A few years back, Stanford scientist Dr. Alexander Kosovichev and his gang of space junkies recorded something that had never been heard before: the sound of the sun. What they found was that our shiny deity hums in D#.
What’s more, the sun’s magnetic fields cause the sound waves to oscillate in a sound pattern reminiscent of a plucked acoustic
But don’t go pointing your microphones at the sky just yet; we can’t hear the sun from Earth.
Hellish explosions in the sun’s interior reverberate throughout our star at an incredible 3 MHz – far below anything our puny human ears can acknowledge. Not to mention, those sound waves have to travel through the 93,000,000-mile black void that lies between us and the sun. Simply put, you ain’t never gonna hear the sun using that old SM57.
Luckily, Dr. Kosovichev had the multi-million dollar space gizmos one would need to hear what’s been dubbed “the sun’s song.” He recorded 40 days worth of the 3 MHz sound waves and speed them up by a factor of 42,000. The result is a highly emotional 30-second clip of the sun singing at 300 Hz – a note slightly above D4.
If you’ve never heard the sun, be prepared for a moment of existential crisis, palpitating musical inspiration and a newfound respect for the D chord.
Sound of the Sun:
To hear more recordings of the sun or to find more information on the discoveries made by Dr. Alexander Kosovichev and his team, visit the official website here.


Curriculum Description (from publisher)
Explore the farthest reaches of God’s creation with this new and revised edition of our award-winning astronomy course. With many hands-on activities to help young scientists retain what they learn, our science curriculum uses Charlotte Mason methodology to introduce elementary-level students to the wonders of our solar system, the stars, and beyond. Our tour of the universe begins with our sun, the planets, the asteroid belt, dwarf planets, and the Kuiper belt. Then we set off across the stars to explore galaxies, nebulae, and even black holes as they reveal the marvel and might of our loving Creator.
(PLEASE NOTE WE USED THE 1ST EDITION) My children really became interested in astronomy as kindergartners and when Apologia came out with their new K-6 science textbooks, I decided to try out the astronomy text for science. So glad I did! There are 14 lessons in the hardcover book which can be broken up to fill the year with either daily or weekly lessons. The textbook is biblical based, referring to God as the creator of all things (as opposed to evolution) and teaches the kids to really appreciate and be thankful for the miraculous wonders of the universe. Being a textbook, it was sometimes a long read for my 6 and 7 year-old but I shortened things up as needed, giving an overview at times of what the book is teaching. My kids enjoyed keeping their science notebooks (directions are given in the textbook on how to create them) and the chapter end projects are fun to complete. My son today at 12 still enjoys reading the textbook.


Curtains Down for the Black Hole Firewall Paradox: Making Gravity Safe for Einstein Again
Mar. 6, 2013 — Research by scientists at the University of York has revealed new insights into the life and death of black holes. Their findings dispel the so-called firewall paradox which shocked the physics community when it was announced in 2012 since its predictions about large black holes contradicted Einstein’s crowning achievement — the theory of general relativity. Those results suggested that anyone falling into a black hole would be burned up as they crossed its edge — the so-called event horizon.
CATCHING a flight out of Fukushima in the wake of the nuclear disaster two years ago would have given you a larger dose of radiation than staying put.
This is the upshot of a new report from the World Health Organization estimating that for residents exposed to the radiation leak, the risk of developing cancer has increased only slightly.
A Window into Europa’s Ocean Right at the Surface
If you could lick the surface of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, you would actually be sampling a bit of the ocean beneath. A new paper by Mike Brown, an astronomer at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., and Kevin Hand from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, also in Pasadena, details the strongest evidence yet that salty water from the vast liquid ocean beneath Europa’s frozen exterior actually makes its way to the surface.
The finding, based on some of the best data of its kind since NASA’s Galileo mission (1989 to 2003) to study Jupiter and its moons, suggests there is a chemical exchange between the ocean and surface, making the ocean a richer chemical environment. The work is described in a paper that has been accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal.
Psychologists who study the origins of religion say belief in God relies on several intuitions, including a teleological bias (the assumption that certain objects or event were designed intentionally) and Cartesian dualism (the belief that mind can exist independently of the body). So to become an atheist one must second-guess these automatic ways of thinking. And recently a number of studies have supported the idea that belief in God is influenced by cognitive style—how much of a second-guesser you are.
2012 DA14 Asteroid Close Approach |
On February 15, a 45-meter wide asteroid known as “2012 DA14” will pass within 20,000 miles of Earth, which is approximately 1/12th of the way to the Moon and well within range of many Earth-orbiting satellites. While scientists don’t anticipate a collision with Earth, it could make for some fantastic skywatching for space geeks in certain parts of the world.An interactive scenario is available here.
Massive Supply of Gas Around Modern Galaxies |
Galaxies have a voracious appetite for fuel — in this case, fresh gas — but astronomers have had difficulty finding the pristine gas that should be falling onto galaxies. Now, scientists have provided direct empirical evidence for these gas flows using new observations from the Hubble Space Telescope.
The team led by Nicolas Lehner, research associate professor at the University of Notre Dame, is presenting its work January 11 at the meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Long Beach, Calif.
The team’s observations using Hubble’s two ultraviolet spectrographs, the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, show large quantities of cool gas with very low quantities of heavy elements in the gaseous cocoons surrounding modern galaxies. The lack of heavy elements indicates this gas in the circumgalactic medium of the galaxies has not been strongly processed through stars. The members’ work, “The Bimodal Metallicity Distribution of the Cool Circumgalactic Medium at z<1,” has been submitted to the Astrophysical Journal.
Led by Lehner, the team of astronomers identified gaseous streams near galaxies through the absorption they imprint on the spectra of distant, bright background quasars. The atoms in the gas remove small amounts of the light, and as the light from the quasars passes through the gas around galaxies, the chemical elements leave characteristic spectral “fingerprints” that allow astronomers to study the physical and chemical properties of the gas. Lehner and collaborators searched for the signature of gas within about 100,000-300,000 light-years of galaxies, identifying this gas due to its strong hydrogen absorption, a known signature of circumgalactic gas. They subsequently determined the amount of “metals” — all elements heavier than hydrogen and helium — in this gas to test whether the circumgalactic matter was being newly accreted from intergalactic space and lacking in metals or being ejected from the galaxies themselves and strong in metals. continue reading
Moving there now!
Australia gets #4 which is still better than the USA.
Never-Before-Seen Stage of Planet Birth Revealed
Astronomers studying a newborn star have caught a detailed glimpse of planets forming around it, revealing a never-before seen stage of planetary evolution.
Large gas giant planets appear to be clearing a gap in the disk of material surrounding the star, and using gravity to channel material across the gap to the interior, helping the star to grow. Theoretical simulations have predicted such bridges between outer and inner portions of disks surrounding stars, but none have been directly observed until now.
Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) are nuclear reactors that use a fluid fuel in the form of very hot fluoride or chloride salt instead of the solid fuel used in most reactors. Since the fuel salt is liquid, it can be both the fuel (producing the heat) and the coolant (transporting the heat to the power plant). There are many different types of MSRs, but the most talked about one is definitely the Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR). This MSR has Thorium and Uranium dissolved in a fluoride salt and can get planet-scale amounts of energy out of our natural resources of Thorium minerals, much like a fast breeder can get large amounts of energy out of our Uranium minerals. There are also fast breeder fluoride MSRs that don’t use Th at all. And there are chloride salt based fast MSRs that are usually studied as nuclear waste-burners due to their extraordinary amount of very fast neutrons.
Religion is a prison, people just have to accept that if they want to be free


Though some incredibly beautiful sights may be seen upon this earth, the most awesome are found in the heavens. As astonishing new non-copyrighted images (or copyrighted with proper rights included) are found, they will be posted here.
Deep Space Study, as done by the Hubble Space Telescope. Part of this is used as the background for the old UTBBS Page.
Gaseous nebula as seen in the infra-red by the Hubble, rendered in false color.
Another beauty from the Hubble. Credits are on the picture.
Again, from the Hubble.
Hubble again. As with most from Hubble, credits are on the picture.
So we live on the third rock from the sun. Such a rock!
More from Hubble.
ngc6745 from Hubble.
ngc1748 from Hubble. (big)
n81 from Hubble.
n1512 from Hubble. (big)
A Quintet from the Hubble. (big)
Orion view - the Trapezium up close.
Trifid Pillars and Jets.
There was a time, back in 1956, when these were important to me. The following aircraft pictures were taken by me at Biggs AFB, Texas, when I was in the army stationed next door at Ft. Bliss. The B-36's were especially impressive - too bad none still exist in flying condition. The others are an B-47, F-86D, and RF-84F. Click on a thumbnail to bring up a larger image, optimized for 800x600.
Back to Main
December 31, 2001


I just tried to look it up, but, at a quick glance (one not clouded by eclipse glasses), I couldn’t quite figure out what the eclipse action was when I was growing up. There were a few eclipses (total and annular) in the 1950’s and 1960’s that were visible in the United States. No word on Massachusetts.
I don’t remember any big deal around preparing for or viewing an eclipse. June 30, 1954. September 1, 1958. I would have been playing outside. October 2, 1959 I would have been in school. July 20, 1963 was a Sunday. I would have been lolling around after lunch, probably watching a Red Sox game with my father, who would likely have been planning to take the family out for an evening spin and ice cream.
If these eclipse events were happening over Worcester, Massachusetts, we were surely told something. My sister Kathleen and eye have the same recall of eclipse warning: if you look at the sun, your eyeballs will turn to egg whites. Boiled egg whites.
We knew what that would look like. After all, what child of boomer-dom didn’t know how to create a cool special effect by erasing the eyeballs on the face of someone on a magazine cover. My parents didn’t exactly approve of this. I remember receiving a light reprimand for erasing the eyes of President Eisenhower from the cover of Newsweek.With apologies to Sekazi K. Mtingwa, whose picture was the first one I came across while flipping through an old copy of MIT Technology Review looking for someone’s eyes to erase, this is what the special effect looked like. Who needed Photoshop when you could use an eraser on a glossy picture? It was kinder gentler time…
There were a few American eclipses in the 1970’s-1980’s. They must have passed me by. There were a few in the 1990’s, too, and one of those I do recall. It may have been the May 10, 1994 one. I remember that the office emptied out at some point in the afternoon, and we stood out there in front of our building watching and waiting. I think we had pieces of cardboard with pinholes in them. Or something. I remember the atmosphere as being sort of brownish and eerie. No one’s eyes turned to egg whites. Fortunately.
My sister Kathleen actually participated in a totality event. She and her husband have a friend who’s an eclipse aficionado,and they traveled to Guadalupe for one of the 1990’s show of shows to view one with the friend and his wife. So Kath has got the been there, done that checked off for having witnessed a total eclipse of the sun. (I forgot to ask here whether Bob had headed out to Madras, Oregon, or Carbondale, Illinois – both of which were going to experience the totality - for yesterday’s edition.) Kath and Rick were staying put. No egg white eyeballs for them, thank you.
Me, I never got around to going to the library to pick up a pair of eclipse glasses. I was too lazy to make a viewing apparatus out of a shoe box and a piece of white paper. Too lazy to do something with my colander. I think I read that you could do some viewing by doing a waffle weave with your fingers, but I wasn’t willing to chance it. So I made sure I was in the house by 12:29 p.m. when the partial eclipse hit Boston.
I made my lunch, took it into the den (where the blinds were shut), and watched the eclipse travel across the United States on MSBNC.
One of the reporters, in Madras, Oregon, said that being there, with all the campers who’d traveled to get a glimpse of the totality, was like being at Coachella for nerds. Carbondale, Illinois, looked like Coachella for nerds, too. Only with a bunch of pompom waving Southern Illinois University cheerleaders.
With all that’s been going on, it was a good break to have the eclipse to focus on – something that everyone could enjoy, even if they spent the totality of the full or partial eclipse in their town watching the eclipse transit the country on TV. At the peak eclipse in Boston, when 2/3’s of the sun was blotted out by the moon, I nipped into the kitchen to check. It was a bit overcast, but the atmosphere did seem to have the same brownish hue I remember from 20+ years back. I didn’t look directly at anything, so my eyeballs will not be turning to egg whites.
Meanwhile, in addition to the eclipse offering us a respite from the prevailing ugliness and unpleasantness, it also provided an excellent opportunity to listen to Bonnie Tyler.
Here’s a link to the You Tube of “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” This may not be the absolute worst music video ever made, but it’s definitely a contender. So if you’ve still got your eclipse glasses, I suggest you put them on while listening to this one.
Better yet, just go listen to Bonnie’s best tune evah, It’s a Heartache. (No weirdball video, either.)
Hope you enjoyed the eclipse. And hope you remembered to avert your eyes. No one wants egg white eyeballs, that’s for sure.


Blue & Gold Zodiac Table Cloth
Grandpa's offers a variety of Unique Gifts, Occult & Metaphysical supplies, including a large selection of magical tools, ritual supplies, and metaphysical books for seekers on many paths.
Celestial Wall Hangings & Astrology Gifts
Zodiac Tarot Spread Cloth
Celestial Print Tapestries
If you are interested in astrology or things Celestial, this just might be the tapestry for you! These Blue & Gold Zodiac Tarot Spread Cloths are a combination of blue, gold, red, and white, a very vibrant color combination. Smaller than our single tapestries, these are perfect for tarot spread cloths, decorative wall hangings, unusual table cloths, furniture throws, curtains, Pagan altar cloths, hung from the ceiling, really cool hippy decor, and more!
I guess I should mention, that these are not true tapestries. The zodiac tapestries are printed on light weight cotton, as a bedspread or heavy sheet.
Quick Decorating Ideas
Need to dress up an apartment instantly? For the price of a pizza, you can have yourself a fantastic wall hanging, table cloth, or chair cover, giving your apartment or home a brand new look, in just a few minutes. Just throw a zodiac tapestry across that ratty old table or chair, for a new updated look, instantly!
Our Blue & Gold zodiac tarot spread cloth has a gorgeous Sun at the center, and in the ring around the sun are detailed drawings of all 12 sun signs of the zodiac! The blue, red, and gold is a very vibrant color combination and this celestial tapestry would be great in any room where you want to add a little energy. The zodiac tapestry makes a fine gift for your favorite astrology buff, too!
A Little About The Zodiac & Astrology
The Zodiac is literally the "Circle of Animals", from the Greek zoion. It is an imaginary belt in the heavens that includes the apparent paths of the Moon and the planets*. Throughout history, various gods have been associated with various signs of the zodiac, as well as angels, metals, trees and plants, stones, and animals. Just about anything you can name in Heaven and Earth can be associated with a sign of the zodiac.
In western astrology, the zodiac is made up of 12 signs, named after the constellations. The signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
Some say that you choose the day and time of your birth, waiting for an appropriate astrological alignment, and that your horoscope will reflect what lessons you chose to learn in this lifetime. Depending on what positions (zodiac sign and degree) the planets were located, at the moment you were born, an astrologer can attribute certain energies to your horoscope, showing strengths and weaknesses, helping you to make decisions that will work in harmony with your life's path.
Metaphysical Gifts ~ Celestial Table Cloths
Zodiac Table Cloth ~ Astrology Gifts
Zodiac Table Cloth Details:
These smaller zodiac tapestries are 40" x 40" (3'4" x 3'4") before hemming and washing. The Zodiac Tarot Spread Cloths are made in India, of 100% cotton. Hand wash, in cold water.
This Zodiac tapestry has every sign, detailed in a circular border around the sun. The pictures do not show it well, but each sign is a detailed drawing of the 12 individual Sun signs, including Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces!
The zodiac tapestry colors are a wonderful combination of blue, gold, red, and white. The center background surrounding the sun is celestial, in blue, red, & gold, including many stars and planets. The background, outside the zodiac ring, is also blue, speckled with moons and stars. The very edge of the zodiac tapestry has a border of full and crescent moons on a gold background of stars!
PLEASE NOTE: Made in India, the size or color of the zodiac tapestry can vary, ever so slightly from piece to piece. Sizes are approximate, as listed above .
The color combination of blue, red, and gold bring vibrant energy to any space. These smaller table cloths are perfect for tarot spread cloths, for rune casting, altar cloths, covering an end table, or hanging on the wall. They would make fine gifts for your hippy friend, the astrology buff, too!
We have other celestial print tapestries and larger sizes too! Check out our other zodiac tapestries and bedspreads, here. You can see our other tarot spread cloths, here. Looking for altar cloths? you can find them, here! Be sure to check out out our specials, for any candle supplies or other metaphysical gifts that may be on sale!Unique gifts-zodiac table cloths-Unique and Unusual zodiac tarot spread cloths exotic gifts. Also see our celestial Metaphysical Gifts in our new age gift shop


Rent race to space 2002 on dvd and bluray dvd netflix. The film takes place during the 1960s space race between the united states and the soviet union. Race to space is a film directed by sean mcnamara with james woods. Walle even takes a comical little float through space during one scene in. For their part, the soviets made four failed attempts to launch a. Linz, william atherton, james woods, annabeth gish. Sep 11, 2017 most of the movie perfectly captures the oppressive silence of space, channeling the sereneyetsinister stateliness of 2001. Oct 31, 2001 race to space 2001 together they surprised america and made history. In the 1960s a young woman works at nasa as an animal trainer responsible for. A space odyssey to epic documentaries that show what the earth looks like from orbit, these movies are out of this world.
Race to space 2001 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. The film tells a story that is supremely unique, clever and uplifting. Download rat race 2001 movie full hd, divx, dvd download. In the 1960s a young woman works at nasa as an animal trainer responsible for the chimpanzee who will go into space. Prior to the science fiction movies of the late 1950s and 1960s, many films shied away from the idea of a film ending on a depressing note.
Race to space also features william atherton and william devane, while tyler the. Dave bowman keir dullea and other astronauts are sent on a mysterious mission, their ships computer system, hal, begins to display increasingly strange behavior, leading up to a tense showdown between man and. The film was shot on location at cape canaveral and cocoa beach and edwards afb in. Much of the films luxe vision of space travel was overambitious. One of those movies that flies under the radar and you wonder why you never saw it before. The great sky race rematch deals with a race, but not in space. Race to space 2001 watch hot english movies free online. A space odyssey was first released, on april 2, 1968, no movie has matched its solemnly jawdropping technopoetic majesty. Race to space the 2002 movie, trailers, videos and more at yidio. A young woman is rendered ageless after an accident. By landing on the moon, the united states effectively won the space race that had begun with sputniks launch in 1957. Jason bourne goes gunning for star trek beyond at the box office. The fact that they come from space is a direct result of the increasing tensions of the space race.
We very coincidentally caught the last 23 of this movie in a hotel room. Hidden figures is the perfect space race movie ars technica. Race to space is based on a true story about the u. The film was shot on location at cape canaveral and cocoa beach and edwards afb in cooperation with nasa and the u. Jul 02, 2019 i wrote this space race movies post back when we last studied the space race, but with the 50th anniversary of the moon landing coming up, i figured to update this with a few more movies okay 1 movie, and add in a few links to relevant historical or science pieces. Rent race to space 2002 starring james woods and alex d.
The cold war between the soviet union and the united states spurred an engineering and scientific competition known as the space race. A spoiled, wealthy yacht owner is thrown overboard and becomes the target of revenge from his mistreated employee. Most of the movie perfectly captures the oppressive silence of space, channeling the sereneyetsinister stateliness of 2001. Oct 31, 2001 in the 1960s a young woman works at nasa as an animal trainer responsible for the chimpanzee who will go into space.
Parents need to know that race to space is a 2002 feature dramatizing the 1960s american race against the soviets to launch a rocket into space. A space odyssey to epic documentaries that show what the earth. I have just seen race to space and was so pleased to see a movie that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Race to space 2001 full movie download full hd youtube. Back to the moon for good the new space race documentary.
Search movies by mood, theme, runtime, mpaa rating, genre, editorial rating, year and more. Watch race to space 2002 full movie free online streaming. Growing up during the 50s and 60s, i remember seeing sputnik i orbiting in october 1957. The movie involves space because all of the humans are living on a massive ship in space. Watch race to space full movie in hd visit movie 61473 in the 1960s a young woman works at nasa as an animal trainer responsible. My family finally caught this movie at the dollar theater after we finally read the space race lesson in our mystery of history 4 textbook the characters in the movie were mentioned in passing. On april 3, 1968, two alltime greats of the science fiction genre, planet of the apes and 2001. Both films are classics in which astronaut missions go awry, but. Space race movies to watch with your upper elementary or middle schooler hidden figures you know this movie had to be on here. Hilary duff stars as lane daniels, a fashion journalist. Race to space 2001 pg 03152002 us drama, family 1h 44m user score. Mcguiness annabeth gish to help train chimpanzees for a nasa space mission, he develops a close bond with mac, the first chimp to be sent into space. Fear of orbital attacks came from the soviet union were part of american media in the late 1950s. The place to explore, filter, research, and browse the allmovie database.
Linz, william devane, annabeth gish and william atherton. From beginning to end, the american publics attention was captivated, and the various developments by the soviet and u. A space odyssey 1968 nearly 50 years after it was released, stanley kubricks masterpiece is still the gold standard against which all space movies all science fiction movies, in fact are judged. A space odyssey stars keir dullea, gary lockwood, william sylvester, daniel richter the g movie has a runtime of about 2 hr 19 min, and received a score of 84. Race to space 2001 together they surprised america and made history. I remember the chimp, ham, being launched in space on january 31, 1961 on mercury redstone rocket on a suborbital flight very similar to alan shepards. A chimp helps bring together a boy and his father as well as putting america in the lead of the space race in this drama, which was inspired by the true story of the mercuryredstone 2. Race to space full full movie, race to space full full movie streaming race to space full movie engsub watch race to space full english full movie online race to space full film online watch race. Watch race to space 2001 full movie openload movies. One of its most enduring qualities is how open to interpretation it isover the years, the enigmatic film has. A chimp helps bring together a boy and his father as well as putting. It could get a whole new generation of kids looking up at the stars and. Billy, meanwhile, idolizes astronaut alan shepard, and gets one step closer to space when he is hired to help train chimps for the nasa space mission.
An imposing black structure provides a connection between the past and the future in this enigmatic adaptation of a short story by revered scifi author arthur c. Race to space is a 2001 american family drama film. An enormous leap forward in technical prowess and cinematic wizardry, kubricks film was the first to capture the grandeur, mystery. The amazing race asia host 1 episode, 2010 angie lomenzo herself james wife 1 episode, 2012. For a remake, this film wasnt too bad, but it wasnt great either.
Oliver surprises the family with a vacation to puerto rico. With breckin meyer, amy smart, whoopi goldberg, vince vieluf. The top 25 movies about exploring space, ranked blastr. Wisecracking mercenary deadpool battles the evil and powerful cable and other bad guys to save a boys life. He dreams of being an astronaut and visiting space like his idol alan shephard. A novelisation of the film released after the films premiere was in part written concurrently with the screenplay.
Summary movie rat race 2001 a group of billionaires led by a las vegas casino owner john cleese search for things to bet on. Numerous parties have great ambitions to explore outer space for tourism, transportation and raw materials. Filter genres, subgenres, moods, themes, star rating, release date to dig through movies in our database to find what you are looking for. If 2001 the year looked like 2001 the movie, it was partly because the films imaginary design trends were made real. James woods in race to space 2001 annabeth gish in race to space 2001 race to space 2001 see all 7 photos. Working with sound samples from the british film institute, the album relives the story of the american and soviet space race from 19571972. Their relationship has become strained in the wake of the recent death of billys mother. Race to space on dvd 658149802520 from lions gate films. Family drama set in 1960s america, starring james woods and annabeth gish. He wants to lead an exciting life, to be a hero like the young astronaut, alan shepherd.
As the space race heats up in the early 1960s, nasa scientist dr. The focus is on the point of view of an 8yearold boy whose dad is the chief german rocket scientist working on the mission. Clarke, and was inspired by clarkes short story the sentinel and other short stories by clarke. Framed and on the run, a former fbi agent must save his family from a blazing fire in the worlds tallest building. The screenplay was written by kubrick and arthur c. A las vegas casino magnate, determined to find a new avenue for wagering, sets up a race for money. The race for space is the second studio album by british alternative group public service broadcasting. I remember the chimp, ham, being launched in space on january 31, 1961 on mercury redstone rocket on a. A space odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by stanley kubrick. Search boxes within categories help narrow down the characteristic you are looking for.43 434 1527 809 1491 547 1493 1183 282 1182 105 1236 274 1275 1320 1379 451 192 1356 135 1512 1351 37 739 355 509 872 1265 1209 1170 116 1344 1287 737 1375 282 10 97


Until now, the massive 305-meter radio telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico was the world’s largest piece of star-gazing technology – but it’s about to be soundly knocked into second place by this insanely huge 500-meter dish currently being constructed in southern China. Once completed, the FAST (that’s short for ‘Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope’) will be able to peer three times further into the universe than its Puerto Rican rival – a brain-boggling seven billion light-years, to be precise.
Back in the old days, miners would take canaries down into mines with them, to warn them of toxic gases. If harmful fumes were present, the canary would swiftly die, and the miners would know to quickly high-tail it outta there.
That was phased-out once everybody realized that it was a teensy bit cruel, but now there’s a modern (and cruelty-free) version: scientists in Hong Kong have genetically modified these 4cm-long Medaka fish to glow like tiny torches if the water they’re released into contains the potentially harmful chemical estrogen. Next up: glowing canaries! (Probably).
Alongside all that hardcore NASA gadgetry worth bazillions of dollars, the upcoming last-ever Space Shuttle mission will also make use of a pair of humble iPhones. Running a special app called SpaceLab, the Apple devices will be used to measure radioactivity, altitude and orbital location, although we’re sure the astronauts will also find time for the occasional game of Angry Birds.
NASA’s amazing HiRISE camera, currently in orbit over Mars, has just beamed 225 incredible images of our neighboring planet back to Earth. HiRISE’s ultra-powerful lens can focus on objects the size of a beach ball from 180 miles away, and its crystal-clear images will be used to pick a choice landing spot for Curiosity, NASA’s latest six-wheeled Mars rover, due for launch later this year. Take a close look – can you spot any Martians?
Mega-brained boffins at the Californian Institute of Technology have constructed a calculator out of DNA, the tiny molecules within every living creature that control what size, shape and species we become. The calculator does addition, subtraction and multiplication, and is so freakishly small that you could easily sneak it into a maths exam – although you’d need a huge microscope in order to see it.


What Makes Galaxies So Beautiful?
Our universe is a place that is both terrifying as it is beautiful, and fascinating as it is strange.
Astronomers estimate that there are between 100,000 and 200,000 million galaxies in the universe that we can observe. As we gaze at the universe with a knowing eye. There's beauty and grace on every level grace because the universe is a masterpiece.
Let the stars from the night sky shine through you with the Galaxy Skull Collection.


Astronomer, discovered comet in 1847 (1818-1889)
Maria grew up in the United States, but lived during a time when there were few universities that would allow women to attend. Her family was too poor to send her to one of these universities. Maria taught herself much because she had a job as a librarian and read many books. Maria became talented in math and helped her father, an astronomer, to measure the locations of stars. On October 1st, 1847, Maria noticed a strange white spot when looking through a telescope, and so discovered a comet no one else had seen before. She became famous, and traveled, meeting other scientists and royalty. Matthew Vassar, founder of Vassar College for women, asked Maria to become the professor of astronomy at the college. Maria was the first person who photographed the sun's surface, and encouraged other women to pursue higher education.
Link: Eclipse Chasing with Maria Mitchell
Please feel free to email
with any suggestions, links or comments!
Information adapted from History of Women in Science for Young People by Vivian Sheldon Epstein.


Magnetometry with magnetically-sensitive lines
Remote magnetometry using magnetically (Zeeman)-sensitive spectral lines and measurement of the polarization of their emission (polarization radiative transfer)
How do we measure the magnetic field of the Sun and stars found many light years away?
The Sun and other stars radiate energy that is produced by nuclear fusion in their core. Most of the radiation of the Sun is in the optical spectrum, although practically the entire electromagnetic spectrum is covered. The atmosphere of the Sun and other stars contains various elements in gas form which absorb different wavelengths of that radiation. As a result of this energy absorption, the electrons of atoms and molecules of those elements get excited and change energy levels ("orbits"). Specific spectral lines corresponding to energy absorption and subsequent transition to these new energy levels appear in the spectrum as dark lines (Figure 1). These are spectral absorbance lines. In the case of the Sun, they are known as Fraunhofer lines (Figure 1).
Following the discovery of the Fraunhofer lines, it was found that some of these lines corresponded to the emitted radiation from specific atoms or molecules when they are heated (Figure 2). For instance, when we heat sodium powder, we obtain a yellow light which has a wavelength of approximately 589 nm. It was concluded that the D line of the solar spectrum (Figure 1) corresponded to sodium. Further analyses, showed that this is a double line (Figure 1 and 2). The two individual lines were named D1 and D2.
Figure 2: Emission lines of elements H, He and Na.
An interesting discovery was made by the scientist Pieter Zeeman. He used a magnet and a sodium lamp, which emits yellow light. He first noticed that there was what would appear as one emission line for sodium (Figure 3, left). When he approached the magnet to the sodium lamp, he noticed that the line was split into two (Figure 3, middle). This was termed "Zeeman splitting". Interestingly, as he further approached the magnet, the spacing between the lines would become greater (Figure 3, right). The distance between the lines would be proportionate to the magnetic field. This meant that the sodium spectral lines could be used to measure the ambient magnetic field.
Figure 3: In a low magnetic field, we observe one spectroscopic line corresponding to a transition from 3s to 3p. In a medium strength magnetic field, as the 3p energy level is split into two sublevels, we observe two transitions and two spectroscopic lines. In a high strength magnetic field, the spacing of the lines is increased. By analysing the spacing, we can determine the magnetic field strength.
The experimental results can be explained if we consider that the ambient magnetic field exerts an external magnetic force on the atom. The combination of the external magnetic force and the internal magnetic forces of the atom will give a net force that that will determine the orbits or energy levels of the electrons. Similarly to the planets of our solar system which have specific orbits based on the gravitational forces among them, the electrons of the atom will have specific orbits based on the magnetic forces among them.
As a result, in a low magnetic field, the outer electron of sodium is found in one specific orbit or energetic level and exhibits one spectral line (Figure 2, left). In a higher magnetic field, given the new force equilibrium, determined by the sum of the internal and external forces, the electron can assume either one of two alternative orbit configurations or energetic levels, in which case it will exhibit two spectral lines (Figure 2, middle). In an even higher magnetic field, the two alternative orbits will be spaced further away (Figure 3, middle).
In other cases, the polarization of the emitted light could change. Analysis of the emission and specifically of its linear and circular polarization can provide the strength and the direction of the ambient magnetic field.
There are specific electron transitions in atoms and molecules which are sensitive to the magnetic field and which are therefore providing magnetically-sensitive spectral lines. Such lines include those mentioned in Figure 4 [*].
The magnetic field of stars is detected and characterized using the Zeeman effect
The magnetism of the solar atmopshere can be probed using the polarimetric signatures of the corresponding spectral lines [*]. Magnetographs are instruments that conduct these analyses. A most important one is NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Vector Magnetograph [*]. As mentioned by NASA [*] the "MSFC vector magnetograph works by measuring the amount of polarization in the light which originates from sunspots at one specific wavelength, 5250.2 Å" which corresponds to the Fe I absorption line [*].
Also, the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) [*] satellite carries the HMI instrument [*] which examines the 6173 Å Fe I absorption line and produces daily magnetograms available on the SDO site [*] under "HMI Magnetogram". In the same section, we can appreciate how different spectral lines allow the study of different scientific subjects.
As mentioned in this source [*], the HMI obtains filtergrams in various positions in the Fe I 617.3 nm spectral line and a set of polarizations at a regular cadence. Several higher levels of data products are produced from the filtergrams, including line-of-sight magnetic flux, and vector magnetic field at a 45-second cadence. Additional estimates are generated for the line width and line depth.
It is noted that the propagation of radiation through a medium, termed radiative transfer, is affected by absorption, emission and scattering. The polarization of the radiation can be affected during the propagation. Its analysis in the frame of polarization radiative transfer studies can provide information on the magnetic nature of the medium.


This 3D Picture of Vostok’s lowering module was made in museum of military equipment of Saratov, Russia. The Vostok was a type of spacecraft built by the USSR. The first human spaceflight
in history was accomplished on this spacecraft on April 12, 1961, by Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. The flight took Yuri Gagarin, a cosmonaut from the USSR, into space. The flight marked the first time that a human entered outer space, as well as the first orbital flight of a manned vehicle. Also, you can visit essay writing services site, the sponsor of this article. The scene appears 3D when viewed through red-blue anaglyph glasses.


As public interest in aliens is at an all-time high, most of the planet’s top UFO experts will converge on the Joshua Tree Retreat Center from August 9-11, when this noted contact point hosts the signature event of the UFO community for 2013. Headlined by “Ancient Aliens” expert Giorgio A. Tsoukalos and George Noory of “Coast to Coast Radio AM,” CONTACT in the DESERT is committed to a serious, academic look at the UFO phenomenon, how it has impacted the human race and what it means going forward. Taking place during the Perseid Meteor Showers, this first annual CONTACT in the DESERT will explore UFO technology, ancient aliens, human origins, and the need to know with the leading scientific and military specialists, researchers and theorists on the subject.
CONTACT in the DESERT will also feature Steven Greer, David Wilcock, Graham Hancock, Jim Marrs, Michael Tellinger, William Henry, Michael Salla, Jason Martell, David Sereda, Richard Dolan, Marshall Klarfeld, Michael Cremo, Carol Rosin, Travis Walton, William Brown, Laura Eisenhower, James Gilliland, Roger Leir, George Filer, Alfred Webre, Byron Belitsos, Paola Harris, Yvonne Smith, Suzanne Taylor, Celeste Yarnall, Steve Murillo, Douglas Taylor, Mark Peebler, and Barbara Harris.
With crop circles and mass sightings, such as the famous Phoenix Lights, more common place than ever, the UFO movement has become mainstream. The United Kingdom, Mexico and other countries have finally opened their UFO files in recognition of the right to know, resulting in the most public interest in these phenomena ever.
The spectacular Joshua Tree Retreat Center, a unique modernist landmark on an ancient sacred site, is hosting the conference. The center is the oldest and largest retreat center in the Western United States and boasts outstanding architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built by his son, Lloyd Wright. Set amidst the serene beauty of the desert, it is the perfect location to view the arc of the Milky Way against a dark night sky that is relatively free of urban ambient light.
A highlight of the CONTACT in the DESERT will be the talk by Major George Filer, Retired US Air Force Intelligence Officer, who will offer an in-depth analysis of the kind of advanced technology that would be required for travelers from another planet. Along with space scientist David Sereda, they will examine the feasibility of communicating with distant star gate systems using faster-than-the-speed-of-light technology.
“The yield for extraterrestrial signals using radio astronomy has been zero. Quantum contact is a unique approach by which we send signals into quantum systems. This requires a conscious participant, just as picking up a phone requires a person,” explained Sereda. “The difference is that the contact happens faster than light speed, which makes contact with distant planets and stars possible.”
Archaeological experts and historical scholars will consider the evidence presented by ancient artifacts. Jason Martell, William Henry, Jim Marrs, Michael A. Cremo and Marshall Klarfeld will explore the possibility of advanced technology in early civilizations, and the true nature of the origins of human life as well as showing the latest artifacts that have been uncovered in the field of ancient astronaut theory.
Crop circles researcher Suzanne Taylor will address the possibility of the phenomenon being a gateway to another reality. Presentations by best-selling authors Graham Hancock and Michael Tellinger will explore the idea that ancient monuments found around the world were designed and created by a lost civilization to awaken humanity when an advanced global civilization was ready to emerge. They’ll also examine whether these monuments might be key to understanding the laws of nature and creating abundant free energy.
Dr. Roger Leir, Paola Harris and Yvonne Smith will present a cross-section of the most compelling, widely publicized and documented evidence of UFO sightings and extraterrestrial contact, including photographs, video footage, official reports, witness testimony and physical samples.
Our potential evolution and that of possible extraterrestrial species will be explored by both Mark Peebler and Douglas Taylor, who will look at what life in a spiritually connected intergalactic society on a technologically advanced planet might be like. “There has been no other time in the history of the human collective that has offered such an amazing opportunity to shift energies and to understand the truest nature of our reality,” said Peebler.
CONTACT in the DESERT can guarantee attendees a true intergalactic experience as the event was specifically scheduled to coincide with the August 11-12 Perseid Meteor Shower, when the meteors will appear to “rain” into the majestic desert sky from the constellation Perseus, rising in the northeast sky around 11pm. The waxing crescent moon will be setting when the shower is just revving up. The Joshua Tree Retreat Center offers a fantastic viewing experience as the darkness due to the desert location will show the shower as a sky of fireworks. Attendees are encouraged to bring telescopes, and beach or lawn chairs. Showtime usually begins as soon as the radiant (near the Double Cluster in Perseus) clears the horizon, an hour or so before midnight, and climbs higher in the sky throughout the night. The Perseid meteor shower, will offer up to 60 meteors an hour under spectacular summer skies.
In addition to the panels, lectures and natural phenomena included with the weekend pass attendees are also able to purchase passes for workshops from 15 of the top UFO experts including David Wilcock, Michael Salla, Richard Dolan and more.
The Joshua Tree Retreat Center, located at 59700 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA is the perfect setting for CONTACT in the DESERT. While the center’s on site housing is already sold out for the event, nearby hotels the Yucca Valley Travel Lodge, the High Desert Motel, 29 Palm’s Best Western Gardens and the Joshua Tree Inn are offering special rates for attendees. Additionally the center offers a variety of meal plan options for the event.
Tickets for the three day event are $225 in advance (or $400 per couple) and are available along with workshop passes at http://www.contactinthedesert.net/tickets/.


Sky Lab: from where you stand
Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, Melbourne 2011
Curator: Felicity Spear
Sky Lab: from where you stand reveals the idiosyncratic perspectives of five artists who are experimenting with models and concepts within the culture of sky-situated knowledge. They direct their gaze into a space which is largely inaccessible to the full range of our senses, and where it is possible to have only a remote experience. The question is, when we look into the night sky are we aware that we are seeing beyond our genetic programming, looking through time into a remote past?
Both art and science engage in fields of research which involve acts of observation, speculation and visualisation, the use of analogy and metaphor, the testing of ideas and finally the remaking of experience. From a cosmic perspective science tells us that Earth is a totally insignificant speck of dust in an expanding and accelerating Universe, and we are made from that dust. Through their research these Earthbound artists point towards a cosmos which is continually unfolding in mysterious and complex ways.
What does it mean to be part of the expanding Universe and to understand that nothing is permanent ? The sky was once viewed as an extension of the life of the Earthbound observer to which the patterns of daily life and beliefs were intricately connected. Now it is regarded as ‘outer space’, a space which is increasingly demystified through specialised fields of knowledge in engineering, astronomy and physics. This cosmic space is no longer understood as a clockwork mechanism and a quantity of discrete objects. It is now thought of as a set of interacting processes and relational fields which challenge our understandings of what is meant by reality.
We are learning to re-negotiate the physical and phenomena in an increasingly desensitised and abstract milieu. Through computer simulations, physical space seems to be dematerialising, mapping a new form of reality generated by electronic data. Everything seems to be everywhere at all times. Remote space is mapped through virtual models and imaging technologies associated with time, light and sound. The invisibility of phenomena is revealed through the filter of a machine-produced visibility, and through the eye of analysis, where computerised imaging processes reveal the elusive materiality of light.
Today our horizon has expanded exponentially. Increasingly technological sophistication has enabled us to survey and appreciate the structure of the Universe. It has given us an understanding of our modest place in the scheme of things. The advancement of any branch of inquiry engenders new horizons, new choices and ethical challenges. The idea of ‘nature’ is increasingly filtered and mediated through ‘culture’ and its technologies, but the natural world, resistant and infinite in its depth, seems headed for defeat. Is there anywhere else to go? As the astronomer John Barrow has observed, ‘We feel like the Universe’s only child and that has many consequences.’ FS 2011
Dowload the Sky Lab: from where you stand brochure [PDF 411KB]
Included in this exhibition are the works of three Australian artists from Melbourne and Brisbane (Daniel Armstrong, Felicity Spear and Vanessa Stanley), Tarja Trygg from Aalto University, School of Art and Design, Helsinki, Finland, and a London based Nepali artist (Govinda Sah ’Azad’), all of whom presented their work at the cross disciplinary Seventh International Conference on the Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena (INSAPVII), which took place at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Bath, UK, in October 2010, and was organized by the University of Wales.


Since it’s too cold right now to go out and gaze at the night sky, check out these great t-shirts to bring the night sky to you. Although they require some daytime preparation, they will be sure to make a fashion statement long after the sun goes down!
• Black or Navy Rock Bottom T-Shirt
• Con-Tact® Paper*
• Fabric Paint
• Cotton Swabs
• Foam Paint Brushes
• Glow-in-the-dark Paint
*Adhesive paper, available at any craft or school supply store
1. On the Con-Tact® paper, trace a round plate for a planet, or draw a waning moon and stars.
2. Cut from the center of the shape to create a stencil, then peel off the backing and press the stencil onto the shirt.
3. Insert a piece of cardboard between the shirt layers to keep the paint from bleeding through.
4. Use a paintbrush to fill in the shapes with fabric paint (we used white for the planet and moon, silver glitter for the stars).
5. After the paint dries, add a layer of glow-in-the-dark paint (we used orange for the planet, white for the rest).
6. When that paint is dry, peel off the stencil.
7. Add green glow-in-the-dark rings to the planet.
8. For small stars, use a cotton swab to dab glitter-paint dots onto the shirt.
9. Follow the fabric paint instructions for setting the design and washing your shirt


Add a Dome Theatre show to your experience.
Live Planetarium Show
Take a journey through the sky as students are transported across the solar system and beyond!
Combining live storytelling with digital technology, the Dome is transformed from a theatre to an observatory to a space ship, traveling beyond warp speed to regions that are too far away and far too big to see any other way. Our live shows answer many questions and trigger many more, setting each viewer on a path of life-long curiosity about the universe and our place in it.
HD Dome Movies
Reach the edges of the universe, come face-to-face with a humanoid and roam through the majesty of Borneo's rainforest.
Our movies are handpicked to provide the most moving, educational and awe-inspiring subjects available to the Giant Screen. The unique architecture of the dome – along with full surround sound – guarantees an immersive and memorable documentary experience.
Or call us at 403.817.6802
Grades K - 3
Immerse yourself in the amazing sounds of our planet!
Through giant screen images, surround sound, and live presentation, Global Soundscapes takes you on an ear-opening journey into the science of sound and the emerging field of soundscape ecology.
Embark on a mission to investigate the dramatic soundscapes of Costa Rica’s rainforests, Hawaii’s coral reefs, and Mongolia’s vast grasslands.
Grades 5 & 8
Weather has always been one of the most dynamic and complex forces shaping our planet, but now it's intensifying in varied and complex ways. Extreme Weather takes us to the frontlines where few have gone.
Follow researchers and everyday heroes as they uncover surprising connections to help us understand and adapt to our ever-changing weather.
The journey to reach the stars began with our earliest dreams of flying, and led to landing on the moon and sending a probe to Pluto. But that’s only the beginning.
Told from the point of view of the first generation born outside of Earth, Space Next offers a glimpse into tomorrow, and the possibilities of what is to come by way of private space developments and national space programs. The result is a mesmerizing display of interplanetary excellence sure to inspire a generation of explorers, scientists, and dreamers.
Back to the Moon for Good
The Google Lunar XPRIZE movie chronicles teams around the world competing for the largest incentivized prize in history, by landing a robotic spacecraft on the Moon for the first time in more than 40 years.
Grades K - 12
Live Planetarium Show: Our Solar System | Spotlight Series
This fresh take on the traditional planetarium show shines a spotlight on the curiosity that has driven the exploration of our solar system and asks “what are you curious about?”
Live Planetarium Show: Looking Up in Wonder
What compels us to look to the sky and wonder? Using the immersive nature of our Digistar 5 planetarium students will take a journey through the sky to distant moons and planets while becoming more familiar with our solar system and its pace in the known universe.
Live Planetarium Show: Space Exploration: To Mars and Beyond
Within the next 30 years, humans will be walking on Mars and your students’ generation will be the pioneers making that next giant leap for humankind. The road to Mars has been 60 years in the making; through innovation and problem solving, past generations have laid the groundwork to get there. Using the immersive environment of our planetarium, experience what it will take to get to Mars and beyond our solar system, and discover the challenges that still lie ahead.
Live Planetarium Show: Our Milky Way
A Live Planetarium Show
Fly through our home Galaxy, the Milky Way, to explore stars, nebulas, supernovas and black holes! Join us for this live show, exclusive to TELUS Spark, as we travel hundreds of light years into deep space to see where stars are born, where they die, and to discover how they create the energy and elements that make all life possible (including you and me). The journey ends with a plunge into a black hole, so hold on tight!
National Geographic's Pandas allows viewers exclusive access to Chengdu- China’s extraordinary giant panda breeding center. The film follows the lives of three young pandas as they leave the public spotlight at Chengdu and take their first steps on an extraordinary journey for their species. From tender moments to tenterhooks, every key event will be captured as China prepares to set them free.
Grades K - 1
Live Planetarium Show: Explore the Sky
K- Early literacy, creative expression
Gr. 1 - Seasonal Changes
Creativity & intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, cross-disciplinary thinking, visual literacy, basic literacy
Earth & Sky
Discover the reasons behind the seasons and join in as we share stories about the stars. Did you know that there’s a giant ice cream cone made of star clusters in the sky? Or, that there is an entire epic Greek tale being played out above our heads every night? With the help of the students, we will make the sky come alive.


Can the FULL MOON affect crime in South Africa?
Does FULL MOON affect crime potential? Studies show the answer might be yes. Here’s what you should know about full moons and the law.
The full moon is worth staying up late for.
According to the Sleep Foundation, the brighter moon can even be one of the reasons why some people can’t sleep.
But does the moon have anything to do with higher crime potential?
Mark your calendars for the next bright sky event. Here’s what you should know about safety and security during moon events.
HONEST SOUTH AFRICANS: Thandi Shabangu refuses R2 million pension fund, pushes for UIF
29 SEPTEMBER: FULL MOON
The Southern Hemisphere sees its next full moon on the 29th and 30th of September.
Full moons that occur at the September/October time of the year are called the Harvest Moon. Harvest moons happen during the time of the year.
ALSO READ: Watch the Blue Crane Moon on September 30
According to gardening guides, now is the perfect time of year to plant vegetables – although South Africa’s current weather might mean gardeners should wait until the weather clears up.
This isn’t the only thing to watch out for: the celestial event might also have an impact on criminal events.
DOES THE FULL MOON AFFECT CRIME?
According to a 1984 study, the full moon could increase the potential for criminal acts.
The moon doesn’t mean that people are more likely to commit crime. Unfortunately, the bright sky allows criminals to see better at night.
ALSO READ: What is a blue moon — and why do we care?
WHY CRIMES ARE MORE LIKELY
According to Science Direct, crime goes up during full moon events because people can simply see better.
It’s easier to commit certain crimes (like break-ins) when criminals don’t need added lights to see what they’re doing. Be more aware, and know when the next cycle is going to be!
Always be careful and follow basic safety tips. Secure your home, and make sure that you have the most important information like the local SAPS number.


An astronaut aboard the International Space Station caused a scare this week when he accidentally dialed 911.
According to Fortune.com, Dutch astronaut André Kuipers was making a call when he missed a number, causing him to dial 911 via the Houston space center’s switchboard.
The incident caused alarms to sound throughout the space center, according to the report.
Astronauts are able to place calls from the ISS, but to get an outside line, they must first dial 9. To get an international line, they need to dial 011.
Fortune.com said despite some excitement, nothing else came from the incident.
Kuipers said he felt a little let down that no one came to space to help.


Thalaivasal 17-03-2020. Thalaivasal2020.3.17. Vasantham TV. The video posted by the most popular Sri Lankan channel Col3neg on 10 Apr 2020 (7:02 PM).
The number of COVID-19 cases surpassed the 200,000 mark, reaching 207,615, even as the death toll reached 5,815 in India on Wednesday, said the latest data issued by the federal health ministry. MORE..
3 Jun 2020 (1:52 PM)
Two more suspects have been arrested over the recent shooting attack on a restaurant in the area of Soysapura in Moratuwa. MORE..
3 Jun 2020 (12:43 PM)
Another suspect has been arrested in connection with the recent shooting incident at the Laksetha Sevana housing complex. MORE..
3 Jun 2020 (11:08 AM)
The Colombo Additional Magistrate has refused to issue an order to arrest the former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Welikada Police Station. MORE..
3 Jun 2020 (2:54 PM)
The second penumbral lunar eclipse of 2020 will begin on June 5th night at 11.15 p.m. Sri Lanka Standard Time, when the shadow of the Earth falls on the Moon, said Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, the Director of Astronomy and Space Science Unit, Department of Physics at Colombo University. MORE..
3 Jun 2020 (5:40 PM)


Explore the night sky with the Farmington Community Stargazers during a free Star Party held Tuesday, September 18 or Tuesday, October 16 in Heritage Park.
Each party begins at dusk and lasts until about 90 minutes after sunset. Visitors of all ages will have an opportunity to observe the stars, planets, and other celestial objects through telescopes.
The September party starts at 7:30 p.m.; the October party starts at 6:45 p.m. Meet at the Sledding Hill in Heritage Park near the North Shelter. If the sky is cloudy or the weather is inclement, there will be an indoor presentation at the Spicer House.
The park is located at 24915 Farmington Rd., Farmington Hills. To learn more, call 248-477-1135 or write to firstname.lastname@example.org.


During the star parties the public will be able to use telescopes and binoculars to look for celestial bodies such as: planets, moons, constellations, nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, comets, meteors, satellites, double stars, and much more. Star parties are a public service of The Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers. All Star Parties end at 11pm and are FREE to attend. The event is located at the Model Airplane Field
Note: Novice stargazers are often surprised at how cold they get while observing the nigh skies. for your own comfort and enjoyment, please remember to dress warmly.
Cancellations: Star Parties are not held if there are clouds, rain, and etc in the weather forcast. Hope for clear skies.
2017 Date and Times
Oct 28 – 6:03pm to 11:00pm
Nov 25 – 5:00pm to 11:00pm


The energy of the magnetic field results from the excitation of the space permeated by the magnetic field it can be thought of as the potential energy that would be imparted on a charged particle moving through a region with an external magnetic field present. Experiment 5: magnetic fields of a bar magnet and of the earth objectives 1 to examine the magnetic field associated with a bar magnet and construct the. Magnetic fields are extremely useful the magnetic field of the earth shields us from harmful radiation from the sun, magnetic fields allow us to diagnose medical problems using an mri, and magnetic fields are a key component in generating electrical power in most power plants. The first scientific results from nasa's mission to first results from juno mission show surprisingly strong magnetic field and huge 25 may 2017 cnbccom.
Previous article in issue: gravity field of mars: a 75th degree and order model previous article in issue: gravity field of mars: a 75th degree and order model next article in issue: probing mars' crustal magnetic field and ionosphere with the mgs electron reflectometer next article in issue. Drawing magnetic field diagrams it would be difficult to draw the results from the sort of experiment seen in the photograph, so we draw simple magnetic field lines instead. Now find a b that makes the lorentz force law fit all these results—that is the magnetic field at the place in question alternatively. The initial results from swarm trio of swarm satellites could reveal how fast the planet's magnetic field earth's protective shield is weakening, according to.
Before we look at electromagnets let's recap magnetic fields magnets create magnetic fields these cannot be seen they fill the space around a magnet where the magnetic forces work, where they can attract or repel magnetic materials it would be difficult to draw the results from the sort of. The particles produce inhomogeneities in the magnetic field, which results in rapid de-phasing of the protons in the transverse plane and a shortening of t2. In physics, there are two different attributes of a magnetic field: the magnetic field strength usually given the symbol h measured in amps per metre (a/m).
Permanent magnet stability the ability of a permanent magnet to support an external magnetic field results from small magnetic domains “locked” in position by crystal anisotropy within the magnet material. Earth's magnetic field, also known as the geomagnetic field, is the magnetic field that extends from the earth's interior out into space. Travelling to see the northern or southern lights has made its way into almost everyone’s bucket list but unknown to most, these beautiful displays of light are caused by dangerous cosmic rays that have been deflected by our earth’s magnetic field magnetic fields around planets behave in the. Astronomers have presented the initial results of the large impact of magnetic fields on the we have measured the longitudinal magnetic field strength and have.
Experiment 8 ~ magnetic field induced by a current-carrying wire objective: explain how the earth’s magnetic field could affect your results in part 1. Earth's magnetic field results from movements in the outer core due to the extensive heat at the center of the earth, the outer core is liquid. Nasa wants to build a magnetic shield around mars mars once had a magnetic field that green and his colleagues plan to review the results of these.
Charged particles moving in a constant magnetic field describe circular orbits setting the magnetic force equal to the centripetal force results in the following:. When national geographic caught up with her by phone from her home in toronto, mitchell explained how a scientist in maryland has built a giant contraption to try and mimic the earth’s magnetic field how satellites are peering more deeply inside the earth’s core than ever before and why. Magnetic fields and inductance a magnetic field will develop an inductor’s ability to store energy as a function of current results in a tendency to try to. I :, c ~ x-612-66-305 first magnetic field results from the ogo-2 satellite n67 18567 ii lacgess10n number) by joseph c cain robert a langel shirley j hendrkks.Download


It was a proud moment for India on Wednesday, as it scripted history with the successful soft landing of its lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole region of the moon, India emerged as the pioneering nation to accomplish this remarkable feat.
Chandrayaan-3 represents the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) third lunar exploration mission. ISRO launched the mission on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The mission comprises a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan..
The mission’s primary objective is to achieve a soft landing on the moon’s south pole, a region believed to be rich in water ice resources, which happened on 23 august . Subsequently,The mission will deploy the rover to conduct thorough investigations of the lunar surface.
Objectives of Chandrayaan-3
Chandrayaan-3 revolves around four main objectives:
- Soft Landing at the Moon’s South Pole: Aiming for a controlled soft landing on the moon’s south pole, the mission tackles a notable challenge given the terrain and environmental conditions.
- Rover Exploration: Once the Lander reaches the lunar surface, it will deploy the Pragyan rover, which will then conduct a comprehensive exploration of the lunar landscape, particularly, performing in-depth scientific analyses.
- Water Ice Study: A central objective of the Chandrayaan-3 mission involves an extensive study of water ice composition and distribution on the moon. This investigation holds the potential to unveil insights into the moon’s history and its suitability as a resource for future space endeavours..
- Geological, Mineralogical, and Seismological Studies: The mission also aims to gather essential data concerning the moon’s geology, mineralogy, and seismology. Also,These datasets have the capacity to uncover critical information about the moon’s evolutionary processes and internal structure.
Chandrayaan-3’s Significance and Components
This mission is pivotal for India’s space endeavours on multiple fronts. Notably, it is India’s inaugural attempt at soft-landing on the moon’s south pole and the first to deploy a rover on lunar terrain. Chandrayaan-3 follows the challenges faced during the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which encountered a setback during the Lander’s descent.
The mission comprises three key components:
- Vikram Lander: The core of Chandrayaan-3, the Vikram lander, is designed to carry out a soft landing on the moon’s south pole and subsequently deploy the Pragyan rover, also ,this crucial component is equipped with diverse scientific instruments, including a camera, magnetometer, and seismometer.
- Pragyan Rover: A robotic vehicle primed for post-landing exploration, the Pragyan rover is equipped with advanced scientific instruments such as a camera, spectrometer, and drill. The rover is engineered to delve into intricate characteristics of the lunar surface.
- Orbiter: Constituting the third core element of Chandrayaan-3, the orbiter is devised to orbit the moon and deliver comprehensive support to the Lander and Rover. Additionally,similar to the other components, the orbiter is furnished with scientific instruments like a camera, spectrometer, and radar.
Technologies used in Chandrayaan-3
To achieve the mission’s objectives, the Lander utilizes several technologies, including:
- Altimeters include laser- and RF-based models.
- Lander Horizontal Velocity Camera and Laser Doppler Velocimeter.
- laser-gyro-based inertial referencing and accelerator package.
- The propulsion system comprises Throttleable Engine Control Electronics, 58-N altitude thrusters, and 800-N Throttleable Liquid Engines.
- Navigation, Guidance, and Control: Design of the powered descent trajectory and related software components.
- Lander’s camera and processing algorithm for danger recognition and avoidance is number six.
- The landing leg system.
Test carried out for soft landing of Chandrayaan 3
- Integrated Cold Test: This test uses a helicopter as the test platform to demonstrate the use of integrated sensors and navigation.
- Integrated Hot Test: Used as a test platform for a closed-loop performance test with sensors, actuators, and NGC.
- Lander Leg Mechanism: A Lander Leg Mechanism performance test on a lunar stimulation test bed that simulated various touch-down scenarios
“Side-by-Side Look: How Chandrayaan-3 Stacks Up Against Its Predecessors, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2.”
- While exhibiting similarities in their tripartite structure, the Chandrayaan-3 mission sets itself apart by pioneering a South Pole landing and deploying an advanced rover with enhanced scientific capabilities. importantly, this mission effectively emphasizes India’s dedication to lunar exploration and technological progress.
Changes and Improvements in Chandrayaan-3:
- Expanding the landing area provides the advantage of safely targeting a larger designated zone.
- Equipping the Lander with more fuel extends its capacity for longer-distance travel to the designated landing site or alternate locations.
- Enhancements in the Chandrayaan-3 Lander include solar panels on all four sides, a departure from the two-sided configuration of Chandrayaan-2.
- The utilization of high-resolution images from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter plays a pivotal role in pinpointing the landing location, also,accompanied by physical modifications to bolster stability and sturdiness.
- Chandrayaan-3 incorporates additional navigational and guidance instruments, facilitating continuous monitoring of the Lander’s speed and timely adjustments.
- Among these instruments, the Laser Doppler Velocimeter stands out, firing laser beams at the lunar surface to accurately calculate the Lander’s speed.
Future Prospects of Chandrayaan
Chandrayaan-3 serves as a significant stepping stone for India’s larger lunar exploration agenda.
The experience garnered and technology developed during this mission will notably benefit ISRO’s forthcoming missions, including the ambitious endeavor to send a human to the moon by 2030.
As a result of this mission, India’s escalating aspirations in space exploration take center stage, effectively highlighting the country’s growing prominence in the global space arena.
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Chandrayaan-3 not only symbolizes India’s determination to continue exploring the moon but also showcases the country’s commitment to overcoming challenges encountered in earlier missions. Additionally, through its strategic objectives, scientific components, and technological advancements, Chandrayaan-3 emerges as a substantial leap forward for India’s space program.
Moreover, it possesses the potential to uncover significant insights about the moon’s mysteries, contributing to our understanding of lunar phenomena.


Are you ready, we are launching a new exhibition!
Once upon a time very far from here, a new galaxy was discovered. A galaxy full of wonderful life, mystic creatures, variuos species, great planets and stars. So amazing, that you have come and see it for yourself.
So lets take a ride together into the big unknown, and visit a new world.
The Galaxy Adventure Exhibition is open for all children, with a little help from their parents, no age limit. We hope to see both old and new participants!
Build a planet for the new galaxy.
Use a balloon, round or ordinary, and cover it with papiermache (4-5 layers of paper), or just take an old ball you have. Paint and decorate it. Take a picture at a neutral background of the planet.
Send the picture in to lilla.a.design(at)gmail.com.
1. Picture of planet at a neutral background
2. Name of planet
3. Description ( who lives there, what happens there, special things etc.) In English!
4. Name (optional) and age of participant, blog adress (optional).
Ps: If building a papier mache planet seems to big a challenge, we definitely need a spaceship or alien for the Galaxy! Follow the same form for entering.
Deadline for entries is September 27th.
The Big Bang of the exhibiton is September 30th, here at lilla a. I am looking forward to Your contributions. Have fun!


Students in U.S. high schools can get free digital access to The New York Times until Sept. 2021.
Featured Article: “Life on Venus? Astronomers See a Signal in Its Clouds” by Shannon Stirone, Kenneth Chang and Dennis Overbye
Astronomers on Monday reported the detection of a chemical in the acidic Venusian clouds — phosphine — which may be a possible sign of life. That has some planetary scientists itching to return to the sun’s second planet, especially those who feel Venus has long been overlooked in favor of Mars and other destinations.
In this lesson, you will learn more about Venus and the startling new discoveries in its atmosphere, and consider whether you believe life exists on other planets. In the Going Further activity, you will write about your favorite depiction of extraterrestrial life in popular culture and then design and draw your own original being.
Do you think extraterrestrial life exists? Why or why not?
When you consider life on other planets, what do you imagine?
Do you think of little green men?
Strange and scary creatures?
Super intelligent beings?
A thing with big cute eyes, wrinkled skin and a long glowing finger, as in the movie “E.T. the Extraterrestrial”?
Take several minutes to describe, in writing, what you think extraterrestrial life might look like. Feel free to draw upon fictional portrayals you have seen or read about in movies, TV, comic books or elsewhere.
Be sure to use vivid or descriptive language to capture this alien life form.
Afterward, share your writing with a partner or the class: What similarities and differences do you notice in your depictions?
Questions for Writing and Discussion
Read the article, then answer the following questions:
1. What are three facts about Venus you learned from the article? Why have scientists overlooked the planet in the search for extraterrestrial life?
2. What is phosphine? Explain it in your own words.
3. Why do some astronomers believe phosphine in the clouds of Venus might indicate the presence of life? Why are others skeptical of this claim?
4. Paul Byrne, a planetary scientist at North Carolina State University, said:
If this planet is active and is producing phosphine, and there is something that’s making it in the Venus atmosphere, then by God almighty, forget this Mars nonsense. We need a lander, an orbiter, we need a program.
Do you agree? Should astronomers shift their priority to Venus? What challenges do scientists face in exploring Venus? Why have robot missions to the planet failed?
5. What is your reaction to the new discoveries? In your opinion, how significant are they? If there is life on other planets (or their moons), what difference does it make to us?
6. How fascinated are you in the possibility of life on other planets? Does the article convince you that extraterrestrial life exists? Why or why not?
Choose one or more of the following activities.
Option 1: What is your favorite depiction of extraterrestrial life?
There have been many memorable depictions of extraterrestrial life-forms throughout history — such as in films, comic books and television shows like “Star Wars,” “Men in Black” and “Silver Surfer.” Tell us which is your favorite and why.
How does this depiction compare with the signs of what might be life that scientists have discovered on Venus?
Option 2: Conduct further research on possibilities of life in the universe.
Want to find out more about the possibilities of extraterrestrial life? You might start by looking at the Times Planets topic page or by researching one of the planets or moons discussed in the article: Mercury, Mars, Europa and Enceladus.
Beyond The Times, you might also look at these resources:
Life Beyond Earth | Science News
SETI & the Search for Extraterrestrial Life | Space.com
Is Earth’s Life Unique in the Universe? | Scientific American
What new things did you learn about the possibility of life on other planets or other celestial bodies? What evidence best supports the existence of life? Based on your research, how likely do you think it is that there is life in the universe outside of Earth?
Synthesize your findings in a one-pager and share with your class. Or if you are inspired, organize a class debate on the question of whether life on another planet exists.
Option 3: Draw an original picture of extraterrestrial life.
Return to your descriptive writing from the warm-up activity. Does the article (or your additional research) change how you imagine life on another planet?
Now, draw, label and caption your idea of what life on Venus or any other planet in the universe might be like.
Your being can be fantastical or realistic, friendly or warlike, intelligent or a tiny microbe. Keep in mind, though, that life-forms on other planets might exist in very different conditions than they do on Earth, so your creation will need to be well-suited to the environment in which it lives. For example, the article says, “Hot enough to melt metal and with clouds full of acid, any life that could survive in the atmosphere of Venus would have to be capable of enduring extremes.”
Afterward, share your drawings with your class.
About Lesson of the Day


ORGANISATION/COMPANYAalta Lab d.o.o.
RESEARCH FIELDComputer science › ProgrammingPhysics › Computational physicsPhysics › Mathematical physics
RESEARCHER PROFILERecognised Researcher (R2)Established Researcher (R3)First Stage Researcher (R1)
APPLICATION DEADLINE15/04/2019 00:00 - Europe/Brussels
LOCATIONSlovenia › Solkan
TYPE OF CONTRACTTemporary
HOURS PER WEEK40
EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMEH2020
We are looking for a researcher to work on a Horizon 2020 project HERMES-SP!
The project is a mission concept based on a constellation of nano-satellites in a low Earth orbit, hosting new miniaturized detectors to probe the X-ray temporal emission of bright high-energy transients such as Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB) and the electromagnetic counterparts of Gravitational Wave Events (GWE). The main goal of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of detection and localisation of high-energy transients with simple nano-satellites and a disruptive level of cost-effectiveness.
The successful candidate will take over the following tasks:
- development of new parallel algorithms for time series analysis,
- design and implementation of the scientific data analysis software and pipelines,
- data reduction and analysis,
- writing reports and papers.
The project collaboration consists of 11 partners from Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Germany, and Hungary, therefore, the candidates must be fluent in English.
The application should be submitted electronically to the e-mail info @ aalta-lab.com with the following attachments:
- cover letter,
- list of publications,
- contact details of references.
Web site for additional job details
Required Research Experiences
RESEARCH FIELDPhysics › Computational physics
YEARS OF RESEARCH EXPERIENCE4 - 10
REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVELPhysics: PhD or equivalent
REQUIRED LANGUAGESENGLISH: Excellent
- experience in numerical modelling, data analysis, and optimization methods,
- knowledge of at least one of the following programming languages: C/C++, Fortran, MPI, CUDA, Python,
- knowledge of GRBs (data modelling and analysis, gamma-ray detectors, processing pipeline, data reduction, FITS format) or global positioning systems algorithms (position reconstruction, time tagging of scientific observations).
EURAXESS offer ID: 372577
The responsibility for the jobs published on this website, including the job description, lies entirely with the publishing institutions. The application is handled uniquely by the employer, who is also fully responsible for the recruitment and selection processes.
Please contact firstname.lastname@example.org if you wish to download all jobs in XML.


What an amazing event! The moon’s shadow gave a big show across America today and at 1:02 pm CDT it rushed over Lincoln, NE at over 1500 mph. Day turned to night, the temperature dropped and a 360 degree twilight ruled the midday.
The temperature in Lincoln dropped from 81 degrees around noon to 77 degrees after 1 pm and totality. Many locations along the eclipse path experienced temperature falls of 3-5 degrees as a result of the passage of the Moon’s shadow. Meteorologists also observed (both on the ground and with satellite imagery) the collapse of convective cumulus clouds dependent upon surface heating to “bubble”, which was lost during the advanced partial and total eclipses.
You can watch the progression of the Moon’s shadow across North America below (video is only four seconds long so you’ll have to replay to see it more than once at a time):
All I can say is that this was one of most spectacular events of nature I’ve ever witnessed. I’ve witnessed multiple total lunar eclipses and while they are spooky (especially in the middle of the night), nothing can beat the powerful changes which a total solar eclipse can bring to the landscape.
The clouds, which were the most problematic for eclipse viewing in Nebraska ended up breaking enough to see totality itself, but also provided a canvas for the incredible glow of midday twilight. It was quite magical.
The next total solar eclipse in the Lower 48 is April 8, 2024. Totality in parts of Texas (which will include Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth Metro) could last nearly 4 1/2 min compared to the 2 min 40 sec max with today’s eclipse. If time and finances align, I definitely want travel for that one if I don’t live near it by then.
Anyone have any eclipse experiences they want to share? I’ll be checking out WordPress posts too! 🙂
PS-A view from a Omaha news station of the twilight colors with clouds HERE (video) within totality near Beatrice, NE, south of Lincoln.
Consider this the final forecast and here on out its whatever Mother Nature decides. Overall looks great for the West (0-30% cloud coverage), deteriorates significantly over the Plains/Midwest (50-70%), improves back to low coverage over southern IL and TN (where totality will be at or near max possible), and deteriorates again over South Carolina.
Hoping for the best in Lincoln, Nebraska with 50-60% cloud coverage most likely transparent high clouds, however scattered opaque mid-level clouds are also possible which would diminish any serious solar viewing. My fiancé Cassie and I will head off to South Lincoln with our 1yr old and position ourselves at a location in view of the sun and the western sky (where the shadow will advance into town at 1500 mph). Whether we see the sun or on, it will turn to night at 1:02 pm CDT and last nearly 1 min 45 sec at our chosen location. We intend to have photos and I’ll also take video with my GoPro.
For 2017 Eclipse Coverage please follow me on Facebook or Twitter (see feeds on my main page for direct links). I will post on the progress of the eclipse on both platforms after the umbra’ landfall in Oregon at 10:16 PDT thru it’s exit from South Carolina after 2:50 pm EDT. Yes it’s only taking about a hour and a half for the umbra to blast across the US!
I will do a post-eclipse photo/video post hopefully by this evening or tomorrow for WordPress 😊
Anyone want to know what the 2017 Eclipse will look like at your location with nice graphics and all? Check out this excellent simulator put together by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. You’ll be able to animate the eclipse for any given location in the US from beginning to end and find out what to expect. I made a collection of some of the locations which will experience partial eclipses (all at their time of maximum eclipse). All these location were in areas of 75% or greater obscuration of the solar disk. Optical and atmospheric effects begin to take hold with 75% obscuration as incoming shortwave radiation from the sun is significantly reduced. Read more about that in my previous July post HERE if you haven’t already. Remember, however, that even with 99% obscuration, the sun will still be too bright and therefore too dangerous too look at directly without certified eclipse glasses. Direct viewing of the sun for multiple minutes can blind you, any amount can cause eye injury!
The Great North American Eclipse is almost here! On Monday, the Moon’s inner shadow or umbra will touchdown over the open Pacific Ocean and rush toward a landfall in Oregon after 10:15 am PDT and exit the South Carolina Coast after 2:50 pm EDT. The shadow will be advancing across at around 1500-2000 mph. An incredible speed.
With the eclipse on Monday, the biggest concern is the weather…specifically sky conditions. The National Service, out of national interest in the eclipse (which will ONLY be seen in the United States) now has forecasts available, with special interest in sky condition forecasts.
Much of the eclipse path is *decent* (50% or less sky coverage forecast), although clear skies are extremely ideal. The best skies for totality are expected to be over the Northwest sector of the US, with greater cloud coverage (near 50% over the Central Plains/Missouri). There will be some improvement over Tennessee, but possible afternoon showers and thunderstorms may cloud up skies more significantly over extreme northeast Georgia and into South Carolina.
With that said…just remember…1) There’s more to the eclipse but totality! Regardless of whether you’re in the path or not, dealing with scattered clouds or not, enjoy the eclipse! Watch the crescents form in the shadows of trees, make a pinhole viewer (like this or this for example…I’m planning on making one!), if you have certified eclipse glasses or shades…safely observe the sun directly, and if you’re in a very deep partial (75%+) enjoy the effects of the weakening sun on temperature, sky and the animals. Also…2) For those in totality, all you need is that precious 1 or 2+ mins to be clear around the eclipsed sun. Hopefully, with that 50% or less sky coverage, that will be easier to achieve.
As you all may know, I live in Lincoln, NE…in the path of totality. As the city is literally on the northern edge of the shadow, there is a tight gradient for the length of totality; anywhere from tens of seconds on the north end of town, to 1 min 45 seconds on the south end of town. My house will see around 1 min 15 seconds. We had planned on going to Grand Island, NE about a hour and a half west of here to visit a relative of hers and see the eclipse at 2 min 35 sec (near max possible duration)…but our car has an issue which makes it not reliable for traveling on the highway! 😦 Literally found this out today! Extremely disappointed as there isn’t enough time for us to get the car fixed. But considering we’re still IN totality vs. not, I can’t completely complain. So instead, we’ll be heading to the south end for the maximum length in Lincoln. I’ll have my GoPro set up on a mini-tripod to capture very high-res video of the last minutes before totality and during it. My fiance and I will also take lots of photographs. I will have updates on my Twitter and FB pages as the partial eclipse advances toward totality (feeds also can be seen from the website…but please follow me directly! 🙂 ).
It should be an exciting day! Everyone have safe viewing and have fun!
We’re now less than four weeks away from the historic total solar eclipse of August 21, 2017! This will be the first total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States since February 1979 when a total eclipse swept through northern Oregon, southern Washington, into Idaho, Montana and the Canadian Prairies. Much of the Northwest dealt with clouds in the coastal and western regions as cities such as Portland fell into a post-sunrise darkness.
Well now it’s 2017 and this eclipse is in a much better month…August. While this doesn’t guarantee good weather for any location along the path of totality; convection (thunderstorms) and cloud debris can cause issues on the Plains, while marine clouds can cause problems in the Pacific Northwest for example, generally quieter conditions with the jet stream and the domination of summer time high pressure and upper-air subsidence across the continent during the late summer means more opportunity for less cloud cover and quieter conditions across more parts of the country to view the eclipse in August than, say February.
In order to assess the the most important aspect of observing an eclipse – sky conditions – the University of Idaho School of Natural Resources performed a climate analysis for the United States to determine the probability that a location will have clear skies at 10:30 am local time on August 21st. This time is picked because of the arrival of totality on the West Coast.
While clear skies would be absolutely optimal for an eclipse, ESPECIALLY totality, few to scattered cloud coverage (25-50%), while less fortunate in terms of direct solar photography and SAFE solar viewing, can still yield interesting observations leading up to and during totality. Because the umbra is quite thin, interesting atmospheric optics can occur. Although the area under totality becomes relatively dark, the light outside of the shadow can still be seen to observers. And the reflected light will appear to be twilight-like in color and glow. You could call it “eclipse twilight”. And with any cloud in the area, they will change colors or change in reflection of light as the darkness rolls over them, great for photographic and video effect. Just before totality, the sun itself will start to appear as if it’s “dying” in the final minute or two and the shadow will start to rapidly advance out of the western sky like a monster storm…except it’s not a storm 😀
In addition, regardless of scattered or no clouds, in the last min or so before (and after) totality, if you look at plain surfaces you may witness wavy motions like those in water known as shadow bands. These form as the focused, but rapidly weakening light of the sun is being distorted by the dense atmosphere of Earth. Those very near the totality path may also witness them.
This YouTube video I found some weeks ago shows both the prominent shadow bands and the “eclipse twilight” with clouds.
Now I’m a meteorologist. So when we talk about having a giant astronomical object blasting a shadow across a continent at 2000 mph and putting regions into nighttime in the middle of the day, a meteorologist is going to ask, how is this going to impact the weather?
For those at 75% percent partial eclipse and higher, the surface temperature will start to become depressed temporarily as the incoming solar radiation is reduced. This will be especially apparent for eclipses during the midday. As totality approaches, any winds may calm as a result of “fair weather convection” weakening as surface heating completely shuts down (this is where upward vertical motions produced by surface heating, leading to local winds die down).
Here’s an EXCELLENT website using a Google Map layout where you can click on a location for eclipse “contact” times (start of partial, start and end of totality, end of partial) and maximum obscuration of the solar disk (areal coverage by the moon): HERE
In a couple weeks, numerical models will START to give us some distant idea of how the weather patterns may evolve for August 21st. I’m especially interested, because my location (Lincoln, NE) WILL experience totality. Will likely head to the south side of town to experience roughly 1 min 45 seconds of it and some of the very partial eclipse before that. It would be my first total solar eclipse since I was born and raised in Seattle but that event didn’t happen there and happened 5 yrs before I was born anyways.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks as weather updates come!


Take on the mantle of a brand new space programme and build a flight-ready rocket in Apogee, a game co-created by YouTube influencers Hugo and Maxime Lisoir.
New Space is driving private and commercial interest in galactic exploration, and riding this wave is the Apogee space programme - which is currently looking for its next leading director. In Apogee, each player becomes a mission director of a fledgling space programme with the ambition to launch a fully-functioning rocket out of the Earth’s atmosphere.
An upcoming game for one to five players, Apogee sees players hiring new engineers, evolving the technology required for space exploration and - of course - building a working rocket. The players will have to compete with one another to see who receives more funding from the board, and who can manufacture the best rocket by the end of the game.
Apogee is a card-management game that has players carefully choosing with cards to play from their hand throughout every company quarter. There are nine different missions available to play in Apogee, with each one offering a varying level of difficulty.
The rocket-building board game was designed by Sergio Matsumoto - the creator of fantasy card game Light Hunters: Battalion of Darkness and semi-co-op game Efemeris - in collaboration with Hugo and Maxime Lisoir. The duo’s YouTube channel has 323,000 subscribers and is focused around research into space flight, astronomy, astronautics and similar topics.
Apogee is being published by DTDA Games, a French indie studio responsible for releasing all of Matsumoto’s previous titles.
The Kickstarter campaign for Apogee is live until October 14th, with a pledge of €36 (£33) getting backers a copy of the core game set to arrive next April.


CNN Digital Senior Editor Katia Hetter oversees CNN.com’s coverage of science, space and wellness, which includes discoveries on Earth and beyond and wellness topics such as parenting, relationships and nutrition. She previously worked as a senior producer for CNN Travel. She’s also co-chair of ONA’s Student Newsroom. She was a member of CNN Digital’s 2018 RTDNA National Edward R. Murrow “Excellence in Innovation” Award-winning team for its coverage of the solar eclipse and Newsday’s 2004 Pulitzer Prize finalist team for coverage of the 2003 New York City blackout.
Senior editor • CNN • Atlanta, GA
Last edited May 31, 2021