and aborted the liftoff. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/28gslvd1/ TWO SPACE PROBES SEE GIANT PLUMES ON VOLCANIC MOON IO ----------------------------------------------------- Two tall volcanic plumes and the rings of red material they have deposited onto surrounding surface areas appear in images taken of Jupiter's moon Io by NASA's Galileo and Cassini spacecraft in late December 2000 and early January 2001. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/28galcassio/ MASSIVE INFANT STARS ROCK THEIR CRADLE -------------------------------------- A new Hubble image has helped to decipher the complex interplay of gas and radiation of a star-forming region in a nearby galaxy. The image graphically illustrates just how these massive stars sculpt their environment by generating powerful winds that alter the shape of the parent gaseous nebula. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/29hubble/ NEW SKIES SELECTS BOEING SATELLITE TO EXPAND FLEET -------------------------------------------------- New Skies Satellites N.V. has ordered from Boeing a power-house communications spacecraft with 88 transponders that will provide a wide-range of television, internet and multi-media services across North America. Sea Launch has been tapped to loft the craft in 2003. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/29nss8/ BOEING SATELLITE ARM PICKS SEA LAUNCH FOR SPACEWAY -------------------------------------------------- Boeing Satellite Systems on Wednesday announced that a pair of Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rockets will carry the two Spaceway broadband communications spacecraft into orbit in 2002 and 2003. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/29spaceway/ SCIENTISTS UNRAVEL THE KINKS IN SOLAR WAVES ------------------------------------------- Kinks in the Sun's magnetic field have puzzled scientists since they first started studying the solar wind, and now researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have found the reason: they are caused by the evolution of a type of magnetic wave called Alfven waves. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/29kinks/ AFTER LOFTING DESTINY, ASTRONAUTS VISIT WEST WING ------------------------------------------------- It was a Texas reunion of sorts at the White House Wednesday as the crew of STS-98 and their families got an opportunity to spend some time with the President of the United States. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/29sts98potus/ COLLIDING SOLAR ERUPTIONS PACK POWERFUL PUNCH --------------------------------------------- Fast-moving solar eruptions apparently overtake and often devour their slower kin. This discovery was made by a team of astronomers working with tandem NASA spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/28cme/ SBIRS HIGH PAYLOAD SUCCESSFULLY PASSES KEY TEST ----------------------------------------------- Senior leaders from the Air Force recently observed a key test sequence of hardware for the next-generation missile warning satellite system known as SBIRS at the Lockheed Martin Sunnyvale facility. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/28sbirs/ HORMONE MAY PREVENT BONE BEING LOST IN SPACE -------------------------------------------- The reality of long-term space travel is raising questions about how to deal with the impact of long-term weightlessness on the body. Researchers say that one of the destructive results -- accelerated and significant loss of bone density -- may be thwarted by a hormone secreted by the gut to help the body use food as fuel. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/28bone/

Massive Sunspot May Lead to Geomagnetic Storms The Sun has developed the largest sunspot seen in 10 years according to images from SOHO, a satellite that monitors the Sun. The size of this enormous spot is equivalent to the total surface area of 13 Earths. The sunspot region has already produced a coronal mass ejection and a powerful solar flare, and these are likely to lead to geomagnetic storms. The worldwide network of Magnetic Observatories operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is monitoring the geomagnetic field that is expected to become quite disturbed as result of this solar activity. While geomagnetic storms give rise to the beautiful Northern lights, they can also pose a serious threat for commercial and military satellite operators, power companies, astronauts, and they can even shorten the life of oil pipelines in Alaska by increasing pipeline corrosion. Geomagnetic storms occur when plasma, a hot ionized gas of charged particles produced by eruptions on the Sun, impacts the Earth's magnetic field causing it to fluctuate wildly. These fluctuations cause currents to flow in conductors on the ground and in space. Solar eruptions can produce billions of tons of plasma traveling at speeds in excess of a million miles an hour. The first eruption should hit the Earth's magnetic field some time on Friday, March 30, and the second on Saturday. The geomagnetic field will likely become very active and there is a strong chance of Aurora sightings The USGS provides valuable geomagnetic data to a wide variety of users and organizations that are affected by geomagnetic storms. The agency operates a network of 14 magnetic observatories that continuously monitor the Earth's magnetic field. The data are collected in near-real time via satellite to a downlink center located in Golden, Colo., and provided to numerous customers including NOAA's Space Environment Center and the U.S. Air Force Space Command Center. Plots of the data from these observatories can be seen on-line at: http://geomag.usgs.gov/frames/plots.htm The SOHO satellite is operated jointly by the European Space Agency and NASA. As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science, and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, to contribute to the conservation and the sound economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and to enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources. ### USGS ###

Back-to-School Time for Astrobiologists NASA Science News for March 30, 2001 NATO and NASA are joining forces to host an Advanced Study Institute for astrobiology in Crete, Sept 29-Oct 10, 2001. A diverse group of the world's most prominent scientists will share with students what they have learned lately about life in the Universe. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast30mar_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Saturday, March 31, 2001 @ 2029 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ALPHA CREW PROMISES WARM WELCOME FOR TITO ----------------------------------------- The space station's crew will welcome U.S. millionaire Dennis Tito aboard Alpha next month if the Russians proceed with plans to launch him - over NASA's objections - as part of mission to deliver a fresh Soyuz lifeboat. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage6a/010330briefing/ LARGEST SUNSPOT IN 10 YEARS BLAZES AWAY WITH ERUPTIONS ------------------------------------------------------ A huge sunspot over a dozen times larger than the surface area of the Earth and growing, has now rotated with the Sun to face our planet. The sunspot, which is the largest of the current solar cycle, is also the largest to appear in a decade. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/31sunspot/ FIRST BLACK HOLE DISCOVERED IN GALACTIC HALO -------------------------------------------- A professor at the University of Southampton is part of an international team which has discovered a stellar mass black hole -- the first ever found in our galactic halo. This region of space lies above and below the main spiral arms of our galaxy, thousands of light years above the Milky Way galactic plane. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/31galactichalo/ A NEW MARTIAN ODYSSEY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN --------------------------------------- With memories of recent back-to-back failures still painfully fresh, NASA is leaving no stone unturned to make sure the $305 million Mars Odyssey probe makes it safely into orbit around the Red Planet later this year. The spacecraft is scheduled for launch April 7 atop a Boeing Delta 2 rocket. http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d284/010330preview.html AIR FORCE MILSTAR 2 SATELLITE BEGINS ON-ORBIT TESTING ----------------------------------------------------- A combined MILSATCOM Joint Program Office/Lockheed Martin team has begun on-orbit testing of the first U.S. Air Force Milstar 2 communications satellite following the successful February 27 launch and activation of critical spacecraft systems. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/30milstar/ BOEING BOOKS ASTRA SATELLITE TO RIDE ARIANE 5 ROCKET ---------------------------------------------------- Arianespace, Boeing Satellite Systems and Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES) have announced the signing of a contract to launch the Astra 3A telecommunications spacecraft on an Ariane 5 heavy-lift vehicle. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/30astra3a/ SBIRS FACILITY OPENS IN COLORADO -------------------------------- The Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command and Lockheed Martin took a giant step toward building greater unity and teamwork as the Space Based Infrared Systems Combined Task Force opened Thursday at a ceremony in Boulder, Colo. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0103/30sbirs/ List-Subscribe:

A Record-Setting Solar Flare Space Weather News for April 3, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com The biggest sunspot of the current solar cycle unleashed the most powerful solar flare in at least 12 years yesterday. The "X17" class eruption blasted a coronal mass ejection into space and triggered an ongoing solar radiation storm around our planet. For details and updates please visit http://SpaceWeather.com .

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, April 3, 2001 @ 0512 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SUPERNOVA FOUND TO CONFIRM ACCELERATING UNIVERSE ------------------------------------------------ The serendipitous discovery of a distant supernova has confirmed that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate because of the presence of a pervasive, mysterious "dark energy," astronomers reported Monday. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/03supernova/ EXOTIC CO2 PROCESS MAY HAVE CARVED MARTIAN GULLIES -------------------------------------------------- Liquid carbon dioxide breakouts rather than water probably created the Martian gullies discovered last summer in high-resolution images from the Mars Global Surveyor orbiter camera, some scientists say. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/01co2gullies/ OBSERVATORY SEES VISTAS IN HEART OF ORION NEBULA ------------------------------------------------ A new astronomical instrument has been installed on the European Southern Observatory telescope at La Silla. It is well suited for studying the complex processes that take place in the innermost regions of star-forming clouds. Among the first images are some of the most penetrating, mid-infrared views ever obtained of the central region of the Orion Nebula. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/02orion/ NEW EXPLORERS: SELF-INFLATING SOLAR-HEATED BALLOONS --------------------------------------------------- In the continuous quest to find cost-effective methods to explore the planets, NASA engineers have risen to the occasion by developing a variety of new balloon methods inspired by centuries-old, solar-heated hot-air balloons, as well as by conventional helium light-gas balloons. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/03balloon/ COLD POLAR RINGS HELP FORM CLOUDS THAT DESTROY OZONE ---------------------------------------------------- Newly discovered, narrow rings of cold air over Earth's poles help form colorful clouds that destroy ozone, according to a new report. The ozone layer protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation that could cause skin cancer in humans and biological damage to living things. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/02polarrings/ JUPITER RADIATION BELTS HARSHER THAN EXPECTED --------------------------------------------- New measurements from NASA's Cassini spacecraft indicate that any future spacecraft venturing very near Jupiter would be zapped by the radiation belts there even more severely than had been previously estimated. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/01jupbelts/ GALILEO CONTINUES REPLAY OF JOVIAN MOON DATA -------------------------------------------- There are no engineering activities scheduled this week, so the spacecraft can concentrate on playing back the data stored on the on-board tape recorder during its December flyby of Ganymede. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/03galileothisweek/ BOEING AND ALENIA SPAZIO SIGN TRADING AGREEMENT ----------------------------------------------- Officials from Boeing and Alenia Spazio signed an agreement whereby Boeing will purchase fuel tanks from Alenia Spazio for the upper stage of the Boeing Delta 2 launch vehicle. Alenia Spazio has agreed to purchase Delta launch services for its satellite program. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/02boeingalenia/

A Supernova Sheds Light on Dark Energy NASA Science News for April 3, 2001 A discovery by astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope supports the notion that the Universe is filled with a mysterious form of "dark energy" -- a possibility first proposed, then discarded, by Albert Einstein early in the last century. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast03apr_1.htm?list89800

Plumbing the Space Station NASA Science News for April 3, 2001 12:00:00 PM Nothing goes to waste on the International Space Station - nearly everything is recycled. What makes this ecologist's dream world work? Some of the fanciest plumbing in the solar system! FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast03apr_2.htm?list89800

Super-flare coronal mass ejection reaches Earth Space Weather News for April 4th 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com Monday's super solar flare hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space that was mainly -- but not entirely -- directed away from Earth. The edge of the expanding CME passed our planet at approximately 1500 UT (11 am EST) on April 4th. Sky watchers should be alert for auroras after local nightfall. Almost certainly, this geomagnetic storm will be less intense than the one on March 31st that spawned "Northern Lights" as far south as Mexico. Nevertheless, isolated severe storms are possible. Check SpaceWeather.com for details and updates.

Was Johnny Appleseed a Comet? NASA Science News for April 5, 2001 A new experiment suggests that comet impacts could have sowed the seeds of life on Earth billions of years ago. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast05apr_1.htm?list89800

Odyssey is on the way to Mars!

YES!!!! Up Up and Away!!!

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20010406/imdf06042001011516a.jpg Hubble shot of galaxies intermingling.

Eleven new planets (as reported by CNN): http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/space/04/05/new.planets/index.html?s=2

Really nice shot of the space station. <img src="http:spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-102/hires/s102e5350.jpg"

And, since I'm on such a roll, here's the log of the space station for the last couple of months. If you really want the nitty gritty of what goes on up there.

Here Comes the Sun (again!) Space Weather News for April 10, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com A powerful X-class solar flare erupted Tuesday morning, triggering radio blackouts and a minor radiation storm. The explosion also hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth. Today's CME joins another already en route to our planet. Forecasters estimate a 25% chance of severe geomagnetic activity at middle latitudes when the CMEs arrive late Wednesday or Thursday. Sky watchers should be alert for auroras after sunset on Wednesday. Tune in to SpaceWeather.com for details and updates.

Leafy Green Astronauts NASA Science News for April 9, 2001 NASA scientists are learning how to grow plants in space. Such far-out crops will eventually take their place alongside people, microbes and machines in self-contained habitats for astronauts. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast09apr_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Monday, April 9, 2001 @ 1427 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ODYSSEY SPACECRAFT HEADS TO MARS IN SEARCH OF WATER --------------------------------------------------- When the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft enters orbit around Mars later this year, it will kick off a restructured Mars science program that focuses on the search for water on the Red Planet, past and present. http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/odyssey/010408science.html On Sunday NASA gave an Odyssey status update: http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/odyssey/status.html INDIA RESCHEDULES DEBUT LAUNCH OF ITS GSLV ROCKET ------------------------------------------------- The first development launch of Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle has been set for April 18. The original launch attempt of GSLV was aborted one second before the liftoff on March 28 because an engine failed to develop the required thrust. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/09gslv/ NEW INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE TO STUDY OUR EXPLOSIVE SUN ------------------------------------------------------ Life on Earth would be impossible without the light and heat generated by our nearest star, the Sun. However, this giant ball of hydrogen and helium gas can affect our world in many different ways. Not surprisingly, scientists want to learn as much as possible about our erratic neighbor, so spacecraft that can observe the Sun continuously are essential tools. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/09solarb/ SPACECOM CHIEF: SPACE MUST BE TOP NATIONAL PRIORITY --------------------------------------------------- American military involvement in space will become more critical to national security in coming years, says U.S. Space Command's top officer Gen. Ralph E. Eberhart. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/09milspace/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- HUBBLE CALENDAR FOR 2001 -- AVAILABLE NOW! This remarkable calendar features stunning images of planets, stars, gaseous nebulae, and galaxies captured by NASA's orbiting Hubble Space Telescope, which is one of the most important scientific instruments of our time. http://astronomynowstore.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- AOL USERS --------- The links below make it easier for AOL users to reach our stories. ODYSS EY SPACECRAFT HEADS TO MARS IN SEARCH OF WATER OUR MARS ODYSSEY MISSION STATUS CENTER INDIA RESCHEDULES DEBUT LAUNCH OF ITS GSLV ROCKET NEW INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE TO STUDY OUR EXPLOSIVE SUN SPACECOM CHIEF: SPACE MUST BE TOP NATIONAL PRIORITY

-------------------------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - April 9, 2001 ** forward SpaceDaily Express to a friend ** -------------------------------------------- ------------------ ADVERTISEMENT -------------------- The London Satellite Exchange - Buy or sell satellite capacity - Capacity on NewSat-I is available soon, and will provide attractive pricing combined with excellent coverage. The satellite is the former Palapa B2R, now in inclined orbit at 42.5 degrees East. Contact the traders +44 207 680 7268 -------------------- www.e-sax.com ------------------- ----------- QUICK SPACE - 2001 Mars Odyssey probe to launch new era in Mars exploration http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406133440.2lt8wb65.html - India To Relaunch Failed Satellite Rocket April 18 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/india-01c.html - Russia launches new Proton rocket http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010407071752.r8b9p1f0.html - Endeavour Launch Set For April 19 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/shuttle-01h.html ---------------- MORE QUICK SPACE - A European Mars Moving Ahead http://www.spacedaily.com/news/marsexpress-01a.html - Search for water on Mars goes on http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406133404.yb30ugde.html - From triumph to catastrophe: NASA's missions to Mars http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406133339.ko8wpfcq.html - Space Critical For US Forces http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-01k.html - A Nukeless Ukraine Backs Current ABM Treaty Arrangements http://www.spacedaily.com/news/bmdo-01z.html - Russian General Touts Western Support For Euro-Shield http://www.spacedaily.com/news/bmdo-01za.html - Computer Security Threat Is Real Warns Space Command Chief http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cyberwar-01a.html - North Korea sold 540 missiles to Mideast countries: http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406053343.iwdiyzpx.html - Delta IV RS-68 Engine Fires Up For Extended Test http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01c.html - EU launches satellite navigation system to rival GPS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010405165455.zvkd6rgz.html - Bonnet Calls For More European Investment In Space Science http://www.spacedaily.com/news/esa-general-01a.html - Competition Heats Up For GLAST http://www.spacedaily.com/news/glast-01a.html - Japan to join project to build giant space telescope http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406085455.zrbfuo02.html - Tropical Ocean Warming Driving Recent Northern Climate Change http://www.spacedaily.com/news/greenhouse-01l.html - Understanding Two Big Ice Cubes http://www.spacedaily.com/news/icesat-01a.html - Hitchhiking Molecules On Comets Can Survive Impacts With Earth http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01l.html - Man in space: "the greatest event in the history of the world" http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010407022221.l3jqoj70.html - 40 years after Gagarin, space remains the final frontier http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010407013005.kvns1a0k.html ------------------ HEADLINES IN BRIEF April 9, 2001 --------- MARSDAILY - A European Mars Moving Ahead http://www.spacedaily.com/news/marsexpress-01a.html London - April 9, 2001 - If you live in Europe, there's almost certainly a research institute or industrial company near you that is contributing materials or expertise to Mars Express, Europe's first mission to the Red Planet. ----------------------- MARS 2001 LAUNCH SEASON - 2001 Mars Odyssey probe to launch new era in Mars exploration http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406133440.2lt8wb65.html - Search for water on Mars goes on http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406133404.yb30ugde.html - From triumph to catastrophe: NASA's missions to Mars http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406133339.ko8wpfcq.html -------- SPACEWAR - Space Critical For US Forces http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-01k.html Washington - April 9, 2001 - American military involvement in space will become more critical to national security in coming years, said U.S. Space Command's top officer. - A Nukeless Ukraine Backs Current ABM Treaty Arrangements http://www.spacedaily.com/news/bmdo-01z.html Kiev (Interfax) April 8, 2001 - Ukraine is convinced that the ABM Treaty, the nucleus of the existing strategic arms limitation system, must be preserved, well-known Ukrainian military expert and Chairman of the State Commission for the Defense-Industrial Complex Vladimir Gorbulin writes in an article published by the Ukrainian newspaper Zerkalo Nedeli on Saturday. - Russian General Touts Western Support For Euro-Shield http://www.spacedaily.com/news/bmdo-01za.html Moscow (Interfax) April 8, 2001 - Leonid Ivashov, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's main department for international military cooperation, said the West has expressed an interest in Russia's proposals on the creation of a European ballistic missile defense system. - Computer Security Threat Is Real Warns Space Command Chief http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cyberwar-01a.html Washington - April 9, 2001 - The four-star general whose organization is responsible for DoD computer security says the "cyber" threat against U.S. military information systems is real. - North Korea sold 540 missiles to Mideast countries: expertv http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406053343.iwdiyzpx.html --------- SPACEMART - India To Relaunch Failed Satellite Rocket April 18 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/india-01c.html Bangalore (AFP) April 7, 2001 - India will relaunch its first major commercial satellite later this month after the previous attempt was aborted, dealing a blow to the country's ambitious space programme. - Delta IV RS-68 Engine Fires Up For Extended Test http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01c.html Hancock County - April 9, 2001 - Continuing with testing of the Delta IV Common Booster Core (CBC) and integrated RS-68 main engine at NASA's Stennis Space Center, Boeing officials today announced another successful test, the third in the program's series of integrated stage assembly tests. - Russia launches new Proton rocket http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010407071752.r8b9p1f0.html - EU launches satellite navigation system to rival GPS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010405165455.zvkd6rgz.html -------------- Micro Satellite Tender --------------- COSMIC is a joint U.S.-Taiwan scientific project that will use a constellation of six microsatellites to collect atmospheric sounding measurements. Industry partners to build and deliver six GPS receivers, six solid-state recorders plus payload computers are now being sought by the University Corporation. ----------- http://www.ucar.cosmic.edu/ ----------- ------------- SPACE SCIENCE - Bonnet Calls For More European Investment In Space Science http://www.spacedaily.com/news/esa-general-01a.html Paris - April 9, 2001 - Greater investment in space science would help nurture Europe's scientific community and consequently build up the knowledge-based society that Europe's heads of state declared they wanted at the European Union summit in Lisbon last year. This was a common message delivered to the General Assembly of the European Geophysical Society in Nice last week by the outgoing and incoming directors of ESA's science programme. - Competition Heats Up For GLAST http://www.spacedaily.com/news/glast-01a.html Redondo Beach - April 9, 2001 - TRW has been awarded a six-month study contract by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., to refine its development concept for NASA's Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST), a successor to the TRW-built Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (Compton GRO). - Japan to join project to build giant space telescope http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406085455.zrbfuo02.html ------- "SMALLER SATELLITES: BIGGER BUSINESS?" ------ Strasbourg will be the setting for the International Space University's 6th Annual Symposium. This year's theme will be small satellites with an emphasis on concepts, applications and markets. Join some of the world's leading experts, manufacturers and users in interdisciplinary presentations and discussions on a wide variety of issues pertaining to small satellites Strasbourg - May 21-23 - 2001 --------- http://www.isunet.edu/Symposium/ ---------- ---------- TERRADAILY - Tropical Ocean Warming Driving Recent Northern Climate Change http://www.spacedaily.com/news/greenhouse-01l.html Boulder - April 9, 2001 - A progressive warming of tropical oceans, likely due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, is driving major climate changes observed in the Northern Hemisphere since 1950, according to a new study published in the April 6 issue of the journal Science. - Understanding Two Big Ice Cubes http://www.spacedaily.com/news/icesat-01a.html Orono - April 9, 2001 - In a world that measures everything from hemlines to the speed of light, the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets present a special challenge. They are ancient and complex, the two most massive ice cubes on the planet. ---------- EXO WORLDS - Hitchhiking Molecules On Comets Can Survive Impacts With Earth http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01l.html Berkeley - April 9, 2001 - Simulating a high-velocity comet collision with Earth, a team of scientists has shown that organic molecules hitchhiking aboard a comet could have survived such an impact and seeded life on this planet. ------------ STATION NEWS - Endeavour Launch Set For April 19 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/shuttle-01h.html Houston - April 5, 2001 - Endeavour will launch April 19, 2001, to deliver a new generation of Canadian space robotics to the International Space Station. The robotic arm is longer, stronger, more flexible and more capable than even the Space Shuttle's venerable arm. ------------ YURI'S NIGHT - Man in space: "the greatest event in the history of the world" http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010407022221.l3jqoj70.html - Key dates in the history of space flight http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010407013207.yyf5ftfl.html - 40 years after Gagarin, space remains the final frontier http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010407013005.kvns1a0k.html - Cosmonauts biographies published in Gagarin anniversary volume http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406165110.gcrajr7s.html - Official Celebration Site http://www.yurisnight.net ----------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS LIST NOTES -------------------------------------------- SpaceDaily Express is issued daily and lists all new postings to www.SpaceDaily.com Subscription is free: subscribe@spacer.com

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 @ 1433 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now GIOTTO'S LEGACY IN THE EXPLORATION OF COMETS -------------------------------------------- Almost 15 years ago, ESA's Giotto spacecraft made history by obtaining the first close-up pictures of a comet's black, icy nucleus. Recently scientists and engineers who worked on the pioneering deep space mission came together to reminisce about past triumphs and to look forward to the next generation of comet explorers. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/11giotto/ WHITE HOUSE PROPOSES $14.5B NASA BUDGET FOR '02 ----------------------------------------------- NASA administrator Dan Goldin said Monday that the agency faces "difficult decisions" in a number of programs in the near future despite a 2002 budget request that gives the agency a modest funding increase. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/10nasabudget/ XEUS: A NEW CONCEPT IN EXPLORING X-RAY UNIVERSE ----------------------------------------------- Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Or, in the case of the Universe, was it massive black holes or galaxies? To answer this question by studying black holes in the early Universe requires an extremely sensitive X-ray telescope. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/10xeus/ GALILEO BUSY BEAMING DATA ------------------------- Another quiet engineering week sees the spacecraft concentrate once again on data playback from the tape recorder. These data were recorded when Galileo flew through the depths of the Jupiter system last December. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/10galileothisweek/ XM SATELLITE RADIO LOOKS FORWARD TO NEXT LAUNCH ----------------------------------------------- XM Satellite Radio reports that its first spacecraft is performing well during initial testing and checkout in orbit while preparations continue for the launch of the sister digital radio broadcasting craft next month. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/11xmupdate/ GOES-M WEATHER SATELLITE ARRIVES IN FLORIDA FOR LAUNCH ------------------------------------------------------ The GOES-M environmental weather satellite, currently targeted for launch July 12, arrived Tuesday by C-5 air cargo plane at the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility from the manufacturing plant in Palo Alto, Calif. http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/ac142/010411arrive/ TRMM SATELLITE CRITICAL TOOL IN MONITORING HURRICANES ----------------------------------------------------- As the 2001 Hurricane Season approaches, forecasters will once again rely on high-resolution rain data from a NASA satellite in its arsenal of tools used to monitor the size, location, and strength of hurricanes and tropical storms. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/10trmm/

Severe geomagnetic storming on Wednesday, April 11th Space Weather News for April 11, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com A strong solar wind disturbance hit our planet's magnetosphere around 1400 UT (noon EDT) on Wednesday, April 11th, triggering a severe geomagnetic storm. If the storm continues unabated, middle-latitude sky watchers could spot auroras tonight. Usually the best time to look for "Northern Lights" is around local midnight. In this case, it might be better to go outside not too long after sunset -- before the storm subsides and before the bright Moon rises. Visit spaceweather.com for updates and images from the ongoing storm.

Severe geomagnetic storming on Wednesday, April 11th (corrected) Space Weather News for April 11, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com A strong solar wind disturbance hit our planet's magnetosphere between 1300 and 1400 UT (9 to 10 a.m. EDT) on Wednesday, April 11th, triggering a severe geomagnetic storm. If the storm continues unabated, middle-latitude sky watchers could spot auroras tonight. Usually the best time to look for "Northern Lights" is around local midnight. In this case, it might be better to go outside not too long after sunset -- before the storm subsides and before the bright Moon rises. Visit spaceweather.com for updates and images from the ongoing storm. NOTE: Some subscribers may have received an earlier version of this announcement citing an incorrect time for the onset of the geomagnetic storm. This updated notice is correct. ---

-------------------------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - April 12, 2001 ** forward SpaceDaily Express to a friend ** -------------------------------------------- MAIN SPACE - Russia Clears Tito For April 28 Flight To ISS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01m.html - Japan's Space Agencies Under Mounting Pressure To Merge http://www.spacedaily.com/news/japan-general-01a.html - Defense Satellite Concerns May Kill SingTel Takeover of Optus http://www.spacedaily.com/news/optus-01a.html - Indonesia to launch telecom satellite in 2003 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010411032252.ki5wswmd.html ---------- MORE SPACE - Space legend lives on as Russia remembers Gagarin http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010411031049.gab5towd.html - Soviet Space Feats http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010411024158.zx661hjx.html - NASA's space shuttle program turns 20 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010411192826.dt8sx63k.html - Russia launches space conference despite snub by US, Britain http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010411153526.0egmlwn3.html - Russia mulls rapid reaction force for missile defense shield http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010410180103.z8jb5zmj.html - Cuban Missile Crisis Veterans Warn of "Nuclear Folly" http://www.spacedaily.com/news/icbm-01f.html - Cooperation, not confrontation serves Europe-US relations better http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010412020629.61wrczzo.html - Concerned world looks on as Bush pursues foreign policy agenda http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010412024051.z4pp0bts.html ------------------ HEADLINES IN BRIEF April 12, 2001 ------------ SPACE TRAVEL - Russia Clears Tito For April 28 Flight To ISS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01m.html Moscow - April 11, 2001 - Russian space officials have announced the go ahead for Dennis Tito's flight to the space station via a Soyzu-TM taxi flight set for liftoff April 28. NASA remains opposed to the flight, but realizes it has little option but to accept the unilateral move by Russia to commercialize the station ahead of its own belated plans. ----------- JAPAN SPACE - Japan's Space Agencies Under Mounting Pressure To Merge http://www.spacedaily.com/news/japan-general-01a.html Tokyo - April 11, 2001 - Japan's three major space agencies have taken the first tentative steps to a possible merger later this decade with an agreement to establish an initial joint program office to coordinate launch vehicle development, along with the sharing of ground facilities such as tracking stations and IT support services. ------------- SPACE HISTORY - Space legend lives on as Russia remembers Gagarin http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010411031049.gab5towd.html Gagarin - (AFP) Apr 11, 2001 - Russians above a certain age can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard that Yury Gagarin had died. And as with US president John F. Kennedy, the circumstances of the cosmonaut's death are shrouded in uncertainty, giving rise to outlandish conspiracy theories. - Soviet Space Feats http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010411024158.zx661hjx.html - NASA's space shuttle program turns 20 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010411192826.dt8sx63k.html Washington (AFP) Apr 11, 2001 - NASA marks 20 years of space shuttle flights Thursday -- an era of remarkable successes tainted by the tragedy of the Challenger explosion -- amid uncertainty over the future of the program. YURI'S NIGHT - Man in space: "the greatest event in the history of the world" http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010407022221.l3jqoj70.html - Key dates in the history of space flight http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010407013207.yyf5ftfl.html - 40 years after Gagarin, space remains the final frontier http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010407013005.kvns1a0k.html - Cosmonauts biographies published in Gagarin anniversary volume http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010406165110.gcrajr7s.html - Official Celebration Site http://www.yurisnight.net --------- SPACEMART - Defense Satellite Concerns May Kill SingTel Takeover of Optus http://www.spacedaily.com/news/optus-01a.html Sydney - April 11, 2001 - A takeover bid of Australia's number two telecom carrier Cable and Wireless Optus, by Singapore's majority state owned telecom firm SingTel is under growing pressure following concerns over a conflict of interest. - Indonesia to launch telecom satellite in 2003 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010411032252.ki5wswmd.html Jakarta (AFP) Apr 11, 2001 - The state-run PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (PT Telkom) is planning to launch its Telkom-2 telecommunications satellite in 2003 to replace the Palapa B4, a report said Wednesday. -------- SPACEWAR - Russia launches space conference despite snub by US, Britain http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010411153526.0egmlwn3.html Moscow (AFP) Apr 11, 2001 - An international conference aimed at outlawing a military build-up in space opened here Wednesday amid Russian anger that the United States and Britain had apparently snubbed a forum held at President Vladimir Putin's initiative. - Russia mulls rapid reaction force for missile defense shield http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010410180103.z8jb5zmj.html Moscow (AFP) Apr 10, 2001 - Russia's plans for a European missile defense system could include a joint center to monitor for rocket attacks and an international rapid-reaction force, a Russian official told Interfax Tuesday. - Cuban Missile Crisis Veterans Warn of "Nuclear Folly" http://www.spacedaily.com/news/icbm-01f.html Moscow (AFP) April 12, 2001 - Two leading US participants in the 1962 Cuban missile crisis and scores of veteran Russian diplomats and military officials have relived the 13 days that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. - Cooperation, not confrontation serves Europe-US relations better http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010412020629.61wrczzo.html - Concerned world looks on as Bush pursues foreign policy agenda http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010412024051.z4pp0bts.html ---------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS LIST NOTES -------------------------------------------- SpaceDaily Express is issued daily and lists all new postings to www.SpaceDaily.com Subscription is free: subscribe@spacer.com

NEWSALERT: Friday, April 13, 2001 @ 0257 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now MOLECULES HITCHHIKING ON COMETS MAY SURVIVE IMPACTS --------------------------------------------------- Simulating a high-velocity comet collision with Earth, a team of scientists has shown that organic molecules hitchhiking aboard a comet could have survived such an impact and seeded life on this planet. The results give credence to the theory that the raw materials for life came from space and were assembled on Earth into the ancestors of proteins and DNA. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/13molecules/ ODYSSEY'S LAUNCH PUT SPACECRAFT ON GOOD COURSE ---------------------------------------------- NASA has decided to postpone the first trajectory tweaking maneuver by the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft that was envisioned for next Monday, officials announced Thursday. http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/odyssey/status.html EXPEDITION TWO CREW WORKS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL --------------------------------------------- The international space station's Expedition Two Crew spent this week loading the Progress supply craft with trash and unneeded items in preparation for its undocking next week to clear the aft port on the Zvezda module for the relocation of the Soyuz capsule. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html ACCIDENT DELAYS COSMOS 1 SOLAR SAIL PROJECT LAUNCH -------------------------------------------------- The Planetary Society disclosed Wednesday that it's plans to launch a solar sail demonstration satellite later this month would be delayed indefinitely due to a testing accident that damaged the spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/12cosmos1/ SUN TAKES ANOTHER SOLAR SHOT, THIS TIME AT EARTH ------------------------------------------------ An angry Sun fired off another powerful X-class flare Tuesday. X-class flares are the most powerful classification, and this flare, rated X-2, was the most recent in a series that included one of the most powerful solar blasts in 25 years. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/12flare/ FIRST MEASUREMENTS MADE OF COLD WATER IN MILKY WAY -------------------------------------------------- The search for water in space goes on. Using ESA's Infrared Space Observatory, astronomers have for the first time measured the total amount of water in cold regions of our galaxy. This is especially interesting because these regions are the birthplace of stars like the Sun, and Solar Systems like our own. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/12coldwater/ NASA TO TRACK MORE ASTEROIDS WITH NEW CAMERA -------------------------------------------- Asteroid search efforts got a boost from a new, improved camera installed this week for NASA's Near Earth Asteroid Tracking system on the 1.2-meter Oschin telescope at the Palomar Observatory near San Diego, Calif. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/13neat/ NEW WAY TO STUDY EVOLUTION OF WHITE DWARF STARS ----------------------------------------------- The Joint Astrophysical Plasmadynamic Experiment (J-PEX) recently launched successfully on a NASA sounding rocket. The J-PEX objective is to produce the first high-resolution spectrum of a white dwarf star at extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/13jpex/ PRATT TO DEVELOP NEW UPPER STAGE ROCKET ENGINE ---------------------------------------------- Pratt & Whitney Space Propulsion operations announced this week its plans to begin development of a full-scale engine demonstrator for a next generation high-performance liquid-hydrogen-fueled 60,000 pound-thrust-class rocket engine, designated the RL60. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/12rl60/

Interplanetary shock wave passes Earth, triggers magnetic storm Space Weather News for April 13, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com AURORA ALERT: An interplanetary shock wave struck Earth's magnetosphere early on Friday the 13th and triggered a strong geomagnetic storm. Forecasters anticipate that a second shock wave will arrive later Friday or Saturday, possibly intensifying the ongoing disturbance. Middle-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras after local sunset. AURORA GALLERY: A pair of coronal mass ejections that hit Earth's magnetosphere on April 11th sparked an intense display of auroras. Sky watchers in the United States saw "Northern Lights" as far south as the New Mexico-Texas border. Check out our aurora gallery for more than 50 images of the storm. Visit http://SpaceWeather.com

Life as We (Didn't) Know It NASA Science News for April 13, 2001 Biologists always thought life required the Sun's energy, until they found an ecosystem that thrives in complete darkness. A team of scientists including members of the NASA Astrobiology Institute are sailing the high seas on a daring expedition to explore this strange new world -- right here on our own planet. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast13apr_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Saturday, April 14, 2001 @ 1750 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now A VIRTUAL COLUMBIA ON ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY ------------------------------------------ Spaceflight Now toured the space shuttle Columbia at the Kennedy Space Center this week to mark the 20th anniversary of its maiden flight and captured the scene in two virtual reality panoramas. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/14ov102/ EUROPE GOES TO MARS ------------------- If you live in Europe, there's almost certainly a research institute or industrial company near you that is contributing materials or expertise to Mars Express, Europe's first mission to the Red Planet. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/14marsexpress/ TURNING DIAMOND FILM INTO SOLAR CELLS ------------------------------------- Timothy Fisher is taking a Tiffany's approach to converting sunlight into electricity: with a $348,000 grant from National Reconnaissance Office, the assistant professor of mechanical engineering is exploring the use of polycrystalline diamond as a replacement for the silicon solar cells currently used in many space applications. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/14diamondarrays/

NEWSALERT: Monday, April 16, 2001 @ 1651 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SHUTTLE ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE IN FLORIDA FOR LAUNCH ----------------------------------------------- Astronauts representing four countries -- the most diverse for any one crew -- flew to Kennedy Space Center today in preparation for blastoff aboard space shuttle Endeavour on Thursday bound of the international space station. Meanwhile, a Russian cargo ship undocked from the station earlier today. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html STS-100 MISSION THEATER IS NOW OPEN ----------------------------------- Sign up today for Spaceflight Now's Mission Theater Package, your front row seat for video coverage of shuttle Endeavour's mission to deliver the Canadian-made robotic arm to the International Space Station. You will gain access to online video clips, plus receive an embroidered mission patch like those worn by the astronauts and a VHS tape featuring the daily mission highlights and additional launch and landing footage. http://spaceflightnow.com/theater/sts100/pack.html CLIMATE CHANGE LINKED TO ANOMALY IN EARTH'S ORBIT ------------------------------------------------- About 23 million years ago, a huge ice sheet spread over Antarctica, temporarily reversing a general trend of global warming and decreasing ice volume. Now a team of researchers has discovered that this climatic blip corresponded with a rare combination of events in the pattern of Earth's orbit around the Sun. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/16anomaly/ X-40A CRAFT PAVES WAY FOR NASA'S X-37 SPACE PLANE ------------------------------------------------- The X-40A vehicle successfully performed a second free flight test on April 12 at Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, Calif. The X-40A was lifted by an Army Chinook helicopter and released. The craft made a smooth touchdown shortly thereafter. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/15x40a/ ANTIBIOTIC EXPERIMENT HEADING FOR SPACE STATION ----------------------------------------------- The University of Colorado at Boulder-based BioServe Space Technologies Center is sending an intriguing biomedical experiment to the international space station April 19 to test the effects of long-term weightlessness on antibiotic production. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/15issbioserve/ NASA SHOWS EARTH'S GLOBAL HEAT ENGINE DRIVING PLANTS ---------------------------------------------------- Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have assembled the first long-term global data set that demonstrates the connection between changing patterns of sea surface temperature and patterns of plant growth across the Earth's landscapes. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/15plantgrowth/

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 @ 1508 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now STATION TO GROW TWO-HANDED ARM DURING SHUTTLE VISIT --------------------------------------------------- The shuttle Endeavour stands poised for blastoff Thursday on the most complex space station assembly flight yet attempted, a two-spacewalk mission to install a $900 million Canadian robot arm able to move around the station's exterior like a 58-foot-long mechanical inchworm. Read our multi-part mission preview! http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage6a/010416preview/ See the astronauts' master flight plan: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage6a/fdf/100plan.html LAUNCH COUNTDOWN CONTINUES SMOOTHLY ----------------------------------- Endeavour's countdown began on schedule Monday evening and continued smoothly overnight. NASA officials report there are no technical problems standing in the way of liftoff on Thursday. You can follow the three-day countdown in our Mission Status Center: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html STS-100 MISSION THEATER IS NOW OPEN ----------------------------------- Sign up today for Spaceflight Now's Mission Theater Package, your front row seat for video coverage of shuttle Endeavour's mission to deliver the Canadian-made robotic arm to the International Space Station. You will gain access to online video clips, plus receive an embroidered mission patch like those worn by the astronauts and a VHS tape featuring the daily mission highlights and additional launch and landing footage. http://spaceflightnow.com/theater/sts100/pack.html CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR MARS SAMPLE RETURN STUDIES ------------------------------------------------ NASA's Mars Exploration Program has awarded four industry team contracts to conduct initial studies of specific implementation scenarios for a first Mars sample return mission that might be launched as early as 2011. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/17marssample/ NANOTECHNOLOGY GETS A BOOST --------------------------- In the forefront of nanotechnology development, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has acquired one of the world's finest electron beam lithography systems, one that will allow researchers to work on the sub-molecular scale. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/17nanotech/

-------------------------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - April 17, 2001 ** forward SpaceDaily Express to a friend ** -------------------------------------------- -------------- Micro Satellite Tender --------------- COSMIC is a joint U.S.-Taiwan scientific project that will use a constellation of six microsatellites to collect atmospheric sounding measurements. Industry partners to build and deliver six GPS receivers, six solid-state recorders plus payload computers are now being sought by the University Corporation. ----------- http://www.ucar.cosmic.edu/ ------------ ----------- QUICK SPACE - US space tourist flies to Baikonur to try out spacesuit http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010416133936.mnpr8ga4.html - India Set For Second Launch Bid http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010417011036.jwv9erln.html - Diamonds In The Sun http://www.spacedaily.com/news/solarcell-01b.html - Endeavour Launch Set For April 19 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/shuttle-01h.html - Turning Stars Into Gold http://www.spacedaily.com/news/neutron-star-01a.html - Satellite Industry Turns Over $80 Billion Annually http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-01e.html - Mutual Inspection Of Compliance For Missile Destruction Treaty Ends http://www.spacedaily.com/news/icbm-01g.html ------------------ HEADLINES IN BRIEF April 17, 2001 --------- SPACEMART - India Set For Second Launch Bid http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010417011036.jwv9erln.html Bangalore (AFP) April 17, 2001 - The India Space Research Organization was counting down Tuesday for its second attempt at launching a new rocket that carries the country's hopes of entering the commercial launch market. Countdown began early Monday with take-off scheduled for 3:43 pm (1013 GMT) Wednesday. - Satellite Industry Turns Over $80 Billion Annually http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-01e.html New York - April 9, 2001 - The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) latest annual survey found a 17 percent increase in revenues for 2000, with the commercial satellite industry now generating over $80 billion in revenues annually. ---------- TECH SPACE - Diamonds In The Sun http://www.spacedaily.com/news/solarcell-01b.html Nashville - April 10, 2001 - Timothy Fisher is taking a Tiffany's approach to converting sunlight into electricity: with a $348,000 grant from National Reconnaissance Office, the assistant professor of mechanical engineering is exploring the use of polycrystalline diamond as a replacement for the silicon solar cells currently used in many space applications. ------------- SPACE SCIENCE - Turning Stars Into Gold http://www.spacedaily.com/news/neutron-star-01a.html Leicester - April 15, 2001 - Many common elements, such as oxygen and carbon, are known to be made in stars and distributed through the Universe when a star explodes as a supernova. This is the origin of most of the material that makes up the Earth. -------- SPACEWAR - Mutual Inspection Of Compliance For Missile Destruction Treaty Ends http://www.spacedaily.com/news/icbm-01g.html Almaty (Interfax) April 11, 2001 - The United States, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine will end on May 31, 2001 the mutual inspection activities that have lasted for 13 years to check compliance with the treaty on elimination of medium and shorter range missiles. --------------------- YESTERDAY'S HEADLINES - Final Decision On Tito Flight Tuesday http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01n.html - Was The Big Bang A Big Bump http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cosmology-01b.html - Can Europe's RLV Plans Rise Like A Phoenix http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rlv-01c.html - Delayed Funding Could Torpedo Russia's ISS Contribution http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-01q.html - NASA Beefs Up Asteroid Tracking With NEAT New Camera http://www.spacedaily.com/news/asteroid-01d.html - Violet Will Enable Chips Of Ultra New Level http://www.spacedaily.com/news/chip-tech-01a.html - Climate Wobble Linked To Rare Anomaly In Earth's Orbit http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iceage-01a.html - Khrunichev Space Center To Supply Rocket Boosters To India http://www.spacedaily.com/news/india-01d.html

Solving Charles Darwin's 'Abominable Mystery' NASA Science News for April 17, 2001 About 130 million years ago the first flowering plants suddenly appeared -- an event Charles Darwin described as an 'abominable mystery.' Now, scientists using chemical fossils are unraveling this ancient puzzle. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast17apr_1.htm?list89800

The Amazing Canadarm2 NASA Science News for April 18, 2001 9:00:00 AM Crawling around the International Space Station like an agile worm, the newest Canadian robotic arm will be essential for building and maintaining the ISS. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast18apr_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 @ 1519 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now EXPEDITION TWO CREW LEAVES STATION FOR SHORT TRIP ------------------------------------------------- For the Expedition Two astronauts today wasn't just another day aboard their orbiting outpost. The three-person crew left the station for a short time to move their escape capsule to a different docking port. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html STATION TO GROW TWO-HANDED ARM DURING SHUTTLE VISIT --------------------------------------------------- The shuttle Endeavour stands poised for blastoff Thursday on the most complex space station assembly flight yet attempted, a two-spacewalk mission to install a $900 million Canadian robot arm able to move around the station's exterior like a 58-foot-long mechanical inchworm. Read our multi-part mission preview! http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage6a/010416preview/ STS-100 MISSION THEATER IS NOW OPEN ----------------------------------- Sign up today for Spaceflight Now's Mission Theater Package, your front row seat for video coverage of shuttle Endeavour's mission to deliver the Canadian-made robotic arm to the International Space Station. You will gain access to online video clips, plus receive an embroidered mission patch like those worn by the astronauts and a VHS tape featuring the daily mission highlights and additional launch and landing footage. http://spaceflightnow.com/theater/sts100/pack.html NEW INDIAN ROCKET MAKES SUCCESSFUL INAUGURAL FLIGHT --------------------------------------------------- India's fledgling space program experienced a major boost Wednesday as the maiden Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle took to the skies and successfully delivered an experimental communications satellite into orbit. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/18gslv/ MOON'S DARK SIDE YIELDS CLUES TO EARTH'S CLIMATE ------------------------------------------------ Scientists have revived and modernized a nearly forgotten technique for monitoring Earth's climate by carefully observing "earthshine," the ghostly glow of the dark side of the moon. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/18earthshine/ PROGRESS REPORT ON GALILEO -------------------------- The pace of activity onboard NASA's Galileo spacecraft picks up a bit this week during the relatively quiet cruise portion of an orbit in order to maintain the health of the thrusters and of the tape recorder for when they are needed the most -- during the intense activities of the close satellite encounters. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/18galileothisweek/

NEWSALERT: Monday, April 23, 2001 @ 1514 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now TWO ROBOTIC ARMS AT WORK IN SPACE TODAY --------------------------------------- The Canadarm2 took its first step today by detaching one hand from its launch container and grabbing the international space station's Destiny module. Endeavour's robot arm is also in use today, hoisting the Raffaello cargo module for docking to the station. See our Status Center for live updates: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html CANADA'S ROBOT ARM INSTALLED ON STATION --------------------------------------- The Canadian-made space station robotic arm was attached to the orbiting outpost by spacewalking astronauts Sunday and moved its joints for the first time in space. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage6a/010422fd4/ PROBE SHOWS EROS' SURFACE THE RESULT OF IMPACTS ----------------------------------------------- NEAR mission science team members have concluded that the majority of the small features that make up the surface of asteroid Eros more likely came from an unrelenting bombardment from space debris than internal processes. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/23near/ ESA AND CHINESE EXPLORE JOINT SPACE MISSION ------------------------------------------- A new East-West scientific collaboration recently took a further step towards acceptance when a group of European Space Agency delegates and space scientists travelled to Beijing to meet their Chinese counterparts. Under discussion was possible European participation in a dual-spacecraft mission known as Double Star. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/23esachina/ PANAMSAT LANDS IN KAZAKHSTAN FOR LAUNCH --------------------------------------- PanAmSat announced that the company's new PAS-10 Indian Ocean Region satellite has arrived in Kazakhstan in preparation for its May launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. PAS-10 will be rocketed into space aboard a Proton launch vehicle and will provide digital video, data and Internet services throughout a 30-million square mile footprint. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/23pas10/

NEWSALERT: Sunday, April 22, 2001 @ 0910 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ACTION-PACKED DAY AHEAD IN SPACE FOR ASTRONAUTS ----------------------------------------------- The Canadian-made space station robotic arm, folded up in a pallet, is scheduled for attachment onto the orbiting outpost today as two spacewalking astronauts step outside Endeavour for a dramatic 6.5-hour excursion to assemble the $900 million limb. We have complete live coverage in the Status Center: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html See the astronauts' detailed timeline: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage6a/fdf/100plan.html ENDEAVOUR ARRIVES AT SPACE STATION TO DELIVER ROBOT ARM ------------------------------------------------------- Shuttle skipper Kent Rominger guided Endeavour to a glacial docking with the international space station Saturday as the two spacecraft sailed 243 miles above the south Pacific Ocean at five miles per second. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage6a/010421fd3/ A WRINKLE IN SPACE MAY GROUND LIGHTWEIGHT MIRRORS ------------------------------------------------- Inflatable structures are ideal for many space applications, but very small wrinkles may make enormous mirrors impractical, says a researcher. Wrinkles make the polymer membranes currently used for space-based inflatable structures unsuitable for use as mirrors. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/22inflate/ HONING IN ON IMPACT OF NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS IN SPACE -------------------------------------------------- Determining how nuclear explosions in space affect U.S. defense systems is what an Arnold Engineering Development Center team hope to determine using its new plasma radiation source "cold" X-ray test capability. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/21nukes/ NEW SPIN PUT ON MYSTERY OF MISSING SOLAR NEUTRINOS -------------------------------------------------- Every day the sun spews out subatomic particles called neutrinos, and instruments count how many make their way to Earth. But the instruments only detect half as many neutrinos as scientists expected to see. Where did all the neutrinos go? In recent years, scientists worldwide have converged on an answer. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/21neutrinos/ PRINCETON SCIENTISTS DESIGN TELESCOPE FOR NASA CONTEST ------------------------------------------------------ It is possible that human beings are only a decade away from finding out whether or not it is alone in the Universe, and Princeton University is playing a large role in this potential discovery. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/22planetfinder/

There was a theory concerning the extinction of the dinosaurs being linked to the appearance of flowering plants. It seems that the dinosaurs digestive systems weren't up to handling the new type of plants, consequently they died off from really bad constipation, more or less.

Thanks for reposting that - I went back to the old url to try to see what I could retrieve. You saved me from having to do that. I will repeat Terry's cooment that it will likely end up as part of a Jay Leno routine. Look Ma -- No Hands! Containerless Processing at MSFC NASA Science News for December , 20 Using a force field to float molten test samples precisely in mid-air, NASA's Electrostatic Levitator creates a unique environment for space-age materials processing. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast23apr_1.htm?list89800

QUICK SPACE - Global Hawk Makes Historic First Unmanned Flight To Australia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/uav-01d.html - Boeing Signs Brazil For Delta 4 Comsat Launch http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01d.html - Astronauts work aboard space station http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010423214916.zwg7bj0k.html - Space tourist to make trip despite US reluctance: Russia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010423202630.dx0jsorn.html - Space tourist Tito "happiest man in the world" http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010423143724.hbl3b49r.html - Human Evolution Punctuated By Cosmic Impacts http://www.spacedaily.com/news/asteroid-01e.html - Nanotechnology Gets A Boost With Purchase Of EB System At JPL http://www.spacedaily.com/news/chip-tech-01b.html - Boeing Rocketdyne RS-68 Engine Triumphs In 10k Run http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01e.html - Air Pollution Control Could Impact Global Warming Trends http://www.spacedaily.com/news/greenhouse-01m.html - Wetter Upper Atmosphere May Delay Global Ozone Recovery http://www.spacedaily.com/news/ozone-01d.html ------------------ HEADLINES IN BRIEF April 24, 2001 -------- SPACEWAR - Global Hawk Makes Historic First Unmanned Flight To Australia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/uav-01d.html Adelaide - April 23, 2001 - The United States� Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Global Hawk made international aviation history Monday when it completed the first non-stop flight across the Pacific Ocean by an autonomous aircraft, flying from Edwards Air Force Base on the west coast of the U.S. to RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia - Raytheon To Develop And Validate Milstar Upgrade For SMART-T http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milstar-01b.html --------------------------------------------- - Advertise On SpaceDaily For One Year - $12,600 All Inclusive http://www.spacedaily.com/ad-deals-to-go.html email: advertise@spacer.com --------------------------------------------- --------- SPACEMART - Boeing Signs Brazil For Delta 4 Comsat Launch http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01e.html Huntington Beach - April 23, 2001 - Boeing and Space Systems/Loral officials confirmed today that a Brazilian telecommunications satellite will be launched on a Delta IV rocket next year. The launch of Estrela do Sul, which will provide telecommunications services to North and South America, is scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., during the second half of 2002. Loral Skynet will operate the satellite built by Space Systems/Loral. - Boeing Rocketdyne RS-68 Engine Triumphs In 10k Run http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01d.html Canoga Park - April 23, 2001 - The Rocketdyne RS-68 engine, being developed by The Boeing Company for the Delta IV family of launch vehicles, has achieved a major milestone in logging more than 10,000 seconds of accumulated hot-fire test time. The engine program is on track for first launch of the Delta IV in early 2002. ------------ STATION NEWS - Astronauts work aboard space station http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010423214916.zwg7bj0k.html - Space tourist to make trip despite US reluctance: Russia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010423202630.dx0jsorn.html - ISS fitted out with Canadian, Italian contributions http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010423181730.0jjqfkdn.html - No decision on controversial space tourist flight: NASA http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010423160942.ke7mv69v.html - NASA agrees to controversial space tourist flight http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010423152617.20stzgko.html - Space tourist Tito "happiest man in the world" http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010423143724.hbl3b49r.html ---------- SPACEGUARD - Human Evolution Punctuated By Cosmic Impacts http://www.spacedaily.com/news/asteroid-01e.html Liverpool - April 24, 2001 - The theory of gradual and uninterrupted human evolution has been called into question after two researchers found that human evolution has been repeatedly punctuated by large-scale cosmic catastrophes. ---------- TECH SPACE - Nanotechnology Gets A Boost With Purchase Of EB System At JPL http://www.spacedaily.com/news/chip-tech-01b.html Pasadena - April 23, 2001 - In the forefront of nanotechnology development, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., has acquired one of the world's finest electron beam lithography systems, one that will allow researchers to work on the sub-molecular scale. ---------- TERRADAILY - Air Pollution Control Could Impact Global Warming Trends http://www.spacedaily.com/news/greenhouse-01m.html Irvine - April 23, 2001 - Climate researchers are warning that efforts to reduce air pollution could, if not well designed, make global warming worse. Limiting emissions of man-made nitrogen oxides, a strategy to control ozone in the lower atmosphere, would result in increased methane abundance and lead to additional greenhouse warming. - Wetter Upper Atmosphere May Delay Global Ozone Recovery http://www.spacedaily.com/news/ozone-01d.html Greenbelt - April 23, 2001 - NASA research has shown that increasing water-vapor in the stratosphere, which results partially from greenhouse gases, may delay ozone recovery and increase the rate of climate change. ---------------- Space Transportation Summit --------------- The 2001 World Summit on the Space Transportation Business brings together the key players of the space launch industry to focus on the principal strategic issues of the business -- http://www.euroconsult-ec.com/web/space/space_h_ws.htm -- Hotel Inter-Continental Thursday 17 & Friday 18 May 2001 Paris ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS LIST NOTES -------------------------------------------- SpaceDaily Express is issued daily and lists all new postings to www.SpaceDaily.com Subscription is free: subscribe@spacer.com

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, April 24, 2001 @ 1734 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SPACEWALKERS PLAY ELECTRICIANS OUTSIDE STATION ---------------------------------------------- Endeavour astronauts Chris Hadfield and Scott Parazynski have embarked a 6.5-hour spacewalk today to re-wire the Canadarm2 so it can operate from its new home on hull of the international space station's Destiny lab module. We have live coverage in the Status Center: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html THE RATIONALE BEHIND OUR MISSION THEATER ---------------------------------------- MARS ODYSSEY TAKES SNAPSHOT OF EARTH ------------------------------------ NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft turned its multipurpose camera homeward last week and took its first picture -- a shot of a faint crescent Earth -- as the spacecraft heads off toward its destination, the planet Mars. http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/odyssey/010424earth/ TWO U.S. COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITES SUFFER DISRUPTIONS ----------------------------------------------------- Loral's Telstar 6 and PanAmSat's Galaxy 3R telecommunications satellites each went dark for a time over the weekend due to internal computer failures. Both craft, however, were working on backup systems by Monday. Telstar 6 story: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/24telstar6/ Galaxy 3R story: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/24g3r/ ALCATEL TO BUILD NEW GE CRAFT; ILS TO LAUNCH THEM ------------------------------------------------- France-based Alcatel Space has signed a contract with International Launch Services (ILS) for launch of two spacecraft for GE American Communications Inc. in 2002 and 2003. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/24geils/ GALILEO UNDERGOES CALIBRATION ----------------------------- This week on NASA's Galileo spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter sees the continuation of the set of instrument calibrations that began on Sunday. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/24galileothisweek/

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: The Webcast NASA Science News for April 25, 2001 Astrobiologists are visiting the Indian Ocean to explore a bizarre undersea ecosystem that doesn't need sunlight to flourish. You can join them via a live webcast on April 26th! FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast25apr_1.htm?list89800

-------------------------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - April 25, 2001 ** forward SpaceDaily Express to a friend ** -------------------------------------------- ---------------- Space Transportation Summit --------------- The 2001 World Summit on the Space Transportation Business brings together the key players of the space launch industry to focus on the principal strategic issues of the business -- http://www.euroconsult-ec.com/web/space/space_h_ws.htm -- Hotel Inter-Continental Thursday 17 & Friday 18 May 2001 Paris ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- QUICK SPACE - India's experimental satellite runs into minor snags http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010424155415.dnahk40o.html - Canadarm2's Installation Complete During Hadfield's Second Spacewalk http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-01s.html - "Space tourist" delighted with NASA green light http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425085931.47nejdq1.html - Russia To Propose Non-Strategic Missile Defense For Europe http://www.spacedaily.com/news/bmdo-01zc.html - China To Develop Civil Satellite Technology Base http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-01zb.html - Boeing Signs Brazil For Delta 4 Comsat Launch http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01e.html - Boeing Rocketdyne RS-68 Engine Triumphs In 10k Run http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01d.html - Eutelsat Order New GEO Bird From Astrium http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-01f.html - Malaysian satellite operator gets backdoor listing in takeover bid http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425071737.lahvh8qk.html ---------------- MORE QUICK SPACE - Tito To Take Space Taxi To ISS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01q.html - Green light given for space tourist's trip: NASA http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425022847.xqathrhl.html - Endeavour astronauts complete second spacewalk http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425022352.xs5ov87d.html - Keep Galileo's Eyes Open, Say Petitioning Scientists http://www.spacedaily.com/news/galileo-01g.html - Japan To Test Hyper Plane At Woomera http://www.spacedaily.com/news/japan-hyperx-01a.html - MAP Spacecraft Arrives At KSC To Begin Launch Preparations http://www.spacedaily.com/news/map-01a.html - Impacts Shaped Eros Topography http://www.spacedaily.com/news/near-01n.html - 15 years later, nuclear industry struggles with Chernobyl's legacy http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425030348.wg469tva.html - Thinning of ozone layer over Arctic eases: meteorological agency http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010424143450.wnhc31hf.html ------------------ HEADLINES IN BRIEF April 25, 2001 --------- SPACEMART - Boeing Signs Brazil For Delta 4 Comsat Launch http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01e.html Huntington Beach - April 23, 2001 - Boeing and Space Systems/Loral officials confirmed today that a Brazilian telecommunications satellite will be launched on a Delta IV rocket next year. The launch of Estrela do Sul, which will provide telecommunications services to North and South America, is scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., during the second half of 2002. Loral Skynet will operate the satellite built by Space Systems/Loral. - Boeing Rocketdyne RS-68 Engine Triumphs In 10k Run http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01d.html Canoga Park - April 23, 2001The Rocketdyne RS-68 engine, being developed by The Boeing Company for the Delta IV family of launch vehicles, has achieved a major milestone in logging more than 10,000 seconds of accumulated hot-fire test time. The engine program is on track for first launch of the Delta IV in early 2002. - Eutelsat Order New GEO Bird From Astrium http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-01f.html Paris - April 23, 2001 - Eutelsat has signed contracts with Astrium Space Industries for the delivery of a new satellite called W3A. The procurement of this new 50-transponder spacecraft will meet Eutelsat's ambitions to consolidate its market position in Europe for multimedia services, reinforce its expansion path into Africa and strengthen its in-orbit redundancy programme. - Malaysian satellite operator gets backdoor listing in takeover bid http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425071737.lahvh8qk.html - India's experimental satellite runs into minor snags http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010424155415.dnahk40o.html ------------------ ADVERTISEMENT -------------------- The London Satellite Exchange - Buy or sell satellite capacity - Capacity on NewSat-I is available soon, and will provide attractive pricing combined with excellent coverage. The satellite is the former Palapa B2R, now in inclined orbit at 42.5 degrees East. Contact the traders +44 207 680 7268 -------------------- www.e-sax.com ------------------- ------------ STATION NEWS - Canadarm2's Installation Complete During Hadfield's Second Spacewalk http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-01s.html Saint-Hubert - April 24, 2001 - Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Chris Hadfield and NASA's Scott Parazynski stepped out of the Shuttle Endeavour for the second time today to rewire cables on the International Space Station and power up Canadarm2 from its new connecting point on the Destiny Lab. - Tito To Take Space Taxi To ISS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01q.html Moscow - April 24, 2001 - A US businessman who has paid to be the first space tourist, Dennis Tito, will make his controversial flight to the International Space Station even in the absence of US approval, the Russian Space Agency said Monday. Tito "will travel to the space station no matter what," RSA spokesman Sergei Gorbunov said. "We will guarantee Mr. Tito's safety during the flight." - "Space tourist" delighted with NASA green light http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425085931.47nejdq1.html - Green light given for space tourist's trip: NASA http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425022847.xqathrhl.html - Endeavour astronauts complete second spacewalk http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425022352.xs5ov87d.html -------- SPACEWAR - Russia To Propose Non-Strategic Missile Defense For Europe http://www.spacedaily.com/news/bmdo-01zc.html Moscow - (Interfax) April 24, 2001 - The Russian president's strategic security advisor Marshal Igor Sergeyev and Head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Main Department for International Military Cooperation Col. Gen. Leonid Ivashov are flying to Brussels on Wednesday, bringing along proposals for creating a non-strategic missile defense system for Europe. - Global Hawk Makes Historic First Unmanned Flight To Australia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/uav-01d.html ------------ DRAGON SPACE - China To Develop Civil Satellite Technology Base http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-01zb.html Shanghai - (Interfax) April 24, 2001 - China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced that it will develop new generation satellites for civil spaceflight during the 10th Five-year Plan period (2001-2005). The gross investment in the program will greatly exceed the investment in civil spaceflight during the 9th Five-year Plan period (1996-2000), said Guo Baozhu, deputy director of CNSA. ------------- JOVIAN DREAMS - Keep Galileo's Eyes Open, Say Petitioning Scientists http://www.spacedaily.com/news/galileo-01g.html Leavenworth - April 24, 2001 - NASA recently extended the successful Galileo spacecraft's mission until January 2003 to continue study of Jupiter's fascinating moons, particularly the extremely volcanic moon Io. But scientists now say that a planned powerdown of Galileo's imaging suite at the end of this year will hamstring efforts to solve Io's many mysteries. ---------- TECH SPACE - Japan To Test Hyper Plane At Woomera http://www.spacedaily.com/news/japan-hyperx-01a.html Canberra - April 24, 2001 - An agreement was signed today between between the Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Defence) and the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) of Japan for use of the Woomera Prohibited Area in South Australia for flight testing scale model super-sonic transport planes. ------------- SPACE SCIENCE - MAP Spacecraft Arrives At KSC To Begin Launch Preparations http://www.spacedaily.com/news/map-01a.html KSC - April 24, 2001 - NASA's Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) arrived today at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida from the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. The spacecraft will undergo final readiness preparations for its upcoming launch this summer aboard a Boeing Delta II launch vehicle. --------- EROSDAILY - Impacts Shaped Eros Topography http://www.spacedaily.com/news/near-01n.html Laurel - April 24, 2001 - NEAR mission science team members have concluded that the majority of the small features that make up the surface of asteroid Eros more likely came from an unrelenting bombardment from space debris than internal processes. ---------- TERRADAILY - 15 years later, nuclear industry struggles with Chernobyl's legacy http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425030348.wg469tva.html - Thinning of ozone layer over Arctic eases: meteorological agency http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010424143450.wnhc31hf.html

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 @ 1319 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NASA LOSES BID TO STOP JOYRIDE FLIGHT OF DENNIS TITO ---------------------------------------------------- Faced with no options, the NASA-led panel that manages the International Space Station granted the Russians an exemption on Tuesday to fly tourist Dennis Tito to the orbital outpost. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/soyuz2s/010424titogo/ TITO ARRIVES IN BAIKONUR ------------------------ Aspiring space tourist Dennis Tito and his two Russian crewmates are at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan today in preparation for launch aboard a Soyuz spacecraft on Saturday. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/soyuz2s/010424titogo/index2.html SPACE STATION SUFFERS COMPUTER TROUBLES TODAY --------------------------------------------- Problems with two command and control computers aboard the international space station have delayed the start of today's robot arm operations. The station's new robot arm is supposed to be put to the test today, maneuvering a 3,000-pound cargo pallet about to make sure it can do the heavy lifting required for future assembly flights. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html SPACEWALKERS PLAY ELECTRICIANS OUTSIDE STATION ---------------------------------------------- Two spacewalking electricians wired the international space station's new robot arm into the lab's power grid Tuesday, completing the $900 million crane system's initial installation after extensive troubleshooting to activate an initially dead backup circuit. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage6a/010424fd6/ HUBBLE MAKES POPULAR OBSERVATION FOR ITS BIRTHDAY ------------------------------------------------- Rising from a sea of dust and gas like a giant seahorse, the Horsehead nebula is one of the most photographed objects in the sky. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope took a close-up look at this heavenly icon. The detailed view was released to celebrate the orbiting observatory's eleventh anniversary. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/25horsehead/ NEW SATELLITE TO REINFORCE EUTELSAT'S EXPANSION PATHS ----------------------------------------------------- Eutelsat has announced that it has signed a contract with Astrium Space Industries for the delivery of a new satellite called W3A. The 50-transponder spacecraft will meet Eutelsat's ambitions to consolidate its market position in Europe for multimedia services, reinforce its expansion path into Africa and strengthen its in-orbit redundancy program. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0104/25w3a/

The Mysterious Case of Crater Giordano Bruno NASA Science News for April 26, 2001 A band of 12th century sky watchers saw something big hit the Moon 800 years ago. Or did they? A new study suggests the event was a meteoritic trick of the eye. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast26apr_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Thursday, April 26, 2001 @ 2346 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now STATION COMPUTER FAILURES DELAY SHUTTLE DEPARTURE ------------------------------------------------- Mission managers have decided to keep shuttle Endeavour docked to the international space station two extra days, as controllers struggle to regain use of the command computers in the Destiny lab. Earlier this afternoon two more computers unexpectedly shut down. With the station computers crippled, NASA has requested that the Russians postpone Saturday's planned launch of the Soyuz spacecraft carrying U.S. space tourist Dennis Tito. Follow this developing story our space station mission status center: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html Tito's Soyuz rocket was rolled to the launch pad early Thursday: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/soyuz2s/010426rollout/

The Transparent Sun NASA Science News for April 27, 2001 Giant sunspot 9393 is making a rare second transit across the face of the Sun. Its unusual reappearance came as no surprise to scientists who tracked the behemoth by peering right through our star! Now, thanks to SOHO instrument teams, you too can see the hidden side of the Sun on the internet. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast27apr_1.htm?list89800

Weekend Aurora Watch Space Weather News for April 27, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com AURORA WATCH: Giant sunspot 9393 unleashed a powerful solar flare and hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space on Thursday, April 26. The CME will probably hit Earth's magnetosphere on Saturday or, perhaps, early Sunday. NOAA forecasters estimate a 10% chance of a major geomagnetic storm at middle latitudes. Stay tuned to http://SpaceWeather.com for updates.

Tourist Tito boards international space station NEWSALERT: Monday, April 30, 2001 @ 1435 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SPACE TOURIST TITO CHECKS IN AT THE 'HOTEL ALPHA' ------------------------------------------------- The Soyuz TM-32 spacecraft carrying U.S. millionaire space tourist Dennis Tito and two cosmonaut crewmates successfully docked with the international space station today as the two vehicles sailed 240 miles above central Asia. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage6a/010430fd12/

-------------------------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - April 30, 2001 ** forward SpaceDaily Express to a friend ** -------------------------------------------- Hi Folks, We have been busy the past week moving servers and were unable to send out the newsletter until today. If you have any problems with accessing SpaceDaily.com this week please let us know. Thanks, Simon Mansfield ----------- QUICK SPACE - Technique Detects When Satellites Are Low On Fuel http://www.spacedaily.com/news/fuel-01d.html - Galileo Forges Ahead With New Release Of Funds http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-euro-01d.html - Clues To The Universe From Canada's First Microsatellite http://www.spacedaily.com/news/microsat-01d.html - Intelligent Nanostructures React To Environmental Changes http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nanotech-01g.html - A Wrinkle In Space May Ground Lightweight Mirrors http://www.spacedaily.com/news/ngst-01b.html - College Students Take Once-In-A-Lifetime Ride On Vomit Comet http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01r.html - MicroMachines Key To Maintaining Large Space Structures http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nanotech-01h.html - Gazkom Plans To Launch Two New Yamal Satellites In 2002 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launcher-russia-01f.html - ESA May Consider Soyuz Launches From Kourou Space Center In November http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launcher-russia-01g.html - Test Facility Hones In On Impact Of Nuclear Explosions In Space http://www.spacedaily.com/news/radiation-01c.html - Japanese consortium sets up satellite launch venture http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010426023507.rnaf0mq7.html - China plans to launch space telescope in 2005 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010425145037.5h9g2d9v.html - Arabsat to look into launch on world stage http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010428175141.c85qq0gc.html ------------------ HEADLINES IN BRIEF April 30, 2001 ---------- TECH SPACE - Technique Detects When Satellites Are Low On Fuel http://www.spacedaily.com/news/fuel-01d.html West Lafayette - April 25, 2001 - A computer model originally applied to such theoretical problems as understanding the mathematics behind soap bubble formation could be worth millions of dollars for companies that operate communications satellites. - A Wrinkle In Space May Ground Lightweight Mirrors http://www.spacedaily.com/news/ngst-01b.html Fayetteville - April 25, 2001 - Inflatable structures are ideal for many space applications, but very small wrinkles may make enormous mirrors impractical., says a University of Arkansas researcher. Bob Reynolds, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, has determined that wrinkles make the polymer membranes currently used for space-based inflatable structures, such as reflectors or communications antennae, unsuitable for use as mirrors. ---------- NANO SPACE - MicroMachines Key To Maintaining Large Space Structures http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nanotech-01h.html Fayetteville - April 25, 2001 - Tiny micro electro-mechanical systems dubbed MEMS may be the key to maintaining giant space-based structures, according to U of A researchers Steve Tung and Larry Roe. Although space-based solar collectors or antenna arrays can be many square miles in size, tiny MEMS devices can keep them oriented correctly to ensure their long-term operation. - Intelligent Nanostructures React To Environmental Changes http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nanotech-01g.html Albuquerque - April 25, 2001 - Intelligent nanostructures that report on their environment by changing color from blue to fluorescent red under mechanical, chemical, or thermal stress have been created by researchers at Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico. -------------- MICROSAT BLITZ - Clues To The Universe From Canada's First Microsatellite http://www.spacedaily.com/news/microsat-01d.html Toronto April 25, 2001 - Clues to some of the universe's enduring mysteries could soon be captured, thanks to a space telescope and microsatellite set to go into space next year -- a Canadian first that is now being built by a team of U of T aerospace researchers. ------- "SMALLER SATELLITES: BIGGER BUSINESS?" ------ Strasbourg will be the setting for the International Space University's 6th Annual Symposium. This year's theme will be small satellites with an emphasis on concepts, applications and markets. Join some of the world's leading experts, manufacturers and users in interdisciplinary presentations and discussions on a wide variety of issues pertaining to small satellites Strasbourg - May 21-23 - 2001 --------- http://www.isunet.edu/Symposium/ ---------- --------- SPACEMART - Gazkom Plans To Launch Two New Yamal Satellites In 2002 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launcher-russia-01f.html Moscow (Interfax) April 25, 2001 - Gazkom, the operator of the Gazprom satellite network, plans to launch two new Yamal communications satellites at the end of next year, company Deputy General Director Andrei Shestakov said at a conference of operators and users of satellite communications and broadcast networks in the Moscow region town of Dubna. - ESA May Consider Soyuz Launches From Kourou Space Center In November http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launcher-russia-01g.html Moscow (Interfax) April 25, 2001 - The European Space Agency (ESA) in November may consider the possibility of launching Russian Soyuz launch vehicles from the Kourou space center in French Guyana, French Minister of Research Roger-Gerard Schwarzenberg told a Tuesday news conference at the Interfax central office. - Galileo Forges Ahead With New Release Of Funds http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-euro-01d.html Paris - April 25, 2001 - Galileo, Europe's global satellite navigation system, leapt an important hurdle on 5 April 2001 when European Union Transport Ministers agreed to make available Euro 100 million for the start of the programme. The ministers will decide on the release of a further Euro 450 million at their meeting next December, when they will also approve the setting up of an entity to manage the programme. - Arabsat to look into launch on world stage http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010428175141.c85qq0gc.html ------------------ ADVERTISEMENT -------------------- The London Satellite Exchange - Buy or sell satellite capacity - Capacity on NewSat-I is available soon, and will provide attractive pricing combined with excellent coverage. The satellite is the former Palapa B2R, now in inclined orbit at 42.5 degrees East. Contact the traders +44 207 680 7268 -------------------- www.e-sax.com ------------------- -------- SPACEWAR - Test Facility Hones In On Impact Of Nuclear Explosions In Space http://www.spacedaily.com/news/radiation-01c.html Arnold AFB (AFNS) April 25, 2001 - Determining how nuclear explosions in space affect U.S. defense systems is what an Arnold Engineering Development Center team hope to determine using its new plasma radiation source "cold" X-ray test capability. - Bush will push missile defense next week http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010427213455.fzwqikr0.html ------------ SPACE TRAVEL - Tito prepares for rendezvous with International Space Station http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010429194504.aiokamzj.html Baikonur (AFP) Apr 29, 2001 - Space's first-ever tourist, US millionaire businessman Dennis Tito, spent Sunday aboard a Russian capsule that was hurtling toward a Monday rendezvous with the International Space Station. - College Students Take Once-In-A-Lifetime Ride On Vomit Comet http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01r.html St. Louis - April 25, 2001 - America's future scientists recently competed for a coveted prize in a NASA-sponsored contest. Vying not for fame or fortune, these bright students hoped for a trip aboard NASA's KC-135A, otherwise known as the Vomit Comet. - Endeavour says farewell to International Space Station: NASA http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010429191705.tu9js6ne.html - US tourist Tito spends first 24 hours in space http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010429101912.azfav7qr.html - Two ISS computers back online, Soyuz may dock Monday: NASA http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010429001613.u5zfoov9.html - Second space tourist in talks for ISS flight: Russia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010428161841.7gvr255h.html - US businessman lifts off to become first-ever space tourist http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010428155417.umibp11s.html - US spaceman's family, friends also take the strain http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010428114444.m33xntmy.html - Business as usual for cosmonauts as Tito lives his dream http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010428111400.0x9o3no7.html - Tito achieves dream through determination -- and money http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010428105731.4jgfry5n.html - Reach for the sky: Tito blazes trail for space tourism http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010428102227.pla50hor.html - Russia and US make peace over "space tourist" launch http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010428042157.odfj0rgq.html ---------------- Space Transportation Summit --------------- The 2001 World Summit on the Space Transportation Business brings together the key players of the space launch industry to focus on the principal strategic issues of the business. -- http://www.euroconsult-ec.com/web/space/space_h_ws.htm -- Hotel Inter-Continental Thursday 17 & Friday 18 May 2001 Paris ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------- Micro Satellite Tender --------------- COSMIC is a joint U.S.-Taiwan scientific project that will use a constellation of six microsatellites to collect atmospheric sounding measurements. Industry partners to build and deliver six GPS receivers, six solid-state recorders plus payload computers are now being sought by the University Corporation. ----------- http://www.cosmic.ucar.edu/ ----------- --------- AD MARKET - Advertise here for only $375 a week. http://www.spacedaily.com/ad-deals-to-go.html email: advertise@spacer.com ----------------------------- SPACEDAILY EXPRESS LIST NOTES -------------------------------------------- SpaceDaily Express is issued daily and lists all new postings to www.SpaceDaily.com Subscription is free: subscribe@spacer.com

The Crumbling Comet LINEAR A Space Weather News for May 2, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com Yesterday astronomers reported that the nucleus of comet C/2001 A2 (LINEAR) has apparently split in two. This icy visitor from the outer solar system is growing in brightness as it approaches the Sun and could soon become a faint naked-eye object. Sky watchers with modest telescopes or binoculars can spot the fuzzy fragmenting comet near the feet of Orion after sunset. The comet is rapidly gliding toward southern skies, so southern hemisphere observers will enjoy the best views in the days and weeks ahead. For more information please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Any discussion of Dennis, the $10 million dollar spaceman? They had a funny parody on him on NPR this morning, his fake voice "they're sening me home on this new re-entry vehcile, it's called "tinfoil" they say it's safe because it's over water, they tell me I should reach a pretty good speed." NASA definitely has been stodgy on space tourism, maybe this will loosen them up a bit.

The eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks this weekend Space Weather News for May 4, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com This weekend our planet will pass through a trail of dusty debris from distant Comet Halley, triggering the annual eta Aquarid meteor shower. The nearly-full Moon will reduce the visibility of this year's eta Aquarid shower. Nevertheless, southern observers could spot as many as 10 meteors per hour before local dawn on Saturday and Sunday. Meteor enthusiasts can also try listening to the shower by tuning in to NASA's online meteor radar. For more information please visit http://SpaceWeather.com

Funny you should ask, Terry: - US space tourist Tito denies causing problems on ISS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010504112923.2pgei1tt.html I have avoided posting much about him. Not that I am not envious - he just annoys me. I watched his interview with Larry King. Eech!

Seven Billion Miles and Counting Last week NASA received a weak signal from Pioneer 10, twice as far from the Sun as Pluto and speeding toward the constellation Taurus. The well-traveled spacecraft is currently exploring the outer heliosphere, but soon it will take on a new job: ambassador to the stars. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast03may_1.htm?list89800

Space Weather on Mars Future human explorers of Mars can leave their umbrellas back on Earth, but perhaps they shouldn't forget their Geiger counters! A NASA experiment en route to the Red Planet aims to find out. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast01may_1.htm?list89800

The Phantom Torso An unusual space traveler named Fred is orbiting Earth on board the International Space Station. His job? To keep astronauts safe from space radiation. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast04may_1.htm?list89800

--------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now COMMERCIAL EXPERIMENTS UNDERWAY ABOARD STATION ---------------------------------------------- Three new commercial experiments are getting started on the international space station, marking a major milestone for NASA's Commercial Space Centers -- 17 centers across the United States that help industry conduct space experiments. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/04isscomm/ NASA ISSUES ENDEAVOUR DAMAGE REPORT ----------------------------------- Inspections have revealed space shuttle Endeavour suffered the expected number of debris hits during its just-completed voyage into orbit, NASA said Thursday. The shuttle is undergoing work to prepare for next week's cross-country trek from Edwards Air Force Base in California back to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html ODDS OF PLANET FORMATION IN ORION NEBULA REDUCED ------------------------------------------------ In 1993, when the Hubble Space Telescope surveyed the Orion nebula for the first time, its images provided a substantial boost for the argument that stars with planetary systems are commonplace in the galaxy. Now, however, the most recent analyses of one the youngest, closest and brightest nebulae suggest that planets may be far rarer than thought. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/03orion/ FUTURE AIRCRAFT MIGHT MORPH ITS FEATURES IN FLIGHT -------------------------------------------------- A future aircraft might morph its wings, use smart sensors and actuators and more accurately mimic nature's methods of flight. NASA Administrator Dan Goldin described the aircraft as one of the linchpins of the Agency's aerospace research for the next 20 years. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/03morph/ COLLIDING GALAXIES PROVIDE CLUES TO STAR FORMATION -------------------------------------------------- By comparing computer simulations of a galaxy collision with actual observations, astronomers at the University of Illinois have found discrete star-formation episodes that may help explain the prodigious star-formation rates that occurred in the early universe. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/03colliding/ NEW JPL DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES LAB REORGANIZATION --------------------------------------------- A reorganization designed to position the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for a new generation of challenges in space exploration has been announced by incoming Director Dr. Charles Elachi. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/03jpl/

Space Tourist Tito Heads Home After Historic Trip Reuters May 5 2001 10:48PM ASTANA, Kazakhstan (Reuters) - Dennis Tito, the world's first paying space tourist, is due back on Earth on Sunday after fulfilling a lifelong ambition but also sparking a cosmic quarrel between erstwhile spacemates Russia and the United States. more... http://my.aol.com/news/news_story.psp?type=1&cat=0600&id=0105052248398232

Lighten up, NASA!

So much for Private enterprise. We should have taken his $20 million. Oh well!

Terry, get William to fix confifty please. I am lost!!!

Why don't you email Kaylene about the specific problem with confifty and copy me on it, I think that KarenR is having a similar problem with the last six responses item on the drool page. OK?

Will do, but miss William nonetheless... NEWSALERT: Tuesday, May 8, 2001 @ 1542 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now HEART OF BOEING'S DELTA 4 ROCKET PUT TO THE TEST ------------------------------------------------ The new rocket stage and liquid-fueled main engine that are the essence of Boeing's next-generation Delta 4 commercial launcher have, in all likelihood, completed a round of crucial firings at the same complex where NASA tested its Saturn 5 rocketships that carried men to the moon more than 30 years ago. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/08delta4/ SEA LAUNCH TO LOFT XM RADIO SATELLITE TODAY ------------------------------------------- A Ukrainian/Russian Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket is slated to haul the second XM Satellite Radio spacecraft into orbit today from a floating platform in the Pacific Ocean. Liftoff is scheduled for 2210 GMT (6:10 p.m. EDT) and we will have live coverage. http://spaceflightnow.com/sealaunch/xm1/status.html U.S. WEATHER SATELLITE BOOSTED TO GRAVEYARD ORBIT ------------------------------------------------- The American GOES-2 weather satellite was officially retired Saturday after controllers guided the 24-year old spacecraft out of its geostationary orbit. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/08goes2/ EDGE OF ACCRETION DISK FOUND AROUND BLACK HOLE ---------------------------------------------- Using four NASA space observatories, astronomers have shown that a flaring black hole source has an accretion disk that stops much farther out than some theories predict. This provides a better understanding of how energy is released when matter spirals into a black hole. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/08chandra/

Wolfie says "Hi" to everyone (you know who you are!) She asked me to do so for her since she is working 12 hour shifts. Our tax dollars definitely at work!!!

NASA Science News for May 8, 2001 What makes the Red Planet red? Right now the answer is iron oxide, but one day it could be roses say NASA scientists debating the prospects for plant life on Mars. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast08may_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, May 9, 2001 @ 1412 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SEA LAUNCH ROCKET LOFTS SECOND XM RADIO SATELLITE ------------------------------------------------- "Long live Rock and Roll!" A jubilant launch team member made that exclamation on Tuesday after a Zenit 3SL rocket successfully carried XM Satellite Radio's second powerhouse broadcasting spacecraft into orbit from a floating platform in the Pacific Ocean. http://spaceflightnow.com/sealaunch/xm1/ Read our call of the countdown and launch: http://spaceflightnow.com/sealaunch/xm1/status.html PENTAGON ANNOUNCES MILITARY SPACE REFORMS ----------------------------------------- U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced Tuesday a series of reforms first suggested by a panel he once chaired that will increase the importance of space within the American military. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/09milspace/ SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR DUE HOME TODAY -------------------------------- Riding piggyback atop a modified Boeing 747 jet, space shuttle Endeavour left Edwards Air Force Base in California on Tuesday for its cross-country ferry flight back to Florida. Arrival at Kennedy Space Center is expected today, weather permitting. Check our status center for updates: http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html X-40A PERFORMS COMPLEX MANEUVERS DURING FIFTH FLIGHT ---------------------------------------------------- The X-40A vehicle successfully performed a fifth free flight test on Tuesday. The craft was carried aloft by an Army Chinook helicopter and dropped to test its flight computer's ability to maneuver the vehicle to a straight approach to the landing site. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/09x40a/

SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - May 9, 2001 - sponsored by - The London Satellite Exchange http://www.e-sax.com --------------------------------------------- ---------------- Space Transportation Summit --------------- The 2001 World Summit on the Space Transportation Business brings together the key players of the space launch industry to focus on the principal strategic issues of the business -- http://www.euroconsult-ec.com/web/space/space_h_ws.htm -- Hotel Inter-Continental Thursday 17 & Friday 18 May 2001 Paris ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- QUICK SPACE - Humans could set foot on Mars by 2020: NASA chief http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010509063324.phx7xydz.html - Genetically Modified Earth Plants Will Glow From Mars http://www.spacedaily.com/news/food-01c.html - A Rusty Old Rose http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-terraform-01b.html - No More Space Tourism For At Least Two Years: Russia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01w.html - US Space Tourist Tito Hopes To Blaze Trail For Other Cosmic Trippers http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01v.html - X-40A Free Flight Successful http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rlv-01e.html - Nature's Atmospheric Cleanser Needs Closer Look http://www.spacedaily.com/news/greenhouse-01o.html - US can produce more energy and protect the environment: Bush http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010509012853.m29th2on.html - XM Radio Bird Rolls Into Orbit http://www.spacedaily.com/news/xm-radio-01d.html - Rumsfeld To Reorganize Military Space Programs http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-01o.html - Rumsfeld Announces Space Management Shakeup http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-01p.html - US air force to coordinate military operations in space http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010508215247.hxq48pis.html - US launches worldwide missile defense road show http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010508161442.whd5jj4n.html - US-Russia missile talks in Moscow Friday http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010508115005.ipj541ef.html

Teaming Up on Space Plants NASA Science News for May 10, 2001 This week students, scientists, and astronauts will join forces to learn more about how plants grow on the International Space Station. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast10may_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Friday, May 11, 2001 @ 0335 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NEW RADIO TELESCOPE MAKES FIRST SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATIONS ------------------------------------------------------- The world's two largest radio telescopes have combined to make detailed radar images of the cloud-shrouded surface of Venus and of a tiny asteroid that passed near the Earth. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/11nrao/ THE HARSH DESTINY OF A PLANET? ------------------------------ Did the star HD 82943 swallow one of its planets? What may at a first glance look like the recipe for a dramatic science-fiction story is in fact the well-considered conclusion of a serious scientific study, to be published by a group of astronomers in Switzerland and Spain. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/10destiny/ ENDEAVOUR IS HOME ----------------- Riding piggyback atop a modified Boeing 747 jet, space shuttle Endeavour arrived at Kennedy Space Center Wednesday after a two-day cross-country ferry flight from Edwards Air Force Base in California. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html NASA SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY GOES DOWN ON THE FARM ----------------------------------------------- Some of the people closest to the land will be the first to benefit from a new global positioning technology developed to make NASA satellites more efficient and cost-effective. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/11farm/ MARS-BOUND ODYSSEY TESTS THE HIGH-GAIN ANTENNA ---------------------------------------------- NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey space probe tested its high-gain communications antenna on Wednesday, sending and receiving commands. Since launch, the spacecraft has been receiving commands over its low-gain antenna and transmitting signals via its medium-gain antenna. http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/odyssey/status.html DEEP SPACE NETWORK UPGRADING FOR 'CRUNCH TIME' ---------------------------------------------- Preparing for the communication needs of an expected population boom in interplanetary spacecraft, NASA has selected a builder to add an advanced dish antenna, 112 feet in diameter, near Madrid, Spain, one of the three sites of the agency's Deep Space Network. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/10dsn/ INDIA AND FRANCE TO CONDUCT ATMOSPHERIC MISSION ----------------------------------------------- The Indian Space Research Organization and the French Space Agency have entered into a deal to design of a joint satellite mission, called Megha Tropiques, for atmospheric research. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/10isrocnes/

Do you have a gps, Marci?

My son has and now with software and a laptop you can get them for uner $100. Which I intend to do. The one David has is the size of a TV remote control and about twice as thick. Quite amazing actually! Are you considering purchasing one? http://www.thegpsstore.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/site/productcatalog.htm?L+thegpsstore+ogow3540+970797630

One of these days, next time I take a long trip. I don't really need it around Austin, I know the place so well.

I was planning a trip back east and thought my laptop and the $99 GPS would do me just fine. Going into the woods with wildlife and archaeology guys can get me lost and I want to be able to remember the trip! GeoStorm Warning, plus a crumbling comet and a durable sunspot Space Weather News for May 12, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING: Our planet entered a high speed solar wind stream on Saturday, May 12th, which triggered a moderate geomagnetic storm. Sky watchers, especially those at high latitudes, should be alert for glowing auroras tonight near local midnight. THE SUNSPOT THE WOULDN'T DIE: Holographic images of the far side of the Sun reveal an old friend: active region 9393, the largest sunspot of the current solar cycle and the source of the most powerful x-ray solar flare ever recorded. The giant spot, which is probably now just a shadow of its former self, has already transited the Earth-facing side of the Sun twice. If AR9393 persists for another week it will emerge into direct view for a rare third transit. BRIGHTENING COMET: Southern hemisphere observers report that comet C/2001 A2 (LINEAR), which split into two pieces last month, has surged in brightness again. For more information and updates, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

"holographic images of the far side of the sun"; wonder how they do this?

NEWSALERT: Monday, May 14, 2001 @ 0414 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now COMMERCIAL PROTON ROCKET PREPARED FOR LAUNCH -------------------------------------------- The 20th Proton rocket to be flown under the joint Russian-American International Launch Services banner is poised for blastoff carrying a PanAmSat telecommunications satellite destined to serve three continents in a 30-million square mile footprint. Launch is set for 9:11 p.m. EDT tonight (0111 GMT Tuesday) and we will have live coverage. http://spaceflightnow.com/proton/pas10/status.html ASTRONOMERS FIND KEY TO X-RAY MYSTERY OF BLACK HOLES ---------------------------------------------------- Astronomers at the University of Southampton have made a discovery that promises to explain why X-ray binary stars are so variable -- a phenomenon that has been a long-standing mystery in X-ray astronomy. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/13blackhole/ RUSSIANS ASK WHETHER EARTH WILL SHARE THE FATE OF SATURN -------------------------------------------------------- Is it possible that space exploration will result in the formation of a ring around the Earth similar to the Saturn ring? All these satellites and debris can severely impede space flights in future, as plenty of objects brought out into space would stay in the near-earth orbit for hundreds and even thousands of years. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/12earthring/ PEROXIDE ENGINE BEING DEVELOPED FOR SPACEPLANE ---------------------------------------------- Aerojet has received a contract from the Air Force to develop the propulsion engine for the Air Force's Space Maneuvering Vehicle, a small reusable craft that could perform a variety of missions for the Department of Defense. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/14smv/ COLLAPSE OF SIMPLE LIFE FORMS LINKED TO MASS EXTINCTION ------------------------------------------------------- A mass extinction about 200 million years ago, which destroyed at least half of the species on Earth, happened very quickly and is demonstrated in the fossil record by the collapse of one-celled organisms called protists, according to new research led by a University of Washington paleontologist. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/13extinct/ STATUS CHECK ON SPACE STATION SCIENCE WORK ------------------------------------------ The Expedition Two crew and ground controllers activated five more experiments during the past week and continue troubleshooting work with two others. The Advanced Astroculture experiment activated Thursday, one of the three commercial experiments onboard, seeks to grow plants through an entire life cycle. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html

Terry, I wonder that as well, but considering that the sun rotates before our very eyes, a series of photographs taken in one revolution could be merged into one image holographically. The moon is a whole different problem. It does not rotate and remains with the same hemisphere always pointing toward Earth.

NASA's Ames Research Centre Sponsors New Interactive Research Project NASA's Ames Research Centre is sponsoring a new interactive research project to help identify, map, and classify impact craters on the surface of the planet Mars; the project is modelled on the popular SETI@Home project which employs personal computers to scan for possible intelligent radio signals from extraterrestrial civilisations. In the Ames project, participants are taught how to identify and mark impact craters in photographs obtained from the Viking 1 & 2 Orbiters, as well as from the Mars Global Surveyor Spacecraft currently in orbit around the Red Planet. Using their computer's mouse, the "ClickWorkers" as they're called, select four points around the crater's rim, which the computer uses to draw a circle based on the points selected. With this, the computer logs the size of the crater as well as it's longitude and latitude. The purpose behind this exercise is to catalogue the huge volumes of data that have be gathered over the years by the various probes to Mars, but NASA is suffering from an embarassment of riches that would easily swamp individual researchers; so by employing the computer power spread around the world amongst private citizens, NASA can use many people to tackle the problem in parallel. The project's current status is experimental, but if it's successful, it's scope maybe expanded to include other martian surface features, and may even go on to include other solar system bodies, including Io and Europa. The project can be found at http://clickworkers.arc.nasa.gov but there are two proviso's in accessing it; first, it requires Netscape 6 to run, and secondly, the site is extremely popular amongst people who want to make a real contribution to planetary science, so it can be very difficult to access at times. But if you're interested in helping build up our knowledge on Mars, and maybe familiarizing yourself a little more with it, check it out!

Looks like I'd better reinstall my Seti@home and get crunching data once again. However, until Netscape gets the bugs out of Netcape 6.0 I am going to ope out of it. Anyone have reports of how well things are going? Thanks, Neil *HUGS*

The Great Mars Rush NASA Science News for May 15, 2001 Hurtling toward Mars at 22,000 mph, Earth is heading for its closest encounter with the Red Planet in a dozen years. Mars is already a brilliant morning star and it will soon become a dazzling all-night spectacle. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast15may_1.htm?list89800

QUICK SPACE - Gilat To Plug 100,000 Europeans Into Satellite Backbone http://www.spacedaily.com/news/vsat-01f.html - DirecTV Files Federal Suit Against Satellite Piracy Ring http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-01h.html - Two Billion To One And The Primordial Odds Get Heavy http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cosmology-01b.html - ATK Completes Static Tests of Nozzle For RS-68 Engine http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01h.html - TRW-Built NRO GeoLITE Satellite Slated for Launch on May 17y http://www.spacedaily.com/news/geolite-01a.html - Olof Lundberg Named Chairman And CEO of Globalstar http://www.spacedaily.com/news/globalstar-01c.html - Germany Commits Billions To Galileo Navigation Project http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-euro-01e.html - Australia says Kyoto Protocol "all over" http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010517035823.fwtpumsj.html - Top Polish general sees "no obstacles" to missile shield bases http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010516175047.2oj3pazz.html

The Pacific Dust Express NASA Science News for May 17, 2001 North America has been sprinkled with a dash of Asia! A dust cloud from China crossed the Pacific Ocean recently and rained Asian dust from Alaska to Florida. Scientists say that air pollution often travels this same Pacific Express. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast17may_1.htm?list89800

A Taste for Comet Water NASA Science News for May 18, 2001 When Comet LINEAR broke apart last year it revealed what many scientists thought all along: Water in Earth's oceans could have come from outer space. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast18may_1.htm?list89800

QUICK SPACE - Australia Signs Space Launch Agreement With Russia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/aust-01a.html - APT Satellite sees lower transponder rentals due to competition http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010522102006.0agymzy2.html - MirCorp Claims To Soyuz Flight Disputed By Russia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01x.html - Global Hawk Clocks Up 1,000 Hours http://www.spacedaily.com/news/uav-01f.html - High-Tech Helium Tricks May Benefit Earth And Space http://www.spacedaily.com/news/superfluids-01a.html - New Shuttle Booster Engines Ready For Full Duration Test http://www.spacedaily.com/news/shuttle-01i.html - Russian supply vessel docks with international space station http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010523004805.qiyeu8hn.html - Bush hopes to unveil Kyoto alternative by June http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010522164330.0tgyl1fm.html

Water-Witching From Space NASA Science News for May 23, 2001 9:00:00 AM Farmers will soon have a new tool for getting the most out of their fields. NASA's Aqua satellite will provide crucial information about the water in the ground and the weather on the horizon. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast23may_1.htm?list89800

Dust Begets Dust NASA Science News for May 22, 2001 Everyone knows that dry weather leads to dusty soils, but new research suggests that dust might in turn lead to dry weather. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast22may_1.htm?list89800

QUICK SPACE - Magellan Brings Three Meter Accuracy To Handheld GPS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-01e.html - ESA's Artemis Telecommunications Satellite To Be Launched In July http://www.spacedaily.com/news/artemis-01a.html - Changes In Sun's Intensity Tied To Recurrent Droughts In Maya Region http://www.spacedaily.com/news/climate-01f.html - Saddam Drains Ancient Culture Away In A Decade http://www.spacedaily.com/news/earth-01e.html - Lockheed Martin Goes Live With Real-Time EO Datastream http://www.spacedaily.com/news/eo-01d.html - Getting In A Twist Over Time http://www.spacedaily.com/news/timetravel-01a.html - Cluster Quartet Move In Step http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cluster2-01a.html - ESA Books A Russian Taxi To ISS http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launcher-russia-01i.html - Artificial Enzyme Able to Synthesize RNA http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01n.html - Blair Election Rival Jailed For Anti-Missile Protest http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010521172453.kf3kr12u.html - Top Russian General Rejects US Missile Defence Plan http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010521164127.5anrxuxa.html

Binary asteroid to fly by Earth this weekend Space Weather News for May 24, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com Late Friday, May 25th, the near-Earth asteroid 1999 KW4 will fly by Earth 13 times farther from our planet than the Moon. The space rock will be brighter than 11th magnitude for much of the time between now and May 28th, making it an easy target for amateur astronomers with mid-sized telescopes and CCD cameras. Yesterday, radar astronomers using NASA's Goldstone Planetary Radar to monitor the approaching asteroid announced that 1999 KW4 is a binary system. Visit spaceweather.com for more information and (possibly) images of the asteroid as it passes our planet.

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 @ 0206 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now THE NEWSALERT IS BACK! ---------------------- After a two-week hiatus caused by a technical problem beyond our control, the NewsAlert returns today to provide you with a snapshot of the day's spaceflight and astronomy news. See our Breaking News page for a listing of all the stories from the past couple of weeks: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/ PROBE SPOTS NEWLY FORMED STREAKS ON MARTIAN SLOPES -------------------------------------------------- NASA's Mars Global Surveyor is currently searching for changes that have occurred in the past martian year on the Red Planet. In a rugged, ridged terrain north of the Olympus Mons volcano one such change is avalanching of dust as seen here. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/29marsstreak/ MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR SPOTS A MID-SUMMER'S DUST DEVIL ---------------------------------------------------- One objective for the Mars Global Surveyor's extended mission is to continue looking for changes and dynamic events taking place on the Red Planet. The feature shown here -- a dust devil -- elicited gasps of excitement among the camera operations staff when it was received. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/28dustdevil/ NASA APPROVES ROBOTIC MISSION TO BLAST A COMET ---------------------------------------------- Imagine intercepting a comet in deep space and using a heavy projectile to blow a hole in the celestial body, some seven stories deep and about the size of a football field. In a space exploration first, NASA's Deep Impact Mission will attempt to use a probe to collide with a comet in an attempt to peer beneath its surface. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/28deepimpact/ EVIDENCE FOUND FOR ACOUSTIC OSCILLATIONS IN EARLY UNIVERSE ---------------------------------------------------------- Astrophysicists say they have confirmed the existence of acoustic oscillations generated shortly after the explosive birth of the universe. Their evidence links the existence of acoustic oscillations, or wiggles, in the distribution of both the cosmic microwave background radiation and the distribution of matter throughout the universe. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/29oscillations/ SOLAR WIND FIND MAY HELP SPACE WEATHER FORECASTING -------------------------------------------------- Scientists have confirmed the existence of and imaged "free spirit" atoms in the solar wind for the first time. They hope to use the observations to better estimate the arrival time of solar storms and to estimate the amount of dust left over from the solar system's birth. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/28solarwind/

That comet blasting mission sounds like it could use Bruce Willis and the crew of Armageddon. That's pretty wild stuff.

It IS amazing! Hollywood will find a use for it. Count on that! QUICK SPACE - US Senate Switch Could Get Bush Off The Hook On Missiles http://www.spacedaily.com/news/bmdo-01zi.html - Course Trains 'Space Cowboys' http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-01s.html - Galileo Comes Alive On Callisto Final Approach http://www.spacedaily.com/news/galileo-01h.html - IBM's 'Pixie Dust' Breakthrough to Quadruple Disk Drive Density http://www.spacedaily.com/news/materials-01m.html - Rocks From Mars http://www.spacedaily.com/news/lunarplanet-2001-01a8.html - Fengyun 1-C Stars In Environmental Monitoring As Sandstorms Rage http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-01zf.html - Satellite Broadband Could Solve Digital Divide http://www.spacedaily.com/news/internet-01i.html - US to make Moscow offer to abandon ABM treaty: report http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010528082526.hrcyeqe4.html - Senate Democrat promises review of Bush's anti-missile program http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010525173631.atl9vrma.html - Atlantis launch scheduled for June 20 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010525151354.fxvtoili.html - NASA high-resolution photograph dispels "Face on Mars" myth http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010525104821.bn6teg09.html

Wow, the face on Mars has been dispelled, there goes another Art Bell late night topic..

Even Art Bell argued with Richard Hoagland the other night. Art can no longer see the face at all and is highly skeptical. Looks like another of his topics did indeed bite the dust.

Brainy 'Bots NASA Science News for May 29, 2001 NASA's own 'Bionic Woman' is applying artificial intelligence to teach robots how to behave a little more like human explorers. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast29may_1.htm?list89800

QUICK SPACE - Cassini's Tour de Saturn http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cassini-01f1.html - Weather Directorate Strengthens International Relations http://www.spacedaily.com/news/dmsp-01b.html - Russia successfully launches Soyuz rocket with military satellite http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010529194547.398ukgc5.html - US to make Moscow offer to abandon ABM treaty: report http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010528181752.s1cysn6b.html - Martian Cook Up Closer Than Ever http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-life-01e.html - Orbital Offloads Navigation Business To Thales http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-01f.html - Prepare Now For Martian Samples Warns Scientists http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-life-01f.html - Send In The Robots http://www.spacedaily.com/news/robot-01b.html - Artificial Intelligence Software to Command Mission http://www.spacedaily.com/news/software-01a.html - Industrialized states postpone climate consultations http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010529115252.zw9x1cog.html

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 @ 0442 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SHUTTLE LAUNCHES MIGHT BE SHUFFLED TO FIX STATION ARM ----------------------------------------------------- Shuttle Atlantis rolled out of its hangar and into the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday, but when the ship will be allowed to launch an airlock to the international space station hinges on work to fix the outpost's new robotic arm. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage7a/010529arm/ BOEING'S DELTA 4 TESTING ROCKET ARRIVES IN FLORIDA -------------------------------------------------- Fresh off its series of critical test firings, Boeing's Delta 4 pathfinder rocket has arrived at Cape Canaveral to ensure the state-of-the-art launch facilities being built at Complex 37 are ready to handle the maiden flight of the next-generation launcher in March. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/29delta4/ REPORT RECOMMENDS QUARANTINE OF MARS SAMPLES -------------------------------------------- A report released Tuesday urges NASA to begin planning a system to quarantine Martian samples even through missions to return such samples are at least a decade in the future. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/30marsclean/ RUSSIAN SOYUZ ROCKET LOFTS MILITARY SATELLITE --------------------------------------------- Russia launched an unmanned Soyuz U rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on Tuesday carrying a classified military spacecraft believed to be an imaging spy satellite. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/29soyuz/ ALL QUIET ON THE GALILEO FRONT ------------------------------ The excitement of the encounter week has settled down now, and activity levels drop to the quiet murmur which is usual for the cruise portion of an orbit. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/30galileothisweek/

What Space Needs: The Human Touch NASA Science News for May 30, 2001 NASA's Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) enterprise tackles one of the toughest and most redeeming problems of all: sending humans into space. This feature story also includes lessons and activities for educators. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast30may_1.htm?list89800

The Face on Mars has been discredited. Does this mean the internet will cease to have those insisting that it is a portrait of Elvis cluttering up cyberspace.

I thought all the Elvissses in the Universe were in Las Vegas! Do you mean there are some who suggested that? Lolol - worse than Art Bell! Jellyplants on Mars NASA Science News for June 1, 2001 Scientists are creating a new breed of glowing plants --part mustard and part jellyfish-- to help humans explore the Red Planet. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast01jun_1.htm?list89800

QUICK SPACE - JPL Radar Scans Asteroid Moon During Earth Flyby http://www.spacedaily.com/news/asteroid-01f.html - Galileo Gets One Last Frequent-Flyer Upgrade http://www.spacedaily.com/news/galileo-01i.html - X-43A Nears First Hypersonic Flight http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rlv-01l.html - TIMED Satellite Transported to Vandenberg for Upcoming Launch http://www.spacedaily.com/news/eo-timed-01a.html - Cellular Grab For 2Ghz Harms Rural Satellite Consumers: SIA Report http://www.spacedaily.com/news/internet-01j.html - Iranians View Russian Telecommunications Satellite Plant http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010530142208.ffpgd06e.html - The Quarantine And Certification Of Martian Samples http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-life-01g.html - Tropical Glaciers Formed While Earth Was Giant Snowball http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iceage-01c.html - US Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch Delayed http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010530230011.uqmguivt.html - Russia Considering Applications From Would-Be Space Tourists http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010530115951.dq3xuc2j.html - Moscow Wants Dialogue With US, China, India on Missile Defence http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010531101942.gk8jrtyo.html - Iran Test Fires New Missile http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010531104225.85scojfo.html

NEWSALERT: Thursday, May 31, 2001 @ 0541 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ATLANTIS DELAYED TO JULY IN WAKE OF STATION ARM TROUBLE ------------------------------------------------------- Problems with the international space station's new robotic arm has forced NASA to delay the next space shuttle flight, and the possibility is growing that a daring repair mission to replace one of the crane's joints might be needed before construction of the outpost can continue. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage7a/010529arm/ NEAR-EARTH ASTEROID FOUND TO BE TWO CHUNKS IN ONE ------------------------------------------------- The clearest radar pictures of a near-Earth double asteroid system were taken by astronomers last week using NASA's Goldstone radar telescope, revealing clues to the system's current structure but raising questions about its origin and future. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/31chuncks/ WHY DOESN'T EROS HAVE A MAGNETIC FIELD? --------------------------------------- Scientists said this week that they may know the reason why the asteroid Eros appears to lack a measurable magnetic field. Eros was the subject of detailed study for over a year by the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/31eros/ QUASAR'S IDENTITY MAY SIMPLY BE IN EYE OF BEHOLDER -------------------------------------------------- Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers have made the first detailed study of a peculiar type of quasar that is shrouded in clouds of gas and dust flowing outward at millions of miles per hour. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/31chandraeye/ MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR CAPTURES DUST STORMS ----------------------------------------- Daily global maps, created with images from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft, provide a moving picture of Martian weather during 1999-2000 similar to the familiar satellite weather maps we see of Earth. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/31mgsdust/ AEROJET STUDIES NEW NOZZLE DESIGN FOR SHUTTLE MAIN ENGINE --------------------------------------------------------- Aerojet has won an eight-month, $5 million contract from NASA to study the feasibility of developing a channel wall nozzle to replace the tube nozzle in the Space Shuttle Main Engine. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/31ssmenozzle/

NEWSALERT: Saturday, June 2, 2001 @ 0324 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now X-43A CRAFT TO MAKE FIRST HYPERSONIC FLIGHT TODAY ------------------------------------------------- Imagine an aircraft that can fly at rocket speeds, seven times the speed of sound. Engineers are preparing for the first test flight of NASA's scramjet-propelled aircraft atop a Pegasus rocket on Saturday over the Pacific Ocean. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/02x43a/ HUBBLE TELESCOPE UNVEILS A GALAXY IN LIVING COLOR ------------------------------------------------- In this incredible view of the center of the magnificent barred spiral galaxy NGC 1512, the Hubble Space Telescope's broad spectral vision reveals the galaxy at all wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared. The colors map where newly born star clusters exist in both "dusty" and "clean" regions of the galaxy. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0105/31hstcolor/ SPECTACULAR PHOTO CATCHES HUNGRY QUASAR IN THE ACT -------------------------------------------------- A new image of a distant quasar -- the luminous core of an "active" galaxy -- shows that it is engaged in a gravitational battle with its neighboring galaxies. It also provides information on how supermassive black holes present in the center of quasars are fed. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/01hungry/ ESCAPE ROUTE FOUND FOR JUPITER'S PARTICLES ------------------------------------------ Jupiter's magnetosphere, an ionized-gas bubble encasing the planet, is lopsided and leaky, with an unexpected abundance of high-energy particles bleeding out of one side, according to recent measurements by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/01cassjup/ SATELLITE MAPS PROVIDE BETTER URBAN SPRAWL INSIGHT -------------------------------------------------- A major advance in satellite-based land surface mapping has led to the creation of more accurate and detailed maps of our cities. These maps provide urban planners with a better understanding of city growth and how rainfall runoff over paved surfaces impact regional water quality. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/02landsat/ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO COMMAND SATELLITE MISSION ---------------------------------------------------- NASA software that thinks for itself and makes decisions without help from ground controllers will fly as the brains of triplet satellites in 2002. The spacecraft will be launched from the space shuttle in a stack configuration and fly in formation as part of the Three Corner Sat mission. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/01threecornersat/

I think that the suggestion that the Face on Mars was a portrait of Elvis was supposed to be a joke. Yes, someone did suggest that, but I think he was making fun of those who thought that a giant face had been carved on Mars. However, there are those who think that Elvis was a Venusian. Okay, these people think that they're from Venus too.

Nah, women are from Venus. He has to be from Mars!!!

Blame Canadarm: Space Station Crew Waits for Fix The International Space Station's current crew will probably stay aloft longer than planned as ground controllers work to fix the billion outpost's robotic arm, crew members said on Friday. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010601/sc/space_station_dc_1.html

- Test flight of hypersonic plane fails http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010603011442.pnzc6jhd.html - US demands back space debris that landed on S. African farm http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010603131813.g3a3h4dg.html - Russian military space force becomes operational http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010601150408.sqk5l00o.html - India approves development of nuclear-capable missile: report http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010531140524.e6i83sxb.html - Japan FM says Bush missile plan influenced by oil money: reports http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010602095847.epo5e233.html - Japanese foreign minister denies anti-US missile reports http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010603044056.ekmcyjff.html - No sex please, we're cosmonauts http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010601113838.sl06p9cz.html - French Arianespace hopes to ink satellite deal with Indonesia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010601040941.rw06gkks.html

NEWSALERT: Monday, June 4, 2001 @ 0348 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NASA'S X-43A CRAFT DESTROYED IN LAUNCH FAILURE ---------------------------------------------- NASA's bid to test a revolutionary scramjet aircraft on Saturday failed even before it began when the Orbital Sciences-built Pegasus rocket launching the X-43A vehicle veered off course and exploded only moments into flight. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/02x43failure/ BRITISH CRAFT ENDS MISSION AFTER MISSED RENDEZVOUS -------------------------------------------------- The United Kingdom's first nanosatellite has failed in its daring rendezvous attempt with a Chinese craft, but scientists say the mission's other tests and demonstrations of nanotechnology were successfully completed. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/04snap1/ SPACE TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS KEEP SATELLITES SAFE ---------------------------------------------- A bullet fired on Earth travels 2,700 miles per hour and can do damage for up to 1,000 yards before it stops. A loose bolt in space hits at 17,000 miles per hour, goes through a spacecraft and keeps going. It's one office's job to make sure such a catastrophe doesn't happen. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/03spacecontrol/ SATELLITE FORMATION FLYING CONCEPT BECOMING A REALITY ----------------------------------------------------- The intensive planning activities and calculations that are currently done in control rooms on Earth in preparation to maneuver Earth-orbiting research satellites are about to become a thing of the past. NASA's first-ever autonomous formation flying mission is now under way as part of the EO-1 satellite program. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/04formation/ DUO UNTANGLE MYSTERIES OF JUPITER'S MAGNETIC FIELD -------------------------------------------------- In a series of presentations this week at the American Geophysical Union spring meeting in Boston, space scientists have shown how data from the two spacecraft have revealed new features and explained old mysteries about Jupiter's magnetic field. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/03jup/ GIFT OF GALAXIES WILL FUEL NEW FINDINGS --------------------------------------- Redshift data and spectra from the first 100,000 galaxies measured by the 2dF (Two-degree Field) Galaxy Redshift Survey will be released to the world astronomical community on June 30. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/04galaxygift/

The Arietid Meteor Shower Peaks This Week Space Weather News for June 5, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com The annual Arietid meteor shower peaks this week on Thursday, June 7th. The Arietids are unusual because they are daytime meteors -- most of them streak through the sky unnoticed while the bright Sun is overhead. Nevertheless, early risers on Thursday could spot some beautiful "Earthgrazing" Arietids during the dark hours before dawn. Later in the day, after the Sun rises, you can listen to the shower by tuning in to NASA's online meteor radar. For details and updates visit http://www.SpaceWeather.com

SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - June 5, 2001 - sponsored by - APSC - Satellite Launching, Simplified http://www.apsc2orbit.com --------------------------------------------- ----------- QUICK SPACE - Touch the Universe http://www.spacedaily.com/news/braille-01a.html - Did Hades Freeze Over? http://www.spacedaily.com/news/early-earth-01d.html - Asteroids Belt Around Nearby Star Zeta Lep Spotted http://www.spacedaily.com/news/extrasolar-01d.html - Mars Invades Earth http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01p1.html - Active Volcanism On Mars And The Search For Water http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-volcano-01a1.html - Dust Devils At Arizona Targeted For Mars Experiment This Week http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-atmosphere-01a.html - Atlantis Shuttle Launch Delayed Until July 2 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010605041953.jkxw47gh.html - Ambassador Says Canada's Hand Influential In Missile Debate http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010604203340.rziishg4.html

NEWSALERT: Tuesday, June 5, 2001 @ 0411 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SEARCH BEGINS FOR CAUSE OF X-43A LAUNCH MALFUNCTION --------------------------------------------------- Video shot during Saturday's doomed launch of a Pegasus booster with NASA's X-43A experimental aircraft shows what might be one of the rocket's aerosurfaces breaking off moments before the vehicle goes into an uncontrolled tumble through the sky. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/04x43/ Watch video of launch failure: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/04x43/010604x43video_qt.html NEXT PEGASUS ROCKET LAUNCH DELAYED IN X-43A AFTERMATH ----------------------------------------------------- NASA has postponed this week's planned flight of the Pegasus rocket carrying a Sun-studying probe while investigators determine what went wrong during Saturday's X-43A launch that used a similar booster. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/04hessidelay/ ASTRONOMERS DISCOVER EXTRASOLAR ASTEROID BELT --------------------------------------------- Astronomers announced Monday that they had found evidence for what could be a belt of asteroids forming around another star, a discovery that may help them better understand how solar systems like our own form. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/05exoasteroids/ QUIET TIMES ON GALILEO PROBE ---------------------------- Galileo, the spacecraft, is now settling into a three-week period of extreme rest, even while Galileo, the flight team, is gearing up in planning for the next flyby in early August. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/05galileothisweek/

Bracing for an Interplanetary Traffic Jam NASA Science News for June 6, 2001 NASA's is improving its already-extraordinary traffic control system for interplanetary spacecraft, the Deep Space Network, in preparation for a flurry of activity in deep space. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast06jun_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, June 6, 2001 @ 0311 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now RESEARCHERS SEEK OCEAN ON EUROPA THROUGH ITS SOUNDS --------------------------------------------------- Acoustic techniques used by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers to explore the Arctic Ocean may help determine whether there is a vast liquid ocean under the ice blanketing Jupiter's moon, Europa. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/06europasound/ WEALTH OF BLACK HOLES FOUND IN STAR-FORMING GALAXIES ---------------------------------------------------- NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has found new populations of suspected mid-mass black holes in several starburst galaxies, where stars form and explode at an unusually high rate. Although a few of these objects had been found previously, this is the first time they have been detected in such large numbers. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/06chandra/ METHOD TO MADNESS OF BLACK HOLE, NEUTRON STAR ERUPTIONS ------------------------------------------------------- In the fiery machinery of the night sky, where neutron stars and black holes wrapped in binary systems can flare and burst randomly, astronomers have uncovered a predictable mathematical pattern in the X-ray light emitted over time. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/06madness/ ARIANESPACE CLEARS ARIANE 4 ROCKET FOR FRIDAY LAUNCH ---------------------------------------------------- After a three-month lull in flights, Arianespace has entered the final stretch of preparations for Friday's predawn launch of an Ariane 4 rocket carrying the Intelsat 901 telecommunications satellite. http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v141/status.html

I heard something about the government building some kind of decontamination chamber for stuff coming from Mars missions ... heard anything about this?

Not yet. If it deals with space it goes from all over the world (Cannada, UK and USA) to my email to you..... will check and let you know ASAP. Interesting!

Where No Telescope Has Gone Before NASA Science News for June 7, 2001 Whenever astronomers see the sky for the first time in a new part of the electromagnetic spectrum, they inevitably spot something they didn't expect -- from black holes to pulsars to planet-forming disks, there's always a surprise. Now NASA astronomers have captured the first focused images of any astronomical object at hard x-ray wavelengths. The eye-opening advance will finally reveal what the hard x-ray sky looks like in crisp detail -- and perhaps uncover a new batch of astronomical wonders. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast07jun_1.htm?list89800

----------- QUICK SPACE - NASA Selects Two Pups For Pluto-Kuiper Tryouts http://www.spacedaily.com/news/outerplanets-01a.html - Boeing Outlines New Concepts For Air Traffic Management http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-01g.html - HESSI Solar Explorer Delayed In Wake Of Pegasus Failure http://www.spacedaily.com/news/hessi-01a.html - Iridium Launches Global Satellite Data and Internet Services http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iridium-01c.html - Congress Asked To Boost Funds For Anti-Missile Laser http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010607054732.1qlx2abn.html - MIT Researchers Seek Ocean On Jupiter's Moon Through Its Sounds http://www.spacedaily.com/news/jupiter-europa-01a.html - New Study Indicates Planet Formation May Be Rare In Universe http://www.spacedaily.com/news/extrasolar-01e.html - White House-Appointed Panel Confirms Global Warming http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010607063146.r83fb4ns.html - Korea High On Agenda For EU-US Summit In Sweden http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010605122041.40xub8ng.html - Space-Age Russian Pop Group Hopes To Rocket Up The Charts http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010605231901.r3bu5h5q.html

NEWSALERT: Thursday, June 7, 2001 @ 1302 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NASA SELECTS TWO PLUTO MISSION PROPOSALS ---------------------------------------- NASA announced Wednesday that it had chosen two proposals for a mission to Pluto for additional study despite the fact that no funds for such a mission exist in the agency's budget for next year. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/07pluto/ INVESTIGATORS NAMED TO PROBE X-43A LAUNCH FAILURE ------------------------------------------------- NASA has announced the five-person accident investigation panel that will determine what caused the Orbital Sciences Pegasus booster with the agency's X-43A aircraft to malfunction during a botched launch Saturday. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/06x43board/ SENATE REPORT SLAMS NASA MANAGEMENT PRACTICES --------------------------------------------- A Senate committee report released this week -- entitled "Government at the Brink" -- sharply criticized NASA's handling of key programs, calling it one of the worst examples of mismanagement in the entire federal government. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/07senate/ IRIDIUM LAUNCHES GLOBAL DATA, INTERNET SERVICES ----------------------------------------------- Iridium Satellite LLC announced Wednesday the commercial availability of its mobile satellite data services, including dial-up connectivity and direct-Internet connections. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/07iridium/ STAR FACTORY NEAR GALACTIC CENTER BATHED IN X-RAYS -------------------------------------------------- Near the crowded core of the Milky Way galaxy, where stars shine so brightly and plentifully that planets there would never experience nighttime, astronomers have found a new phenomenon: a cauldron of 60-million-degree gas enveloping a cluster of young stars. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/07chandra/ PIONEER 10 STATUS CHECK ----------------------- New data from the Geiger Tube Telescope instrument aboard NASA's Pioneer 10 space probe has been analyzed. The report is cosmic ray intensity has continued to decrease. The craft is currently 7.34 billion miles from Earth. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/07pioneer10/

NEWSALERT: Friday, June 8, 2001 @ 1612 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SPACEWALK OCCURS INSIDE SPACE STATION ALPHA ------------------------------------------- The first spacewalk staged from the international space station was successfully performed today as Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachev and American astronaut Jim Voss manually repositioned a 150-pound, three-foot diameter docking mechanism. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html ARIANE 4 LAUNCH DELAYED ----------------------- Arianespace scrubbed this morning's scheduled liftoff of an Ariane 4 rocket carrying the Intelsat 901 telecommunications satellite due to unfavorable high-altitude winds above the South American launch base. http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v141/status.html SHUTTLE LAUNCH DELAYED AMID STATION ARM MYSTERY ----------------------------------------------- NASA officials have again postponed the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the next international space station construction mission while engineers struggle to understand problems with the outpost's new robotic arm. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage7a/010607newdelay/ SATURN'S CHANGING SEASONS ------------------------- Looming like a giant flying saucer in our outer solar system, Saturn puts on a show as the planet and its magnificent ring system nod majestically over the course of its 29-year journey around the Sun. These Hubble images, captured from 1996 to 2000, show Saturn's rings open up from just past edge-on to nearly fully open as it moves from autumn towards winter in its Northern Hemisphere. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/08saturn/ NASA GIVES OFFICIAL NOD TO ROBOTIC MISSION TO MERCURY ----------------------------------------------------- NASA has given the first Mercury orbiter mission the go-ahead to move into full-scale spacecraft development -- setting up the first trip to the Sun's closest neighbor in more than a generation. Launch of the MESSENGER probe is set for March 2004. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/08messenger/

NEWSALERT: Saturday, June 9, 2001 @ 1657 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ARIANE 4 ROCKET LAUNCHES NEW ERA FOR INTELSAT --------------------------------------------- A predawn launch of a European Ariane 4 rocket today delivered into space the first in a new series of communications satellites to beef up Intelsat's orbiting fleet with more powerful and higher capacity craft. http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v141/ Read our call of the countdown and launch: http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v141/status.html NEXT PEGASUS ROCKET LAUNCH REMAINS GROUNDED ------------------------------------------- It will be June 20 at the earliest before NASA's HESSI solar imaging satellite is hauled into space by an Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket as the investigation continues into last Saturday's X-43A launch failure, officials said Friday. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/08hessi/ NEW X-RAY WINDOW TO THE UNIVERSE IS OPENED ------------------------------------------ Using a telescope containing unique X-ray mirrors, a team from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., has obtained the world's first focused high-energy X-ray images of any astronomical object. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/09hardxrays/

SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - June 11, 2001 - sponsored by - APSC - Satellite Launching, Simplified http://www.apsc2orbit.com --------------------------------------------- ----------- QUICK SPACE - China Moves Towards New Generation Metsats http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-01zg.html - Recipe For Deep Space - 'Microwave At 1,100 Degree C For X years' http://www.spacedaily.com/news/fuel-01e.html - Protecting Biospheres Beyond Earth http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01q1.html - Mars Express Will Put Phobos In The Spotlight http://www.spacedaily.com/news/marsexpress-01b.html - Forget The Barbed Wire This Is Concrete http://www.spacedaily.com/news/materials-01o.html - US-EU summit a chance for Bush to estabish global credentials http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010611013211.3pr88hck.html - Bush Urges "Rouge" Rather Than "Cold War Mentality" http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010608195638.66xf2f2j.html - US plans "science-based solution" to global warming: official http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010610233111.dynnvnno.html - ISS set to receive new Russian module at year end http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010609135111.y1emrcwu.html - ISS crew to install docking system for new Russian module http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010608150014.uhgkz71u.html - Atlantis launch pushed back again http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010608140634.2vophp4a.html

NEWSALERT: Monday, June 11, 2001 @ 0254 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now EUROPE'S MARS EXPRESS WILL INVESTIGATE PHOBOS --------------------------------------------- Phobos, the tiny innermost moon of Mars, is to come under unprecedented scrutiny after Europe's mission to Mars goes into orbit around the Red Planet late in 2003. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/10phobos/ GOLDIN TELLS GRADUATES HUMANS ON MARS IN 20 YEARS ------------------------------------------------- NASA administrator Dan Goldin told graduates of one of the nation's leading universities Friday that humans would walk on Mars within the next 20 years. Goldin described the unofficial but widely-accepted long-term goal of the agency's human spaceflight program. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/10goldinmit/ X-RAY NOVA, PULSATING WHITE DWARF FOUND IN ANDROMEDA ---------------------------------------------------- In its first look at the Andromeda Galaxy, Europe's XMM satellite has revealed several unusual X-ray sources, including a bright spot created by an enormous X-ray nova outburst and one of the "coolest" sources of the central region that appears to be a luminous white dwarf. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/11whitedwarf/ WIND BUBBLE FOUND AROUND YOUNG SUPER STAR CLUSTER ------------------------------------------------- An international team of astronomers has detected a wind bubble associated with a super star cluster in a nearby galaxy -- a key indicator that helps explain how this extremely young cluster is evolving. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/11bubble/ ENGINEER BRINGS COST OF EXPERIMENTS DOWN TO EARTH ------------------------------------------------- A Purdue University engineer is saving NASA millions of dollars by devising a method to test a new type of solar-power system on Earth instead of in the ultra-expensive environment of space. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/11solarexperi/ GAMMA-RAY BURST REVEALS SECRETS OF HOST GALAXY ---------------------------------------------- Five years ago, astronomers knew almost nothing about gamma ray bursts. Now, a team of observers has used a gamma-ray burst as a powerful tool to unveil the nature of the galaxy in which it occurred, more than 7 billion light-years away. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/10hostgalaxy/ BRIGHTEST QUASARS INHABIT GALAXIES WITH STAR-FORMING GAS CLOUDS --------------------------------------------------------------- A team of scientists at the California Institute of Technology and the State University of New York at Stony Brook has found strong evidence that high-luminosity quasar activity in galaxy nuclei is linked to the presence of abundant interstellar gas and high rates of star formation. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/10brightquasars/

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Scientists Claim to Revive Alien Bacteria By Rossella Lorenzi, Discovery News May 10 � Italian researchers claim to have found conclusive evidence that life on Earth arrived from outer space. Bruno D'Argenio, a geologist working for the Italian National Research Council, and Giuseppe Geraci, professor of molecular biology at Naples University, identified and brought back to life extraterrestrial microorganisms lodged inside 4.5 billion-year-old meteorites kept at Naples' mineralogical museum. "When in contact with a physiological solution, they became visible and began to move," D'Argenio said while presenting the finding at the Italian Space Agency yesterday. The bacteria, called "cryms" (for crystal microbes) by the researchers, remained dormant for billions of years and survived extreme ambient conditions � a clear indication, according to the researchers, that "life can exist everywhere in the solar system, though in a quiescent state." Once brought back to life, the cryms were cloned by the researchers and their DNA analyzed. cointinued @ I can the National Inquirer Headline Aliens Cloned in Italian Lab!!!!

Yup, it HAS to Happen. At your grocer's check-out stand now!!! The Biggest Explosions in the Solar System NASA Science News for June 12, 2001 Solar flares have vexed astronomers since they were discovered nearly a century and a half ago. The powerful explosions do things we simply don't understand. NASA's upcoming HESSI mission might finally solve the riddle of flares by making x-ray and gamma-ray pictures of the eruptions. What we learn could have down-to-Earth benefits and shed light on mysterious happenings far outside the solar system. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast12jun_1.htm?list89800

SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - June 12, 2001 - sponsored by - APSC - Satellite Launching, Simplified http://www.apsc2orbit.com --------------------------------------------- ---------- QUICK SPACE - Space Insurance Goes Online http://www.spacedaily.com/news/internet-01k.html - Life's Rocky Road Between Worlds http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01r.html - Chinese Metsat Program Long March To Success http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-01zh.html - Engineer Brings Cost Of Experiments Down To Earth http://www.spacedaily.com/news/solarcell-01d.html - Japan stands by Kyoto Protocol in face of new US proposal http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010612065530.ci804ki3.html - Bush arrives in Europe to bridge growing differences http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010612083621.wae4czsg.html

----------- QUICK SPACE - Japan delays launch of two spy satellites http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010613070624.jpdugptm.html - S.African millionaire bidding to become second space tourist: report http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010612190719.qyesusbc.html - Newly-found meteorite may point to water under Martian surface http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010612160555.cs3jd2m3.html - Russia's military satellites no longer reliable: space chief http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010613121247.ycdlmfyu.html

NEWSALERT: Thursday, June 14, 2001 @ 0553 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now EVIDENCE FOUND FOR RECENT SHALLOW GROUND ICE ON MARS ---------------------------------------------------- New high-resolution images from Mars Global Surveyor show evidence of ground ice on Mars as recently as 10 million years ago. More striking is that the signs of geologically recent ground ice deposits are near the equator, where ice was probably no deeper than 15 feet. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/14marsice/ INVESTIGATORS PREPARE TO OK NEXT PEGASUS ROCKET LAUNCH ------------------------------------------------------ NASA's $85 million HESSI mission designed to study solar flares could be launched next Thursday if engineers can finish their investigation to prove the satellite's ride to space -- an Orbital Sciences Pegasus rocket -- is fit to fly. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/14hessi/ NASA SELECTS FIRST MARS SCOUT CONCEPTS FOR STUDY ------------------------------------------------ The ten most promising mission concepts of the 43 proposed to NASA for possible launch to Mars in 2007 were selected Wednesday for continued studies. The missions include networks of small landers, orbiting constellations of small craft and a rover that would attempt to establish absolute surface ages of rocks and soils. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/14marsscout/ BRIGHTER, REDDER MARS TO ILLUMINATE SUMMER NIGHTS ------------------------------------------------- Hold on to your hats and keep a pair of binoculars handy: After a 26-month sprint around the track of the solar system, we are about to lap Mars again. The red planet is in "opposition," an event that puts Earth between Mars and the Sun. And next week, Mars will be at its closest distance from Earth since 1988. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/14marsopp/ REPAIRED SOLAR SAIL NOW READY FOR TEST LAUNCH --------------------------------------------- A suborbital demonstration flight of a solar sail is back on track for launch after a botched test damaged the craft. With repairs completed, the mission is expected to occur this summer aboard a Russian Volna rocket launched from a submarine in the Barents Sea. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/13solarsail/ JUPITER'S AURORAE, VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS ON IO REVEALED ---------------------------------------------------- Impressive thermal-infrared images have been obtained of the giant planet Jupiter during tests at the Paranal Observatory in Chile. They show the full extent of the northern auroral ring and part of the southern aurora. A volcanic eruption was also imaged on Io, the very active inner Jovian moon. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/12irjup/ NEW STUDY STIRS OLD DEBATE ABOUT GALAXIES ----------------------------------------- Using a technique that peeks over obscuring rings of dust and gas and into the hearts of distant galaxies, a researcher has found evidence suggesting that as many as half of the bright, active galaxies known as Seyfert 2 galaxies may have significantly less active central black holes. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/13debate/ OTHER HEADLINES --------------- NEW FACILITY TO IMPROVE AIRBORNE TELESCOPE'S CLARITY http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/13sofia/ OBSERVATIONS SHOW BROWN DWARFS FORM LIKE STARS http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/12browndwarf/ THE 'INS AND OUTS' OF A CELESTIAL DANCE BY CLUSTER 2 http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/12clusterdance/

Wow, ice on Mars!

They've been seeing it for ages. Of its composition they were never certain. And, at the Martian equator, never! 15 feet (4 1/2 meters) thick, no less! I am most eager to know what they discover. Some planets in the solar system have methane ice. Not the sort you want in your summer cooler!

No I'll take regular ice in my iced tea, please.

I think I will join you in that! A sprig of fresh mint, too! NEWSALERT: Friday, June 15, 2001 @ 0554 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ROBOT ARM BUMPS INTO STATION, BUT PASSES KEY TEST ------------------------------------------------- American astronauts aboard the international space station gave the outpost's new robotic arm a thorough workout on Thursday by successfully rehearsing the job of installing a 12-ton airlock during the next planned shuttle visit. But the test started off with the arm's free end striking the station. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage7a/010614dryrun/ PROTON ROCKET NEARS LIFTOFF --------------------------- A new spacecraft for Europe's ASTRA direct-to-home TV and radio satellite system is ready to rocket into orbit aboard a commercial Russian Proton booster. Launch is planned for 0149 GMT Saturday (9:49 p.m. EDT Friday). http://spaceflightnow.com/proton/astra2c/status.html HIDDEN OCEANS ON EUROPA COULD STILL SUPPORT LIFE ------------------------------------------------ Could life thrive where the Sun never shines? The answer to this unorthodox question bears directly on the tantalizing possibility that life exists in the hidden, perpetually dark oceans that are thought to shroud some of Jupiter's moons, most prominently Europa. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/15europa/ PROBE TO TAKE 'FINGERPRINT' OF COMET NUCLEUS -------------------------------------------- Instruments aboard a spacecraft that will be launched next year to explore two, and perhaps three or more, comets in the solar system will for the first time provide a "fingerprint" of the surface of cometary nuclei, giving the first firm evidence of the composition of the icy, rocky objects. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/15contour/ EVIDENCE SUGGESTS ALL RADIO-LOUD QUASARS MAY BE BLAZARS ------------------------------------------------------- Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have found new evidence to suggest that all radio-loud quasars may be blazars -- and the differences between them may be related to the angle from which they are viewed. Quasars are quasi-stellar objects found in distant reaches of the universe and blazars are much brighter types of quasars. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/15blazars/

Wow, that proton rocket may mean that we can start getting satellite radios in our cars. I'm pretty happy with local stuff, local weather and talk shows, etc. but maybe they will develop more compleling contenet with the advent of csatellite radio.

I am simply delighted to listen to NPR finally. But access to any radio station on the internet would be awesome. Of course you have heard John Burnett on the Hilo radio station over the net. Imagine summoning wherever you wanted no matter where in the world you were! I like it!

NEWSALERT: Thursday, June 14, 2001 @ 0553 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now EVIDENCE FOUND FOR RECENT SHALLOW GROUND ICE ON MARS ---------------------------------------------------- New high-resolution images from Mars Global Surveyor show evidence of ground ice on Mars as recently as 10 million years ago. More striking is that the signs of geologically recent ground ice deposits are near the equator, where ice was probably no deeper than 15 feet. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/14marsice/ INVESTIGATORS PREPARE TO OK NEXT PEGASUS ROCKET LAUNCH ------------------------------------------------------ NASA's $85 million HESSI mission designed to study solar flares could be launched next Thursday if engineers can finish their investigation to prove the satellite's ride to space -- an Orbital Sciences Pegasus rocket -- is fit to fly. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/14hessi/ NASA SELECTS FIRST MARS SCOUT CONCEPTS FOR STUDY ------------------------------------------------ The ten most promising mission concepts of the 43 proposed to NASA for possible launch to Mars in 2007 were selected Wednesday for continued studies. The missions include networks of small landers, orbiting constellations of small craft and a rover that would attempt to establish absolute surface ages of rocks and soils. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/14marsscout/ BRIGHTER, REDDER MARS TO ILLUMINATE SUMMER NIGHTS ------------------------------------------------- Hold on to your hats and keep a pair of binoculars handy: After a 26-month sprint around the track of the solar system, we are about to lap Mars again. The red planet is in "opposition," an event that puts Earth between Mars and the Sun. And next week, Mars will be at its closest distance from Earth since 1988. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/14marsopp/ REPAIRED SOLAR SAIL NOW READY FOR TEST LAUNCH --------------------------------------------- A suborbital demonstration flight of a solar sail is back on track for launch after a botched test damaged the craft. With repairs completed, the mission is expected to occur this summer aboard a Russian Volna rocket launched from a submarine in the Barents Sea. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/13solarsail/ JUPITER'S AURORAE, VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS ON IO REVEALED ---------------------------------------------------- Impressive thermal-infrared images have been obtained of the giant planet Jupiter during tests at the Paranal Observatory in Chile. They show the full extent of the northern auroral ring and part of the southern aurora. A volcanic eruption was also imaged on Io, the very active inner Jovian moon. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/12irjup/ NEW STUDY STIRS OLD DEBATE ABOUT GALAXIES ----------------------------------------- Using a technique that peeks over obscuring rings of dust and gas and into the hearts of distant galaxies, a researcher has found evidence suggesting that as many as half of the bright, active galaxies known as Seyfert 2 galaxies may have significantly less active central black holes. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/13debate/ OTHER HEADLINES --------------- NEW FACILITY TO IMPROVE AIRBORNE TELESCOPE'S CLARITY http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/13sofia/ OBSERVATIONS SHOW BROWN DWARFS FORM LIKE STARS http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/12browndwarf/ THE 'INS AND OUTS' OF A CELESTIAL DANCE BY CLUSTER 2 http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/12clusterdance/

NEWSALERT: Monday, June 18, 2001 @ 0456 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ATLAS ROCKET TO PUT FIRST ICO SATELLITE INTO SPACE TONIGHT ---------------------------------------------------------- The foundation upon which the ICO global telephone and data relay satellite system will be built is awaiting a late-night liftoff atop a Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/ac156/status.html PROTON ADDS NEW CRAFT TO ASTRA SATELLITE SYSTEM ----------------------------------------------- A new broadcasting spacecraft was propelled into Earth orbit on Saturday to join the ASTRA direct-to-home TV satellite system serving over 87 million homes across Europe. http://spaceflightnow.com/proton/astra2c/status.html XMM-NEWTON OBSERVATORY PEERS INTO A STELLAR COFFIN -------------------------------------------------- Astronomy is a painstaking discipline, requiring time and patience. Yet once in while, a string of discoveries using different telescopes occur in the same domain, each following hot on the heels of one another. Now, XMM-Newton adds the latest chapter to the story of IC443, one of the most studied supernova remnants. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/17xmm/ VETERAN SPACE SHUTTLE COMMANDER RETIRES --------------------------------------- Four-time space shuttle flier Brian Duffy (Col., USAF) has retired from the astronaut corps to accept a senior management position at Lockheed Martin. Duffy also will retire from the U.S. Air Force at the end of June. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/16duffy/ TAURUS XL ROCKET WINS COMMERCIAL LAUNCH ORDER --------------------------------------------- Orbital Sciences has sold its first Taurus XL rocket, a more powerful version of the company's ground-launched vehicle. The mission will carry a Taiwanese remote sensing satellite into orbit in 2003 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/18rocsat2/ SPROUT WINGS AND FLY -------------------- Engineers at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center have been flying a deployable, inflatable wing technology demonstrator experiment using a radio controlled airplane. The project's number one flight research question: "will it fly as the wings deploy in flight?" http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/17inflate/ SPACE TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES VIEW OF GIANT TELESCOPE ------------------------------------------------- NASA engineers in Alabama have been climbing a Texas mountain for the past year to help astronomers reach deeper into space with the world's third-largest telescope at the McDonald Observatory on Mount Fowlkes. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/16msfcscope/

QUICK SPACE - UAV Stealth Plane Gets X Rating http://www.spacedaily.com/news/plane-x47a-01a.html - Global Hawk Production Ramps Up Begins http://www.spacedaily.com/news/uav-01g.html - The Aerover Blimp: The Ultimate All-terrain Vehicle http://www.spacedaily.com/news/ballon-01b.html - Tecstar Reclaims Technology Lead For Solar Cells http://www.spacedaily.com/news/solarcell-01e.html - Boeing-Built ICO Satellite Scheduled to Launch http://www.spacedaily.com/news/ico-01a.html - Thuraya Satellite Begins Commercial Mobile Phone Service http://www.spacedaily.com/news/thuraya-01b.html - Loral Skynet Offers Antenna-Seeding Program For Growing Cable Zone http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-01i.html - Hidden Oceans On Jupiter's Moons Could Support Life http://www.spacedaily.com/news/jupiter-europa-01b.html - Swiss geologists find Mars meteorite in the Sultanate of Oman http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-meteorite-01b.html - Xybernaut's Wearable Computers To Be Trialed For Mars Explorers http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-manned-01e.html - X-43A Mishap Investigation Update http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rlv-01o.html

Interplanetary shock wave triggers Northern Lights Space Weather News for June 19, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com AURORA YESTERDAY: A dense interplanetary shock wave buffeted Earth's magnetic field on Monday and lit up the midnight skies of North America with aurora borealis. Sky watchers saw the show despite the lengthening twilight of northern summer, which begins officially this Thursday. Visit spaceweather.com for images of the display. AURORA TODAY? Another solar wind disturbance swept past our planet on Tuesday; the impact might trigger renewed geomagnetic activity. Mid- and high-latitude sky watchers should be alert for (the slim chance of) auroras around local midnight. Visit http://SpaceWeather.com for more information and updates.

Eclipse Safari NASA Science News for June 19, 2001 On Thursday, June 21st, the Moon's shadow will race across southern Africa for the only total solar eclipse of 2001. Read this story to learn why eclipses happen, what animals do when the Moon's shadow sweeps by, and what astronomers hope to learn by observing the event. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast19jun_1.htm?list89800

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, June 20, 2001 @ 1707 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now PEGASUS LAUNCH OF HESSI POSTPONED INDEFINITELY ---------------------------------------------- NASA has halted plans to fly its HESSI solar probe aboard an Orbital Sciences Pegasus rocket until investigators determine what likely caused the botched X-43A launch earlier this month. When HESSI will be launched is unknown. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/19hessi/ ATLAS LAUNCHES FOUNDATION OF ICO SATELLITE SYSTEM ------------------------------------------------- The orbital assembly of a new wireless telephone and data relay satellite network began Tuesday when a Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket successfully launched the cornerstone spacecraft for the ICO system. http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/ac156/ Read our call of the countdown and launch: http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/ac156/status.html XMM SNAPS STRIKING IMAGE OF STELLAR ACTIVITY, BLACK HOLE -------------------------------------------------------- Europe's orbiting XMM-Newton telescope has obtained one of the most striking ultraviolet pictures ever taken of the galaxy M81. Strong ultraviolet emission is a feature of star formation, supernova explosions and the accretion of matter by a supermassive black hole. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/20m81/ DEFROSTING MARTIAN SAND DUNES LOOK LIKE VEGETATION -------------------------------------------------- As winter gives way to spring in the Martian southern hemisphere, NASA's Mars Global Surveyor is observing the retreat of the south polar frost cap. One of the most aesthetically-pleasing aspects of the spring defrosting process is the pattern that is created on the sand dune fields. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/19dunes/ SOLAR NEUTRINO PROBLEM SOLVED ----------------------------- Data from an unusual underground observatory have helped scientists solve a key mystery about the Sun, but have in turn raised new questions about fundamental particle physics, scientists announced Monday. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/20sno/ THURAYA BEGINS COMMERCIAL SATELLITE PHONE SERVICE ------------------------------------------------- Thuraya -- the satellite-based regional mobile communications system -- has started rolling out its service with the ultimate goal of covering a region encompassing approximately 2.5 billion people in 100 countries across the Middle East, North and Central Africa, Europe, the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/19thuraya/

QUICK SPACE - Atlas Launches ICO Into Medium Earth Orbit http://www.spacedaily.com/news/ico-01b.html - Russia Plans Flyback Booster http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launcher-russia-01j.html - NSA certifies Iridium Security Module http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iridium-01d.html - Logicon To Supply Software For Missile Shield http://www.spacedaily.com/news/bmdo-01zj.html - Air Force Begins Independent Test Of SBIRS Ground Station http://www.spacedaily.com/news/sbirs-01d.html - NASA To 'Map' Big Bang Remnant To Study Early Universe http://www.spacedaily.com/news/map-01b.html - Planetary Hit-and-Run Among Creative Ideas Nudged by NASA http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-scouts-01a.html

QUICK SPACE - Australian Government To Fund New Indian Ocean Launch Center http://www.spacedaily.com/news/aust-01b.html - Vegetation Key to Accurate Climate Modeling http://www.spacedaily.com/news/climate-01h.html - Putin Warns Of Arms Buildup If US Drops Abm Treaty http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010623151328.a3wxqofv.html - AFA Conference Brings Space Stars Together http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-01t.html - Future Army Could Run On Alternative Fuels http://www.spacedaily.com/news/future-01g.html - Boeing Delta-4 To Launch DSCS-3 A3 Satellite For US Air Force http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-comms-01e.html - AeroAstro Reviews Malaysian SPORT http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nanosat-01c.html - Radiation-Resistant Chips for Sturdier Satellites http://www.spacedaily.com/news/radiation-01h.html - What's Real, What's Science Fiction? http://www.spacedaily.com/news/robot-01c.html

NEWSALERT: Monday, June 25, 2001 @ 0130 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now TEMPERATURE MAP OF IO PRESENTS A PUZZLE --------------------------------------- Earth's tropics are hotter than the polar regions for a good reason, so scientists are puzzled that the same pattern doesn't show on Jupiter's moon Io. Powerful volcanoes and the previous day's sunshine warm the nighttime surface of Jupiter's moon Io, as seen in this image from NASA's Galileo spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/24iomap/ EUROPA'S FROZEN SURFACE ----------------------- Europa, a moon of Jupiter, appears as a thick crescent in this enhanced-color image from NASA's Galileo spacecraft. Reddish linear features are some of the cracks and ridges, thousands of kilometers long, which are caused by the tides raised by the gravitational pull of Jupiter. Also visible are a few circular features, which are small impact craters. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/24europa/ COMPANIES USE AIR SHOW TO ANNOUNCE LAUNCH DEALS ----------------------------------------------- Arianespace, Boeing and International Launch Services announced a batch of new contracts last week at the Paris Air Show. Here are the three respective corporate releases describing the deals. ARIANE SIGNS 8 NEW LAUNCH CONTRACTS: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/25ariane/ BOEING/MELCO DEAL WORTH UP TO 6 DELTA 4s: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/25boeing/ ILS ATLAS 5 APPROVED BY INMARSAT VENTURES: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/25ils/ ROSETTA - A SPACECRAFT IN SEARCH OF PRISTINE MATTER --------------------------------------------------- In January 2003 the European spacecraft Rosetta is to launch on atop an Ariane 5 to comet "Wirtanen" in search of pristine matter. For a year, it will orbit this tailed star at a distance of one kilometer and explore it in detail. At the same time, a probe will land on the comet's surface for surface-science investigations and analysis. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/23rosetta/ UNIQUE LINK FOUND BETWEEN STELLAR DEATH AND BIRTH ------------------------------------------------- Astronomers from the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of California at Berkeley have discovered a key building block for new stars in the rapidly expanding remains of an ancient stellar explosion. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/23fuse/ ADOLESCENT INTERSTELLAR CLOUD SET FOR STAR FORMING -------------------------------------------------- Astronomers have discovered a highly unusual, massive interstellar cloud that appears poised to begin a burst of star formation. The cloud may be the first ever to be detected in the transition between atomic and molecular states. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/25cloud/ X-RAY VIEW OF A YOUNG PLANETARY NEBULA -------------------------------------- Chandra's image of NGC 7027 represents the first detection of X-rays from this young planetary nebula that is about 3,000 light years from Earth. A bubble of 3 million degree Celsius gas with a length about a hundred times that of our solar system is shown in the image. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/25chandra/ CELLULAR, MACROMOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH PROPOSALS PICKED ---------------------------------------------------------------- NASA has selected 43 researchers to receive grants totaling approximately $27 million over four years to conduct biotechnology research on Earth and in space. This research will create knowledge in important areas of biotechnology such as tissue engineering, gene expression and biosensor technology. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/24biotech/ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: IT'S MORE THAN A MOVIE ----------------------------------------------- Engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will talk about the real artificial intelligence work that takes place at NASA in a live webcast, scheduled for June 29, at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/23artintell/

A Meteor Shower This Week? Space Weather News for June 25, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com METEOR SHOWER: On June 26th and 27th Earth will pass through the dusty debris trail of comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke, triggering the annual "June Bootid" meteor shower. Most years the June Bootids are meek: a typical shower consists of only a few visible meteors each hour -- but not always. In 1998 sky watchers enjoyed an intense Bootid outburst. What will happen this year? No one knows, but meteor enthusiasts will be watching the heavens for a possible flurry of shooting stars. Tune in to SpaceWeather.com for observing tips and more information about the shower. And don't forget to try listening to the June Bootids using our online meteor radar. SOLAR ECLIPSE: SpaceWeather.com's growing gallery of images from last week's solar eclipse now includes sounds as well. Listen to audio clips that reveal the excited reactions of onlookers before and during totality. Visit http://SpaceWeather.com

What's up with the decimated ham radio satellite? Any more news on this? The guys on the 442.475 repeater were bemoaning the fact that some super cold liquid may have leaked and jammed up most of the communications gear.

This is the last I heard from them: seeks 80-meter bulletin reports A change has been made to the 80-meter bulletin antenna system. W1AW is requesting from amateurs who listen to the 80-meter transmissions send in signal reports. Please note QTH, time of reception, mode, signal strength and quality. Use of the standard RST system is acceptable. Mail your report on a postcard to W1AW 80-meter reports, 225 Main Street, Newington, Connecticut, 06111. Email reports may be sent to w1aw@arrl.org. The complete W1AW Operating Schedule appears in July QST, page 105, or on the web at http://www.arrl.org/w1aw.html .

All the World's a Stage ... for Dust NASA Science News for June 26, 2001 Tune in to a NASA website and watch giant dust clouds as they ride global rivers of air, cross-pollinating continents with topsoil and microbes. This story includes movies of an African dust cloud blowing westward to North America in June. It also addresses questions like: Where does topsoil for Caribbean islands come from? And, are sneezes in Florida triggered by allergens from other continents? The answers may surprise you! FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast26jun_1.htm?list89800

----------- QUICK SPACE - Ringing Out The Bugs On Route To Saturn And Titan http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cassini-01g1.html - US May Still Decide Against Missile Defense: Russian Minister http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010625140642.et8cy2ut.html - Taiwan Secretly Developing Cruise Missile: Report http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010626063827.gjvjk3z4.html - Georgia Supports US Missile Defence Shunning Russian Concerns http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010625150543.m1yzqpsh.html - Chinese Scientists Gravitate Towards African Solar Eclipse http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-01zi.html - Cluster's Whispers Probe The Electrifying Plasmasphere http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cluster2-01b.html - Rime of the ancient Mariner: NASA looks back to Mercury http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010625113444.hjxemcxr.html - Refining Estimates For The North American Carbon Sink http://www.spacedaily.com/news/greenhouse-01p.html - German Government, Energy Bosses Agree To C02 Emission Cut http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010625160336.rcbrap9j.html - Telesat Increases Equity Stake In Wildblue http://www.spacedaily.com/news/internet-01m.html

Spacedaily Express - June 27, 2001 QUICK SPACE - NASA-Tito Discord Over Space Tourism Remains http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010627013535.rme0do06.html - SEAKR Offers Compact Flash Memory Pak For Space Applications http://www.spacedaily.com/news/space-electronics-01g.html - Space Probe To Glimpse Infancy Of The Universe http://www.spacedaily.com/news/map-01c.html - New Solar-Powered Hyperion Robot Stays In Sync With The Sun http://www.spacedaily.com/news/robot-01d.html - China Kicks Off World Space Week 2001 Promo Campaign http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-01zj.html - Russia Under Greater Threat From Missile Attack Than US: http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010626131926.pf3wy6bv.html - Nuke Sub Missiles Notch Up Three More Successful Tests http://www.spacedaily.com/news/icbm-01h.html - Taiwan Secretly Developing Cruise Missile http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010626063827.gjvjk3z4.html - El Nino Link To Southern Ocean Currents http://www.spacedaily.com/news/pacific-01b.html - Japan, US To Develop Technology To Cut CO2 Emissions http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010627043220.x5odpsdz.html - G8 leaders to be unwitting participants in WWF campaign http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010626190948.el2o0x1c.html - Kyoto rescue effort runs into money problems http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010626162759.e3m4nq2q.html

Satellite snaps 'before' and 'after' photos of tornado path NEWSALERT: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 @ 0455 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now SATELLITE IMAGES TELL TALE OF WISCONSIN TORNADO ----------------------------------------------- The morning after the northwestern Wisconsin town of Siren was leveled by a devastating tornado, the federal Landsat-7 satellite captured its destructive path from space. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/27tornado/ 'GRACE TWINS' TO INVESTIGATE THE EARTH SYSTEM --------------------------------------------- The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellite duo is being prepared for launch to carry out gravimetric measurements of the Earth with an unprecedented accuracy, allowing for detection of minor changes in the gravity field caused by the circulating magma in the planet's interior, melting glaciers or changing ocean currents. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/27grace/ CLUSTER'S WHISPERS PROBE ELECTRIFYING PLASMASPHERE -------------------------------------------------- An astronaut who exits a spacecraft without a spacesuit will die very quickly because there is no air to breathe. However, although space is often regarded as an airless vacuum, it is by no means empty. Spacecraft such as Cluster are built to detect and study the sparse 'soup' of electrified plasma that populates near-Earth space. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/27cluster2/ INTERSPUTNIK REPORTS FAILURE OF EXPRESS-2 SATELLITE --------------------------------------------------- The Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications announced Monday that the Express-2 satellite had undergone an emergency de-activation as a result of technical problems with its Earth-orientation system. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/26express2/ SOLAR CONJUNCTION COMING TO END FOR GALILEO ------------------------------------------- This week the Galileo spacecraft peeks back out from behind the Sun. For about the last three weeks, Jupiter, with Galileo in orbit around it, has been blocked from view by the Sun. During this period of solar conjunction, the radio signal from the spacecraft must pass through the turbulent atmosphere of the Sun. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/26galileothisweek/ ESA AWARDS GIANT CONTRACT FOR NEW ASTRONOMY SATELLITES ------------------------------------------------------ The largest contract ever in the history of European space astronomy has been awarded by ESA to an industrial consortium led by Alcatel Space Industries for the manufacture of two astronomy satellites, the Herschel Space Observatory and Planck. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/26esaaward/ BOEING DELTA 4 TO LAUNCH DSCS-3 A3 FOR USAF ------------------------------------------- Boeing officials have announced that the U.S. Air Force has assigned a second launch of a Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) satellite aboard a Boeing Delta 4 rocket. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/26dscs3a3/

don't forget the meteor shower, look out west and don't forget mars in the southern sky. the meteor shower is supposed to last a week (through Jul 2). get comfy and watch the sky!

Yup, I posted it on 24 ..... thanks for the reminder. Go out, look and enjoy then come back to report your sightings!

QUICK SPACE - .COM for Satellite Control Center Automation? http://www.spacedaily.com/news/industry-01a.html - DirecTV Shuts Down Satellite Pirates http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-01j.html - Boeing Rocketdyne RS-68 First Flight Engine Go for Launch http://www.spacedaily.com/news/delta4-01j.html - The Goldilocks Effect: How Other Earths Form Just Right http://www.spacedaily.com/news/early-earth-01e.html - Where There's Soup, There's Life http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01w.html - Rare Orbital Anomaly May Have Caused Global Cooling http://www.spacedaily.com/news/greenhouse-01q.html - Subglacial Volcanoes On Mars http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-volcano-01b.html - Russia To Bring Space Shuttle Back From The Grave http://www.spacedaily.com/news/russia-space-general-01m.html - My Way or the SKYway http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01y.html - Russia Test Launches RS-18 ICBM http://www.spacedaily.com/news/icbm-01i.html

i was too sleepy to catch them last night plus we were rather overcast. sooooo....am gonna try again tonight. will let you know what i see.

Look for the comet, as well!!!

comet? it was overcast again last night *frown* but i think i accidentally saw mars! is it slightly orange? (no, it's not the sun!!)

Mars is very orane compared with other things in the nigth sky. I am hoping tonight will be my turn to see it. Yup, Comet Linear. Go take a look at the Sky and Telescope page I posted yesterday - or see below! COMET LINEAR HEADING INTO NORTHERN SKIES Northern Hemisphere observers should finally get a peek at Comet LINEAR (C/2001 A2) later this week as it quickly moves through Cetus. The comet was closest to the Sun on May 24th, but will be closest to the Earth on June 30th (37 million kilometers). Observers at midnorthern latitudes will see the comet climb higher above the east-southeast horizon each morning. By the end of the week, Comet LINEAR should be 10 to 25 deg. high (depending on your latitude) by the first hints of dawn. LINEAR has faded a little since reaching 3rd magnitude last week, but it remains a naked-eye object. In a week's time, however, the comet could fade even more or have yet another outburst. The comet remains high in the morning sky for Southern Hemisphere observers, where it will be more than halfway to the zenith in the eastern sky before dawn. Here are coordinates for Comet LINEAR for 0 hours Universal Time (in 2000.0 coordinates) for the coming week: R.A. Dec. Jun 23 2h 12m -17.8 deg. 25 1 50 -15.0 27 1 27 -11.9 29 1 04 - 8.5

Wandering Mystery Planets NASA Science News for June 29, 2001 The word 'planet' comes from the Greek word 'wanderer,' but the planets in our solar system aren't true nomads. They stay close to home, always circling the Sun. This week scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope may have discovered a class of genuine planetary wanderers. It seems that mysterious objects smaller than Jupiter are running loose in globular cluster M22! Are they planets? No one knows, but astronomers are planning to find out. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast29jun_1.htm?list89800

----------- QUICK SPACE - Europe Steps Up Satellite Piracy Crackdown http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-01k.html - XM Radio Birds Operating Perfectly http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01t.html - AsiaSat and Telstra link to stream broadband services to Australia http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010628055513.oso6ra9u.html - Venus Holds Clues To Finding Earth's Platinum And Diamonds http://www.spacedaily.com/news/venus-01b.html - Russia, US to discuss missile defense row in coming days http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010628220024.dapgh4fe.html - Common Ground Sought for Nuclear Security in 21st Century http://www.spacedaily.com/news/icbm-01j.html - Iridium Beefs Asia Pacific Push http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iridium-01e.html - Mass Extinction At The Triassic-Jurassic Boundary http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01t.html - Did A Disturbance In The "Force" Caused The K-T Impact? http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01u.html - How Trees Changed The World http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-01v.html - Unlocking The Mystery Of Recurring Sea Ice Holes http://www.spacedaily.com/news/antarctic-01d.html - UN climate talks show big gaps, storm over US, Japan http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010628203836.vsajplp4.html - Britain's BNFL eagerly anticipates nuclear power "renaissance" http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010628115256.m4lnqbjs.html

NEWSALERT: Friday, June 29, 2001 @ 0637 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now NASA NAMES THE LAUNCH DAY FOR SHUTTLE ATLANTIS ---------------------------------------------- NASA officials gathered on Thursday for the traditional Flight Readiness Review and affirmed July 12 as the launch date for Atlantis' 11-day mission to deliver the Joint Airlock to the international space station. Liftoff is planned for 5:04 a.m. EDT (0904 GMT). http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage7a/010628frr/ HINTS OF PLANET-SIZED DRIFTERS BEWILDER SCIENTISTS -------------------------------------------------- Piercing the heart of a globular star cluster with its needle-sharp vision, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered tantalizing clues to what could potentially be a strange and unexpected population of wandering, planet-sized objects. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/27hubble/ NASA'S MAP PROBE SET FOR WEEKEND LAUNCH --------------------------------------- Boeing's Delta 2 rocket is slated for launch Saturday to propel a NASA spacecraft on a journey to detect the afterglow of the Big Bang, which scientists hope will shed light on age-old questions about the content, shape, history and the ultimate fate of the universe. http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d286/status.html SPACE TOURISM HEARING TURNS INTO STATION DEBATE ----------------------------------------------- A Congressional hearing on the nascent space tourism industry Tuesday turned into a debate between Dennis Tito and a NASA official regarding how many people the International Space Station can accommodate. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/27tourism/ CANADA BUYS LOCKHEED MARTIN SATELLITE AND LAUNCH ------------------------------------------------ Telesat Canada has bought a new direct-to-home TV broadcasting satellite and a rocket to launch the craft from Lockheed Martin. The Nimiq 2 spacecraft is due for liftoff from Cape Canaveral atop an Atlas 5 booster in the fourth quarter of 2002. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/29nimiq/ ESA SOLAR MISSION ATTRACTS FOLLOWERS TO TENERIFE ------------------------------------------------ The launch date of Solar Orbiter, ESA's next mission to study the Sun, should be no later than 2010. This was one of the key messages to emerge from the first Solar Orbiter workshop which was held in Tenerife last month. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/29solarorbiter/ FIRST BOEING DELTA 4 ROCKET FLIGHT ENGINE 'GO FOR LAUNCH' --------------------------------------------------------- The liquid-fueled main engine that will power the first Boeing Delta 4 rocket off the launch pad next spring has completed acceptance testing, clearing the way for the powerplant's attachment to the vehicle in the factory. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/28rs68/ PIONEER OF U.S. HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT DIES --------------------------------------- John F. Yardley, a leading figure in the early days of human space flight and the Space Shuttle program, died early Tuesday. He was 76. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/28yardley/

am hoping to catch the meteor shower tonight--well, maybe not, i just looked outside to remind myself what the sky was doing and it's overcast again. we need the rain and the nice low humidity but I WANNA SEE THE METEORS! *grin*

I also WANNA SEE THE COMET!!! but I gotta go out before dawn to see it. *sigh*

k i went out for a bit last night and saw nothing but satellites and high aircraft. the dogs wanted out at 4, so bleary-eyed i looked at the stars and saw nothing again! *frown* but i shall not give up, this thing is supposed to last through Monday!

Wolfie, at 4am you should have seen the COMET!!! I was awake and I am sure the view from the summit of Mauna Kea was spectacular, but... It is so depressing looking at the underside of clouds when there are such great things going on on the other side! Satellites??? You did not do so bad. This is not one of the better meteor showers. I got my brand new husband out of bed to watch the Geminids which will occur again next month. Wait for them. They are usually spectacular!!!

you got your WHO out of bed?

A bunch of years ago - I was on my honeymoon. My ex was just as curious as I was and we saw nothing but Maine fog! Sorry, I did not make it clear about the time-frame involved. I am not married!

*laugh* think i'm gonna have trouble seeing anything tonight too as the sky has been cloudy all day threatening rain!

Same here, pretty cloudy.

well, the clouds were starting to break up last night but it is overcast again today. did catch a glimpse of mars again (isn't it in the southern sky?)...did have fantastic dreams about the meteors though! *laugh* will check out the night sky again and let you know!

I looked for Mars again last evening. I managed to see the moon though the partial cloudiness, but nothing else. Cloudy this morning so no comet-hunting. ( Mars is the biggest brightest orange thing up there. )

this is the only orange orb in my sky anyway and it is sort of high on the horizon and is south to southeast.

Yup that's it! Please, no beaming up or letting little green men (otherwise know as BEMs) come get you! Unless, of course, they are your relatives =)

*laugh* only if they let me bring you with!

NEWSALERT: Monday, July 2, 2001 @ 0019 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now CRAFT LAUNCHED TO UNLOCK SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE ------------------------------------------------ A NASA space probe designed to map the afterglow of the Big Bang -- the fossil light from the creation of the universe 14 billion years ago -- was launched into space on Saturday atop a Boeing Delta 2 rocket. http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d286/ Read our call of the countdown and launch: http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d286/status.html ESA AND NASA SET NEW CASSINI-HUYGENS PLAN ----------------------------------------- Managers for an international mission to Saturn have announced a revised plan to work around a telecommunications problem and avoid loss of scientific data after the Cassini spacecraft releases the Huygens probe to descend to the surface of Titan, Saturn's biggest moon, in 2005. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/30huygensfix/ GLITCH HALTS FREE FLIGHT TEST OF NASA'S X-38 -------------------------------------------- NASA X-38 program engineers decided to postpone the seventh free flight of an X-38 vehicle on Friday. The halt came after the X-38, still secured to a wing pylon on NASA's B-52B mother ship, was already airborne. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/30x38delay/ ORBITAL ANOMALY MAY HAVE CAUSED GLOBAL EARTH COOLING ---------------------------------------------------- A rare coincidence of orbital cycles may have caused sudden global cooling 23 million years ago, according to scientists, who used high resolution records and new techniques that allow astronomical calibration to be extended much further back in time. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/02anomaly/ GIANT 'EYEBALL' FURTHERS MEGA-TELESCOPE CONCEPT ----------------------------------------------- A satellite receiver that works like a giant eyeball has arrived in Sydney for testing, bringing a step closer one idea for the world's next 'mega-telescope' -- an army of giant spheres to collect radio waves from the cosmos, dotted in patches across the landscape. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/02eyeball/ SPACE STATION SENDS BACK FIRST RADIATION DATA --------------------------------------------- The first series of radiation data collected inside the International Space Station has been transmitted from space to scientists on Earth eager to assess its potential biomedical impacts and implications for future research. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/01issrad/ EXPEDITION TWO SCIENCE OPERATIONS STATUS REPORT ----------------------------------------------- An experiment that could make the Space Station an even better place to conduct microgravity experiments was undergoing tests this week in the orbiting laboratory. The Active Rack Isolation System is designed to act like a powered shock absorber to dampen vibrations from powered equipment and crew activities. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0106/30isssci/

I'm packing, Wolfie. They want your new ring (now posted on Geo 8)

*laugh* they wanna see if it's a fake or not! saw in the paper about a probe thing launched this weekend--yeah, that's the one you mentioned in 560--it's a Microwave Anisotropy Probe....hmmm...wonder if it'll work better than the hubble (wasn't that sent to do the same thing?).

We'll ask Cosmological Mike to take a bearing on it and download the goodies for us. It was a beautiful launch from what I saw on CNN. It covers much different range of the spectrum from what I understand. Fall out and stand by - will check it in the morning when y'all are wider awake!

Wednesday, 27 June, 2001, 08:23 GMT 09:23 UK Strange glows on Jupiter moon The white dots seen near the equator are volcanoes By BBC News Online science editor Dr David Whitehouse Strange glows have been seen dancing over Jupiter's moon Io. They were recorded during an eclipse of Io in January, witnessed by the Cassini spacecraft that was on its way to Saturn. Cassini's camera captured images of the eclipsed Io in several colours, ranging from the near-ultraviolet to the near-infrared. The colour of the diffuse glows tells scientists what elements are responsible; oxygen and sulphur are the best candidates. Some of the glows are associated with volcanic eruptions; others are auroral in nature being caused by Jupiter's titanic magnetic field wafting over the tiny moon. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1409000/1409117.stm ,.

Monday July 2 10:20 PM ET Astronomers Find Solar System Body By ANDREW BRIDGES, AP Science Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) - Astronomers announced Monday they have discovered an icy body that rivals Pluto's moon in size and hints that other planets may lurk within the far reaches of our solar system. The object, 2001 KX76, appears to be between 595 and 788 miles across, making it larger than any known asteroid and, perhaps, even Pluto's moon Charon. Charon is estimated to be 744 miles in diameter. A team of astronomers used the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile to find the object in images taken on May 22. It orbits the sun at a distance of about 4 billion miles in the Kuiper Belt of objects beyond Neptune. The new object apparently trumps in size all other known objects beyond the orbit of Neptune, except Pluto itself.

Varuna points way to 10th solar planet PARIS: A large asteroid, named Varuna after the lord of the cosmos in Hindu mythology, has been spotted in the outer fringes of the Solar System, a discovery which suggests the Sun may have more than nine planets, astronomers say. Varuna was detected last November by Arizona-based astronomers in the Spacewatch Project, a scheme aimed at scouring the asteroid belts to look, in part, for rogue rocks that could be a potential threat to Earth. The spherical object is 900 km in diameter, which makes it only a tad smaller than Charon, the tiny moon that orbits Pluto, the most distant of the Sun's nine known planets. The discovery, by a team led by David Jewitt of the Institute of Astronomy in Honolulu, is reported last week in Nature, the British science weekly. http://www.timesofindia.com/280501/28hlth3.htm

Is Pluto still considered a planet? Wasn't there some theory which denied that Pluto was actually a planet, due to its unusual orbit, or something?

interesting question, cheryl--i think i heard the same thing but never found out the outcome either. marcia, can you post the dates for the geminoid meteor shower again? (thanks!)

QUICK SPACE - Telesat Buys LockMart Bird And Launch Package http://www.spacedaily.com/news/telesat-01a.html - Putin Warns "Fate Of Mankind" Rests On Missile Talks http://spacedaily.com/news/010702152308.ernkhxkb.html - DS1 Closing In For Final Act http://www.spacedaily.com/news/deep1-01e.html - NASA Opens The Door Atlantis July 12 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-01t.html - Kuiper Belt Object found possibly as large as Pluto's moon http://www.spacedaily.com/news/kuiper-01f.html - Space Station Sends Back First Radiation Data http://www.spacedaily.com/news/radiation-01i.html - NASA Taps Hopkins' Applied Physics Lab To Develop Solar Missions http://www.spacedaily.com/news/solar-program-01a.html - Giant Eyeball Will Focus MegaScope http://www.spacedaily.com/news/telescopes-01a.html - Inter-Governmental Conference on Space Applications Opens in Vietnam http://www.spacedaily.com/news/unspace-01a.html

Pluto is a moon that went off course. Habit keeps it in the planet category. Good point. Terry, interesting articles. I noted them as well but was sidetracked by Wolfie and the rc files for Geo. I did get my little earth logo back, though. Thanks, Wolfie - you reminded me not all commands were in the rc file. *Hugs* Metoer shower list next

As Promised all meteor showers (and there are dozens of them ) are listed with the radiants position illustrated for each one for 2001 along with moon phase: http://www.imo.net/calendar/cal01.html Some of the better-known meteor showers and their approximate dates are: Lyrids, Apr. 21; Perseids, Aug. 12; Orionids, Oct. 20; Taurids, Nov. 4; Leonids, Nov. 16; Geminids, Dec. 13.

Remember, those dates are for midnight, so to watch the Perseids in August you might start looking late the evening of the 11th, and so on.

Howdy all One of the cool things about meteor showers is that it provides yet another propagation mode for VHF and up (somewhat). This is in the form of meteor scatter where you bounce signals off the ionized particles in the upper atmosphere - the trick here is that you only have a small window of time to send a signal since the 'mirror' does not last that long. Most if not all meteor contacts use time slots for stations to transmit and receive and it might take several slots to make a contact. Another, even more exotic mode, is high speed meteor scatter where you send a burst of data off the ionized air. The basic contact calls for high speed cw (possibly voice?) and the burst mode is a cw message speed up superfast and sent via computer. Ive only tried a meteor contact once on voice since my cw is not quite what it used to be. I did hear a brief voice burst from the station I was trying to contact 1200 miles away. Neat stuff but Im busy with enuf distractions right not to take up another facet of the hobby. 73 de AA9IL Mike radio cosmo international p.s. just got my satellite tracking software loaded up and the latest keps so now I can start doing some sat contacts again!

Cosmic One, you need not tell me. My father (W2CWR) had me climbing trees with antennas and doing sightings out the window with a makeshift telephone rig he had hooked up to synchronize the meteors and his reception of the sound. We did it with Aurorae too... Fantastic about the satellite stuff being up and running again. Meteors are a lot smaller things to aim at than EME transmissions, but are they basically the same? It's all in the timing! And precision aiming of the antennas....and so on and so forth. This is not easy stuff gang!

Aphelion Away! Earth is far from the Sun on the 4th of July On the 4th of July, Earth will lie at its greatest distance from the Sun -- an annual event astronomers call 'aphelion.' But don't expect any sudden relief from the heat. Indeed, say researchers, our planet is actually warmer when we're farther from the Sun than at any other time of year -- an earth science curiosity that this story explains. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast03jul_1.htm?list89800

along with cosmo's VHF stuff, meteor showers are also a good way to have some perspective on the fact that Earth is indeed a planet and we are floating around in space! sometimes folks think that space is "out there" like a trip to see long lost relatives or going across the ocean, when indeed, we are in the middle of it.

(thanks for the meteor dates, marcia!)

NEWSALERT: --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now ASTRONOMERS DISCOVER GIANT KUIPER BELT OBJECT --------------------------------------------- Astronomers announced Monday that they have discovered an object in the distant Kuiper Belt that could rival Pluto's moon in size. The discovery of is more ammunition in the debate regarding the classification of Pluto, the smallest and most distant planet. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/03kbo/ Read news release announcing discovery http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/03kbo/index2.html SHUTTLE LAUNCH PADS FILLED FOR SUMMER STATION MISSIONS ------------------------------------------------------ For the first time in 18 months both space shuttle launch pads at Kennedy Space Center are occupied following Monday's rollout of Discovery in preparation for blastoff in August on a mission to exchange the resident crew aboard the international space station. Discovery joins sistership Atlantis, which was rolled out June 21. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage7a1/010702rollout/ MARS-BOUND PROBE ADJUSTS ITS TRAJECTORY --------------------------------------- NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft fine-tuned its flight path on Monday for arrival at Mars in October as it performed its second trajectory correction maneuver, changing its velocity by about two miles per hour. http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/odyssey/status.html BROWN DWARFS ARE STELLAR EMBRYOS EVICTED BY SIBLINGS ---------------------------------------------------- Brown dwarfs, essentially stunted stars, were most likely ejected from newborn, multiple-star systems before they had a chance to accumulate enough mass to ignite the hydrogen in their interiors and flower, according to a new study. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/03evicted/ GALILEO IN QUIET CRUISE MODE ---------------------------- This holiday week sees the Galileo spacecraft continue its normal cruise activities. On Thursday, a standard test of the on-board gyroscopes is performed. Due to repeated dosages of the intense radiation near Jupiter, some of the electronic components used to report data from the gyros have degraded. These periodic tests check the current health of the electronics, and also determine if updates are needed to software parameters. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/03galileothisweek/

Even Homes in Space Need a Door The International Space Station may be the most technologically advanced house ever built, but at the moment it lacks something found in every home on Earth -- a front door! But not for long. Later this month the space shuttle is slated to deliver a 6-ton airlock to the ISS. US-suited astronauts will finally be able to cross the threshold of their own doorway to space for critical assembly and maintenance tasks -- and for the most thrilling experience of all: spacewalks. This story includes animated tours of the new airlock and a movie showing how the station's robotic arm will install the new chamber. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast06jul_1.htm?list89800

will it have a welcome mat too? oh yeah, and a seasonal wreath?

A Big Wreath with Twinkling lights and maybe those infernal chip-controlled Christmas tunes which can be so irritating. Stand by for the manger scene! This weekend on SPACE.com: STS-104 Coverage Kick-off ------------------------------------- Come back Sunday for a preview of the upcoming Space Shuttle Atlantis mission. Check out our mission preview, crew bios, countdown clock and more! Images from Space ------------------------------------- * New Image Gallery: Chandra's First Two Years http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagegallery/ The Chandra X-Ray Observatory stunned scientists in its first two years of exploring deep space, revealing sights and cosmological insights few had even dared to anticipate. * New! Thirty satellite views from Space just added! http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagepump/ Check out thirty stunning new satellite images courtesy of Space Imaging. We've added wonderful views of Washington State, incredible images of Italy, and more! Zoom in today! SPACE.com TV ------------------------------------- * Rockets Red Glare http://www.space.com/spacetv/ Still can't get enough of the July 4th celebration? Join us this weekend for at retro-rockets!

NEWSALERT: Saturday, July 7, 2001 @ 1430 GMT --------------------------------------------------------------------- The latest news from Astronomy Now and Spaceflight Now HUBBLE CAPTURES BEST VIEW OF MARS OBTAINED FROM EARTH ----------------------------------------------------- Frosty white water ice clouds and swirling orange dust storms above a vivid rusty landscape reveal Mars as a dynamic planet in this sharpest view ever obtained by an Earth-based telescope. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/05hstmars/ OUR GALAXY'S SISTER IS A CANNIBAL, ASTRONOMERS SAY -------------------------------------------------- The large spiral galaxy called Andromeda is devouring a couple of small neighboring dwarf galaxies, astronomers report. The evidence of galactic dismemberment is a stream of stars on the outskirts of Andromeda that appears to have been stripped from two dwarf galaxies by their larger companion. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/06cannibal/ FIRST SPACE STATION PLANTS, SEEDS HEADED TO EARTH ------------------------------------------------- The Expedition Two crew continued to prepare the first plants and seeds produced on the International Space Station for their return trip on shuttle Atlantis set to visit the orbiting laboratory next week. The plants are the first to successfully go through germination, growth and seed development aboard the station. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/06isssci/ SOUNDS OF A STAR ---------------- Sound waves running through a star can help astronomers reveal its inner properties. In the case of our Sun, such waves have greatly improved our knowledge about what is going on inside. However, because they are much fainter, it has turned out to be very difficult to detect similar waves in other stars. But now waves have been detected in a solar-twin star. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/06astroseismology/ HOW FAST DOES THE WORLD TURN? ----------------------------- A discovery that may someday help measure how clouds and earthquakes change Earth's rotation has come from an experiment that made friction-free helium whistle. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/06worldturn/ RAPID HEARTBEAT IN ANDROMEDA YIELDS DISCOVERY --------------------------------------------- There are many kinds of celestial objects in the Universe but we are far from knowing them all. XMM-Newton may have discovered a new one: a very luminous soft X-ray source that is pulsating extremely rapidly in the central region of the Andromeda galaxy. This unusual object could be a new kind of accreting white dwarf. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/05andromeda/ 'STAR WARS' CRYO TANK GETS NEW LIFE WITH NASA --------------------------------------------- A multi-million-dollar cryogenic chamber, erected as part of Air Force research for President Reagan's 1980s Strategic Defense Initiative, will soon be helping NASA develop space science capabilities for the 21st century. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/05cryotank/ EATING RIGHT FOR LONG-DURATION SPACE MISSIONS --------------------------------------------- A study released of astronauts who lived aboard the Russian space station Mir, and counterparts living in seclusion on Earth, has validated a tool for measuring astronauts' dietary intake during long space flights. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/04spaceeat/ NASA NAMES CREW TO STS-111 SPACE STATION MISSION ------------------------------------------------ NASA has named three astronauts to the crew of space shuttle mission STS-111, scheduled to launch in 2002 to deliver a new International Space Station resident crew and a Canadian-built mobile base for the orbiting outpost's robotic arm. STS-111 is also the second space shuttle mission dedicated to delivering research equipment to the space platform. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/04sts111/ EUTELSAT SETS NEW COURSE AS A PRIVATE COMPANY --------------------------------------------- The assets and activities of the European Telecommunications Satellite intergovernmental organization were transferred on July 2 into Eutelsat S.A., a limited liability company headquartered in Paris. This establishes Eutelsat on a level playing field for furthering its expansion in the global telecommunications market. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0107/04eutelsat/

Marcia, on the subject of "those infernal chip-controlled Christmas tunes which can be so irritating"; since space is a vacuum and sound isn't supposed to travel in a vacuum. Well, they could always hang the wreath with the offending seasonal music on the inside of the "front door".

off the subject but--is anyone else having trouble seeing the new posts when they open up a conference? i found this one answering another topic, same conference, by scrolling all the way down to see the last 5 posts.

Yes, Cheryl! But, since Space abhors a vacuum, the sound will again fill the void. We are doomed to chiped Christmas tunes unless we remove the chips (have done that more than a few times!) Wolfie, not so far and you are sound asleep now. Perhaps Spring misses The Master?!

SPACEDAILY EXPRESS - July 9, 2001 - sponsored by - APSC - Satellite Launching, Simplified http://www.apsc2orbit.com --------------------------------------------- ----------- QUICK SPACE - Artemis On Course For Launch Thursday http://www.spacedaily.com/news/artemis-01b.html - Japan to launch H-2A rocket on August 25 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010704102207.11nsyx4i.html - NASA plans test flight for solar-powered wing http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010705231718.9gvhiglf.html - Hubble Captures Best View Of Mars Ever Obtained From Earth http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-general-01f.html - Ancient Volcanoes Were A Wipe Out http://www.spacedaily.com/news/early-earth-01f.html - System Would Harness GPS Signals To Study Environment http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-01i.html - Nigeria Establishes Space Office http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nigeria-01a.html - Japanese Tourist Operator Opens Space Division http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-01z.html - Iraq tests modified anti-aircraft missile: Kuwaiti paper http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010708085346.y4cckgwo.html - Pentagon to conduct missile-interception test on July 14 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/010707003815.9rsgo4wu.html - Schweizer Ships UAV Prototype To Northrop Grumman http://www.spacedaily.com/news/uav-01h.html

Today in Science/Astronomy: * Images Stir Life on Mars Debate http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/clarke_mars_banyon_010709-1.html Mars has turned into a red planet Rorschach test. Depending on who is doing the looking, pictures snapped by the orbiting Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) clearly show a world of big time biota, from fields of vegetation and towering Banyan trees, to blotches of bacteria and even a giant circuit board. * Hubble Views Mars at its Closest to Earth http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/mars_hubble_010705.html The powerful Hubble Space Telescope has snapped the best images of Mars ever taken from Earth. Sharp-eyed optics on the orbiting facility resolved features on the red planet as small as 10 miles (15 kilometers) across. * New Image Gallery: Chandra's First Two Years http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagegallery/ The Chandra X-Ray Observatory stunned scientists in its first two years of exploring deep space, revealing sights and cosmological insights few had even dared to anticipate. ----------------------------------- Today in Missions/Launches: * Complete Coverage: STS-104 Atlantis Mission to Station Alpha http://www.space.com/shuttlemissions/ Shuttle Atlantis and five astronauts are poised to blast off this week on a mission to deliver an airlock to the International Space Station, capping the first full phase of a $60 billion orbital construction project. Check out our mission preview, live video, countdown clock and more! * Apparent Illegal Aliens Captured Near Shuttle Launch Pads http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/launches/ksc_security_010706.html More than a dozen young Asian men and women that appeared to be illegal aliens were apprehended Friday within scant miles of NASA space shuttle launch pads at Kennedy Space Center, security officials said. ------------------------------------ Today in Business/Industry: * NASA Reviews Proposal Expanding X-37 Project http://www.space.com/spacenews/americas/x37_070601.html As the U.S. Air Force considers taking a larger role in the X-37 experimental space vehicle effort, NASA is weighing a Boeing proposal that would expand the program to include a second flight unit. One of the vehicles under Boeing's proposal would be used for atmospheric testing only, program officials said. ------------------------------------ * SpaceTV: http://www.space.com/spacetv/index.php3 * Space Age Gear: http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/space_gear-1.html * SpaceWatch: http://www.space.com/spacewatch/index.html * Uplink: Share your opinion! http://uplink.space.com/index.html ------------------------------------- SOLAR and SPACE WEATHER (July 9, 2001) 3-Day Solar Forecast Solar activity is expected to be low. But Sunspot Region 9531, which was numbered over the weekend and has been growing rapidly, is a likely source of additional low-level (C-class) solar flares. 3-Day Aurora Forecast Earth's geomagnetic field is expected to be mainly quiet to unsettled for the next three days. Isolated active periods may also occur as the speed of the solar wind fluctuates. Solar Data The current sunspot number is 101, and the solar wind speed recently clocked in at 416 kilometers per second (930,563 mph). The solar wind density was 5.3 protons per cubic centimeter. (Speed and density values are snapshots in time and change during the day.) http://www.space.com/spacewatch/space_weather.html ------------------------------------- Sign up to become part of the greatest search in history! Join TeamSETI:

Space news Just in time for summer, Space Adventures, Ltd. invites you to lose some weight... in fact, lose it all! With programs scheduled for July and August, Space Adventures Zero-Gravity flights can free you of your extra pounds multiple times in one hour, for 30 seconds intervals: http://www.spaceadventures.com/zerog/index_space.html

New CME to worry about... The current X-2 Solar Flare today has a lot in common with this one described more fully by Spaceweather.com for the X-6 Class solar flare on July 14, 2000. It also came from the middle of the sun as it faced us. Just thought you might like to see it. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast14jul_2m.htm

Space Weather News for July 16, 2002 http://www.spaceweather.com A remarkable sunspot is crossing the face of the Sun. The large active region stretches 15 Earth-diameters from end-to-end and poses a threat for powerful flares. Indeed, on July 15th, twisted magnetic fields above the spot erupted. The explosion sparked an X-class solar flare and hurled a coronal mass ejection into space. As a result, sky watchers on Earth might spot auroras on Tuesday or Wednesday night. Visit spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

Today in Science/Astronomy: * Moon Holds Earth's Ancient Secrets http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/moon_earth_020723.html Tons of rocks and dust long ago blasted from Earth by asteroid impacts lay on the Moon's surface and could hold secrets to our home planet's early history and the origin of life. * Astronotes: The 'Winners' of the Caption Competition http://www.space.com/news/astronotes-1.html OK, "contestants" implies that those who responded to SPACE.com 's little game (see Tech Today - iSun) were actually going to win something. Well, they have! we proudly presents the three funniest entries in our rather impromptu "Write the Caption" competition. * Stolen Apollo Moon Rocks Recovered by FBI in Florida http://www.space.com/news/ap_moonrocks_020723.html Three employees of the Johnson Space Center in Houston and another man were charged in an alleged plot to sell stolen moon rocks from the Apollo missions for $1,000 to $5,000 a gram, the FBI said. * True Tally of Asteroids Probably at High End of Estimates http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/asteroid_tally_020723.html The continued rapid pace of discovery for large asteroids in relatively close proximity to Earth suggests there may be more of them than some scientists have predicted. The speculation, from one of the astronomers who helps count the rocks, does not imply a significantly increased threat to Earth, but it does extend a long-running debate over just how many of these space rocks exist. * Celebrating 30 Years of Imaging the Earth http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/planetearth/landsat_anniversary_020723.html NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) this week celebrate Landsat's 30th anniversary of imaging the Earth.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT ISSUED: 00:50 UTC, 21 JULY 2002 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ A major class X3.3 solar flare was observed at 21:30 UTC on 20 July. This event was accompanied by strong radio emissions (a 2600 sfu tenflare, 20,000 sfu intensity at 8.8 GHz and 43,000 sfu at 15.4 GHz), a Type II sweep (estimated shock velocity 515 km/sec - preliminary), and a strong loop prominence on the southeast limb. In addition, an interesting and h-alpha wave is visible propagating onto the visible solar disk to the northwest of the flaring center. Although this is well time correlated with the presumed onset of the flare start, it may be an independent phenomena as opposed to a Moreton-type wave related directly to the flaring site. Nevertheless, it is interesting to speculate. The x-ray and radio signatures of this event suggest it was a probable proton producing flare. However, no significant flux enhancements are expected in the near-Earth space environment due to its present poor location. X-ray fluence with this event was modestly respectable at near 0.75 Joules. The southeast limb has been teeming with activity. Frequent and occasionally fairly strong surging has been observed over the last 24 hours. Additional major levels of solar flare activity are expected from this spot complex as it continues to approach and (within the next 24 to 48 hours) rotate into view. Region 10036 is still considered a possible site for major flaring. It has experienced renewed growth over the last 24 hours. Although magnetic gradients and shear are not as strong as in Region 10030, the spot complex may still produce an isolated major event over the next several days. Flare activity from Region 10036 is expected to be fairly infrequent unless more rapid growth and dynamic flux emergence occurs. It is expected to take a back seat to the activity in the region due to rotate around the southeast limb. ** End of Notice **

More Spaceship Sightings Beginning this week, the International Space Station will make a series of eye-catching passes over North America. The bright spaceship is easy to see from your own backyard--and it looks great through a telescope, too. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/24jul_spaceship2.htm?list89800

http://www.space.com/news/nasa_plutonium_020724.html Earl Wahlquist, associate director of the Department of Energy�s Space and Defense Power Systems Office, said July 23 that 7 kilograms of Plutonium 238 � slightly more than half of the U.S. inventory � is being reassigned for use by an undisclosed national security agency. The 7-kilogram parcel of Plutonium is due to be removed from a spare RTG the Department of Energy built for NASA as part of the Cassini and Galileo programs.

Caveat Impactor An asteroid with almost no chance of hitting Earth made big headlines this week. Were we ever in danger? Read this story and find out. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/26jul_nt7.htm?list89800

View Near-Earth Asteroid There's no danger of a collision. Even so, a big space rock will soon come so close to Earth that sky watchers can see it through binoculars. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/30jul_ny40.htm?list89800

Is this the 1 on 250,000 rock?

The latest from NASA's Earth Observatory (07/30/2002) ----------------------------------------------------------------- New Reference: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/ * CALIPSO: A Global Perspective of Clouds and Aerosols from Space http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/CALIPSO Two of the biggest uncertainties in understanding and predicting climate change are the effects of clouds and aerosols (airborne particles). The Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite mission, currently under development, will help scientists answer significant questions about climatic processes by providing new information on these important atmospheric components. -------------------- Natural Hazards: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/ * Latest Events: Fire: Fires Scorch Oregon http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4650 Unique Imagery: Smoke, Clouds and Ship Tracks Off California Coast http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4651 Unique Imagery: Bright Water Off Newfoundland http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4652 Dust and Smoke: Smoke from Canadian Fires Blankets Eastern U.S. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4653 Fire: McNalley Fire in Sequoia National Forest http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4648 Fire: Fires in Central and Southern Africa http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4647 Volcano: Nyamuragira Volcano Erupts http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4643 Storm: Super Typhoon Fengshen http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4638 Storm: Hurricane Elida off Central America http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4639 Storm: Severe Snowstorm in Lesotho http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4640 Storm: Hurricane Douglas South of Baja California http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4633 -------------------- In the News: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/ * Latest Images: Aqua CERES First Light http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10273 Nyamuragira Volcano Erupts http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10272 Konari, Iran http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10271 Summit Crater of Mauna Loa http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10270 Three Gorges Dam, China http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10268 Distinguishing Clouds from Ice over the East Siberian Sea, Russia http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10267 Hyacinths Choke the Rio Grande http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10265 * NASA News http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NasaNews/ - At Five-Year Anniversary, Conference Considers Satellite's Contributions to Understanding Global Energy, Water Cycle * Media Alerts http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/MediaAlerts/ - Increased Strength in Asian Southwest Monsoon May Be Result Of Warming, Say Researchers - Global Warming May Push Bats to the Low Arctic * Headlines from the press, radio, and television: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/Headlines/ - Monsoon Intensity Increasing as Earth Warms - Record Sea Temperatures Threaten Great Barrier Reef - Slowest U.S. Tornado Year Since 1988 - Indian Government Says Lack of Rain Worst in Decade - Landsat Paints a Portrait of Our Changing Planet - Air Pollution Changes Rainfall, May Cause Drought - Unlocking the Storm Code - Ice Crystals Clues to Climate - West Nile Virus Spreads Westward into 26 States - Study Finds Alaska Glaciers Melting at Higher Rate - China?s Pollution Found in Hawaii - NASA Turns New Weather Bird Over to NOAA - Cause and Effect Across 70,000 Years of Atmospheric Chaos --------------------------------------------------------------------- Earth Observatory weekly mailing -- http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/

ok, what is wrong with this topic? it keeps showing up with a blank message spot and i've tried to hit the "forget". maybe my actually typing something in here will straighten it out.......

This topic continues to appear as having new posts when it does not. I wonder why!

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

* Investigation Casts Light on the Mysterious Flying Black Triangle http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/black_triangle_020805.html They are big, black, and triangular. In UFO folklore they are proof-positive that planet Earth is a rest stop for joyriding, but road-weary, extraterrestrials. * Brown Dwarfs Born Like Stars, Study Shows http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/brown_dwarfs_020805.html In size and mass, brown dwarfs fit somewhere between stars and planets. While they are too small to start or sustain the nuclear reactions that characterize stars, unlike planets they do create internal energy that's detectable to astronomers. In how they are formed, though, scientists believe brown dwarfs are more like stars. * Closet Star Cluster: The Obscure Coat Hanger Star Pattern http://www.space.com/spacewatch/coat_hanger_020802.html One of the most pleasing sky sights through binoculars or a small telescope can be found nearly overhead in our late evening midsummer sky. With the Moon out of the way this week, it is a good time to seek it out. ----------------------------------- Today in SpaceFlight: * NASA Officials Set Plan for Resuming Shuttle Flights http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts112_update_020802.html Plans to repair tiny cracks within the space shuttle fleet by welding them and resume flying by late September or early October were formally approved by NASA program officials as expected on Friday. * 'Picky' Inspector Might Have Saved Shuttle Program http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts_ap_020801.html Did a 27-year-old with perfect vision and admitted pickiness help prevent disaster on the space shuttle? * NASA's Robotic Return Mission to the Moon http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/robotic_moon_020801.html Scientists have called for NASA to mount a robotic return mission to the far side of the moon to collect samples from the solar system's own "big dig" - the oldest and deepest impact crater basin known. This giant site is known as South Pole-Aitken Basin. ------------------------------------ Today in Business/Industry: * Finmeccanica Purchases Marconi Mobile, Telespazio http://www.space.com/spacenews/ Finmeccanica, Rome, has acquired defense communications company Marconi Mobile and satellite service provider Telespazio in separate transactions, the Italian aerospace and engineering group announced Aug. 2

Hi all - now this sounds like extreme moonbounce! 73 de Mike From the ARRL web page Amateurs Invited to Listen for Radio Signals Bounced Off Asteroid (Aug 15, 2002) -- Amateur Radio operators have been invited to listen in as scientists bounce radio signals off an asteroid that's about to make a "flyby" of Earth. The so-called 2002 NY40 asteroid will come close enough to Earth that it will be visible to sky watchers using binoculars. But because asteroids reflect but a tiny fraction of the light that strikes their surface, a team at the Arecibo Radio Observatory in Puerto Rico will attempt to "ping" the satellite with radio signals as it approaches Earth. "We will be transmitting about 900 kW with 73 dB of gain towards the asteroid," Mike Nolan of the Arecibo Radio Observatory told ARRL. "The transmitted signal will be such that the received signal comes back centered at 2380.0000000 MHz at the ground station we're aiming for--usually either Arecibo or the Green Bank Telescope." Nolan said the signal would be either CW or phase-coded at a bandwidth of up to 20 MHz. "We will be transmitting most of the time when the asteroid is within 20 degrees of zenith at Arecibo on August 15-20."

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Thanks for testing this topic, Wolfie. I cannot think why it is continuing to show new activity when there has been none.

The Voyagers, aren't they amazing. Still beaming back and they're way beyond Pluto. Still giving us great data. This is NASA's wisest inventment of all times.

Absolutely correct about the bang for the buck ratio with Voyager. It was brilliant and surpasses anything they anticipated. Kudos!

They're sending us data now about the very outer region of our solar system. The sun, to the Voyagers I and II must be a tiny little orb. They running a 25 watt transmitter, less than I use in my mobile rig around Austin. I wonder when they're power will finally go cold?

I recall their mentioning that a backward look at Pluto would be the last they expected to hear from Voyager. I also wonder how long their little batteries will last though it was expected to be long enough to maintain the memory for anyone in future worlds to download. Good luck if they did it on 8-track tape and they are using some sort of super digital mode.

The latest from NASA's Earth Observatory (08/20/2002) ----------------------------------------------------------------- New Features: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/ * The Migrating Boreal Forest http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/BorealMigration/ Since the last ice age, forest species across North America have migrated back and forth across the continent. At one point cold-adapted species such as spruce lived as far south as the Gulf Coast. Comapred to past climate fluctations, current warming is happening very rapidly, and modern forests may be unable to migrate or adapt fast enough to keep up. Large nature reserves that encompass different climatic zones may increase forests' genetic diversity and increase the chances that forest species can adapt and migrate in response to cliamte change. * Fish Kill in the Gulf of Oman http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/oman When fish began dying in droves off the coast of Oman, local media reported it was due to contaminated ballast water from a U.S. tanker while authorities feared that a toxic algal bloom was to blame. Neither was true. Using data from NASA's Terra and SeaWinds missions, a team of scientists demonstrated the fish kill was due to a series of natural environmental changes. -------------------- Natural Hazards: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/ * Latest Events: Fire: Widlfires and Haze over Borneo http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4703 Fire: Fires along Lena River near Yakutsk http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4699 Fire: Fires and Deforestation in Brazil http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4695 Fire: Fires Scorch Oregon http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4696 Fire: McNalley and Pines Fires in California http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4697 Storm: Typhoon Phanfone http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4698 Volcano: Eruption of Pago http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4700 Flood: Flooding on Elbe River http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4701 Flood: Flooding along Danube River http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4702 Unique Imagery: Black Water off the Gulf Coast of Florida http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4689 Storm: Tropical Storm Cristobal http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=4688 -------------------- In the News: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/ * Latest Images: The Migrating Boreal Forest http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10295 Floods in Germany http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10294 Contrail Web over the Central Rh�ne Valley, Eastern France http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10293 Still Watching for the Next El Ni�o http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10292 Lena River Delta http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10291 Biscuit Fire, Oregon from NASA�s New Satellite�Aqua http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10290 Cloud Arcs in the Western Pacific http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10289 New Land Cover Classification Maps http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10288 * NASA News http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NasaNews/ - Instrument Aboard NASA's Aqua Satellite Joins Twin to Begin Comprehensive Global Coverage * Media Alerts http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/MediaAlerts/ - Songbird Population Declines Linked to Acid Rain - Air Pollution Cleansed Through Ocean Cloud Processes, Say Hebrew University Scientists * Headlines from the press, radio, and television: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/Headlines/ - Oceans May Help Clean the Air - Terra Satellite Refines Map of Global Land Cover - Global Warming Threatens Ocean Ecosystems - Scientists Cautious About Global Warming Link to Flood Disasters - El Nino Blamed for Weather Chaos - Asian Haze Poses �Widespread Threat� - Plankton Loss Potential Threat to Seas, Climate - NASA: Eastern U.S. Smokeout in Early July Set Record - Jet Contrails Leave Their Mark on Climate - Global Warming is Changing Tropical Forests - Satellite Sees Through Smoke to Help Track Wildfires - Wildfires May be a Taste of Global Warming - West Nile Will Sweep Across Whole US - Satellites Reveal A Mystery Of A Large Change In Earth�s Gravity Field - Monsoon Intensity Increasing as Earth Warms

Today on SPACE.com -- Tuesday, August 20, 2002 -- http://www.space.com/ In today's issue: /------------------------------------- Capture the Solar System with the Coolpix System! http://www.nikoncoolpix.com/ -------------------------------------/ Featured Space Store Product * Astronaut Ice Cream Science/Astronomy: * SPECIAL REPORT: 2002 Leonid Meteor Shower * Behind the Pictures: Top 10 Voyager Facts * Mars-like Lab Conditions Support Life SpaceFlight: * Vigil for CONTOUR Spacecraft Continues * New Image Gallery: Voyager's Photo Legacy * Astronotes: Lance Bass Given Until August 23 to Produce Payment for ISS Trip Business/Industry: * Spot Names Replacement for Departing Chief Executive Plus... * SpaceTV, SpaceWatch * Solar and Space Weather * Starry Night, TeamSETI * Space Age Jobs ----------------------------------- Featured Space Store Product * Astronaut Ice Cream http://www.space.com/spaceagegear/ Just what you need after a hard day on orbit! Just kick back and enjoy this freeze dried ice cream while the planet gently spins below you. Everyone loves this one! (one serving) ----------------------------------- Today in Science/Astronomy: * SPECIAL REPORT: 2002 Leonid Meteor Shower http://www.space.com/spacewatch/leonids_2002.html Fast on the heels of the summer Perseids, it's time to look ahead to the current king of meteor showers, the Leonids. While the 2002 peak on Nov. 19 won't equal last year's stunning display, it will still be a remarkable storm that even casual skywatchers should not miss. Unless you plan to wait for 2033. * Behind the Pictures: Top 10 Voyager Facts http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/top10_voyager_020820-1.html Looking back over the 25 years since the first Voyager launch on Aug. 20, 1977, the twin spacecraft are remembered first and foremost as our emissary eyes in deep space. * Mars-like Lab Conditions Support Life http://www.space.com/searchforlife/mars_conditions_020819.html A laboratory experiment simulating conditions on Mars found that certain terrestrial microorganisms called methanogens can survive in extreme Mars-like conditions involving low air pressure. ----------------------------------- Today in SpaceFlight: * Vigil for CONTOUR Spacecraft Continues http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/contour_vigil_020819.html The CONTOUR mission team clings to the hope they'll hear from the still-silent comet probe. The spacecraft is now more than 1.3 million miles (2.1 million kilometers) from Earth. * New Image Gallery: Voyager's Photo Legacy http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagegallery/ Younger generations might think of the twin Voyagers as two way-out-there spacecraft. But space buffs from the 70s and 80s remember Voyager for its unbelievable stream of pictures. * Astronotes: Lance Bass Given Until August 23 to Produce Payment for ISS Trip http://www.space.com/news/astronotes-1.html The Russian space agency has given 'N Sync singer Lance Bass five days to come up with payment for a trip to the international space station this fall, a spokesman said Monday. ------------------------------------ Today in Business/Industry: * Spot Names Replacement for Departing Chief Executive http://www.space.com/spacenews/ Spot Image Corp. of Chantilly, Va., has tapped veteran company executive Neal Carney to replace Gene Colabatistto as its chief executive officer. ------------------------------------ * SpaceTV: http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/spacetv/ * SpaceWatch: http://www.space.com/spacewatch/ * Space Age Jobs http://www.spacejobs.com/ * Uplink: Share your opinion! http://uplink.space.com/ ------------------------------------- SOLAR and SPACE WEATHER (August 20, 2002) 3-Day Solar Forecast Solar activity is expected to be moderate to high. Region 69 has the potential for major flare activity. 3-Day Aurora Forecast Earth's geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet to active with a chance of isolated minor storming. Active levels are expected Monday. Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected Tuesday and Wednesday. Solar Data The current sunspot number is 308, and the solar wind speed recently clocked in at 505 kilometers per second. The solar wind density was 8.4 protons per cubic centimeter. (Speed and density values are snapshots in time and change during the day.) http://www.space.com/spacewatch/space_weather.html

A s t r o A l e r t Sun-Earth Alert Solar Terrestrial Dispatch http://www.spacew.com/astroalert.html 21 August 2002 02:00 UTC (10 pm EDT) HEADS UP! AURORA MAY BE VISIBLE IN NORTH AMERICAN MIDDLE LATITUDES Auroral activity is becoming visible across many middle latitude regions at the time of this writing - for North American observers. The latest unconfirmed sighting is from New Hampshire, reporting brief tall rays and a diffuse glow to the north. A middle latitude auroral activity watch was issued several hours ago, but a posting here was held off until we could ascertain that conditions would hold up. It appears the Earth is imbedded in a stable solar wind stream capable of producing enhanced substorm activity. This disturbance is related to another coronal mass ejection disturbance thought to have originated from active sunspot complex 10069. Happy hunting! /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY WATCH WATCH ISSUED: 20:30 UTC, 20 AUGUST 2002 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ VALID BEGINNING AT: IMMEDIATELY VALID UNTIL: 19:00 UTC (3 pm EDT) ON 21 AUGUST HIGH RISK PERIOD: 20 AUGUST (UTC DAYS) MODERATE RISK PERIOD: 20-21 AUGUST PREDICTED ACTIVITY INDICES: 25, 15, 14, 12 (21 AUGUST - 24 AUGUST) POTENTIAL MAGNITUDE OF MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY: LOW TO MODERATE POTENTIAL DURATION OF THIS ACTIVITY: MAIN BELT = 12 HOURS MINOR BELT = 12 TO 24 HOURS ESTIMATED OPTIMUM OBSERVING CONDITIONS: NEAR LOCAL MIDNIGHT EXPECTED LUNAR INTERFERENCE: MODERATE OVERALL OPPORTUNITY FOR OBSERVATIONS FROM MIDDLE LATITUDES: FAIR TO POOR AURORAL ACTIVITY *MAY* BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM... WASHINGTON STATE TO IDAHO TO NORTHERN WYOMING TO SOUTH DAKOTA TO NORTHERN IOWA TO NORTHERN ILLINOIS TO NORTHERN INDIANA TO NORTHERN OHIO TO PENNSYLVANIA TO DARK-SKY SITES OF NEW JERSEY. ACTIVITY *MAY* ALSO BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM... ENGLAND TO NORTHERN BELGIUM TO NORTHERN GERMANY TO NORTHERN POLAND TO LITHUANIA TO SOUTHERN LATVIA TO NORTHERN RUSSIA. NEW ZELAND AND EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN REGIONS OF AUSTRALIA MAY ALSO OBSERVE PERIODS OF ACTIVITY. SYNOPSIS... A second very mild shock presumeably from activity associated with Region 10069, arrived at the Earth near 15:48 UTC on 20 August. The disturbance started out with a northward turning of the IMF. However, over the last 2 hours, the IMF has swung toward a more southward orientation. Isolated moderate to strong high latitude substorming is currently being observed. These conditions may provide some dark-sky middle latitude observers with a chance to glimpse periods of auroral activity over the next 12 hours - provided solar wind conditions remain favorable. This watch will remain valid through 19:00 UTC (3 pm EDT) on 21 August. It will then be updated or allowed to expire. For updated information, visit: http://www.spacew.com/aurora/forum.html PLEASE REPORT OBSERVATIONS OF AURORAL ACTIVITY TO: http://solar.spacew.com/submitsighting.html Observations reported here are permanently recorded for future study and are immediately made available in real-time to a large network of observers world-wide via the Internet, e-mail and pager. If you observe activity, your assistance to contribute to this database would be appreciated. A FREE trial of the space weather "SWIM" software package is now available at: http://www.spacew.com/swim. Use it to monitor current conditions. It may also be used to monitor any image resource you find on the Internet (including almost any type of 'cam' or "pictures of the day" you can find). ** End of the AstroAlert Bulletin **

PLUTO EVENTS PERPLEX ASTRONOMERS The last two months have been good ones for Plutophiles. In July a U.S. Senate subcommittee fortified NASA's budget with $105 million to continue work on the New Horizons mission, which could be launched toward the distant planet as soon as 2006. And during the past five weeks telescopes have captured the passage of Pluto in front of not one, but two faint stars. Although analysis of the stars' brief disappearances has only begun, it is already clear that observing teams from the United States and Europe have come to very different conclusions about the state of Pluto's atmosphere. During the first event, on July 20th (Universal Time), Pluto's shadow crossed South America and, unfortunately, barely missed passing over a string of major observatories in the Andes. The only "hits" came from astronomers with portable setups: Marc Buie and Oscar Saa used a 14-inch Celestron and a CCD camera near the small Chilean town of Mami�a, while Francois Colas had a video-equipped 12-inch telescope a little farther north near Arica. According to Bruno Sicardy, who coordinated the European effort, seven other ground teams in Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela were either clouded out or experienced technical difficulties. Fortunes improved for the August 21st occultation, as the broad path passed over observatories in Hawaii and the Far West.... http://SkyandTelescope.com/news/current/article_718_1.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FIRST VIEW OF MARS IN X-RAYS On July 4, 1997, Mars Pathfinder helped humanity see the red planet in a whole new light. Exactly four years later, astronomers again saw Mars anew, when Konrad Dennerl (Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics) pointed the Chandra X-ray Observatory at Mars and obtained the first ever X-ray image of our rusty neighbor. The realization that Mars has a high-energy glow is not surprising. Venus, Jupiter, Earth, Saturn, and even comets shine (albeit faintly) in X-rays. And, as with those bodies, the source is fluorescing oxygen atoms. Near heights of 80 kilometers in the Martian atmosphere, solar-wind particles strike oxygen atoms with enough energy to tear away their electrons. But these ions soon recombine with other electrons and return to their original, unexcited state, emitting X-rays in the process.... http://SkyandTelescope.com/news/current/article_715_1.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ASTEROID FLYBY SEEN WORLDWIDE From Uzbekistan and the Crimea to the UK, across North America, and on to Hawaii, amateur astronomers around the world had fine views of the close flyby of asteroid 2002 NY40 during the evening of August 17-18, 2002. The experience of David Nance (Huntsville, Alabama) was typical of the many reports received at Sky & Telescope. He wrote: "I found 2002 NY40 easily and followed it for about 30 minutes. It was very bright (I'd estimate it at magnitude 9.5), and it was really spectacular sailing through the eyepiece, changing the patterns I formed with it and the framework of stars. My wife thought it was neat since it was so obviously not a 'fixed' star ... it looked a lot like a slow moving satellite on a really weird trajectory...." http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/asteroids/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CONTOUR'S FATE LOOKS "BLEAK" Although efforts to reestablish contact with the Contour spacecraft continue, mission managers now suspect that the craft was destroyed during a rocket firing on August 15th. Convincing evidence came from images acquired by the Spacewatch telescope about 20 hours afterward, showing two objects separated in the sky by about 460 kilometers and located some 460,000 km from Earth.... Mission mananger Robert W. Farquhar and his team received the Spacewatch image in response to a call to professional and amateur astronomers to help locate the spacecraft. The image shows a pair of 18th-magnitude objects, one approximately three times brighter than the other. According to David W. Dunham, head of the mission-design team, the objects were then within 0.6 degrees of where Contour would have been if on its correct interplanetary trajectory, and their positions suggest that Contour's solid-fuel STAR-30 rocket motor provided about 3 percent less total thrust than expected. Dunham estimates that "Contour A" and "Contour B" are moving apart at roughly 6 meters per second (14 miles per hour). It is not yet clear what the two pieces might be. "The spacecraft was built around the STAR motor," Dunham notes, "and they weren't supposed to separate...." http://SkyandTelescope.com/news/current/article_712_1.asp ========================================================================= HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS WEEK'S SKY * Last-quarter Moon on August 30-31. * Comet SWAN is low in the eastern sky around the time morning twilight begins for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. Look for it with binoculars. * Venus is low in the west-southwest in early twilight. For details, see This Week's Sky at a Glance and Planet Roundup: http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/ataglance/ ========================================================================= PREVIEW THE 2003 NIGHT SKY (Advertisement) SkyWatch '03: Your Annual Guide to the Night Sky! Jupiter, Saturn, and especially Mars will light up the night sky next year. What better way to observe them than with a new telescope. Compare 82 different scopes in the new Telescope Buyer's Guide section of SkyWatch '03. Also included in this annual publication are articles on how to use your telescope, 16 months of evening star charts (starting with September 2002), and more! Order your copy today. http://SkyandTelescope.com/campaigns.asp?id=62

Today in Science/Astronomy: * Three Small Constellations: The Dolphin, the Fox and the Arrow http://www.space.com/spacewatch/little_constellations_020823.html Between and around the three great constellations of the Summer Triangle (Lyra, the Harp; Cygnus, the Swan, and Aquila, the Eagle), there are three little ones. * Antarctic Sea Ice Increases over Past Two Decades http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/antarctic_020822.html In a surprising departure from other findings that point to a warming planet, a NASA researcher has found that the amount of ice in the Antarctic increased from 1979 to 1999, as measured by satellites. * Evidence for Oldest Meteor Impact Tied to Two Continents http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/earliest_impact_020822.html A cosmic impact thought to have occurred about 3.5 billion years ago was so incredible it covered the entire Earth with ejected material and generated ocean waves that soared more than half a mile high (1 kilometer) when they reached the shore. * Moon Seen As Nuclear Waste Repository http://www.space.com/news/nuclear_moon_020822.html As the debate rages over using the Yucca Mountain as a burial ground for thousands of tons of radioactive material, a better site for unwanted nuclear waste holds its mute vigil in the skies above the Nevada desert: the Moon.

Sun gives up secrets The huge ejections contain twisted solar material The Sun spits out huge bubbles of super-hot electrified gas. The solar eruptions blast out into space at speeds thousands of times faster than Concorde. Sometimes they can even disrupt the Earth's magnetic field, leading to power black-outs. They are also behind the most dramatic spectacle in the sky - the northern (and southern) lights. The colourful light shows happen when solar eruptions strike the region of space shielded by our planet's magnetic field. But despite their impact on Earth, it is not known exactly how the Sun spews out the giant bubbles of gas, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Now UK astrophysicists have found new clues. They think twisted magnetic fields deep within our star could be the driving force. The evidence comes from data gathered by the SOHO and Yohkoh satellites. Twisted structures Twists within the Sun's magnetic field were studied by a team at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) in Surrey. One theory is these twisted structures are caused by the Sun rotating faster at the equator than the poles, says Dr Lucie Green of MSSL. But the new study, carried out with colleagues in France and Argentina, suggests a second option is more likely. "The magnetic field doesn't get twisted enough by the differential rotation that happens on the surface," Dr Green told BBC News Online. "The implication is that the magnetic field must get twisted deep within the Sun itself." Scientists hope it will one day be possible to predict when the Sun is likely to emit CMEs as part of space weather forecasts. "Prediction of space weather is still a long way off but our research is helping us understand why CMEs happen in the first place," says Dr Green. Source: BBC NEWS John

That is an amazing photograph. I was hoping it would be posted by one or the other of us. Space Power This month Science@NASA will publish a series of stories about the technology of space exploration--and what advances in technology are needed to send human and robotic explorers across the solar system. Today's installment, the first, is about space power. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/03sept_spacepower.htm?list89800

More aurora for us to hunt for: Aurora Alert: Saturday, Sept. 7th Space Weather News for Sept. 7, 2002 http://www.spaceweather.com AURORA WARNING: A solar wind shock wave swept past Earth on Sept. 7th at approximately 1630 UT (12:30 EST). The interplanetary magnetic field turned sharply south when the wave arrived, which means a geomagnetic storm is likely. Sky watchers in New Zealand and southern Australia, where it was nighttime when the shock wave struck, have a good chance of seeing Southern Lights. Observers in northern Europe, and perhaps Canada and northern US states, might see Northern lights after local nightfall on Saturday. Stay tuned to spaceweather.com for updates.

A s t r o A l e r t Sun-Earth Alert Solar Terrestrial Dispatch http://www.spacew.com/astroalert.html 07 September 2002 MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY WARNING - 07 SEPTEMBER A powerful and high velocity coronal mass ejection was observed on 05 September that involved the violent ejection of a solar filament (a string of cooler gas suspended above the surface of the Sun). The ejection resulted in a high velocity CME travelling near 1700 km/sec toward the southeast of the Earth. However, a portion of the CME was also Earthward directed. The leading edge of this coronal mass ejection was observed impacting the Earth near 16:37 UTC on 07 September (12:37 pm EDT). This disturbance has the potential to drive moderate to strong levels of auroral storming over the high latitude regions. Middle latitude observers are also expected to observe some of the activity, particularly observers in Europe and north to central Russia where the timing of the arrival of this disturbance will probably be best for them. There is debate as to whether the disturbance will last long enough to produce visible activity by the time night falls for North America. Nevertheless, observers are encouraged to keep a close eye on the sky and current conditions. Current sighting reports are available at: http://www.spacew.com/www/auroras.html Current discussion of activity and the latest forecast notes are at: http://www.spacew.com/aurora/forum.html *NEW* A new real-time image publishing server is now operational that will permit people to publish images of astronomical or aurora events within 1 to 2 minutes of submitting them. This is an ideal avenue to publish images of observed activity in near real-time so others can see what you are seeing, or to showcase your own images in real-time. Details and instructions on how to use the new service are available at: http://www.spacew.com/gallery/help.html. The Gallery itself can be found at: http://www.spacew.com/gallery The official mid-latitude auroral activity warning report is included below: /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY WARNING UPDATED: 16:30 UTC, 07 SEPTEMBER 2002 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ *** DISTURBANCE ARRIVAL ALERT *** *** POTENTIAL FOR MODERATE TO HIGH ACTIVITY EXISTS *** For North Americans, begin watching TONIGHT, the evening of 07 September. VALID BEGINNING AT: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY VALID UNTIL: 19:00 UTC ON 08 SEPTEMBER HIGH RISK PERIOD: 07 SEPTEMBER (UTC DAYS) MODERATE RISK PERIOD: 07 - 08 SEPTEMBER PREDICTED ACTIVITY INDICES: 35, 20, 12, 12 (07 SEP - 10 SEP) POTENTIAL MAGNITUDE OF MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY: MODERATE TO HIGH POTENTIAL DURATION OF THIS ACTIVITY: MAIN BELT = 12 TO 18 HOURS MINOR BELT = 18 TO 24 HOURS ESTIMATED OPTIMUM OBSERVING CONDITIONS: NEAR LOCAL MIDNIGHT EXPECTED LUNAR INTERFERENCE: NONE OVERALL OPPORTUNITY FOR OBSERVATIONS FROM MIDDLE LATITUDES: FAIR TO GOOD AURORAL ACTIVITY *MAY* BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM... OREGON TO SOUTHERN IDAHO TO EXTREME NORTHERN UTAH TO SOUTHERN WYOMING TO NEBRASKA TO IOWA TO NORTHERN ILLINOIS TO INDIANA TO OHIO TO NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND. ACTIVITY *MAY* ALSO BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM... EXTREME NORTHERN FRANCE TO BELGIUM TO CENTRAL GERMANY TO CENTRAL POLAND TO BELARUS TO CENTRAL RUSSIA. SYNOPSIS... A moderately strong interplanetary shock was observed passing the ACE spacecraft near 16:18 UTC (12:18 pm EDT) on 07 September. The disturbance has good characteristics that are expected to help drive periods of intensified auroral storm activity. Middle latitude observers are encouraged to keep a close eye on conditions. European and Russian observers will be optimally placed for observing activity. There is some doubt as to whether the activity will remain strong enough to permit widespread middle latitude sightings by the time North America sees darkness. Keep a close eye on current conditions by visiting: http://www.spacew.com/aurora/forum.html and http://www.spacew.com/www/auroras.html where reports of activity will be displayed. The new phase of the moon will allow unrestricted and optimal observations of activity under dark skies - ideal conditions for observing the intricate details of auroral activity. This warning will remain in effect until 19:00 UTC on 08 September. It will then be updated or allowed to expire. Please note that a new real-time aurora image gallery is available for public use at: http://www.spacew.com/gallery. This service is capable of publishing imagery within 1 to 2 minutes of the receipt of the images. As a result, it is an ideal way for people to show others what they are seeing. If you have a digital camera and are able to take a snapshot of auroral activity, send your image to the gallery so other's who may be less fortunate can observe what you are seeing. If you are taking pictures with film, please feel free to submit your images after you have developed your film. For help and instructions on how to use the service, go to: http://www.spacew.com/help.html PLEASE REPORT OBSERVATIONS OF AURORAL ACTIVITY TO: http://www.spacew.com/submitsighting.html CURRENT REPORTED SIGHTINGS OF ACTIVITY MAY BE FOUND AT: http://www.spacew.com/www/auroras.html CURRENT GALLERY OF ASTRONOMICAL AND AURORA IMAGES: http://www.spacew.com/gallery ** End of the AstroAlert Bulletin ** ===============================================================

It was a typical night for Alaska. The sky was filled with auroras; intense waves of red and green and violet light shimmered hypnotically overhead. But it wasn't Alaska. It was Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington and other continental US states, where surprised sky watchers saw Alaska-style auroras just yesterday. An unexpected geomagnetic storm ignited auroras over Europe, much of Canada and the United States on Sept. 3rd and 4th. Visit spaceweather.com to learn more about the storm and to see pictures of the auroras. http://www.spaceweather.com

Research Uncovers New Kuiper Belt Mystery Although the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy objects located past the orbit of Neptune, was only discovered in 1992, it's already presented a host of mysteries. One mystery is why an unusually large number of these objects have small satellites orbiting them - 8 out of the 500 objects discovered so far have had satellites. The high number brings into question the traditional theory that they're caused by collisions. Complete story in Southwest Research Institute News

Is this where we got our second and third moons? The Kuiper Belt? We are just beginning to learn about what is just beyond our own atmosphere. How wonderful to know there are always more universes to conquer with our imaginations! Thank you, John. I would share it with you if it were possible.

A Shocking Space Movie NASA Science News for September 19, 2002 Astronomers have captured extraordinary footage of a Manhattan-sized star rotating and spewing antimatter jets into space. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/19sep_crabmovie.htm?list89800

Today in Science/Astronomy: * Harvest Moon for Skywatchers, Birdwatchers and Farmers http://www.space.com/spacewatch/harvest_moon_020920.html The Full Moon of Saturday, Sept. 21 also carries the title of the Harvest Moon for those living in the Northern Hemisphere. It has a long history of importance for farmers and birdwatchers, which we'll explain below. First, let's look at what's different about a Harvest Moon. * Stunning New View of Energetic Crab Pulsar http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/astronomy/crab_pulsar_020919.html Combining the power of the Hubble Space Telescope with the Chandra X-ray Observatory, researchers have made a short movie of a massive rotating star that provides new clues about how the powerful object works. * Crab Pulsar Close-up http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagepump/ Zoom in on the recent Crab Pulsar image! * Film Director Ron Howard Talks Space as His Apollo 13 Premieres in IMAX Theaters http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/astronomy/crab_pulsar_020919.html With the IMAX theater giant screen premiere of his 1995 film Apollo 13, Academy Award winning director Ron Howard says that's about as close to outer space as he is likely to get. ----------------------------------- Today in SpaceFlight: * Air Force Marks the 100th Launch it Didn't Goof Up http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/range_milestone_020919.html You can't blame the U.S. Air Force for delaying launches from the Cape -- at least not for the past 100 shots. * New Space Junk Satellite Will Leave Earth's Grasp http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/space_junk_020919.html That mysterious object discovered in orbit around Earth on September 3 is likely not to hit the Moon. Rather, the suspected Saturn IVB upper stage will swing back into orbit around the Sun, scientists said today. * Delta 4 Still Aiming for November Launch but Problems Persist http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/delta4_update_020919.html Preparations to launch the first Delta 4 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in early November are continuing but engineers still haven't resolved a problem with the software to be used during the countdown, Boeing officials said Thursday. ------------------------------------ Today in Business/Industry: * CNES Director-General Resigns http://www.space.com/spacenews/ Gerard Brachet has resigned as director-general of the French space agency, CNES, and will seek appointment as director of a new organization managing Europe's Galileo satellite navigation project. ------------------------------------ * SpaceTV: http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/spacetv/ * SpaceWatch: http://www.space.com/spacewatch/ * Space Age Jobs http://www.spacejobs.com/ * Uplink: Share your opinion! http://uplink.space.com/ ------------------------------------- SOLAR and SPACE WEATHER (Septemebr 20, 2002) 3-Day Solar Forecast Solar activity is expected to be low to moderate through Friday. 3-Day Aurora Forecast Earth's field is expected to be mostly unsettled through Friday. Solar Data The current sunspot number is 228, and the solar wind speed recently clocked in at 525 kilometers per second. The solar wind density was 1.4 protons per cubic centimeter. (Speed and density values are snapshots in time and change during the day.) http://www.space.com/spacewatch/space_weather.html

Space Medicine So you think a 6-hour car trip is tough on your body? How about a six-month trip to Mars? In this story, researchers discuss how to keep astronauts safe and healthy during long trips through the solar system. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/30sept_spacemedicine.htm?list89800

AMATEURS TO HELP DISCOVER EXTRA-SOLAR PLANETS --------------------------------------------- Astronomers at NASA and the University of California at Santa Cruz have launched a Web-based project that has amateur astronomers lining up to have a chance to discover extra-solar planets that 'transit' or pass in front of their parent stars. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0210/06planets/ TEAM TO DEVELOP NUCLEAR ELECTRIC POWER FOR SPACE ------------------------------------------------ A team of government, industry and academia, under the leadership of The Boeing Company, has been awarded a NASA contract to meet the challenge of developing nuclear electric power for deep space exploration. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0210/06boeingpower/ ASTRONOMERS PUT QUASARS IN THEIR PLACE -------------------------------------- A team of UK astronomers has made a decisive step toward resolving an argument that has rumbled on in the astronomical community for decades. The scientists from the University of Nottingham have been investigating the properties of quasars and nearby galaxies. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0210/05quasars/ NASA HOPEFUL FOR MONDAY SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH -------------------------------------------- NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston has taken back command of the international space station from Moscow following last week's hurricane alert. At Kennedy Space Center, Atlantis remains in good shape for launch Monday. The weather forecast, however, is somewhat iffy. http://spaceflightnow.com/station/status.html ARE LANDCOVER CHANGES ALTERING EARTH'S CLIMATE? ----------------------------------------------- While many scientists and policy makers have focused only on how heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide are altering our global climate, a new NASA-funded study points to the importance of also including human-caused land-use changes as a major factor contributing to climate change. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0210/05landcover/

Today in Science/Astronomy: * Upgrades to Boost SETI@home Alien Search http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/generalscience/seti_021001-1.html The world's most popular ET-hunting program for home users is about to get upgrades of both its software and the telescope that feeds data into it. * Starry Night's Fall Sky Tour: Easy Targets in the Northern Sky http://www.space.com/spacewatch/easy_north_021001.html While much of the sky offers daunting challenges to backyard astronomers, the northern fall sky includes familiar stars and star patterns that will make even the most causal stargazer feel comfortable. * NEW! Wallpapers for your Desktop http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/downloads/wallpapers/ A new collection of images from Space Artist John Catraham, 'The Early Works' * Astronotes: Soccer Mom's Space Bid on Hold http://www.space.com/news/astronotes-1.html A Long Beach woman said this week that her bid to become the third space tourist is on hold, as pop star Lance Bass' quest to do the same stumbles forward. ----------------------------------- Today in SpaceFlight: * Mission Atlantis: Meet the Crewmembers of STS-112 http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts112_preview_021001.html Call them the leader, the mother, the organizer, the mentor, the ice breaker and the brother. * Hurricane Lili still a concern for launch http://www.space.com/shuttlemissions/ Hurricane Lili is heading toward the U.S. Gulf coast and there is enough uncertainty in its track that shuttle Atlantis' launch could be delayed -- not because of bad weather at the Cape but because of a potential threat to Mission Control in Houston. * Mission Atlantis: Helping the Station Keep its Cool http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts112_preview_020930.html With its cracked plumbing repaired and a much-anticipated television camera mounted to its exterior, shuttle Atlantis is ready to blast off this week on a complex 11-day assembly mission to the International Space Station (ISS). ------------------------------------ Today in Business/Industry: * Alcatel Finalizes Satellite Contract with China http://www.space.com/spacenews/ Alcatel Space has finalized a contract to provide the Chinese government with an electronics package for a large telecommunications satellite for launch in 2005 aboard a Chinese rocket, Alcatel Space announced Sept. 27. ------------------------------------ * SpaceTV: http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/spacetv/ * SpaceWatch: http://www.space.com/spacewatch/ * Space Age Jobs http://www.spacejobs.com/ * Uplink: Share your opinion! http://uplink.space.com/ ------------------------------------- SOLAR and SPACE WEATHER (October 1, 2002) 3-Day Solar Forecast Activity is expected to be low to moderate through Wednesday. 3-Day Aurora Forecast Earth's geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet to unsettled, with some active periods possible Monday and Tuesday. Solar Data The current sunspot number is 157, and the solar wind speed recently clocked in at 315 kilometers per second. The solar wind density was 4.3 protons per cubic centimeter. (Speed and density values are snapshots in time and change during the day.) http://www.space.com/spacewatch/space_weather.html

http://64.4.14.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=df9b86cc32916c06832cb16969fe06c5&lat=1034032623&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2ecnn%2ecom%2f2002%2fUS%2fWest%2f10%2f07%2fmeteor%2esighting%2eap%2findex%2ehtml

Sweetie, that link does not work anymore. What was it??? The shuttle is up. I have not seen NASA TV on mylaptop.....

NASA TV links http://www.nasa.gov/ntv/ntvweb.html

Urban Sprawl: the Big Picture Earth-orbiting satellites have a wonderful view of our planet's fast-growing cities, but most city planners don't have access to this "big picture" from space. NASA-supported scientists are working to change that. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/11oct_sprawl.htm?list89800

The latest from NASA's Earth Observatory (10/29/2002) ----------------------------------------------------------------- New Features: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/ * Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/BAER The aftermath of a wildfire can be as dangerous as the blaze itself. The charred landscape is prone to flooding and erosion, and natural resource experts usually have only one week to assess the damage and propose steps to mitigate disaster. Satellite mapping of burned areas can save crews time and money by helping guide field crews to the most crucial areas. USDA Forest Service and University of Maryland scientists are partnering up in a project to collect ground-based data to check the accuracy of their satellite-based Burn Severity maps. -------------------- In the News: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/ * Latest Images: Eruption of Sicily's Mt. Etna http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10804 Monster Hurricane Kenna Poses Severe Threat to Mexican Coast http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10803 Space Shuttle view after Kolka Glacier Collapse http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10802 "The Optimist," Kalahari Desert, Namibia http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10801 Burn Severity for Oregon's Biscuit Fire http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10800 Where on Earth...? MISR Mystery Image Quiz #11 http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10799 Tarpum Bay, Bahamas http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=10798 * NASA News http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NasaNews/ - Computer Model Suggests Future Crop Loss Due to Potential Increases in Extreme Rain Events Over Next Century - NASA to Develop Biohazard 'Smoke' Detector - Shuttle Radar Clears the Air on Central America�s Topography * Headlines from the press, radio, and television: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/Headlines/ - Detection, Not Warming, Behind Increase in Antarctic Icebergs - U.S. Bird Species Declining - People Use 83 Percent of Land Surface - Belize Cave Records El Ni�o Events - NASA�s EO Data Put the Surveillance on the Mosquito - Cosmic Rays Linked to Clouds --------------------------------------------------------------------- Earth Observatory weekly mailing -- http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/

What a great combination of earth and space science! This is geosynthesis at it's finest.

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/TGAM/20021122/UASTEB1/Science/science/science_temp/2/2/3/ An article about medium sized objects that might hit the earth. "Small meteors more likely to leave deadly trail of destruction on Earth, scientists say By STEPHEN STRAUSS Friday, November 22, 2002 � Page A21 Anyone who has ever been frightened by the Hollywood movie concept of an asteroid smashing into Earth can rest a little easier because of Canadian-led research published yesterday. Scientists have used previously secret U.S. military satellite data to estimate that a destructive impact will occur an average of once every 1,000 years. Previous estimates had suggested that an asteroid could strike once every 200 to 300 years. "Most of our attention has focused on the bigger guys which can cause global damage, but the mean time of them occurring is about 700,000 years. However, the smaller guys can cause significant regional damage and do it much more often," said Peter Brown, an astronomer at the University of Western Ontario in London, who is the lead author of a new paper on the subject published in yesterday's issue of the journal Nature.

I hope, if I die, I get to see it on the way down!

Ancient, Frozen Antarctic Life Revived, Along with Hopes for Life on Mars By Robert Roy Britt Senior Science Writer 16 December 2002 Within ice that covers a salty, liquid Antarctic lake scientists have found and revived microbes that were at least 2,800 years old. The discovery, announced today, points to probable life within the underground lake and suggests the sort of ecosystem that might exist on Mars. The ancient microbes were in a state of suspended metabolism, similar to dormancy, said study team member John Priscu of Montana State University. "They're in a frozen state," Priscu said in a telephone interview. "They'll come back to life if you add water." Priscu and his colleagues camped out on the ice above 2.5-mile-long (5-kilometer) Lake Vida for about two weeks back in 1996. They drilled down about 50 feet (15 meters) to collect the aged bacteria. They were just reaching the briny slush of the lake, said to be seven times saltier than the ocean and able to remain liquid even at temperatures lower than -10 Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). "It was hard drilling," Priscu said. "It was 40 below. It was a real tough job. The next step was to get to the brine." However, to prevent contaminating the pristine lake, the drilling system was back-pressured with de-ionized water. Seals began to fail, and the system started to leak. The researchers were forced to stop. Priscu thinks the lake holds live organisms. Life has been found in similar salty conditions, such as the Great Salt Lake and the Dead Sea. And his lab work shows organisms can thrive in the frigid temperatures presumed for Lake Vida. His team has frozen blocks of organisms to -15 Celsius and kept them alive. Confidence for life on Mars Further, he said similar pockets of ice or briny water on Mars almost surely hold life, or at least signs of it. Other researchers are typically more reserved about their speculation of possible life on Mars. But Priscu has seen the living, up close, in the harshest conditions our own planet has to offer. Critters called cyanobacteria dominate life at these extremes. Another Antarctic Lake, called Vostok, has been under similar study and organisms have been found in the ice above it. And several research teams have examined cyanobacteria in easier-to-reach pockets of polar ice. The creatures are innovative enough to generate their own sunscreen -- a handy ability to have on Mars, where radiation is harsher than on Earth. The Lake Vida creatures are unique for their age, determined by the age of ice in which they were embedded. Other similar studies have involved ice that is frequently replenished and not as old. Frozen polar regions on Mars might contain organisms similar to those Priscu and his colleagues have been studying over the years, he said. Or deep underground pockets of ice -- or even water -- could support them. In Priscu's mind, the question of finding life on Mars is only whether it will be crawling around or hung in a sort of natural ice museum. "It's either extinct or extant," he said, alliteratively ruling out the possibility of coming up entirely empty in the search for past or present life on the Red Planet. Just thaw them out He said data his team has collected suggest bacteria and their DNA can remain viable for up to a million years. Ice is a good preservative, he said. Add a little water -- which even in a deep freeze can occur in layers where frictional energy melts ice for brief periods -- and organisms might maintain and repair their blueprints for life for many millions of years. "If they're frozen [on Mars] and younger than 1 million years," Priscu said, "give them some water and they probably would come back." The research, funded by the National Science Foundation and NASA, is reported in the Dec. 16 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Peter Doran of the University of Illinois at Chicago is the lead author of the paper. When the study began, the scientists had thought Lake Vida might be a frozen chunk of ice, like other known "lakes" in the region. But the ice cores, along with ground-penetrating radar and long-term temperature data, revealed that Vida has a thick, light-blocking ice cover, vast amounts of ancient organic material and sediment, and the liquid zone underneath. "Mars is believed to have a water rich past, and if life developed, a Lake Vida-type ecosystem may have been the final niche for life on Mars before the water bodies froze solid," Doran said in a statement. http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/antarctic_life_021216.html

A new NASA mission named "CHIPS" will soon leave Earth to study the remains of some uncomfortably close supernova explosions. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/06jan_bubble.htm?list89800

it good

Welcome and Aloha Ramesh. I am assuming you are somwhere in the Pakistan or India area. Please tell us more about you!

SHUTTLE COLUMBIA ROCKETS INTO ORBIT FOR SCIENCE FLIGHT ------------------------------------------------------ With fighter planes and radars scanning the sky for intruders, the shuttle Columbia thundered away on a marathon 16-day science mission Thursday, carrying a crew of seven - including the first Israeli astronaut - scores of experiments and a menagerie of animal and insect research subjects. http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts107/030116launch/ Watch it on Nasa TV on your computer: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv/ntvweb.html

Ask yourself, what would really get Marci's juices going? Answer: a news story that combines space and volcanoes. At the edge of space � the same cold region where space shuttle Columbia broke up into a trail of debris � shiny, silvery blue clouds have been hovering. The high-altitude ice clouds are called noctilucent or "night-shining" clouds, and astronauts as well as Earth-bound scientists have been puzzled by their growing abundance. The clouds are visible from space and from the ground over areas that are experiencing summer weather. Astronauts on the space station are seeing them over the southern hemisphere where it's now warm. "We've seen definite changes," said John Olivero, a professor of physical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. "It appears the particles that make up the clouds have gotten slightly bigger with time and it appears the clouds are now visible further away from the poles than they have been before." Volcanic Beginning The last time these high, shiny clouds appeared in great numbers was after the 1883 eruption of the island volcano, Krakatoa, in Indonesia. The explosion hurled plumes of ash up to 50 miles into the air and caused spectacular sunsets. The ash particles also served as rare anchors to water vapor at high altitudes and the vapor condensed to ice, forming the brilliant blue clouds. Sky gazers who stayed up late following the eruption reported seeing wispy, glowing streaks in the night sky. Before this incident there were no reported sightings of noctilucent clouds. But why so many night shining clouds now? "It's still being debated," says Chester Gardner, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Illinois at Urbana. One reason scientists are having such a hard time understanding the shimmering clouds is their location. At 30-60 miles above Earth, the mesosphere is also known as the "ignorosphere" due to its inaccessibility. The region is too far to reach by weather balloon and yet it sits below where orbiting satellites or other craft might orbit because its heavier atmosphere would cause too much drag. The rest of the story at http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/DailyNews/nighshiningclouds030228.html

Thank you, Terry! You knnow me very well. Most interesting! A Most Surprising Observation "Quite by accident, we have made a most surprising observation," reports Don Pettit, the science officer of the International Space Station. It happened during his spare time on a Saturday morning last month. Pettit was preparing to make some weightless soap bubbles--just for fun--when he discovered a very curious property of water in space. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/25feb_nosoap.htm?list89800

Interesting Clouds Astronauts onboard the International Space Station have been observing strange electric-blue clouds hovering near the edge of space. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/18feb_nlc.htm?list89800

Today on SPACE.com -- Friday, March 7, 2003 -- http://www.space.com/ In today's issue: /------------------------------------- Interstellar Flight Be part of a real mission to the stars! Include your photo, message and DNA on board Humanity's First Starship. Makes a great gift! http://www.space.com/teamencounter/ -------------------------------------/ Featured Products * The Space Store Investigation Columbia: Newest Developments in Shuttle Inquiry http://www.space.com/columbiatragedy/ Spaceflight: * Model Rocket Engine Size Matters to Government Regulators * Russia Insists It Needs Cash from Space Station Partners Soon * Columbia Accident Hearing Probes NASA Workforce Erosion, Shuttle Safety Issues Technology: * Space Shuttle Tile System Unique, Future Could Bring Alternatives * Tech Today: Home Theater Made Easy Science/Astronony: * Fact vs. Fiction: Reading Weather in the Sun, Moon and Stars * The Big Rip: New Theory Ends Universe by Shredding Everything * Mars Core Squishy, Goes with the Tidal Flow * New Views of Jupiter Force Rethink of Cloudy Theories Recent Headlines: * Three Members Added to Columbia Investigation Panel * Columbia Public Hearing to Include Experts on Foam, Shuttle Systems * Molten Aluminum Found on Columbia Tiles * NASA: No Internal Shuttle Policy Changes Ahead of Probe Findings * China Outlines its Lunar Ambitions * Pioneer 10: Farewell to an Old Friend * Seven Newfound Moons of Jupiter Bring Tally to 47 * Radio Star: ALMA Telescope to See Stellar Birth, Galactic * Powerful Space Bursts Reflect Two Ways to Make Black Holes Plus... * SpaceTV, SpaceWatch * Solar and Space Weather * Starry Night, TeamSETI -----------------------------------

Busy Sky: Jupiter, Mars and Comet NEAT Space Weather news for March 8, 2003 http://www.spaceweather.com MARS: Mars and Earth are converging for an extraordinary close encounter later this year. The approaching red planet is now brighter than a 1st-magnitude star--it's gliding through the star fields of Sagittarius in the morning sky. JUPITER: The brightest "star" in the evening sky is Jupiter. This month the giant planet is gliding by the Beehive Cluster of stars in the constellation Cancer. The view through binoculars is splendid! COMET NEAT: After a close encounter with the Sun last month, Comet NEAT is emerging from the Sun's glare into the evening skies of the southern hemisphere. Sky watchers in Argentina, Australia and New Zealand (among other places) say the comet is dim yet visible to the unaided eye with a tail that looks nice through small telescopes and binoculars. AURORAS: Solar wind gusts buffeted Earth's magnetic field last week and sparked auroras at high latitudes. The next series of geomagnetic storms could begin around March 15th. Visit spaceweather.com for images, sky maps and more information.

The Oldest Light in the Universe A NASA satellite has taken a picture of the Big Bang's ancient afterglow. Scientists have analyzed the data and learned that the universe is 13.7 billon years old (plus or minus 1 percent)and that the first stars appeared only 200 million years after the Big Bang. These results are a milestone in cosmology, says the NASA director of astronomy and physics. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/11feb_map.htm?list89800

Living up to the Hype: Superconductors Thanks to years of research involving experiments flown on the space shuttle, NASA-supported scientists are closer than ever to unlocking the amazing potential of high-temperature superconductors. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/05feb_superconductor.htm?list89800

Today on SPACE.com -- Monday, March 10, 2003 * Columbia's Final Data Transmission Sends Mixed Signals http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts107_data_030310.html In the moments before Columbia broke apart over Texas, an attempt may have been made to override the shuttle's autopilot, based on an exhaustive analysis of the final bits of data, officials say. * Apollo Moonwalkers: Vision Needed in Columbia Aftermath http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts107_vision_030310.html Apollo astronauts from the first and last expedition to the Moon see far-reaching consequences rippling through America's space program due to the loss of Columbia and its seven-person crew. * NASA Investigates Dozens of Scenarios, Though Odds of Foam Damaging Orbiter Remote http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts107_search_030308.html A NASA-wide campaign is underway with technical teams sifting through data and debris in an attempt to find the cause behind the loss of Columbia and its crew. * Shuttle Probe to Study NASA Communication http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts107_communication_030308.html A new team will look into NASA's internal communications, including e-mails and management directives, as part of the investigation into what caused the breakup of the space shuttle Columbia last month. * Shuttle Flight Plans in Work; NASA Aims for Launch by Summer 2004 http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts107_fleet_030308.html NASA and its contractors already are doing the planning and engineering work necessary to launch another shuttle no later than summer 2004, shuttle program sources told Florida Today. * Russian Imaging Satellite To Serve Civil, Commercial Users http://www.space.com/spacenews/spacenews_businessmonday_030310.html Russia's TsSKB Progress organization of Samara is building what program officials say is the country's first civilian imaging spacecraft capable of transmitting high-resolution digital pictures to ground stations as it passes overhead.

From NASA science news: From Feb. 4th, 2003: At the dawn of the space age some 40 years ago, we always knew who was orbiting Earth or flying to the Moon. Neil Armstrong, Yuri Gagarin, John Glenn. They were household names--everywhere. Lately it�s different. Space flight has become more �routine.� Another flight of the shuttle. Another visit to the space station. Who�s onboard this time? Unless you�re a NASA employee or a serious space enthusiast, you might not know. Dave Brown, Rick Husband, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, Michael Anderson, William McCool, and Ilan Ramon Now we know. Those are the names of the seven astronauts who were tragically lost on Saturday, Feb. 1st, when the space shuttle Columbia (STS-107) broke apart over Texas. Before the accident, perhaps, they were strangers to you. But if that's so, why did you have a knot in your gut when you heard the news? What were those tears all about? Why do you feel so deep-down sad for seven strangers? Astronauts have an unaccountable hold on us. They are explorers. Curious, humorous, serious, daring, careful. Where they go, they go in peace. Every kid wants to be one. Astronauts are the essence of humanity. They are not strangers. They are us. While still in orbit Dave Brown asked, jokingly, �do we really have to come back?� No. But we wish you had. The Science@NASA team, as does all of NASA and the world, extends heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of the STS-107 crew. Please see the NASA Home Page (http://www.nasa.gov) for more information on the Columbia Investigation. --Tony Phillips, Ron Koczor, Bryan Walls, Becky Bray, Patrick Meyer.

Aurora Blues Astronauts onboard the International Space Station (ISS) have seen a lot of auroras in recent months. They've even flown through some. Usually the lights are green; sometimes they're red. Other colors are rare. So when ISS science officer Don Pettit looked out the window on March 29th and saw vivid blue-rimmed auroras, he had to grab his camera and take a picture. Read the FULL STORY to find out what makes these Northern Lights so blue: http://science.nasa.gov/ppod/y2003/09apr_aurorablues.htm

Supernova On March 29, 2003, in the constellation Leo, something exploded--bright enough to see through small telescopes in brightly-lit cities. Astronomers who have collected data from the event say it provides the long-sought link between supernovas and mysterious gamma ray bursts. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/10apr_grb.htm?list89800

It's a Supernova! Source: NASA   Posted: 4/10/2003 On March 29, 2003, in the constellation Leo, something exploded--bright enough to see through small telescopes in brightly-lit cities. Astronomers say it provides the long-sought link between supernovas and mysterious gamma ray bursts. Full story...

Delay to US Mars mission By Helen Briggs BBC News Online science reporter The US space agency Nasa has been forced to delay the launch of the first of the two rovers it is sending to Mars this summer. The take-off has been put back by a week or so to allow electrical repairs to be made to the identical rovers. The rover will act as a 'robot geologist' Pre-launch tests at the weekend raised concerns that they might be vulnerable to a computer glitch. The spacecraft will now have to be taken apart at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. George Diller of the Kennedy Space Center said an electrical circuit board needed to be modified. "It'll be a fairly easy thing to fix but it does mean going into both of the rovers, removing the circuit card and making some modifications to it," he told BBC News Online. The first Mars Exploration Rover was set to be launched by a Delta 11 rocket on 30 May. It will now take off between 6 June and 19 June. The second spacecraft will be launched 10 days after the first. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2950395.stm

Oooh I remember that little rover. They ran it around the lava beds here for a while to see how it would perform.

Wow, did you see that?

alas no. I did get to have dinner with the astronauts who were also practicing for an ashy landing. I think having dialogue with three of my very own immediate astronauts was one of those nights one does not forget!

Some of the NASA stuff done here during the early stages of the space race were so classified as to be off limits to the public - even those with connections. Scandia Lab was running a lot of the experiments. And, you know how secret they can be!

Dinner with the astronauts! Wow. That's great. What did you talk about?

Talking shop was what I wanted out of them, but instead they ended up picking my brains about what was edible on the "exotic" Japanese dinner buffet. This was pre-sushi days, so the thought of eating seaweed and raw fish scared them to death. They would go the moon strapped to a firecracked, but NOT eat weird food. One noticed a big bowl of eggs. He commented that at least they knew how to eat hard boiled eggs! I hated to tell them, but those eggs were also raw! Used to cool off blistering hot soups, they end up like thin scrambled eggs. It was great fun. We talked about all sorts of things. I wondered to them if the constellations were as hard to define from 35,000 feet as it was beyond. I never heard the answer.

What a great question for them.

I had trouble seeing anything recognizable even at 20,000 feet. I wonder what the altitude is for losing the perspective we have here on earth. Of course, everything we see from here is at different distances and moving independently. What we see today will not look like it will look in the future, not like it looked in ancient times! ISS science officer Don Pettit's latest "Saturday Morning Science" experiment reveals something oddly familiar about boiling water in space. FULL STORY (WITH MOVIES) http://science.nasa.gov/ppod/y2003/01may_boiling.htm

Geomagnetic activity surged for a while on Monday, April 28th, when Earth glided through a solar wind stream. Northern Lights in the United States descended as far south as Wisconsin. More auroras are possible on May 1st when our planet is expected to encounter another solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole on the sun. Meanwhile, the sunspot number is rising. The face of the sun is peppered with active regions--one stretching nearly 10 Earth-diameters from end to end. The impressive sunspot group is easy to observe using safe solar projection methods. Visit spaceweather.com for images and more information

Space Weather News for May 9, 2003 http://spaceweather.com SUN MOVIE: On May 7th German astronomers witnessed something remarkable: a spacecraft and a planet crossing the face of the Sun at the same time. The planet was Mercury. The spacecraft was the International Space Station. Visit spaceweather.com to view a movie of this unprecedented double solar transit. AURORA WATCH: Earth is still inside a high-speed solar wind stream that has triggered mild geomagnetic storming since May 7th. High-latitude auroras are possible this weekend. Visit spaceweather.com for images and updates.

MARTIAN VIEW OF EARTH --------------------- Have you ever wondered what you would see if you were on Mars looking at the Earth through a small telescope? Now you can find out, thanks to a unique view of our world recently captured by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft currently orbiting the Red Planet. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0305/22earthmgs/ HUBBLE SEES THE MYSTERIOUS 'GARDEN-SPRINKLER' NEBULA ---------------------------------------------------- There are many mysterious objects seen in the night sky which are not really well understood. For example, astronomers are puzzled by the "jets" emerging from planetary nebulae. However, the S-shaped jet from Henize 3-1475 is the most perplexing of all. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0305/22sprinkler/ THE UNIVERSE'S BIGGEST CONSTRUCTION SITES ----------------------------------------- Images made by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have revealed two distant cosmic construction sites buzzing with activity. This discovery shows how super massive black holes control the growth of massive galaxies in the distant Universe. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0305/21construction/ FROZEN LIGHT RESEARCH HOLDS PROMISE, NASA SAYS ---------------------------------------------- NASA-funded research at Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., that literally stops light in its tracks, may someday lead to breakneck-speed computers that shelter enormous amounts of data from hackers. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0305/21frozen/ SLAG ON SHUTTLE DEBRIS SUGGESTS LOCATION OF BREACH -------------------------------------------------- Based on chemical analysis of slag found on the back side of a wing leading edge fragment, investigators now believe the breach that destroyed the shuttle Columbia occurred at or very near the lower inboard corner of reinforced carbon carbon panel No. 8, very close to where a so-called T-seal was mounted between RCC panels 7 and 8. http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts107/030520slag/ NEWLY-DISCOVERED STAR MAY BE THIRD-CLOSEST TO US ------------------------------------------------ The local celestial neighborhood just got more crowded with a discovery of a star that may be the third closest to the Sun. The star, "SO25300.5+165258," is a faint red dwarf star estimated to be about 7.8 light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Aries. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0305/20closestar/ FIVE SPACECRAFT JOIN TO SOLVE AN AURORAL PUZZLE ----------------------------------------------- Five spacecraft have made a remarkable set of observations, leading to a breakthrough in understanding the origin of a peculiar and puzzling type of aurora. Seen as bright spots in Earth's atmosphere and called "dayside proton auroral spots," they are now known to occur when fractures appear in the Earth's magnetic field, allowing particles emitted from the Sun to pass through and collide with molecules in our atmosphere. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0305/20auroral/ AIR FORCE WEATHER SATELLITE LAUNCH RESCHEDULED ---------------------------------------------- The long-delayed launch of the U.S. military's next polar-orbiting weather satellite is being targeted for this summer, the Air Force says. http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/g9/030519reset.html

GIANT GAS CLOUD MADE OF ATOMS FORMED IN FIRST STARS --------------------------------------------------- Astronomers studying the most distant quasar yet found in the Universe have discovered a massive reservoir of gas containing atoms made in the cores of some of the first stars ever formed. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0307/25atoms/ TROUBLES STRIKE LANDSAT 7 ------------------------- Officials with the Landsat 7 Earth-watching satellite program have now spent almost two months struggling with a problem that significantly degrades the scientific value of images from the observatory. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0307/27landsat7/ SPACE ENTREPRENEURS SEEK REGULATORY RELIEF ------------------------------------------ Entrepreneurs creating new commercial space companies as well as those interested in investing in those companies said this past week that Congress needs to take several steps to improve regulations to allow those companies to flourish. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0307/26hearing/ INTRIGUING CELESTIAL IMAGES ARRIVE FROM GALEX --------------------------------------------- NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer has beamed back revealing images of hundreds of galaxies to expectant astronomers, providing the first batch of data on star formation that they had hoped for. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0307/27galex/ NEXT INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION CREW NAMED ------------------------------------------- Veteran NASA astronaut Michael Foale and seasoned Russian cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri are set to be the eighth crew to live aboard the International Space Station. They're scheduled to begin their mission in October, when they launch into space aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0307/26exp8crew/ CANADIAN TEAM MAPS HALOS AROUND GALAXIES ---------------------------------------- Two University of Toronto astronomers and a U.S. colleague have made the first measurements of the size and shape of massive dark matter halos that surround galaxies. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0307/25halos/

Spaceflight: * X-43A: High Hopes For Return to Flight http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/x43a_return_030728.html As NASA prepares a return-to-flight of its X-43A Hyper-X vehicle, the agency is holding its collective breath about the future of "air-breathing" engine technologies. A second vehicle is now being prepped to fly no later than mid-November. * Fixing Landsat 7 Taking Longer Than Expected http://www.space.com/spacenews/spacenews_businessmonday_030728.html Efforts to fix the Landsat 7 Earth observation spacecraft are taking longer than expected, and now the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is preparing for the possibility that the problem may be permanent, a USGS spokesman said. * Poll: Support for Space Program Steady http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sts107_poll_030728.html Two-thirds of Americans say the space shuttle should continue to fly despite two disastrous accidents, but enthusiasm for putting civilians aboard is declining, an Associated Press poll finds * NASA Pluto Mission to Rely on Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/atlas5_pluto_030725.html Humanity's first probe to take an up-close look at Pluto and its moon Charon will be launched in January 2006 on an Atlas 5 rocket, NASA officials announced Thursday. * U.S. Air Force Lowers Boom on Boeing Delta Program http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/boeing_eelv_030724.html Boeing Co. will forfeit $1 billion in Pentagon launch business and be suspended from upcoming launch competitions as punishment for cheating in a 1998 U.S. Air Force rocket procurement, a senior service official said. * Tech Today: Lights, Camera, Action! The New Palm Zire 71 http://www.space.com/techtoday/tech_today.html After years of so-so new PDAs, Palm is finally aiming for the top with its fun-loving Zire 71 ----------------------------------- Science/Astronomy: * Space Mailbag: Suggestions for Renaming the Moon -- Or Not http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/space_mailbag_moon_030725-1.html The Space Mailbag is stuffed with suggestions about what (or whether) to rename the Moon. * New Map of Water Ice on Mars http://www.space.com/marsrover/ A new global map of Mars shows likely locations of water ice based on observations of hydrogen made by NASA's Odyssey spacecraft. * Image of the Day: Handle With Care http://www.space.com/imageoftheday/image_of_day_030728.html After several delays, NASA's last Great Observatory, Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) is scheduled to launch on August 23. * Astronotes: Catch a Shooting Star Near Mars http://www.space.com/astronotes/astronotes.html This is a great week to see shooting stars, and Tuesday morning offers a good opportunity to pair meteor watching with planet hunting. ---------------------------------- Recent Headlines: * U.S. Air Force Lowers Boom on Boeing Delta Program http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/boeing_eelv_030724.html * Dennis Tito Ready to Invest in Suborbital Rocket, But Wary of Gov't. Regulations http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/tito_regulations_030724.html * Debate Intensifies for Simple Vs. Advanced OSP Design http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/osp_debate_030724.html * X Prize Entry Starchaser Successfully Test Drops Piloted Capsule http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/starchaser_test_030424.html * Gravity's Rainbow: GRACE Mission Pushes Forward http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/gravity_map_030725.html * Undersea World Points to Possible Origin of Life, Maybe Even ET http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/lost_city_030724.html * Panspermia: Spreading Life Through the Universe http://www.space.com/searchforlife/seti_panspermia_030724.html

Roll your own radio telescope from an old satellite dish. http://radio.uindy.edu/radio/cheap.htm

mars mars and mars!!!!!!!!!! you guys look for the red "star" and with a telescope, it'll look like a full moon (tonight is the best night for viewing-southern)

southern portion of the sky, i should've said, time depends on your location--nasa has info on it and you can type in 'mars' on google and get a load of info

I can see it, I can see it! Was going to take the kids to the CU telescope tonight but... too many meltdowns this afternoon... just wasn't worth it to me. Although it is kind of cloudy here tonight, the clusters of clouds break up nicely and allow a great view of what looks like the brightest (and kind of pink) star I've ever seen! Too neat!

Hi all The sun has been active too so possibility of aurora? Look to the northern skies! de Mike

Yay! Fun in the sky for everyone! Too bad monsoons have socked us in for the last week or more. All it does is make the grass grow faster and the tide gauges rise faster. Hmmm... surf may be up on the River, too...! Who has an old satellite dish? I hear they are pretty available at the larger rubbish tips around the nation nowadays. Happy hunting!

A 53-hour Chandra observation of the central region of the Perseus galaxy cluster (left) has revealed wavelike features (right) that appear to be sound waves. The features were discovered by using a special image-processing technique to bring out subtle changes in brightness. Illustration of Ripples in Perseus These sound waves are thought to have been produced by explosive events occurring around a supermassive black hole (bright white spot) in Perseus A, the huge galaxy at the center of the cluster. The pitch of the sound waves translates into the note of B flat, 57 octaves below middle-C. This frequency is over a million billion times deeper than the limits of human hearing, so the sound is much too deep to be heard. The image also shows two vast, bubble-shaped cavities, each about 50 thousand light years wide, extending away from the central supermassive black hole. These cavities, which are bright sources of radio waves, are not really empty, but filled with high-energy particles and magnetic fields. They push the hot X-ray emitting gas aside, creating sound waves that sweep across hundreds of thousands of light years. Animation of Sound Waves Generated in Perseus Cluster The detection of intergalactic sound waves may solve the long-standing mystery of why the hot gas in the central regions of the Perseus cluster has not cooled over the past ten billion years to form trillions of stars. As sounds waves move through gas, they are eventually absorbed and their energy is converted to heat. In this way, the sound waves from the supermassive black hole in Perseus A could keep the cluster gas hot. The explosive activity occurring around the supermassive black hole is probably caused by large amounts of gas falling into it, perhaps from smaller galaxies that are being cannibalized by Perseus A. The dark blobs in the central region of the Chandra image may be fragments of such a doomed galaxy. http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2003/perseus/

Spectacular, Terry! I need to get out there and look at the sky again!

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solar_flare_031104.html Biggest solar flare ever. Let the above picture load, it takes a while.

Then the corona was hurled in to space.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/11/05/voyager.solar.boundary.ap/ Travelling one million miles a day, the Voyager 1 spacecraft is now out at the solar system's edge.

awesome!

And get this, from the article. Get this... The sun sends out a stream of highly charged particles, called the solar wind, that carves out a vast bubble around the solar system. Beyond the bubble's ever-shifting boundary, called the termination shock, lies a region where particles cast off by dying stars begin to hold sway. That region, called the heliopause, marks the beginning of interstellar space and the end of our solar system. Whether Voyager 1 reached that mark or is still on approach remains unclear, with scientists providing evidence for both claims. Details appear Thursday in the journal Nature. "Neither explanation is certain," writes Len Fisk, of the University of Michigan, in an editorial accompanying the two studies. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Follow the news that matters to you. Create your own alert to be notified on topics you're interested in. Or, visit Popular Alerts for suggestions. Manage alerts | What is this? Scientists have long theorized that a shock wave exists where the hot solar wind bumps up against the thin gas of the interstellar medium. A similar shock wave precedes aircraft flying faster than the speed of sound, causing a sonic boom. In space, the violent encounter slows the solar wind from supersonic velocity to subsonic speed, and causes a pileup of particles. As they accumulate, the particles increase in temperature. Also, as they skip back and forth across the shock boundary, they are accelerated and energized. Scientists have pored over data from Voyager 1 for evidence of any of those activities, which would suggest the one-ton spacecraft has reached the termination shock. The one instrument that could measure the solar wind velocity and give somewhat of a definitive answer ceased working years ago. One team, studying lower energy particles, inferred that the solar wind velocity did tail off beginning in August 2002, suggesting Voyager 1 temporarily reached the termination shock.

termination shock Does not sound fun.

Tonight, November 8, there will be an eclipse of the moon, visibile in whole or in part throughout the continental United States.

we missed it (it was 8PM EST but we're PST)

oh, and i missed the meteor shower *sigh* where's marcia? i sent her an email but don't know if it made it. marcia, you take care of my twin!!

Where's Marcia? Beaming good energy her way.

This true color mosaic of Jupiter was constructed from images taken by the narrow angle camera onboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft on December 29, 2000, during its closest approach to the giant planet at a distance of approximately 10 million kilometers (6.2 million miles). It is the most detailed global color portrait of Jupiter ever produced; the smallest visible features are approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) across. The mosaic is composed of 27 images: nine images were required to cover the entire planet in a tic-tac-toe pattern, and each of those locations was imaged in red, green, and blue to provide true color. Although Cassini's camera can see more colors than humans can, Jupiter's colors in this new view look very close to the way the human eye would see them. Everything visible on the planet is a cloud. The parallel reddish-brown and white bands, the white ovals, and the large Great Red Spot persist over many years despite the intense turbulence visible in the atmosphere. The most energetic features are the small, bright clouds to the left of the Great Red Spot and in similar locations in the northern half of the planet. These clouds grow and disappear over a few days and generate lightning. Streaks form as clouds are sheared apart by Jupiter's intense jet streams that run parallel to the colored bands. The prominent dark band in the northern half of the planet is the location of Jupiter's fastest jet stream, with eastward winds of 480 kilometers (300 miles) per hour. Jupiter's diameter is eleven times that of Earth, so the smallest storms on this mosaic are comparable in size to the largest hurricanes on Earth. Unlike Earth, where only water condenses to form clouds, Jupiter's clouds are made of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and water. The updrafts and downdrafts bring different mixtures of these substances up from below, leading to clouds at different heights. The brown and orange colors may be due to trace chemicals dredged up from deeper levels of the atmosphere, or they may be byproducts of chemical reactions driven by ultraviolet light from the Sun. Bluish areas, such as the small features just north and south of the equator, are areas of reduced cloud cover, where one can see deeper. For more information, see the Cassini Project home page, http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov and the Cassini imaging team home page, http://ciclops.org The imaging team is based at the Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colo. The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Cassini mission for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA04866

Solar maximum is years past, yet the sun has been remarkably active lately. Is the sunspot cycle broken? FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/12nov_haywire.htm?list89800 ***************** A RECORD-BREAKING SOLAR FLARE & MID-LATITUDE AURORA WATCH At approximately 19:47 UTC (2:47 pm EST) on 04 November, active sunspot complex 10486 spawned what is probably the most intense x-ray flare in history. X-ray sensors on-board the GOES spacecraft are only capable of registering x-ray intensities up to a class X17.4 level. X-ray intensities beyond this level saturate the detectors. This solar flare saturated the x-ray detectors for 11 minutes, leaving space weather forecasters and scientists with some work to try and extrapolate the true intensity of the event. Based on a preliminary extrapolation, it appears that this x-ray flare peaked somewhere between the X30 and X40 levels, which was unheard of until yesterday and is possibly as much as twice as energetic as the X17 solar flare observed on 02 November. To place this event into historic perspective, it very likely ranks as the most powerful x-ray flare ever observed. During the last two weeks, active Region 10486 has produced three x-ray flares that have ranked within the top 10 of the most intense events in history. It has been quite a ride! Region 10486 has now rotated behind the western limb and out of view. It will now spend the next two weeks traversing the far side of the Sun. Whether it survives its passage on the far-side and returns to the eastern limb in two weeks in a form still capable of producing energetic events remains unknown. It is possible it could return in a form still capable of producing energetic events, but the odds are against it. Although only time will tell, observers on Earth will be able to monitor its progress indirectly by watching for coronal mass ejections that occur on the far side of the Sun, but are still visible from Earth via the SOHO LASCO cameras. Spectacular imagery of this solar flare and the associated high velocity coronal mass ejection are available from the SOHO web site: http://soho.nascom.nasa.gov/hotshots A movie of the event in the light of hydrogen is also available from: http://www.spacew.com/x30ha.gif It is known that yesterdays remarkable solar flare was associated with a coronal mass ejection. The vast majority of mass thrown out was directed well to the west of the Earth. However, a small portion was also directed Earthward. That portion is expected to impact the Earth on 06 November. After the disturbance arrives, it may be capable of producing periods of minor to major geomagnetic and auroral storm activity. A disturbance as large as was observed on 29 and 30 October is not expected. Nevertheless, auroral activity could become visible from many middle latitude locations. A middle latitude aurora watch is active for 06 November. For North Americans, that is TONIGHT. Late tonight, near or after local midnight. Interference from the near-full moon will hamper attempts to view activity. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY WATCH WATCH ISSUED: 20:15 UTC, 05 NOVEMBER 2003 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ VALID BEGINNING AT: 00:00 UTC ON 06 NOVEMBER VALID UNTIL: 23:00 UTC (7 pm EDT) ON 07 NOVEMBER PREDICTED IMPACT TIME OF DISTURBANCE: APPROX. 07:00 UTC ON 06 NOVEMBER, +/- AT LEAST SEVERAL HOURS SEVERAL HIGH RISK PERIOD: 06 NOVEMBER (UTC DAYS) MODERATE RISK PERIOD: 06 - 07 NOVEMBER PREDICTED ACTIVITY INDICES: 12, 35, 20, 15 (05 NOVEMBER - 08 NOVEMBER) POTENTIAL MAGNITUDE OF MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY: MODERATE POTENTIAL DURATION OF THIS ACTIVITY: MAIN BELT = 06 TO 12 HOURS MINOR BELT = 12 TO 18 HOURS ESTIMATED OPTIMUM OBSERVING CONDITIONS: NEAR AND AFTER LOCAL MIDNIGHT EXPECTED LUNAR INTERFERENCE: MODERATE OVERALL OPPORTUNITY FOR OBSERVATIONS FROM MIDDLE LATITUDES: FAIR TO GOOD AURORAL ACTIVITY *MAY* BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM... NORTHERN OREGON TO NORTHERN WYOMING TO SOUTH DAKOTA TO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA TO WISCONSIN TO MIGHIGAN TO NEW YORK STATE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. ACTIVITY *MAY* ALSO BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM... IRELAND TO CENTRAL UNITED KINGDOM TO EXTREME NORTHERN NETHERLANDS TO EXTREME NORTHERN GERMANY TO SOUTHERN SWEDEN TO SOUTHERN FINLAND TO NORTHERN RUSSIA. ACTIVITY *MAY* ALSO BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY SOUTH OF A LINE FROM... NEW ZEALAND AND EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN AUSTRALIA. SYNOPSIS... Effects of perhaps the largest x-ray solar flare on record are expected to impact the Earth sometime near 07:00 UTC on 06 November, give or take several hours. The solar flare occurred on the western limb of the Sun and as a result is not expected to produce significant effects at the Earth. However, the disturbance should have the strength to produce periods of auroral storming over the high and middle latitude regions. This watch will remain valid through 23:00 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 07 November. It will then be updated or allowed to expire. Most (if not all) of the activity is expected to occur within the first 6 to 12 hours after the disturbance impacts. For this reason, we don't expect very much on 07 November. For updated information, visit: http://www.spacew.com/aurora/forum.html. For real-time plots of current activity, visit: http://www.spacew.com/plots.html or www.sec.noaa.gov. PLEASE REPORT OBSERVATIONS OF AURORAL ACTIVITY TO: http://www.spacew.com/submitsighting.html

Thanks for posting the events, Terry! This was fantastic!!! Propagation was a poor as I thought it might be and airliners were kept below 25,000 feet and away from the poles to protect the passengers. I did hear that discussed by pilots and routing people.

DARK MATTER FORMS A GHOST UNIVERSE, NEW THEORY SHOWS ---------------------------------------------------- The "dark matter" that comprises a still-undetected one-quarter of the universe is not a uniform cosmic fog, says a University of California, Berkeley, astrophysicist, but instead forms dense clumps that move about like dust motes dancing in a shaft of light. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0311/06ghost/ TURBULENT NEIGHBORHOOD SEEN NEAR ERUPTIVE STAR ---------------------------------------------- A small portion of the rough-and-tumble neighborhood of swirling dust and gas near one of the most massive and eruptive stars in our galaxy is seen in this Hubble Space Telescope image. This close-up view shows only a three light-year-wide portion of the entire Carina Nebula, which has a diameter of over 200 light-years. Located 8,000 light-years from Earth, the nebula can be seen in the southern sky with the naked eye. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0311/06eruptivestar/ VOYAGER APPROACHING SOLAR SYSTEM'S OUTER LIMITS ----------------------------------------------- NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft is about to make history again. It is the first spacecraft to enter the solar system's final frontier, a vast expanse where wind from the sun blows hot against thin gas between the stars: interstellar space. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0311/05voyager/ ROSES IN THE SOUTHERN SKY ------------------------- The two best known satellite galaxies of the Milky Way, the Magellanic Clouds, are located in the southern sky at a distance of about 170,000 light-years. They host many giant nebular complexes with very hot and luminous stars whose intense ultraviolet radiation causes the surrounding interstellar gas to glow. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0311/05roses/ PROPOSED NASA EXPLORER MISSIONS SELECTED FOR STUDY -------------------------------------------------- NASA recently selected candidate mission proposals that would study the universe, from Jupiter and the sun to black holes and dark matter. The proposals are candidates for missions in NASA's Explorer Program of lower cost, highly focused, rapid-development scientific spacecraft. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0311/05smex/

Where's the best place in Geo, Marci, to talk about the Earth's magnetic storms. Is this topic worthy?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3251382.stm Dusty disc may mean other Earths By Dr David Whitehouse BBC News Online science editor Astronomers say they have evidence for Earth-like planets orbiting a nearby star, making it more like our own Solar System than any yet discovered. The star, Vega, is one of the brightest in the sky, only 25 light-years away. It is three times larger than our Sun and, at 350 million years old, much younger as well. Vega has a disc of dust circling it, and at least one large planet which could sweep debris aside allowing smaller worlds like Earth to exist.

Here, or Mike's Gaia toopic. His is dedicated to ionospheric things and electromagnetic phenomena. In a day or two, more CME ionization should reach us. Aurora watch!

I did hear about the Vega system - on Art Bell's program, no less.

Vega was also the signal source area from 'Contact' Also, the source for the Chevy Vega... ;) de Mike

Wow, Mike. That's right about the movie. Jodie Foster went to the Vegan system. Or did she?

Black holes are raining down on Earth and exploding! http://uk.news.yahoo.com/031204/12/eg99n.html Are mini black holes raining down through the Earth's atmosphere? It is possible, says a team of physicists. They think this could explain mysterious observations from mountain-top experiments over the past 30 years. Ordinary black holes form when stars explode at the end of their lives. The heavy stellar core can collapse into a superdense "singularity" whose gravity is so strong that nothing - not even light - can escape. If some of physicists' favourite theories about extra dimensions are correct, it would also be possible for high-energy cosmic-ray particles from space to create black holes when they collide with molecules in the Earth's atmosphere ( New Scientist print edition, 29 September 2001). These black holes would be invisibly small, with a mass of only 10 micrograms or so. And they would be so unstable that they would explode in a burst of particles within around a billion-billion-billionth of a second.

a superdense "singularity" whose gravity is so strong that nothing - not even light - can escape finally, an explanation for bill o'reilly

That's good Nick. That's good.

The Euro Mars Mission will land Christmas Day: http://www.esa.int/export/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/index.html The lander sports "a pair of stereo cameras, a microscope, two types of spectrometer (Mossbauer and X-ray) and a torch to illuminate surfaces. The PAW also houses the corer/grinder and 'the mole', two instruments for collecting rock and soil samples for analysis." The NASA rovers will land Jan 3 and Jan 24: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mer

Christmas Sunset Look west as night falls on Dec. 25th for a lovely pairing of brilliant Venus and the crescent moon. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/09dec_sunset.htm?list89800

Thanks for the story on Mars landing. I deleted mine by accident!

This one makes me slightly ill since we had such bad weather Dixieland Auroras On Nov. 20, 2003, a modest solar explosion sparked bright auroras in some unusual places. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/05dec_dixieland.htm?list89800

The latest from NASA's Earth Observatory (23 December 2003) * Weighing Earth's Water from Space http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/WeighingWater/ Launched in 2002, a pair of identical satellites that make up NASA's Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) are tackling the problem in an unexpected way: they are weighing Earth's fresh water from space. Serving as a sort of "divining rod" in space that moves in response to a powerful, fundamental force of nature--gravity--the satellites respond to changes in Earth's gravitation field that signal shifts in the movement of water a cross and under Earth's surface * Latest Images: Soot and Global Warming http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16404 Landslides in the Philippines http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16403 Lake Titicaca http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16400 Waimea Canyon, Kaua‘i http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16399 Waiting for More Rain in South Africa http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16397 Iguaçu Falls and Itapú Reservoir http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16396 Tropical Cyclone Hits East Coast of India http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16395 Dust Storm over Texas http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16394

Scheduled times for listening-out by the US orbiter Odyssey and the UK ground station at Jodrell Bank over the next couple of days (GMT is eight hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time, and the Odyssey times don't include transmitting and processing lags): 26th Dec 17:33:49 -18:53:49 GMT Odyssey 23:00:00 - 00:20:00 GMT Jodrell Bank Observatory (UK) 27th Dec 06:17:46 - 07:37:46 GMT Odyssey 22:56:00 - 00:16:00 GMT Jodrell Bank Observatory (UK) Excerpted from: http://www.beagle2.com/landing/timeline.htm

In a move that may or may not help them wake up the Mars lander but will definitely cause cat-person vs. dog-person tension throughout the space-interested world, the Brits have put together a "Tiger" team to work on waking up the Beagle 2. No signals from the lander during Odyssey fly-overs again Sunday, and hopes continue to be fixed on next weekend's arrival of the European orbiter in its listening orbit. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3352521.stm

Where it landed. The lander may be shadowed by this crater. It can't power up yet.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3359273.stm Beagle to begin 'frequent calls' If Beagle is alive, it will call more frequently British-built Mars probe Beagle 2 is due to switch into a communications mode on Wednesday that increases the chances of contact being made with it. If Beagle is intact on the Martian surface, it will automatically begin "calling" Earth more frequently. Two further attempts were made on Tuesday to contact Beagle with the Mars Odyssey craft in orbit around the Red Planet, but with no positive result.

A traveling robotic geologist from NASA has landed on Mars and returned stunning images of the area around its landing site in Gusev Crater. Mars Exploration Rover Spirit successfully sent a radio signal after the spacecraft had bounced and rolled for several minutes following its initial impact at 11:35 p.m. EST (8:35 p.m. Pacific Standard Time) on January 3. "This is a big night for NASA," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. "We're back. I am very, very proud of this team, and we're on Mars." Members of the mission's flight team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., cheered and clapped when they learned that NASA's Deep Space Network had received a post-landing signal from Spirit. The cheering resumed about three hours later when the rover transmitted its first images to Earth, relaying them through NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter. "We've got many steps to go before this mission is over, but we've retired a lot of risk with this landing," said JPL's Pete Theisinger, project manager for the Mars Exploration Rover Project. Deputy project manager for the rovers, JPL's Richard Cook, said, "We're certainly looking forward to Opportunity landing three weeks from now." Opportunity is Spirit's twin rover, headed for the opposite side of Mars. Dr. Charles Elachi, JPL director, said, "To achieve this mission, we have assembled the best team of young women and men this country can put together. Essential work was done by other NASA centers and by our industrial and academic partners. Spirit stopped rolling with its base petal down, though that favorable position could change as airbags deflate, said JPL's Rob Manning, development manager for the rover's descent through Mars' atmosphere and landing on the surface. NASA chose Spirit's landing site, within Gusev Crater, based on evidence from Mars orbiters that this crater may have held a lake long ago. A long, deep valley, apparently carved by ancient flows of water, leads into Gusev. The crater itself is basin the size of Connecticut created by an asteroid or comet impact early in Mars' history. Spirit's task is to spend the next three months exploring for clues in rocks and soil about whether the past environment at this part of Mars was ever watery and suitable to sustain life. Spirit traveled 487 million kilometers (302.6 million) miles to reach Mars after its launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on June 10, 2003. Its twin, Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, was launched July 7, 2003, and is on course for a landing on the opposite side of Mars on Jan. 25 (Universal Time and EST; 9:05 p.m. on Jan. 24, PST). The flight team expects to spend more than a week directing Spirit through a series of steps in unfolding, standing up and other preparations necessary before the rover rolls off of its lander platform to get its wheels onto the ground. Meanwhile, Spirit's cameras and a mineral-identifying infrared instrument will begin examining the surrounding terrain. That information will help engineers and scientists decide which direction to send the rover first. JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology, manages the Mars Exploration Rover project for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington. Additional information about the project is available from JPL at: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov and from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., at: http://athena.cornell.edu . ### Guy Webster (818) 354-6278 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. JPL Newsroom (818) 354-5011 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. NEWS RELEASE: 2004-003 http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/20040104a.html

JPL engineers played Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up" in the control room as they watched new images confirming that the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit successfully stood up on its lander late Thursday night Pacific time, a major step in preparing for egress. This image from the rover's front hazard avoidance camera shows the rover in the final stage of its stand-up process. The two wheels on the bottom right and left are locked into position, along with the suspension system. The martian landscape is in the background.

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mgs_mpf_viking_040107.html Orbiter Photographs Viking 1 and Pathfinder Landers on Mars' Surface

Mars terrain in 3d http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA05095 Get your 3D glasses: https://www.stereoscopy.com/reel3d/anaglyph-glasses.html

gwb, welcome. (I like your sympathies!) There is a setup at the University of Louisville science center to view the latest downloads and accompanying 3-D glasses.

Spirit rover overloaded with files http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/01/26/mars_rovers040126 Too many data files may have led to the crippling of NASA's Spirit rover last week, the U.S. space agency said Monday. Engineers weren't aware the hundreds of the data files would lead to a major technical difficulty for Spirit. Since Jan. 22, the Mars robot has been unable to send scientific data and images. Now that NASA is aware of the limit, the files will be deleted from Spirit and engineers will take care not to run into the same problem on its twin, Opportunity, said Jennifer Trosper, mission manager for operations on Mars' surface. Problem solved? NASA scientists are giddy! I found out the Mars day is just about an hour longer than the earth day. And some folks are downloading "Mars clocks".

*grin* yes, how to confuse the already time-handicapped! Just one planet away and so close to our own time. This does not bode well unless you distinguish that only on Mars is that clock useful!

Hubble finds farthest galaxies http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/03/09/hubble.farthest/ Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) unveiled the deepest look into the universe yet, a portrait of what could be the most distant galaxies ever seen. The new image, called the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF), includes objects that until now have been too faint to be seen and includes ancient galaxies that emerged just 700 million years after the Big Bang theory from what astronomers call the "Dark Ages" of the universe.

I truly hope we do not abandon the Hubble before it is exhausted. Amazing discoveries. Thanks, Terry!

Scientist attacks alien claims on Mars By Robert Roy Britt SPACE.com Thursday, March 18, 2004 Posted: 5:25 PM EST (2225 GMT) Richard Hoagland claims that NASA refuses to acknowledge evidence of alien "artifacts" on Mars. SPACE.COM: War of words to debunk aliens (SPACE.com) -- Astronomer Philip Plait is tired of radio personality Richard Hoagland's claims. He's had enough of Hoagland's assertions that NASA is covering up evidence of extraterrestrial life, that the infamous Face on Mars was built by sentient aliens and, of late, that otherworldly machine parts are embedded in the Red Planet's dirt. And then there's the mile-long translucent martian worm. On Hoagland's Web site, there are several images from various space probes said to possibly show evidence for ETs. Recent Mars rover photos include not just rocks, Hoagland and other contributors maintain, but common objects that might tell of an alien civilization -- a bowl, a stove, a piston. more http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/03/17/alien.debunk/

Since 1983, Hoagland said he has led "an outside scientific team in a critically acclaimed independent analysis of possible intelligently-designed artifacts" on other worlds, using spacecraft data from NASA and other missions. Plait, author of "Bad Astronomy" (Wiley & Sons, 2002), which debunks space myths and common factual misconceptions, had for years not countered Hoagland directly, because he did not want to give a man he calls a "pseudoscientist" the "air time that he so desperately seeks." But last week Plait took his intellectual gloves off. http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/03/17/alien.debunk/

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/22/1079939580572.html Microsoft Corp co-founder Paul Allen has donated 13.5 million to help fund the search for extraterrestrial life.