From: TerryMoselaol.com
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2006 19:59:03 EST
Subject: London Planetarium, Lectures, Suitsat
Hi all,
1. The sorry state of public education and awareness in science in GB is
evidenced by the announcement that London Planetarium is to change to an
'Auditorium', as a sort of 'Temple of Celebrities', with no astronomical content at
all. That will leave London as the only major city in the world with no
planetarium! It would be laughable if it wasn't so pathetic. At least we will have
a good one in Armagh again this summer, when it re-opens to the public after
its major upgrade and refurbishment.
2. Prof Alan Fitzsimmons of QUB will give a lecture to the EAAS in
Thompson Primary School, Ballyrobert on Monday 6 February. Entitled, "Deep Impact,
the Story So Far", it will begin at 8.0. Admission £3.
3. The next IAA public lecture will be on Wed 8 February, 7.30 p.m.,
Lecture theatre 5, Stranmillis College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast. It will be given
by Dr Neill Trappe, of NUI Maynooth, and is entitled "Far Infrared Space
Optics". All welcome; admission free, including light refreshments.
4. LAUNCH OF 'SUITSAT': One of the strangest ever satellites is to go into
orbit on 3 February, when astronauts on board the ISS will throw an empty
spacesuit overboard.
Known as "SuitSat", the Russian Orlan spacesuit, equipped with three
batteries, a radio transmitter, and internal sensors to measure temperature and
battery power, will transmit its condition to the ground as it orbits the Earth.
As the ISS is currently making morning passes over Ireland (see
www.heavens-above.com), the 'suitsat' might just be
visible in binocs, close to the ISS itself, soon after it is thrown
overboard. After all, Sputnik 1 was not as big as that, and probably not as
reflective, and I could see it with the unaided eye from Armagh! (Young children have
good eyesight, of course!)
FURTHER INFORMATION: NASA Science web site: science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/26jan_suitsat.htm
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
aol.com Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2006 19:59:03 EST Subject: London Planetarium, Lectures, Suitsat Hi all, 1. The sorry state of public education and awareness in science in GB is evidenced by the announcement that London Planetarium is to change to an 'Auditorium', as a sort of 'Temple of Celebrities', with no astronomical content at all. That will leave London as the only major city in the world with no planetarium! It would be laughable if it wasn't so pathetic. At least we will have a good one in Armagh again this summer, when it re-opens to the public after its major upgrade and refurbishment. 2. Prof Alan Fitzsimmons of QUB will give a lecture to the EAAS in Thompson Primary School, Ballyrobert on Monday 6 February. Entitled, "Deep Impact, the Story So Far", it will begin at 8.0. Admission £3. 3. The next IAA public lecture will be on Wed 8 February, 7.30 p.m., Lecture theatre 5, Stranmillis College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast. It will be given by Dr Neill Trappe, of NUI Maynooth, and is entitled "Far Infrared Space Optics". All welcome; admission free, including light refreshments. 4. LAUNCH OF 'SUITSAT': One of the strangest ever satellites is to go into orbit on 3 February, when astronauts on board the ISS will throw an empty spacesuit overboard. Known as "SuitSat", the Russian Orlan spacesuit, equipped with three batteries, a radio transmitter, and internal sensors to measure temperature and battery power, will transmit its condition to the ground as it orbits the Earth. As the ISS is currently making morning passes over Ireland (see www.heavens-above.com), the 'suitsat' might just be visible in binocs, close to the ISS itself, soon after it is thrown overboard. After all, Sputnik 1 was not as big as that, and probably not as reflective, and I could see it with the unaided eye from Armagh! (Young children have good eyesight, of course!) FURTHER INFORMATION: NASA Science web site: science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/26jan_suitsat.htm Clear skies, Terry Moseley
