SpaceX Video of Crewed Dragon Capsule
Published April 28, 2011Check out this promotional video from SpaceX showing a crewed Dragon capsule. I loved the “high five” at the end.
The Water Planet
Published April 22, 2011
Image Credit: NASA
Viewed from space, the most striking feature of our planet is the water. In both liquid and frozen form, it covers 75% of the Earth’s surface. It fills the sky with clouds. Water is practically everywhere on Earth, from inside the planet’s rocky crust to inside the cells of the human body.
This detailed, photo-like view of Earth is based largely on observations from MODIS, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, on NASA’s Terra satellite. It is one of many images of our watery world featured in a new story examining water in all of its forms and functions.
Friday Feature: Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory
Published April 15, 2011If you are visiting sunny Arizona and have an interest in Astronomy, you should check out the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory,
an exceptional science learning facility located at Steward Observatory’s “sky island” observing site just north of Tucson, Arizona.
"Photo Credit: Adam Block/Mount Lemmon SkyCenter/University of Arizona"
Star charts, binoculars and the superb 32-inch Schulman telescope are just some of the resources of this program. The Schulman telescope is the LARGEST dedicated telescope in the Southwest for public viewing. The SkyNights experience is offered virtually every night throughout the year. The five hour program starts in the late afternoon and accommodates 7-20 people. The cost of the SkyNights experience is pretty reasonable (Adults: $48 Youth: $25)
Renowned Astrophotographer Adam Block, is the Public Observing Programs Coordinator for the center and has had his work featured on Astronomy Picture Of The Day on numerous occasions.
In addition to the Skynights experience, Astronomer Nights is a Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter program in which visitors observe as professional astronomers for one night. As a visitor for this extended observing program, YOU become the astronomer investigating the cosmos and deciding how the night unfolds.
The unique astronomical experience includes observing at a telescope with an astronomer/guide acquiring high quality data lodging on site in astronomer dormitories, and data and image processing by astrophotographer Adam Block. If the visiting astronomer(s) prefer, the telescope can be used to do visual observing as well. The cost is $750 per night for up to two people, including lodging.
Below is a Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter short video (with permission from Arizona Public Media):
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory is located at 9800 Ski Run Road Mt. Lemmon, Arizona 85619
You can contact the Observatory at: 520.626.8122 or via e-mail at: SkyCenter@as.arizona.edu
Their website is at: http://skycenter.arizona.edu and you can visit their Facebook “fan” page at: http://www.facebook.com/uaskycenter
A New Era
Published April 12, 2011
Image Credit: NASA
Commonly known simply as the shuttle, the orbiter is both the brains and heart of NASA’s Space Transportation System. Hence, the STS before the number of every shuttle flight. About the same size and weight as a DC-9 aircraft, the orbiter contains the pressurized crew compartment (which can carry up to seven crew members), the cargo bay and the three main engines mounted on its aft end.
On April 12, 1981, commander John Young and pilot Robert Crippen roared into space on the first ever shuttle mission. Twenty years earlier on April 12, 1961, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin ushered in the era of human space flight when he became the first person to orbit the Earth.
Source:Image of the Day Gallery