Dave Reneke's

 'WORLD of SPACE and ASTRONOMY'

Weird, Wild & Breaking News Stories in Space and Astronomy from around the World 24/7 delivered free every week with regular updates as they happen.

It's FREE, It's Safe - Subscribe Now!

Here’s a selection of Astronomy/Space related stories you may find interesting. Be sure to sign up for your own copy of Astro Space News. I absolutely do not disclose your address to anyone! There is no cost and no obligation for this service. Anyone can subscribe by completing the opt in form just over there on the right … see it, do it now! We work 24/7/365 to report the most relevant ‘Astro-Space’ news back to you … virtually as it breaks. Bookmark this page and check back regularly.

For The Media

If you are interested, an interview with astronomer, writer, educator and public lecturer representing Australasian Science Magazine and Editor of Astro Space News, Dave Reneke(Astro-Dave) can be arranged by contacting Dave by Phone/Fax(02) 65 85 2260 Mobile: 0400 636 363 or email Dave for an instant reply to davereneke@gmail.com. David is well experienced talking to the media and presents information in an easy to understand, up to date and informative manner. Interviews can be on any subject, tailored to your requirements.

                                              AUSTRALASIAN SCIENCE MAGAZINE

Get your science news straight from the scientists themselves. No hype, no spin, no bull: just the facts.Australia’s most inspiring scientists choose to write about their world-class discoveries in Australasian Science, Australia’s only monthly science magazine.

Australasian Science is dedicated to Australian and New Zealand science, providing a unique local perspective on scientific developments and issues that other science magazines can’t match. Check out the latest issue NOW: http://www.australasianscience.com.au/  For school & institution rates please contact Control Publications on 03 9500 0015. Fax: (03) 9500 0255 Email science@control.com.au

 LETTERS TO DAVE

 Your letters are welcome on any subject covered by the scope of this newsletter or any aspect of astronomy/space in general. All letters requesting help or advice will be answered personally by me.

 Hello Dave,

I've just read your March Newsletter.  Wow, what a motherlode of information!  You do a great job for showcasing all kinds of aspects of astronomy.  For people like myself who don't have any local astronomy club to join your newsletters provide a wealth of knowledge, which is presented in such a way as to make it entertaining as well as informative.  I can't fathom why the newspaper editors put more credence in horoscopes than telescopes!  I've been meaning to listen to your radio session on ABC Radio.  I live on the Central Coast of NSW and so I think the local station is Gosford 92.5MHz and your program is on Mondays at 2.50pm.  Is this correct?  Now for a telescope question.  I have a Celestron NexStar 130SLT GoTo scope and I would like to replace the focuser assembly which comes with the scope.  I saw your article on choosing a telescope and I would like to know if and where I could get a similar focuser that would fit on my 130mm tube.  Any thoughts?  Again thank you for keeping me on your mailing list and if I get up around Port Macquarie I'll keep an eye out for one of your lecture sessions.  Also, let me know if you are visiting the Woy Woy/Umina part of the Central Coast again sometime in the future so I can catch up with you.  Till next time, clear and dark Skies.
Robert.

Hi Robert

Many thank for your interesting email and thanks too for the kind words.  Yes, on radio with Scott Levi on Central Coast ABC Mondays at that time.  Now the question": This is where we have bought our Crayford type focusers from over the years.  http://www.focuser.com/storefront.shtml They are available for refractors & reflectors.  Great firm to deal with and best value for the money.  get in contact with them and good luck. 

Dave

Hi Dave,

I hope you can assist me or at least point me in the direction for the following. How can I obtain BBC's Sky at Night Magazine's 'Space 3D' publication?  WH Smith is supposed to have it. However, the phone number they quote to ring for WH Smith can not be accessed from Australia. The distributor in UK is Frontline Ltd. Thanks for any help you can give me.  Perhaps you may think of offering it for sale on your web site? BTW It was advertised in the BBC magazine ‘Sky and Night’ in Dec 2009. I enjoy and appreciate the work you put into your web site.

Cheers, Marlene

Hi Marlene 

Thanks for the kind words and thanks for as bit of a tricky question. I chased it up and found out a way I think might solve your problem. I find the issue you want listed here. http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/backIssues.asp Maybe you can order it direct from them. The contact details can be found on the top toolbar. This is how I’d go about the problem. Let me know if it works OK. Here’s their home page http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/default.asp?bhcp=1

Regards

Dave    

Hi Dave,

Thanks for that.  I contacted them direct by the email address given on the archives page and had a breakthrough. The details are set out below.  Note the ‘Space 3 D” is a book/distinct publication, they call ‘bookazin’, and not a copy of the magazine itself. Thanks again.

Cheers, Marlene 

    Advertising Opportunities

I have been approached by a number of people on this issue: 'Astro-Space News' is always willing to accept ads and sponsors for this site.  Please note that any ads posted on this site must be relevant to space and /or astronomy.  Ads that contain adult content or that are in poor taste will not be accepted.  If you have an idea talk to us. And no, it won't cost you the earth! Email me.

Note: This is an 'Authority Website' rated No.5 on Google. If you are interested in placing an ad on this site or are interested in sponsoring any part of it, please contact Dave at this email address: davereneke@gmail.com

Sponsors and Supporters Sought

Please consider becoming a monthly or weekly supporter.  This website and newsletter service is now reaching world-wide and is becoming increasingly time consuming to produce. I won't stop though but we sure could use a little help. A monthly contribution will enable me to plan for improved content and open the newsletter up into areas not previously possible. Every little bit helps to pay for hosting and bandwidth costs and other expenses. You may cancel your donation at any time. I'll make sure any donors get a few 'freebies' along the way including copies of any material I produce (E-Books and the like) or similar stuff. Email if you're interested or just want to discuss further: davereneke@gmail.com

"You can help by subscribing to the daily email newsletter.  Join a friend too… Its Free"

" You can help by telling other about this site. Most importantly you can help by sharing the information you read on this site with others."
  

  THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY   

   Chilean Earthquake May Have Shortened the Length of a Day on Earth  

Wow!  Just how big was the magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Chile?  One scientist says the shaking may have affected the entire planet by shifting Earth on its axis.  This possibly may have shortened the length of each day on Earth by about 1.26 microseconds.  Using a complex model JPL research scientist Richard Gross computed how Earth's rotation should have changed as a result of the Feb.  27, 2010 quake. 

If his figures are correct, the quake should have moved Earth's figure axis (the axis about which Earth's mass is balanced) by 2.7 milliarcseconds (about 8 centimeters, or 3 inches). Pic: This view of Earth comes from NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aboard the Terra satellite.

Earth's figure axis is not the same as its north-south axis; they are offset by about 10 meters (about 33 feet).  By comparison, Gross said the same model estimated the 2004 magnitude 9.1 Sumatran earthquake should have shortened the length of day by 6.8 microseconds and shifted Earth's axis by 2.32 milliarcseconds (about 7 centimeters, or 2.76 inches).

Gross said that even though the Chilean earthquake is much smaller than the Sumatran quake, it is predicted to have changed the position of the figure axis by a bit more for two reasons.  First, unlike the 2004 Sumatran earthquake, which was located near the equator, the 2010 Chilean earthquake was located in Earth's mid-latitudes, which makes it more effective in shifting Earth's figure axis.

Second, the fault responsible for the 2010 Chiliean earthquake dips into Earth at a slightly steeper angle than does the fault responsible for the 2004 Sumatran earthquake.  This makes the Chile fault more effective in moving Earth's mass vertically and hence more effective in shifting Earth's figure axis. Gross said the Chile predictions will likely change as data on the quake are further refined.

Source: JPL    

       MORE ASTRO-SPACE NEWS   

  Scientists Come to a Conclusion: Asteroid Killed the Dinosaurs

A mere 65 million years after the demise of the dinosaurs, a panel of the world's most eminent scientists have finally got to the bottom of the extinction.  The creatures were wiped out by a large asteroid slamming into the Earth, they insist.

After studying 20 years' worth of research and data, a panel of 41 scientists came to a conclusion which will sound more than just a bit familiar to most schoolchildren who paid attention in science class.

The new finding flies in the face of claims by other scientists that the extinction was caused by volcanic explosions.  According to the new international study, the asteroid that did for the dinosaur struck the Earth at an angle of 90 degrees and a speed of about 12.4 miles per second – about 20 times faster than a speeding bullet.

The asteroid generated a force one billion times greater than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima at the close of the second world war, the scientists say. It crashed into the Earth in what is now Mexico, at Chicxulub, off the Yucatán peninsula.

Dr Gareth Collins, one of the scientists from Imperial College London, said: "The asteroid was about the size of the Isle of Wight and hit Earth 20 times faster than a speeding bullet.  The explosion of hot rock and gas would have looked like a huge ball of fire on the horizon, grilling any living creature in the immediate vicinity that couldn't find shelter.

"While this hellish day signalled the end of the 160 million-year reign of the dinosaurs, it turned out to be a great day for mammals, who had lived in the shadow of the dinosaurs prior to this event." The effect of the strike was to create a global winter, and geological records reveal that it rapidly destroyed marine and land ecosystems.

Scientists say there was an abundance of iridium in geological samples dating back to the time of extinction, which is commonly found in asteroids, but little of which is found in the Earth's crust. Joanna Morgan, of Imperial College, a co-author of the review, described the effects of the asteroid strike: "This triggered large-scale fires, earthquakes measuring more than 10 on the Richter scale and continental landslides, which created tsunamis.

"However, the final nail in the coffin for the dinosaurs happened when blasted material was ejected at high velocity into the atmosphere.  This shrouded the planet in darkness and caused a global winter, killing off many species that couldn't adapt to this hellish environment."

Guardian UK

 White House, NASA Clash Over Budget

Prompted by a tight federal budget President Barack Obama proposed retiring NASA’s space fleet.  But this week, Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison introduced a bill to extend NASA operations to 2013.

 We’re taking a look at the future of American spaceflight with perspectives from Russia Today, The Houston Chronicle, MSNBC, WESH TV and The Daily Cougar. President Obama wants to stop building new rockets to send astronauts back to the Moon.  But he also wants to commercialize spaceflight by outsourcing missions to private companies.

On Russia Today’s “CrossTalk,” a representative from the Space Frontier Foundation says the time to privatize is now. “The private sector is starting to prove it can achieve a capability to start commercializing the space orbit, allowing NASA then to use its resources to go forward and actually explore new worlds like the Moon, go onto Mars, explore the asteroid belt, and start actually making the frontier open for the rest of us.”

But in a commentary from The Houston Chronicle, Rep.  Pete Olson says retiring NASA programs threatens America’s space dominance. There are only four shuttle flights left before the United States loses its independent access to low Earth orbit.  After that, the U.S.  will have no means to get humans to space, and our only alternative will be to pay the Russians more than $50 million a seat to get to the International Space Station…we will lose our global dominance over Russia, China and India."

On MSNBC, a veteran space correspondent says NASA and the White House can compromise. “Plan B would simply be, keep what we’ve got and also do commercial, and we can do it for the same amount of money.”  Others are worried about the economic threat of suspending NASA’s operations.  Orlando’s NBC affiliate –WESH-TV– says 7,000 NASA contractors in Florida would lose their jobs, causing a ripple effect through local economies.

 "For every space coast worker that you lose at the Kennedy Space Center, you're going to lose between three and four other people that are going to lose their jobs in Titusville and in Volusia and Brevard counties.  Those at the rally predict a very bleak future for this space coast's economy, where the current unemployment rate is already 12 percent." But in a column from The Daily Cougar, a University of Houston student says the NASA cuts would be painful but necessary.

 “It is a shame that the nation is being set back in the advancement of space exploration…But with the economy suffering the way it has been, certain sacrifices need to be made for the good of the nation.  They may unfortunately affect a great deal of people, but not doing anything would make us all sacrifice much more in the end.”  So what do you think?  Does space exploration belong in the hands of NASA or private companies?

Newsy.Com http://www.newsy.com

 Now You Can Buy Your Own Space Underwear

 Remember the "long duration underwear" tested out by Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata on board the ISS last year?  Now you can buy your very own.  The specially designed undies and other clothing called “J-ware” are on sale now for 10,500 yen or about $115 USD. 

J-ware is treated with antibacterial and deodorizing materials, so they can be worn for long periods of and are resistant to odors.  "(For) two months I was wearing these underwear and there was no smell and nobody complained,” said Wakata.  “I think that new J-ware underwear is very good for myself and my colleagues."

Pic: Koichi Wakata models J-Ware socks.  Credit: NASA.  Inset: J-Space/JAXA, via collectSPACE

Hurry, sizes and quantities are limited. Here's the English translation of the J-ware website, and the original Japanese version. In addition to odor control, the clothes are designed to absorb water, insulate the body and dry quickly.  They also are flame-resistant and anti- static.

Typically, clothes can only be worn for a few days in space, and especially the clothing worn by astronauts as they exercise.  Since there's no laundromat in space, the clothing is discarded as garbage. Astronaut Takao Doi, who flew with a shuttle crew in early 2009 to deliver Japan's Kibo laboratory to the station, exercised as much as his crewmates, but his clothes stayed dry.

Wakata's clothes include long- and short-sleeved shirts, pants, shorts and underwear.  Special socks have a separate pouch for the big toes (see image) so the astronauts can use their feet like an extra pair of hands, helpful for anchoring themselves on the floor while doing work on the station.

Universe Today 

            NASA Tests Handy-Man Space Robots For Orbital Repairs             

With cuts in the manned space program and the impending retirement of the Space Shuttle, NASA will soon face the need to repair satellites without the ability to send any astronauts to do it. Fortunately, they're already working on the solution: robots.

Over the next seven months, NASA will finish installing the Dextre robot on the International Space Station (ISS). Once fully affixed to the ISS, Dextre, which previously helped astronauts repair the Hubble Space Telescope, will practice refueling satellites.

Once complete, Dextre will remove insulation from the outside of the ISS, disconnect safety wires, and eventually dock with and pump fuel through fuel ports on the ISS. The ISS fuel ports resemble the ports on most satellites, so Dextre's operators can test different configurations for problems and efficiency.

For satellites, refueling represents a particular problem. Since the main operations of satellites rely on solar power, compared with the limited monopropellant fuel in the booster rockets, most satellites will run out of fuel long before some other component fails. That leaves refueling as a critical task in extending the life of a satellite. Where this refueling will actually take place, should the current tests prove successful, is still up for debate. We're advocating fitting Dextre with his own rocket boosters (and maybe some coveralls), turning him into Earth orbit's very own roaming full-service filling station.

With over 3,000 satellites currently orbiting the Earth, the need for repair work is higher than ever. By deploying robots to perform those repair, refueling, and reconfiguration tasks, NASA will save money, reduce the danger to astronauts, and free up humans for more ambitious and scientifically significant missions. With cuts in the manned space program and the impending retirement of the Space Shuttle, NASA will soon face the need to repair satellites without the ability to send any astronauts to do it.  Fortunately, they're already working on the solution: robots.

Over the next seven months, NASA will finish installing the Dextre robot on the International Space Station (ISS).  Once fully affixed to the ISS, Dextre, which previously helped astronauts repair the Hubble Space Telescope, will practice refueling satellites.

Once complete, Dextre will remove insulation from the outside of the ISS, disconnect safety wires, and eventually dock with and pump fuel through fuel ports on the ISS.  The ISS fuel ports resemble the ports on most satellites, so Dextre's operators can test different configurations for problems and efficiency.

For satellites, refueling represents a particular problem.  Since the main operations of satellites rely on solar power, compared with the limited monopropellant fuel in the booster rockets, most satellites will run out of fuel long before some other component fails.  That leaves refueling as a critical task in extending the life of a satellite.  Where this refueling will actually take place, should the current tests prove successful, is still up for debate.  We're advocating fitting Dextre with his own rocket boosters (and maybe some coveralls), turning him into Earth orbit's very own roaming full-service filling station.

With over 3,000 satellites currently orbiting the Earth, the need for repair work is higher than ever.  By deploying robots to perform those repair, refueling, and reconfiguration tasks, NASA will save money, reduce the danger to astronauts, and free up humans for more ambitious and scientifically significant missions.

Popsci

 Buzz Aldrin Says We Can Get to Mars by 2019

Buzz Aldrin is one of the few former astronauts who have spoken out in support of the new proposed budget/direction for NASA.  But, now, Buzz wants to add a little "oomph" to the underlying goal of getting to Mars by providing one thing that many think is missing from President Obama's proposed budget: heavy lift capability.

"I believe we can be well on our way to Mars by July 20, 2019 — which just happens to be the 50th anniversary of my Apollo 11 flight to the moon," Buzz Aldrin wrote in an opinion piece on AOL.com.  "The plan I've designed, called a unified space vision, contains ideas for the development of a deep-space craft that I call the Exploration Module, and development of a true heavy lift space booster evolved from the existing space shuttle."

In last week's Congressional hearings — which some journalists classified as a "grilling" instead of testimony, members of Congress expressed concern (sometimes bordering on outrage) when talking with NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden that under the proposed Obama plan, NASA will no longer be in the human spaceflight business, as space transportation services will be turned over to commercial firms.

Buzz says that with his plan, commercial carriers would fly astronauts and cargo up to the space station, but NASA would stay in the human spaceflight business by designing and building the Exploration Module, or XM.

The prototype of the spacecraft would be built in space, using excess modules and parts left over from constructing the space station.  Buzz proposes continuing to fly the space shuttle for several additional flights to bring up the pieces.  The XM would be docked to the station and outfitted by astronauts. Then, attach a rocket engine is attached to the prototype and head to the Moon, just for a flyby.

To keep much of the current NASA workforce employed, Buzz proposes to use the shuttle until the replacement can be built, and to use shuttle derived part for the heavy lift XM.  "Why should we abandon something before a replacement ship is available?  Sure doesn't make much sense to me," he said.

"By building a deep-space craft," Buzz writes, "NASA can use much of their engineering know-how and put a form to Charlie Bolden's Mars mission dream.  It allows the commercial folks their unfettered access to the station, as President Obama proposes.  And it recommits America to leadership in space by aiming at Mars, using parts and equipment already paid for by the taxpayers." Buzz wants to know: What are we waiting for?

Universe Today

    Astronaut Makes Sushi in Space 

Houston, We Have Space Sushi. Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi may be far from home, but not from his country's trademark dish.  He is making sushi in space while floating weightless aboard his current post on the International Space Station, and even wears a chef's hat while he does it.      Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi proudly displays his space sushi, the first hand-rolled sushi in space, which he made on Feb.  24, 2010 during a televised interview with Fuji TV.  Credit: NASA TVJapanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi proudly displays his space sushi, the first hand-rolled sushi in space, which he made on Feb.  24, 2010 during a televised interview with Fuji TV.  Credit: NASA TV

In a demonstration, Noguchi held a piece of seaweed in one hand and used a spoon to nudge a floating clump of rice into it.  With a few quick twists, he wrapped it all up in a neat roll. "The first hand-rolled sushi in space, there you go," a proud Noguchi told Fuji TV reporters after making a sushi roll while floating inside the space station's Japanese-built Kibo laboratory.  "It has salmon inside."

Pic:Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi proudly displays his space sushi, the first hand-rolled sushi in space, which he made on Feb.  24, 2010 during a televised interview with Fuji TV.  Credit: NASA TV

Noguchi made the sushi during a space-to-ground video interview with Fuji TV reporters on Wednesday.  He spoke Japanese, with an interpreter on Earth providing an English translation. "You have a gourmet cooking corner in your show, too, so I would actually like to cook here for you," he told them before wowing the reporters with his zero gravity culinary skill.

Food in space is a precious commodity for astronauts, particularly those living on the space station for up to six months at a time. But since astronauts live in weightlessness, the food floats around like everything else.  Shuttle astronauts, for example, use tortillas, powdered eggs and sausage patties to make space burritos.  Bread, they said, leads to troublesome crumbs.

Noguchi has lived aboard the space station since December and is one of five astronauts from three countries staffing the orbiting laboratory. He represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.  Two Russians and two Americans round out the rest of the current crew. Noguchi did not mention if he had any wasabi to go with his space sushi.

One astronaut, American Sunita Williams of NASA, took a tube of the spicy green condiment to the space station in 2007.  But it got loose and stuck to the walls.  The astronauts eventually condemned it to a cargo ship to avoid future spills, Williams said in televised interview at the time. NASA's chief astronaut Peggy Whitson requested re-hydratable hamburger patties and dinner rolls during her last trip to the space station in late 2007.  She made space hamburgers for her crew, and kept a steady supply of hot sauce in hand.

Astronaut Don Pettit, also of NASA, spent six months at the space station before returning to Earth 2003.  When he returned in 2008 on a two- week space shuttle mission, he invented a zero gravity coffee cup so he could drink his beloved caffeinated beverage like he does on Earth, rather than through the ubiquitous straws that accompany most drinks in space.

In addition to cooking in space, Noguchi has been performing his normal science duties and sending home updates about his mission on Twitter, where he posts tweets as Astro_Soichi.  He has cheered Japan's various national teams on during the ongoing 2010 Winter Olympics and donned homemade skis for a weightless ski jump last week.

He also has a reputation as a space shutterbug, and has been posting photos of cities, deserts and other stunning views of Earth from space on Twitter as well. It was Noguchi who sent the first photo from the space station's new seven-window Cupola observation deck.  He also caught a snapshot of the shuttle Endeavour re-entering Earth's atmosphere when it landed on Sunday night.

But this week was all about sushi for the astronaut.  He offered it to his Fuji TV guests, even though they were 220 miles (354 km) below in Japan. "For you, bon appétit!" said Noguchi. Then he ate it himself.

Space.Com

 Australia Launches Scramjet Consortium

The scramjet testing facilities at University of Queensland offer a unique development environment for scramjet technologies. The University of Queensland will lead a $14 million international consortium to help develop scramjet-based access-to-space systems, flying an autonomous scramjet vehicle at eight times the speed of sound – Mach 8, or 8600 km/h.

In parallel, scramjet concepts will be tested at even greater speeds, up to Mach 14, in UQ's world class hypersonic ground-test facilities.

Scramjets are air-breathing engines capable of travelling at hypersonic speeds, greater than Mach 5. Scramjet-based launch systems offer considerable promise for safe, reliable and economical access to space.

The project has been awarded $5 million in phase one of the Australian Space Research Program – the largest grant – and also attracts $9 million from an international partnership consortium.

Chief investigator and project director Professor Russell Boyce of UQ said the project would answer key scientific and technological questions and build an industry-ready talent pool for a future Australian scramjet-based access-to-space industry.

Professor Boyce said that current flight programs conducted in Australia were tackling the fundamental issues related to scramjet-powered atmospheric flight, at up to Mach 8. "The ultimate aim, however, is to reach high technology readiness levels for access to space. "This requires scramjet vehicles that can operate at much higher Mach numbers, up to say Mach 14, as part of a multi-stage rocket/scramjet system to accelerate a vehicle to the speed required to leave the earth's atmosphere.

"No scramjet designs have been flight tested at these extreme speeds before now."The gap cannot be easily closed in one leap, and a stepping-stone approach is required. "Our flight will build on the hypersonic flight experiments that have already been conducted by Australia, and will fly an exciting scramjet concept at the entry point to the scramjet access-to-space Mach range.

"The knowledge we gain will position us for future, higher speed flights, but will also feed back into current efforts at the lower speeds. "Importantly, we will be training the talent pool for a future space-access industry with the hard core experience that only hypersonic flight experiments can provide.

"In addition, the testing in UQ's X3 expansion tunnel will push two of our scramjet concepts up through the Mach range, up to Mach 14.  No-one has ever done that before for a complete scramjet flowpath." Professor Boyce said the project represented the first phase of a 20-year program that ultimately would include ground testing, the development of new materials and flight testing at Woomera, South Australia.

Partners in the new program include four Australian universities – UQ, the University of Adelaide, the University of New South Wales, and the University of Southern Queensland; and a US university, the University of Minnesota.

It also includes three international aerospace organisations – DLR in Germany, JAXA of Japan and CIRA of Italy; Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation; the Australian Youth Aerospace Association; and industry partners including Brisbane firm Teakle Composites Pty Ltd, Cairns firm AIMTEK Pty Ltd, BAE Systems Australia, and Boeing Research and Technology Australia.

"Access to – getting into – space is necessary for the deployment of space-based systems and technologies for communications, remote sensing, climate monitoring and space science, " Professor Boyce said. "Safe, economical and environmentally responsible access to space is a major technological challenge of the 21st century for all nations due to the dependence of the global economy on assured and secure access to space-based services.

"The most promising way to meet this challenge is to extend aeronautical technology to hypersonic vehicles powered, at least partially, by supersonic combustion airbreathing engines (scramjets). "Scramjets can be combined with rockets to produce a more fuel-efficient hybrid launch system. "With the work performed by our domestic hypersonics community, including universities, industry and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Australia is internationally recognised as a world leader in this field of research and development."

UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Max Lu thanked the Federal Government for its support, and congratulated consortium members on the "fantastic result" which had been achieved by all groups contributing their expertise and in-kind materials. "It demonstrates what can be achieved when partners work collaboratively for the common love of technology and the goal of furthering knowledge," he said.

"As well as the research outcomes, importantly this program will inspire young people to study aerospace engineering and related disciplines and to look towards the Australian space sector for their career. "This bodes well for a healthy Australian domestic space industry in years to come."

Space Travel

  Does space photo of Orion nebula reveal heavenly face of older Obi-Wan Kenobi?

Is that Obi-Wan Kenobi in that nebula?  

   The eye appears to be closed, with a visible nose and mouth. The photo was captured by an astronomer last month, and actually shows space as it would have been some 1,600 years ago (based on the time it would take light to travel to earth).

In other words, a long time ago.

Can you see the heavenly visage?  What – or who – do you think it looks like?

Image: Ignacio de la Cueva Torregrosa

   Join the Globe at Night 2010 Campaign March 3-16  

Less of Our Light for More Star Light: Join the 5th worldwide Globe at Night 2010 campaign: March 3-16 ! With half of the world?s population now living in cities, many urban dwellers have never experienced the wonderment of pristinely dark skies and maybe never will.     

To learn the five easy steps to participate in the Globe at Night program, see the Globe at Night website at http://www.globeatnight.org. You can listen to a 10-minute audio podcast on light pollution and Globe at Night at http://365daysofastronomy.org/2010/02/03/february-3rd-the-globe-at-night-campaign-our-light-or-starlight/

For activities that have children explore what light pollution is, what its effects are on wildlife and how to prepare for participating in the Globe at Night campaign, see the new activities athttp://www.darkskiesawareness.org/DarkSkiesRangers.

Monitoring our environment will allow us as citizen-scientists to identify and preserve the dark sky oases in cities and locate areas where light pollution is increasing. All it takes is a few minutes during the March 2010 campaign to measure sky brightness and contribute those observations on-line. Help us exceed the 15,000 observations contributed last year. Your measurements will make a world of difference.

IYA   

   Evidence 'steadily mounting' for cosmic life

Evidence is 'steadily mounting' that life on Earth began elsewhere in the Universe and was brought here by comets, according to astronomer, Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe.

Professor Wickramasinghe, Director of the Cardiff Centre for Astrobiology, says that a clear pronouncement on the matter is now “overdue”. 

  In his paper, published in the International Journal of Astrobiology this month, Professor Wickramasinghe assesses the case that life had a cosmic origin in the light of astronomical discoveries of the past 30 years.

He argues that astronomy shows organic molecules and organic dust are available on a huge scale, with a third of interstellar carbon in this form. He claims it is likely that a large amount of this material comes from decayed biological organisms, as is the case on Earth.

Professor Wickramasinghe concludes that the evidence of the past 30 years strengthens the case that life first came to Earth from impacting comets carrying organic matter around 3.8bn years ago.

However he argues that “cultural barriers” still exist to admitting the connection. In the paper, he says: “As we enter a new decade – the year 2010 – a clear pronouncement of our likely alien ancestry and of the existence of extraterrestrial life on a cosmic scale would seem to be overdue.”

PhySorg

Should We Really Be Sending Messages Into Space?

For 50 years now, astronomers and space enthusiasts have been listening for signals in the background noise of space that might point to another civilization, but some experts say numerous messages zipping through the cosmos could be confusing or simply meaningless, AFP reported.

NASA beamed the Beatles song "Across the Universe" into deep space in 2008, sending a message of peace to any extraterrestrial who happens to be in the region of Polaris, also called the North Star, in 2439.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney called it "Amazing!” “Well done, NASA! Send my love to the aliens," McCartney added. But aside from a few brief and intriguing events, nothing has really shown up, which is why the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) is set to shift more and more from "passive" to "active" mode.

"Active SETI" is a new approach that will use powerful radio astronomy transmitters to beam out to interesting stars or extrasolar planets in the hope of eventually achieving some form of alien communication.

So far a tiny 1,679-bit message was beamed in 1974 to star M13, 25,000 light years away; two "Cosmic Calls" in 1999 and 2003; a 2006 TV show by the Franco-German channel ARTE which beamed messages from the public to the star Errai, 45 light years distant; and a "Message from Earth" to a planet orbiting the star Gliese 581, incorporating contributions from users of social networking site Bebo, have all been projects in SETI’s ongoing mission.

Therefore, alien civilizations are in for a smorgasbord of human culture if they exist — and if they are able to decipher the messages. Many different messages have been sent out, such as an "Interstellar Rosetta Stone" of symbols that give information about Earth and Homo sapiens, and even jokes.

Political statements have also been beamed into the universe, such as "X-Files" actress Gillian Anderson sending out an image of George W. Bush as the personification of evil, juxtaposed against Barack Obama as the embodiment of good. Recordings of the vaginal contractions of ballerinas with the Boston Ballet, a renegade 1980s art project aimed at giving the galaxy an idea of human conception, were sent out to any life forms at Epsilon Eridani and Tau Ceti.

Astrophysicist Malcolm Fridlund at the European Space Agency (ESA) says that active SETI may well be a waste of time given the absence of any evidence so far that extraterrestrial life of any kind exists. However, he suggests Earthlings should show caution about drawing so much attention to ourselves.

Fridlund told AFP that even though he’s not lying awake at night worrying about the overlords of the galaxy or anything like that, Earth should careful, considering we don't know of anything that's out there. “You should know something about the (star) system first,” he warned.

British cosmologist Stephen Hawking shares Fridlund’s concern. He suggests "we should keep our heads low," given any possibility of encountering a hostile, technologically superior civilization. The prestigious British journal Nature warned in 2006 that the risk posed by active SETI is real. The editorial would create divisions among enthusiasts as to who had the right to be ambassador of Earth.

"It is not obvious that all extraterrestrial civilizations will be benign — or that contact with even a benign one would not have serious repercussions for people here on Earth."

Red Orbit

 UFO sightings will vanish in the ex files
Times Online
The Ministry of Defence will destroy future reports of UFOs to prevent them from being made public, a memo has revealed. The British UFO investigation unit …

Keep Calm and Never Mind, Britain Says in Its X-Files
New York Times
Lord Mountbatten, the chief of the defense staff, “believed UFO's were real and of interplanetary origin,” a briefing document from the ministry said. …

UFOs, across the pond
Los Angeles Times
Indeed, the British records, which detail sightings from 1994 to 2000, show that perceptions about UFOs might owe more to Hollywood than previously thought. …

MoD 'blanked out' UFO comments
The Press Association
The Ministry of Defence had to blank out "uncomplimentary comments" made by officials about members of the public beforepublishing its UFO files, …  

FEATURE STORY

 KSC Workers Rally to Continue Constellation and Extend Shuttle

About 2,000 people turned out for a "Save Our Space Exploration" rally in Titusville, Florida on Saturday.  Organized by union leaders, the event focused on preserving jobs at Kennedy Space Center, vital to the economy on the Space Coast.  "Canceling the Constellation program is a movement away from what we Floridians know that we made happen," said Brian Dempsey Secretary/Treasurer of Florida AFL/CIO. 

"Space Coast, space travel — that's Florida.  That's what we're known for.  This is not a small matter.  This is a huge fight that we're going to have to buckle down to win.  It's going to take serious dedication and determination."

No NASA officials spoke, but shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach was in attendance.
Speakers included union and community leaders, and each began with the words, "I'm one of the faces of the Space Coast, my family is worth fighting for, my community is worth fighting for, my job is worth fighting for."

Pic: Supporters at a rally want to continue the Constellation program and extend the shuttle program.  Image credit: Alan Walters, awaltersphoto.com. Used by permission.

Any mention of commercial space companies or Russian space vehicles brought boos from the crowd.  At the entrance at the Brevard County Community College, where the rally was held, people held signs that said "Impeach Obama."

"We need to send a message to Congress and our President that what was announced a few weeks ago was not the last word," said Glenda Linton, the National Secretary Treasurer of the Federation of Public and Private Employees.  "We are here to send a message We will keep our jobs here in the United States and not give them to the likes of Russia and China.  This is about lives, schools, businesses and everything that goes along with it."

"I want to remind the President what he said right in that building over there, that he was going to save our jobs," said Robin Fisher a Brevard county commissioner.  He encouraged everyone to contact their legislators with the following words: "We urge you to call for endorsement for Constellation for a bold direction, and extension of the shuttle.  We urge you to hold up all votes until Florida is taken care of.  If that stops Washington, that's OK.  We want to stop Washington. 

Tell your legislators to cast no votes until the President gets it, that we must set a direction that is right for the US to preserve our leadership as a world economic superpower and military leadership that can only be achieved through space exploration." Organizers were expecting up to 5,000 people, but cold, rainy weather may have kept some at home.  Many were bundled up in coats and blankets, but held signs that said "Jobs Now" or "We Believe in Space."

The Save Our Space group is organizing a video message campaign to send to members of Congress that will tell the personal stories of what will happen with the projected job losses, which could reach upwards 20,000, according to some sources.  "Your face is the only one that can tell your story," one speaker said.

"This is a time to build, a time to be innovative, a time to keep people working in the jobs they were trained to do," he continued.  "We are here today on this raining, cloudy and misty day to remind our leaders in Congress that this community is worth fighting for and these jobs are worth holding onto.  We are not here to lay blame on anyone but to value the pride of this community and the work that we do in it.  This is an example that we are willing to do to whatever we can to save our community and save our jobs."

"This isn't a crisis for just NASA workers, or union members," said Executive Vice President of AFL/CIO Arleen Holt Baker.  "This is a crisis of an entire community, and there are millions of brothers and sisters across America that are standing shoulder to shoulder with you, and they share your anger at the short-sighted decisions that are short changing your future."

Universe Today

IN THE SKY THIS MONTH

 It’s March in Australia so welcome to the best skies in the world. Out of the 88 constellations we’ve got the pick of the crop! So, it’s just you, me and the starry night. Depending on your age and your eyesight, you can see up to about 1500 to 2000 stars on a clear night. Ready?

    ASTRO PIC OF THE WEEK 

  3-D Video of an Exploding Supernova

Measurements of supernova rates in other galaxies have led scientists to conclude that at least three supernovae should erupt in the Milky Way galaxy per century. At least one supernova has been found, the ghostly remnant Cassiopeia A, which is likely to have occurred around the year 1680. The supernova occurred approximately 11,000 light years away within the Milky Way galaxy, in the Cassiopeia constellation.

A supernova remnant near the center of the Milky Way though has recently added to the list of remnants within our galaxy, and has taken the place of youngest known remnant in our galaxy. Known as G1.9+0.3, the remnant lies about 28,000 light years away, and was first identified as a ring-like supernova remnant in the early 80’s. More recently though, observations by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Very Large Array in New Mexico have shown that the diameter of the remnant – akin to a glowing gas shell – has expanded by 16% over the past 22 years.

From this, and assuming that the speed of expansion is roughly constant, that makes the remnant approximately 140 years old. The supernova would not have been visibly to astronomers back then however, given that it occurred in dense gas and dust towards the galactic center. "The best telescopes at that time would not have been able to collect enough light to see it," says Stephen Reynolds of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, who led the Chandra study and revealed the results this week. "But the remnant shines in radio waves and X-rays, so X-ray and radio telescopes can see it."

The discovery of this remnant does help plug the relatively small amount of remnants found in our galaxy. But according to Reynolds, many of the “missing” remnants may simply never be found, whether it be because they leave no trace, or because the star creates a bubble of empty space around it before it goes explodes.Measurements of supernova rates in other galaxies have led scientists to conclude that at least three supernovae should erupt in the Milky Way galaxy per century. At least one supernova has been found, the ghostly remnant Cassiopeia A, which is likely to have occurred around the year 1680. The supernova occurred approximately 11,000 light years away within the Milky Way galaxy, in the Cassiopeia constellation.

A supernova remnant near the center of the Milky Way though has recently added to the list of remnants within our galaxy, and has taken the place of youngest known remnant in our galaxy. Known as G1.9+0.3, the remnant lies about 28,000 light years away, and was first identified as a ring-like supernova remnant in the early 80’s. More recently though, observations by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Very Large Array in New Mexico have shown that the diameter of the remnant – akin to a glowing gas shell – has expanded by 16% over the past 22 years. From this, and assuming that the speed of expansion is roughly constant, that makes the remnant approximately 140 years old.

The supernova would not have been visibly to astronomers back then however, given that it occurred in dense gas and dust towards the galactic center. "The best telescopes at that time would not have been able to collect enough light to see it," says Stephen Reynolds of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, who led the Chandra study and revealed the results this week. "But the remnant shines in radio waves and X-rays, so X-ray and radio telescopes can see it."

The discovery of this remnant does help plug the relatively small amount of remnants found in our galaxy. But according to Reynolds, many of the “missing” remnants may simply never be found, whether it be because they leave no trace, or because the star creates a bubble of empty space around it before it goes explodes.

Daily Galaxy

 Did You Know?

 If every star in the Milky Way was a grain of salt they would fill an Olympic sized swimming pool.

12 Astronauts have walked on the moon, between them bringing back 382 kilograms of rocks, pebbles, sand and dust.

Whales talk to each other by making a loud clicking noise. The sound waves travel extremely well underwater and they can hear each other from 100 miles away. 

A TV screen shows 24 pictures a second. Because a fly sees 200 images a second, it would see TV as still pictures with darkness in between.

Cats can see clearly in one-sixth the amount of light we humans would need. This is due to a special layer of cells at the back of their retinas, which acts like a mirror, reflecting light back to the retina's cells.

---

 Events

Global Astronomy Month

Global Astronomy MonthProfessional and amateur astronomers, educators and all astronomy enthusiasts worldwide are invited to celebrate the Universe in April 2010, during Global Astronomy Month – an international project that builds on the achievements of The International Year of Astronomy 2009, by combining a wide array of activities with the possibility of sharing experiences in real-time!

Taking place during April 2010, Global Astronomy Month (GAM2010) is a community-based effort aiming to achieve international collaboration and more interaction between participants than ever before. The primary idea of GAM2010 is to share ideas, experiences and successes, allowing communities that organize their own events to carry their ideas and inspiration forward.

Please look at organising events throughout Australia to share the Universe with as many people out ther as you can – let me know what you areplanning so we can publicise it and share it with the world.

Some ideas?

GAM2010 includes the most popular events for both astronomers and the public: telescopes will be available for the viewing of the Moon, Saturn and other objects, not only at observatories and planetariums, but also in public locations; dark sky observing of distant objects, Messier marathon, Lyrid Meteor Shower observing parties and events for the annual celebration of Astronomy Day (April, 24) are just some of the activities planned; special events by IYA2009-created global programs, observing with telescopes controlled over the Internet, webcasts and podcasts of special presentations, exhibitions, public competitions, astrophotography contests and workshops and much more will ensure that there is something for everyone.

Check out the website http://www.gam-awb.org and blogs – http://gam-awb.org/gam-project-blog.html for more info.

 ————————————————————————-

 NACAA 2010 – National Australian Convention for Amateur Astronomers  

Workshop. Start Time: Friday, April 2 at 7:25pm Sunday, April 4 at 10:25pm. Where: Rydges Capitol Hill Hotel, Forrest, Canberra, ACT To see more details and RSVP, follow the link:  OR email me here at the newsletter for more help.

http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=258264943077&mid=1d04ba3G20ce0a77G55b1fd6G7

 ————————————————————————-

Get star struck with BridgeClimb

BridgeClimb are providing an exclusive opportunity to experience a Climb on the Sydney Harbour Bridge during Earth Hour.
 
Led by Fred Watson, the astronomer in charge of the Anglo-Australian Observatory, climbers will have the rare opportunity to watch in awe from the top of the Bridge as the lights switch off in Sydney and the city’s sky illuminates with stars. Earth Hour is on Saturday, 27 March from 8:30pm – 9:30pm, when homes and businesses across Sydney will switch off their lights to show their support for action on climate change.

Watson will provide expert guided commentary on astronomy for the climbers without the usual light pollution that makes it almost impossible to stargaze in the beautiful city of Sydney.               “Light pollution is caused by inefficient artificial lighting illuminating the sky so that fainter astronomical objects, like stars, are hard to see or disappear altogether,” the award winning Watson said.
 
Watson then went on to comment that “"The main thing is to…get away from places where there is a concentration of light, so Earth Hour will be the perfect opportunity to catch a glimpse of our city’s night sky at its best".
 
This exclusive Climb will be on The Bridge Climb and will start at 6:45pm.  Tickets are $198 each, with limited spots available.  To take advantage of this rare opportunity, please call the ticket hotline on (02) 8274 7777.  
 
To book a climb at another time on one of our three amazing climbs, The Bridge Climb, The Discovery Climb or our newest climb, The Express Climb, please visit www.bridgeclimb.com.

---

         Download The Evening Sky Map

Supporters at a rally want to continue the Constellation program and extend the shuttle program. Image credit: Alan Walters, awaltersphoto.com. Used by permission.