Archives for March 2008
Too much radiation?
Published on 31 Mar 2008 at 11:57 am.
8 Comments.
Filed under cosmic rays, space exploration.
On Space.com’s web site, I read an article today suggesting that radiation exposure for astronauts might be too much for long duration space missions. Though radiation exposure to astronauts is a real concern, it isn’t really news. Radiation exposure is something that has been a concern since the very first days of spaceflight. […]
The 23rd Cycle’s Last Gasp?
Published on 28 Mar 2008 at 12:05 pm.
7 Comments.
Filed under Sun.
The Sun goes through a cycle of sunspot activity that lasts about 11 years. It isn’t an exact period, sometimes it is a little short, say 10 years, and sometimes a little long, as in 12 years. These sunspot cycles have been studied continuously for nearly 250 years. The Sun just started […]
Read ‘The 23rd Cycle’s Last Gasp?’
Space Pens
Published on 27 Mar 2008 at 1:11 pm.
14 Comments.
Filed under history, space exploration.
When I was in high school, someone gave me an “astronaut pen.” I was awfully proud of that pen. After all, how many people got a chance to use a pen that had been used in space, I thought? Eventually, though, I lost my prized astronaut pen. Later, I found that […]
Barnard 68
Published on 26 Mar 2008 at 7:06 am.
1 Comment.
Filed under nebula.
When I first saw this ESO image of Barnard 68 on the Astronomy Picture of the Day site, I recalled an old Star Trek episode, The Immunity Syndrome, where the Enterprise finds a zone of darkness that looks like a hole in the star field. Naturally, Captain Kirk decides to go inside, and there […]
Selling Space
Published on 25 Mar 2008 at 8:35 pm.
2 Comments.
Filed under history, space exploration.
Yesterday, I saw a news item about space memorabilia being auctioned nearby in Dallas. The auction is being held by Heritage Auction Galleries. What caught my attention was the news headline declaring that patches from Buzz Aldrin’s spacesuit were to be auctioned off. Actually, it isn’t just Buzz Aldrin’s spacesuit patches being […]
Spring Break is over
Published on 24 Mar 2008 at 5:17 pm.
No Comments.
Filed under college teaching.
Last week was spring break here at my college. Today is the first day back from the break. This year, the break seems to be about a week later than normal. Usually, we have half of the semester before the break, and the other half afterwards. This year, we have two […]
Easter Moon
Published on 21 Mar 2008 at 6:56 pm.
3 Comments.
Filed under calendars.
Yesterday was the Vernal Equinox, when the Sun was on the celestial equator. It was overhead at noon on the equator. Many countries mark that as the first day of spring. Today is the Full Moon. And, Sunday will be Easter for most of Christianity. A lot of people have […]
