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For hard core Sun followers, and for Iphone users, here is something just for you. NASA developed an application of a “…live global view of the sun.”
Using real time images of Sun, you can fly around it to see the side away from Earth, zoom in and out to inspect features, and do many other things, right in your hand. You can have real time images of sunspots, coronal holes, and flares. If a flare occurs, your phone will jingle and let you know. You can have alerts to let you know when other types of events occur, as well.
If you just have to have this app for your Iphone, check it out. Let me know how you like it.
On 11 Feb 2010, the Solar Dynamic Observatory was launched on its mission to help with solar studies. Even before SDO made orbit, it gave onlookers a view of something rarely (if ever before) witnessed.
As SDO rose through the levels of Earth’s atmosphere, it encountered a sundog. (A sundog is an atmospheric phenomenon that occurs when sunlight is refracted by ice crystals in clouds.) Passing through the cloud formation, shock waves can be seen as SDO climbs higher into the sky. The shock waves obliterate the sundog. Watch the video taken by Anna Herbst of Bishop, California.
Keeping track of solar activity, whether strong activity or no activity, is a very necessary task. A strong solar flare could be devastating for space missions, disastrous for astronauts, and hazardous for Earth based electric grids.
Read the rest of this post …
Here is a very nice short video documentary (about ten minutes) in which you can actually see the heat buildup around the shuttle as it journeys out of the Earth’s atmosphere.
If you are wondering what that “flappy tape-like substance” is seen at around minute four of the video, the answer has been provided by Mr. Randy Moore of JCS: “that is the remains of kapton material that is installed over the ET (external tank) to Orbiter umbilical area. It’s known as umbilical purge barrier and is used to contain N2 purge of aft compartment and decrease ice buildup. The barrier blows off the Orbiter during the first minute of ascent. That piece of footage was actually from the 16mm film camera on STS-129. The 130 film is not yet developed.”
Latest Update: We welcome home Endeavour after a successful 5.7 million mile mission. It was the 130th shuttle mission and Endeavour’s 10th trip to the ISS complex. This was an outstanding mission which successfully installed the Tranquility Mode and “opened up the ISS Cupula’s windows to the world”. Houston will welcome the crew home on Monday at 1600 at Ellington Field’s NASA Hangar 990.
If you click to read more, you will find an interesting essay by Mr. Justin McCollum, member of Houston and Fort Bend Astronomy clubs. We salute the late Mr. Tombaugh and remember his accomplishments with awe and admiration. (He once replied when asked about his political views: “I am not a Republican or a Democrat … for several years now, I have been a Plutocrat.”)
Oops! (Houston, we have a problem.)
STS-130 crew flying high and proud aboard Space Shuttle Endeavor docked with the ISS Friday and went right to work attempting to install a cover between Tranquility and the observation deck.
Unfortunately it seems the presence of a metal piece is not allowing the metal bars to lock. The cover is of extreme importance as it will protect Tranquility’s seals and docking mechanisms from the cold.
On the ISS team’s agenda is the task of hooking up exterior fluid lines and configuring spacewalk tools in addition to resolving a minor issue with the power supply. Read the rest of this post …
Officially known as 4 Vesta, one may, weather permitting, pleasantly observe Asteroid Vesta as she meanders into Leo from February through June.
Haven’t got a telescope, you say? Well you are indeed in luck as Vesta is highly visible at this time through binoculars, shining at 6.1 magnitude and reaching opposition on the night of February 17th.
Asteroid 4 Vesta will remain an easy observing target for your viewing pleasure in March (magnitude 6.2), April at magnitude 6.8 and through June 1 at 7.7 magnitude.
