http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/19/long-range-forecast-sunny-spell-will-wipe-out-life-on-earth/
*Good reason to colonize interstellar space. - Dan
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Atlas 5 arrives at launch pad for Wednesday flight
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Spaceflight Now" <newsalert@spaceflightnow.com>
Date: Sep 16, 2013 12:36 PM
Subject: Atlas 5 arrives at launch pad for Wednesday flight
To: <aquarianm@gmail.com>
Cc:
NEWSALERT: Monday, September 16, 2013 @ 1735 GMT
--------------------------------------------------
The latest news from Spaceflight Now
From: "Spaceflight Now" <newsalert@spaceflightnow.com>
Date: Sep 16, 2013 12:36 PM
Subject: Atlas 5 arrives at launch pad for Wednesday flight
To: <aquarianm@gmail.com>
Cc:
Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you signed up to receive the Spaceflight Now NewsAlert. Don't forget to add newsalert@spaceflightnow.com to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails. |
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The latest news from Spaceflight Now
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The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the place to be this fall! The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's 2013 Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show will be touching down on the Space Coast November 9-10. More than 30 legendary astronauts and other space celebrities will gather to sign autographs, pose for pictures and share their stories. Purchase your tickets today at http://www.AstronautScholarship.org/aams!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ATLAS 5 ARRIVES AT LAUNCH PAD FOR WEDNESDAY FLIGHT
--------------------------------------------------
With its U.S. Air Force payload mounted on top, a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket rolled to its oceanfront launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for a predawn blastoff Wednesday.
http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av041/status.html
ANTARES LAUNCH TO SPACE STATION MOVED BACK A DAY
------------------------------------------------
Orbital Sciences Corp. announced Saturday the launch of its Antares rocket with the company's first functioning Cygnus cargo craft for the International Space Station will be delayed one day to change out a faulty cable. Liftoff from Virginia's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport is now set for Wednesday.
http://spaceflightnow.com/antares/cots1/status.html
JAPAN'S 'AFFORDABLE' EPSILON ROCKET MAKES DEBUT LAUNCH
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A Japanese rocket designed to make launches cheaper and more efficient blasted off from southern Japan on Saturday, achieving success on its first flight with a compact telescope to peer at Mars, Venus and Jupiter and observe their response to blasts of solar wind.
http://spaceflightnow.com/epsilon/sprinta/130914launch/
MORE TESTING NEEDED BEFORE SPACEX'S NEXT LAUNCH
-----------------------------------------------
SpaceX has scheduled a second static fire test of its Falcon 9 rocket for Wednesday, with liftoff of the upgraded launcher from the company's new California launch pad expected later in September.
http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/006/status.html
PROTON'S RETURN-TO-FLIGHT MISSION DELAYED BY GLITCH
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Grounded since a startling launch failure in July, Russia's Proton rocket will have to wait at least another two weeks to resume flights due to a technical problem on the booster's first stage.
http://spaceflightnow.com/proton/astra2e/130913delay/
VOYAGER 1 CROSSES OVER INTO INTERSTELLAR SPACE
----------------------------------------------
Covering nearly a million miles a day, NASA's nuclear-powered Voyager 1 spacecraft, 36 years and 12 billion miles from Earth, has crossed the boundary between the sun's influence and interstellar space, sailing into the vast gulf between the stars to become humanity's first true starship, scientists announced Thursday.
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1309/12voyager/
GUIDE TO THE PLANETS FOR iPAD
-----------------------------
From tiny Mercury to distant Neptune and Pluto, this interactive guide to the planets from Astronomy Now magazine takes you on a tour of our Solar System and beyond.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/planets-astronomy-now-guide/id633956878?ls=1&mt=8
+++
SPACESHIPS SCALED TO FIT ON YOUR DESK
Beautifully crafted models of rockets and spaceships. The mighty Delta 4 Heavy now available in two sizes.
http://www.spaceflightnowstore.com/us/catalog/index.php?cPath=51
+++
| ||||||||
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Three-man space station crew returns to Earth tonight
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Spaceflight Now" <newsalert@spaceflightnow.com>
Date: Sep 10, 2013 6:15 PM
Subject: Three-man space station crew returns to Earth tonight
To: <aquarianm@gmail.com>
Cc:
NEWSALERT: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 @ 2315 GMT
-----------------------------------------------------
The latest news from Spaceflight Now
From: "Spaceflight Now" <newsalert@spaceflightnow.com>
Date: Sep 10, 2013 6:15 PM
Subject: Three-man space station crew returns to Earth tonight
To: <aquarianm@gmail.com>
Cc:
Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you signed up to receive the Spaceflight Now NewsAlert. Don't forget to add newsalert@spaceflightnow.com to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails. |
-----------------------------------------------------
The latest news from Spaceflight Now
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the place to be this fall! The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's 2013 Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show will be touching down on the Space Coast November 9-10. More than 30 legendary astronauts and other space celebrities will gather to sign autographs, pose for pictures and share their stories. Purchase your tickets today at http://www.AstronautScholarship.org/aams!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THREE-MAN SPACE STATION CREW RETURNS TO EARTH TONIGHT
-----------------------------------------------------
Two cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut packed up and readied their Soyuz spacecraft for undocking from the International Space Station overnight Tuesday, setting up a fiery plunge back to Earth to close out a 166-day stay in orbit.
http://spaceflightnow.com/station/exp36/130910prelanding/
MISSION STATUS CENTER:
http://spaceflightnow.com/station/exp36/status2.html
SPACE STATION CAMERAS RECORD HTV'S DESTRUCTION
----------------------------------------------
Japan's HTV cargo craft plunged back to Earth and burned up in the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean last weekend, leaving a brilliant trail of fire visible from the International Space Station.
http://spaceflightnow.com/h2b/htv4/130910entryphotos/
LOCKHEED MARTIN LANDS COMMERCIAL ATLAS 5 CONTRACT
-------------------------------------------------
A communications satellite for the Mexican government will launch on an Atlas 5 rocket from Florida in 2015, a rare win for the workhorse booster in the commercial launch market dominated by rockets from Europe, Russia and newcomer SpaceX.
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1309/09morelos/
MINOTAUR 5'S DAZZLING NIGHTTIME LAUNCH IN PHOTOS
------------------------------------------------
Observers up and down the U.S. East coast got a spectacular light show Friday night as NASA's LADEE moon mission rocketed into space from Virginia aboard a Minotaur 5 rocket. We present photos of the launch submitted from readers and imagery captured by remote cameras near the launch pad.
VIEWS FROM NEW YORK CITY:
http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/ladee/longexposures/
REMOTE LAUNCH PAD CAMERAS:
http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/ladee/remotes/
EPSILON ROCKET'S MAIDEN LAUNCH RESET FOR SATURDAY
-------------------------------------------------
The next launch attempt for Japan's new Epsilon rocket is scheduled for no earlier than Sept. 14 after a last-minute hold in the launcher's first countdown in late August, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
http://spaceflightnow.com/epsilon/sprinta/status.html
MOON MISSION BLASTS OFF, OVERCOMES POINTING PROBLEM
---------------------------------------------------
NASA's latest moon mission, a $280 million project to study the lunar atmosphere, soared to space aboard a Minotaur 5 rocket Friday in a brilliant late-night launch from Virginia that lit up skies all along the U.S. East Coast.
http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/ladee/130907launch/
MISSION STATUS CENTER:
http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/ladee/status.html
GUIDE TO THE PLANETS FOR iPAD
-----------------------------
From tiny Mercury to distant Neptune and Pluto, this interactive guide to the planets from Astronomy Now magazine takes you on a tour of our Solar System and beyond.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/planets-astronomy-now-guide/id633956878?ls=1&mt=8
+++ SPACESHIPS SCALED TO FIT ON YOUR DESK
Beautifully crafted models of rockets and spaceships. The mighty Delta 4 Heavy now available in two sizes.
http://www.spaceflightnowstore.com/us/catalog/index.php?cPath=51
+++
| ||||||||
Monday, September 9, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Japanese cargo craft leaves station
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Spaceflight Now" <newsalert@spaceflightnow.com>
Date: Sep 4, 2013 1:22 PM
Subject: Japanese cargo craft leaves station
To: <aquarianm@gmail.com>
Cc:
NEWSALERT: Wednesday, September 4, 2013 @ 1820 GMT
-----------------------------------------------
The latest news from Spaceflight Now
From: "Spaceflight Now" <newsalert@spaceflightnow.com>
Date: Sep 4, 2013 1:22 PM
Subject: Japanese cargo craft leaves station
To: <aquarianm@gmail.com>
Cc:
Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you signed up to receive the Spaceflight Now NewsAlert. Don't forget to add newsalert@spaceflightnow.com to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails. |
-----------------------------------------------
The latest news from Spaceflight Now
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SPACESHIPS SCALED TO FIT ON YOUR DESK
Beautifully crafted models of rockets and spaceships. The mighty Delta 4 Heavy now available in two sizes.
http://www.spaceflightnowstore.com/us/catalog/index.php?cPath=51
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HTV DEPARTS SPACE STATION AFTER RESUPPLY MISSION
------------------------------------------------
Japan's fourth H-2 Transfer Vehicle left the International Space Station on Wednesday, setting up for a destructive re-entry over the Pacific Ocean on Saturday and clearing the way for the arrival of a privately-owned Cygnus resupply ship later this month.
http://spaceflightnow.com/h2b/htv4/status.html
CHINESE MILITARY PAYLOAD SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED
----------------------------------------------
China launched three military surveillance satellites Sunday aboard a Long March 4C rocket, but government officials are keeping their mission a secret.
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1309/02longmarch/
ZENIT ROCKET RESUMES FLIGHTS AFTER FEBRUARY FAILURE
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An Israeli communications satellite successfully launched Saturday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on the first flight of a Zenit rocket since the same type of launcher lost control and crashed into the Pacific Ocean moments after liftoff in February.
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1308/31zenit/
HEAVY-LIFTING ARIANE 5 DELIVERS FOR THREE CUSTOMERS
---------------------------------------------------
An Ariane 5 rocket fired its clean-burning hydrogen-fueled main engine, passed an automated check of dozens of health parameters, and lit two tube-shaped solid rocket boosters to blast away from its launch pad in the Amazon jungle Thursday with two communications satellites to serve the Middle East, North Africa and India.
http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/va215/130829launch/
AMERICA'S LARGEST ROCKET LIFTS OFF FROM CALIFORNIA
--------------------------------------------------
Igniting its three main engines in a staggered sequence for the first time, a United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket successfully flew into Earth orbit and deployed a U.S. national security satellite Wednesday.
http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d364/status.html
STORE: DELTA 4-HEAVY MODEL:
http://spaceflightnowstore.com/us/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=518
GUIDE TO THE PLANETS FOR iPAD
-----------------------------
From tiny Mercury to distant Neptune and Pluto, this interactive guide to the planets from Astronomy Now magazine takes you on a tour of our Solar System and beyond.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/planets-astronomy-now-guide/id633956878?ls=1&mt=8
+++ SPACE STATION ASTRONAUT PATCHES
See our online store for the latest crew embroidered patches for the International Space Station. Free shipping to U.S. addresses. http://www.spaceflightnowstore.com/ +++
| ||||||||
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
UW-Madison News Release--Saturn storm brings discovery
----- Forwarded message -----
From: "UW-Madison news" <releases@news.wisc.edu>
To: "Daniel Stafford" <aqmstaffo@mailbag.com>
Subject: UW-Madison News Release--Saturn storm brings discovery
Date: Tue, Sep 3, 2013 3:17 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/3/13
CONTACT: Lawrence Sromovsky, lsromovsky@ssec.wisc.edu, 608-263-6785
MASSIVE STORM PULLS WATER AND AMMONIA ICES FROM SATURN'S DEPTHS
MADISON, Wis. - Once every 30 years or so, or roughly one Saturnian year, a monster storm rips across the northern hemisphere of the ringed planet.
In 2010, the most recent and only the sixth giant storm on Saturn observed by humans began stirring. It quickly grew to superstorm proportions, reaching 15,000 kilometers (more than 9,300 miles) in width and visible to amateur astronomers on Earth as a great white spot dancing across the surface of the planet.
Now, thanks to near-infrared spectral measurements taken by NASA's Cassini orbiter and analysis of near-infrared color signatures by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Saturn's superstorm is helping scientists flesh out a picture of the composition of the planet's atmosphere at depths typically obscured by a thick high-altitude haze.
The key finding: cloud particles at the top of the great storm are composed of a mix of three substances: water ice, ammonia ice, and an uncertain third constituent that is possibly ammonium hydrosulfide. According to the Wisconsin researchers, the observations are consistent with clouds of different chemical compositions existing side-by-side, although a more likely scenario is that the individual cloud particles are composed of two or all three of the materials.
Writing in the current edition (Sept. 9, 2013) of the journal Icarus, a team led by UW-Madison Space Science and Engineering Center planetary scientists Lawrence Sromovsky, and including Kevin Baines and Patrick Fry, reports the discovery of the icy forms of water and ammonia. Water in the form of ice has never before been observed on Saturn.
"We think this huge thunderstorm is driving these cloud particles upward, sort of like a volcano bringing up material from the depths and making it visible from outside the atmosphere," explains Sromovsky, a senior scientist at UW-Madison and an expert on planetary atmospheres. "The upper haze is so optically pretty thick that it is only in the stormy regions where the haze is penetrated by powerful updrafts that you can see evidence for the ammonia ice and the water ice. Those storm particles have an infrared color signature that is very different from the haze particles in the surrounding atmosphere."
Scientists believe Saturn's atmosphere is a layered sandwich of sorts, with a deck of water clouds at the bottom, ammonia hydrosulfide clouds in the middle, and ammonia clouds near the top, just below an upper tropospheric haze of unknown composition that obscures almost everything.
The latest great storm on Saturn and the presence of the Cassini probe now orbiting the planet gave scientists a chance to peek beneath the haze and learn more about the dynamics and chemical composition of the planet's deep atmosphere.
First noticed by amateur astronomers, the massive storm works like the much smaller convective events on Earth, where air and water vapor are pushed high into the atmosphere, resulting in the towering, billowing clouds of a thunderstorm. On Saturn, not only are the storms much bigger, they are far more violent, with models predicting vertical winds of more than 300 miles per hour for these rare giant storms.
The effect, Sromovsky says, is to loft the aerosols found deep in the atmosphere to the visible cloud tops, providing a rare glimpse of normally hidden materials. "It starts at the water cloud level and develops a huge convective tower. It is similar to a big thunderstorm, only 10 to 20 times taller and covering an even greater area," he explains.
The new work helps validate the models of Saturn's great storms as well as previous observations that detected water and ammonia in vapor form. The presence of water ice, he says, supports the idea that Saturn's superstorms are powered by condensation of water and originate deep in the atmosphere, about 200 kilometers below the visible cloud deck.
"The water could only have risen from below, driven upward by powerful convection originating deep in the atmosphere. The water vapor condenses and freezes as it rises. It then likely becomes coated with more volatile materials like ammonium hydrosulfide and ammonia as the temperature decreases with their ascent," Sromovsky adds.
The interesting effect, he notes, is that in Saturn's massive storm, at least, the observations can be matched by having particles of mixed composition, or clouds of water ice existing side-by-side with clouds of ammonia ice. In the latter scenario, water ice would make up 22 percent of the cloud head and ammonia ice 55 percent. The remaining fraction would be made up by the third constituent, which though less certain, is believed to be ammonia hydrosulfide.
"Up until now, there have been no quantitative calculations of spectra for cloud structures and compositions that matched the observed spectrum of an actual storm cloud feature," says Sromovsky.
# # #
-Terry Devitt, 608-262-8282, trdevitt@wisc.edu
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