On-Hudson.com

Atlantis' Last Approach

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110713.html

Atlantis' Last Approach 
Image Credit: ISS Expedition 28 Crew, NASA

 

Virgin SpaceShipTwo's First "Feathered" Flight

Early on Wednesday 4th May 2011, in the skies above Mojave Air and Spaceport CA, SpaceShipTwo, the world's first commercial spaceship, demonstrated its unique reentry ‘feather’ configuration for the first time.   This test flight, the third in less than two weeks, marks another major milestone on the path to powered test flights and commercial operations. SpaceShipTwo (SS2), named VSS Enterprise, has now flown solo seven times since its public roll-out in December 2009 and since the completion of its ground and captive -carry test program. This latest flight saw a 6:43AM (local) runway take off for VSS Enterprise, attached to its WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft, VMS Eve. At the controls of the of the spaceship were Scaled Composites' test pilots Pete Siebold and Clint Nichols whilst Mark Stucky, Brian Maisler and Brandon Inks crewed the purpose built, all composite, twin fuselage WK2. After a 45 minute climb to the desired altitude of 51,500 feet, SS2 was released cleanly from VMS Eve and established a stable glide profile before deploying, for the first time, its re-entry or "feathered" configuration by rotating the tail section of the vehicle upwards to a 65 degree angle to the fuselage. It remained in this configuration with the vehicle's body at a level pitch for approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds whilst descending, almost vertically, at around 15,500 feet per minute, slowed by the powerful shuttlecock-like drag created by the raised tail section. At around 33,500 feet the pilots reconfigured the spaceship to its normal glide mode and executed a smooth runway touch down, approximately 11 minutes and 5 seconds after its release from VMS Eve. All objectives for the flight were met and detailed flight data is now being analysed by the engineers atScaled Composites, designers and builders of Virgin Galactic's sub-orbital spacecraft. George Whitesides, CEO and President of Virgin Galactic, said: "This morning's spectacular flight by VSS Enterprise was its third in 12 days, reinforcing the fast turnaround and frequent flight-rate potential of Virgin Galactic's new vehicles. We have also shown this morning that the unique feathering re-entry mechanism, probably the single most important safety innovation within the whole system, works perfectly. This is yet another important milestone successfully passed for Virgin Galactic, and brings us ever closer to the start of commercial operations. Credit is due to the whole Scaled team, whose meticulous planning and great skill are changing the course of history." Pete Siebold, who along with Clint Nichols piloted the spaceship added: "In all test flight programs, after the training, planning and rehearsing, there comes the moment when you have to go up there and fly it for real. This morning's flight was a test pilot's dream. The spaceship is a joy to fly and the feathered descent portion added a new, unusual but wonderful dynamic to the ride. The fact that it all went to plan, that there were no surprises and that we brought VSS Enterprise back to Mojave safe and sound is a great testament to the whole team." ENDS Wing Feathering for Re-Entry Perhaps the most innovative safety feature employed by SpaceshipOne and now SpaceShipTwo is the unique way it returns into the dense atmosphere from the vacuum of space. This part of space flight has always been considered as one of the most technically challenging and dangerous and Burt Rutan was determined to find a failsafe solution which remained true to Scaled Composite's philosophy of safety through simplicity. His inspiration for what is known as the feathered re-entry was the humble shuttlecock, which like SpaceShipTwo relies on aerodynamic design and laws of physics to control speed and attitude. Once out of the atmosphere the entire tail structure of the spaceship can be rotated upwards to about 65º. The feathered configuration allows an automatic control of attitude with the fuselage parallel to the horizon. This creates very high drag as the spacecraft descends through the upper regions of the atmosphere. The feather configuration is also highly stable, effectively giving the pilot a hands-free re-entry capability, something that has not been possible on spacecraft before, without resorting to computer controlled fly-by-wire systems. The combination of high drag and low weight (due to the very light materials used to construct the vehicle) mean that the skin temperature during re-entry stays very low compared to previous manned spacecraft and thermal protection systems such as heat shields or tiles are not needed. During a full sub-orbital spaceflight, at around 70,000ft following re-entry, the feather lowers to its original configuration and the spaceship becomes a glider for the flight back to the spaceport runway. About Virgin Galactic Virgin Galactic is on track to be the world’s first commercial spaceline. The new spaceship (VSS Enterprise) and Mothership (VMS Eve) are both being developed for Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 claimed the $10m Ansari X Prize as the world’s first privately developed manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic’s new vehicles share much of the same basic design but are being built to carry six customers on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat zero gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space. The VSS Enterprise test flight program will continue through 2011, prior to commercial operations, which will be based at Virgin Galactic’s future headquarters at Spaceport America in New Mexico. Contact Stephen Attenborough, Commercial Director Email: Stephen.Attenborough@virgingalactic.com Telephone: +44 (0) 788 152 2025 Christine Choi Email: Telephone: +1 212 497 9059

 

Evolution Of Flight Virgins SpaceShip Two

Virgin America Unveils Next Generation New Home Virgin Galatic Joins to Toast to the Evolution of Flight   San Francisco’s Airline Unveils Beautiful and Sustainable New Terminal 2 Home and Celebrates with a “Fly into the Future” Fare Sale.  Virgin America’s First Arriving SFO Terminal 2 Flight to Fly and Land alongside Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo       Virgin America unveils its beautiful and sustainable new home at San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) Terminal 2 (T2) today with a series of inaugural flights that celebrate the evolution of travel.   San Francisco - April 6, 2011 As the only California-based airline, Virgin America is an anchor tenant at SFO’s new T2, which offers a unique design that echoes the airline’s own focus on reinventing the typical domestic flying experience. Much like the airline that will call it home, the new T2 elevates the travel experience by offering the best in design, technology, food and sustainable practices. With over a half century of history, the 640,000-square foot T2 has been completely reinvented for the modern traveler by architecture and interior firm Gensler and aims to be the first LEED® Gold-certified airport terminal in the U.S. Virgin America’s additional investments in sustainable design for its T2 spaces and “Virgin Village” crew lounge are aimed at the highest possible LEED® Platinum-certified status. To unveil its sleek and sustainable new home and celebrate the evolution of flight, Virgin America today teams up with sister company Virgin Galactic to welcome two historic first flights to T2 – in support of a good cause. Today, the airline also launches a “Fly into the Future” fare sale on flights across its growing network. Fares start from $59* (restrictions, taxes and fees apply). Tickets are on sale now at www.virginamerica.com and by calling 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474). ** Photos of the new T2 and today’s special flights are available at: www.virginamerica.com/vx/sfo-t2 “As a new airline we’ve been able to use the latest in technology, design and sustainable practices to enhance the traveler experience, and we hope elevate the journey beyond just getting from Point A to Point B,” said David Cush, President and Chief Executive Officer of Virgin America. “We’re proud to unveil a new home that similarly reinvents the travel experience for the modern flyer – and that also reflects the innovative, forward-looking spirit of our San Francisco home.” Virgin America is the only California-based airline and its decision to headquarter in the Bay Area has helped make SFO one of the nation’s few growing airports. As of April 14, 2011, Virgin America will occupy seven gates at the new T2; American Airlines will occupy six; and there will be one common-use gate. With outstanding service, custom-designed cabins and high-tech amenities, Virgin America has been winning over consumers and travel awards since its August 2007 launch – including capturing the “Best Domestic Airline” title in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure’s World's Best Awards for the past three years. Virgin America has created 1,900 jobs and welcomed more than 11 million guests since its launch. The airline continues to fuel significant expansion, with its employee base projected to grow by 500 additional teammates a year and its fleet projected to triple in size by 2019. Known for its inventive design and sustainable best practices, Virgin America informed the T2 design process from its earliest stages. T2 offers features that mirror Virgin America’s own unique flight service, including a “Recompose” lounge that acts as a soothing oasis for flyers post-security, beautiful living-room like gate areas, the best in local and organic dining, elevated laptop work tables with outlets and WiFi and the airline’s distinctive cabin “moodlighting” featured at its T2 ticket counters and gates. “Virgin is known around the world for product innovation that improves the customer experience. I am proud to see Virgin America grow into a new home that allows them to extend that unique Virgin experience from the aircraft to the airport,” said Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson. “Thanks to the vision of SFO and Gensler, T2 represents the evolution of the airport guest experience and serves as a model for sustainable design. Just as Virgin America now has guests who say ‘I wish my flight was longer,’ T2 is a place travelers will actually enjoy visiting and spending time in.” Guests onboard Virgin America’s Airbus A320 “My Other Ride is a Spaceship” will make aviation history today as both the first arriving T2 travelers and the first to fly and land alongside Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo as they make their inaugural landing at an international airport. Flight guests, including Sir Richard Branson and space pioneer Buzz Aldrin, will get a bird’s eye view of the future of flight as they meet up with the world’s first commercial spaceline over the California coast and proceed to touch down on parallel runways at SFO. Guests include supporters of “Galactic Unite,” a Virgin Unite (Virgin Group’s nonprofit foundation) initiative that aims to inspire students to seek answers to global challenges through science, engineering, math and business entrepreneurship education. Virgin pilots and engineers serve as mentors in the program, which is initially aimed at K-12 youth in New Mexico and California. Participating students from KIPP Bay Area and KIPP Academy of Hope in LA as well as participants in the Student Launch program in New Mexico join today’s events. For more:www.virginunite.com/campaign/USA/Galactic-Unite “Virgin America has the most advanced and carbon-efficient commercial fleet in the U.S. and when it touches down today at its new home it will share the runway with the future of commercial aerospace – SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo,” said George Whitesides, President and Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic. “We’re proud that two Virgin-branded companies can link the cutting-edge present to the future of commercial aviation. It is also fitting that today’s flights are helping to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and aviators.” Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) represents a giant leap forward in aerospace design and will enable safe and commercially-viable access to space for private individuals and academic researchers. The world’s largest all carbon composite aviation vehicle and the most fuel efficient aircraft of its size, WK2 can perform high and zero g maneuvers and possesses the high-altitude heavy-lift capability to air-release the world’s first commercial manned spaceship – SpaceShipTwo – on its journey into sub-orbital space. SpaceShipTwo is a rocket-powered space plane, which is intended to air-launch via a groundbreaking feather re-entry system. For more on the future of commercial space travel and the spaceships: www.virgingalactic.com/overview/spaceships “Today, San Francisco unveils the most innovative, environmentally sustainable domestic airport in the country. T2 is an economic engine that has created and will continue to create jobs and bolster our State’s economy while being a responsible environmental steward of our natural resources,” said Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom. “It is fitting that Virgin America – the only California-based airline and one known for its inventive design and fuel-efficient fleet, will help unveil the new T2. Since its launch, Virgin America has created thousands of jobs, lowered fares and has helped spur SFO’s growth.” Lieutenant Governor Newsom joined Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson onboard the first Virgin America flight to T2 today. Upon landing, T2’s first flight guests will enjoy the first finished tour of the new terminal. Virgin America is known for its modern and stylish design, including its signature cabin moodlighting (which transitions based on outside light and is intended to soothe and relax guests and even gradually awaken them on red eye flights) and white kiosk check-in tables and ticket/gate counters with a concierge desk look and feel. T2 offers living room-like gate spaces, imaginative lighting and world-class art installations. In line with the airline’s touch-screen entertainment, food on-demand, power outlets and fleetwide WiFi, T2 offers high-tech amenities like free WiFi and elevated laptop work stations with power. Similar to Virgin America’s own in-flight menus (which were named best in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure), T2 offers the best in local and organic dining. Lundberg Design additionally collaborated with Virgin America on its teammate lounge, baggage offices and other T2 areas, which are designed to achieve the highest possible LEED® Platinum-certified status. Notable design features and amenities within T2: Similar to Virgin America’s lighting, seating and design, T2’s “Recompose” area acts as a stress-reducing oasis post-security. Virgin America’s T2 gates are designed as open, beautiful living room-like spaces in view of dining areas. Virgin America T2 spaces feature mood-lit ticket counters and gates that model the airline’s distinctive cabin moodlighting. Virgin America’s T2 counters offer a sleek, user-friendly and modern aesthetic, with low-profiles that remove barriers between agent and guest and white kiosk check-in tables with touch-screen panels and a concierge desk look-and-feel. In line with Virgin America’s own award-winning food, T2 features Slow Food® concessions with a focus on locally-produced menus – including venues from chefs Cat Cora and Tyler Florence and California favorites like Pinkberry. Massive art installations are featured throughout the terminal – even in the baggage claim area. Laptop work-tables and plug-in stations, elevated work counters and free WiFi throughout. Interactive children’s play area. T2’s sustainable build and design: T2 aims to be the first LEED® Gold-certified airport terminal in the U.S. Design elements include the vast utilization of natural light, modern ventilation systems that require 20% less energy and skylights and clerestories which bring daylight into the space and significantly reduce electricity usage. ‘Hydration Stations’ allow flyers to fill reusable water bottles past security, reducing volume of waste. The first airport dining program in the country to recruit Slow Food® vendors, T2 will feature organic food vendors and require use of compostable utensils/containers. Contractors recycled 90% of construction debris from the project. SFO requires ongoing source separation of all recyclable solid waste to enable the attainment of 90% recycling by 2020. Preferential parking for hybrid cars. With the airline’s additional investment in sustainable design, Virgin America’s T2 office spaces and “Virgin Village” crew lounge are designed to achieve the highest possible LEED® Platinum-certification. Below are the additional steps the airline has taken: o Use of “Greenguard” certified woods and USGS-approved furniture sourcing. o Lighting is 35% more efficient than California Energy Codes, with night/day motion sensors. o Energy efficient heating, cooling and ventilation with occupancy sensors in Virgin America rooms. o All computers and office equipment are 100% EnergyStar certified. o Green building materials include high-recycled content, locally-manufactured case goods and other products, particle board made from agricultural waste and wood certified to standards of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). o Use of low-emitting VOC paints, coatings and building products. o Air filtered by the top-quality filtration system in the base building. Virgin America’s Airbus A320 Family aircraft feature custom-designed seating, mood-lit cabins, outlets, fleetwide WiFi and touch-screen entertainment platforms with 30 films, live TV, Google Maps, videogames and an on-demand menu – so flyers can order a meal from their seat any time in-flight. The carrier’s new fleet is up to 25% more fuel and carbon efficient than the average flying domestically. # # # Media Contact: Abby Lunardini (650) 533-7576 / abby.lunardini@virginamerica.com For photos of Virgin America, today’s flights and its new finished T2 spaces:www.virginamerica.com/vx/sfo-t2 For Virgin America’s T2 Fact Sheet: www.virginamerica.com/html/sfo-t2-fact-sheet.pdf For broadcast quality video of Virgin America aircraft and cabins:multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/virginamerica/48650/ EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S. owned, controlled and operated airline. It is an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America. About Virgin America: Headquartered in California, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Virgin America is a U.S. owned and operated airline that has created 1,900 jobs and welcomed more than 11 million guests since its August 2007 launch. In January 2011, Virgin America announced plans to triple its fleet size by 2019 with an order for 60 new Airbus A320 Family aircraft – including the first order for the new eco-efficient Airbus A320neo. The airline’s current base of operations is SFO’s International Terminal. On April 14, 2011, the airline will grow to become an anchor tenant at SFO’s new Terminal 2. Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun and Chicago (as of May 25, 2011). About Virgin Galactic: Virgin Galactic is on track to be the world’s first commercial spaceline. The new Spaceship (VSS Enterprise) and Mothership (VMS Eve) are both being developed for Sir Richard Branson ’s Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 claimed the $10m Ansari X prize as the world’s first privately developed manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic’s new vehicles share much of the same basic design but are being built to carry six customers on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat zero gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space. The VSS Enterprise test flight program will continue through 2011, prior to commercial operations which will be based at Virgin Galactic’s future headquarters at Spaceport America in New Mexico . To read and see more from and about Virgin Galactic got to www.virgingalactic.com Follow Virgin Galactic on Twitter and Facebook *Terms and Conditions: All Main Cabin fares are one-way, based on travel originating from the U.S, and require a 14-day advance purchase. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm PDT Friday, April 8, 2011. Travel must occur between April 20, 2011 and June 8, 2011 or August 24, 2011 and October 27, 2011. Service to/from Chicago (ORD) begins May 25, 2011. Blackout dates are May 27, May 31, September 2, and September 5, 2011. For domestic U.S. travel, lowest sale fares are only available for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays. Higher sale fares are available for travel on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Nonstop Los Angeles-Cancun service does not operate on Monday and Thursday. Nonstop San Francisco-Cancun service operates on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, a September 11th Security Fee of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.70 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. For service to/from Mexico, fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, the U.S. APHIS fee of $5, the U.S. International Arrival/Departure tax of $16.30 each way and additional taxes/fees of up to $60, including: Mexico International Departure Tax and Mexico Tourism Tax. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $75 fee if changes are made on Virgin America’s website (www.virginamerica.com) or a $100 fee through all other channels, including the call center and at the airport, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $75 redeposit fee. Guests who no-show without a change or cancel prior to the scheduled departure time will forfeit the amount of this fare. In addition, any future flights booked in the same reservation will also be canceled and the fare will be forfeited. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call center will cost an additional $20 per guest per itinerary. Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. Fares, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice. Virgin America will accept one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 70 pounds for $25 for each ticketed guest traveling within the U.S. and for free of charge for each ticketed guest traveling to/from Mexico. The fee per guest for each additional checked bag up to 50 pounds from the second (2) to the tenth (10) is $25. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply. **Any guest calling within the United States has access to a complimentary telecommunication relay service by dialing 711. For more information, go to: www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/telecomm.asp.

 

Space Station Fortunate For Near Miss Of Chinese Anti Satellite Test Debris

http://www.space.com/11302-chinese-space-junk-space-station-threat.html

Chinese Space Junk Won't Hit Space Station, NASA Says

Tariq Malik, SPACE.com Managing Editor

The International Space Station is featured in this image photographed by an STS-133 crew member on space shuttle Discovery after the station and shuttle began their post-undocking relative separation. Undocking of the two spacecraft occurred at 7 a.m. (EST) on March 7, 2011. CREDIT: NASA

A new analysis of a piece of Chinese space junk zooming so close to the International Space Station today that its crew prepared to take shelter in a Russian lifeboat has revealed that the satellite debris poses no risk to the orbiting lab or its astronauts, NASA officials said.

"Tracking data now indicates that a piece of orbital debris being monitored by Mission Control Houston will not pass close enough to the International Space Station to warrant the Expedition 27 crew members taking safe haven within their Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft," NASA officials said in an afternoon status update.

The space junk is a piece of China's defunct weather satellite Fengyun-1C, which was destroyed during a Chinese anti-satellite test in 2007 that created a vast cloud of orbital debris, NASA officials said.  

Based on the refined analysis, NASA officials said the satellite debris will fly within about 3.3 miles (5.3 kilometers) during its closest approach to the space station at 4:21 p.m. EDT (2021 GMT). It is approaching the space station from the front, but poses no danger of impacting the spacecraft.  [Worst Space Debris Moments of All Time]

Flight controllers had been tracking the debris all day from NASA's space station Mission Control room at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to determine the potential risk it posted to the station and its crew. At about 7 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT), Mission Control radioed the station astronauts to tell them they may need to seek shelter in the Soyuz until the debris passes the space station.

After a few more orbits, tracking observations determined that the space debris would not come close enough to warrant any safety measures, NASA officials said.

"The probability of a collision became low enough that it wasn't a high enough risk that we would need to shelter in place," NASA spokesman Kelly Humpries told SPACE.com. Mission Control radioed the all-clear to the crew at 2:41 p.m. EDT (1841 GMT) as the space station sailed 220 miles (354 km) above eastern Asia.

Humphries said that often times, the unpredictability of a piece of space junk's orbit can initially make it appear to pose a threat to the space station and its crew. But over time, as the orbit is refined with follow up observations ahead of closest approach, the actual threat may decrease, as was the case today.

Tracking space junk

The station's three-person crew includes NASA astronaut Cady Colman, Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli and Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratyev, who is commanding the mission.

NASA and its space station partners usually move the space station clear of any potentially threatening piece of space junk if tracking observations predict the debris will fly within a preset safety perimeter. That perimeter, which is shaped like a giant pizza box, extends about 15 miles (25 km) around the space station and about a half-mile (0.75 km) above and below the orbiting lab.

But the process of moving the space station using its Russian-built thrusters or by firing the engines on other spacecraft docked at the outpost takes time.

The close pass of the Chinese satellite debris was discovered too late to make any maneuvers, so NASA kept a close eye on it until it was clear the debris posed no risk. [Video: Space Junk Threat Grows]

Space station dodges other debris

Today's space debris threat comes on the heels of another close call at the space station. That event occurred on Friday (April 1) at 10:36 p.m. EDT (0236 Saturday GMT), when space station flight controllers moved the orbiting laboratory clear of another piece of satellite trash.

The Friday space debris event was spotted with much more advance notice than today's threat, allowing flight controllers time to move the space station using thrusters on a European cargo ship currently docked to the orbiting lab, as well as engines on a docked Russian cargo ship and the station's own thrusters.

The move, called a debris avoidance maneuver, pushed the space station clear of a leftover piece of space junk from a 2009 crash between two satellites.

"The object [was] a relic from a collision between the Cosmos 2251 and Iridium 33 satellites in February 2009 and had been close to the station’s orbit prior to the debris avoidance maneuver," NASA officials said in a statement discussing the Friday space debris event.

Space debris has been a growing threat to satellites and spacecraft carrying astronauts because of the anti-satellite test, 2009 crash and increasing number of satellites in orbit. Today, more than 22,000 pieces of space junk are being tracked in Earth orbit. Some military officials have proposed forming an international response to meet the space debris threat.

Meanwhile, three new crewmembers are preparing to join the astronauts and cosmonaut living on the space station.

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying a NASA astronaut and two cosmonauts is closing in on the International Space Station after launching into orbit on Monday. The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is carrying the second half of the station's Expedition 27 mission crew and is due to dock at the space station on Wednesday afternoon.

You can follow SPACE.com Managing Editor Tariq Malik on Twitter @tariqjmalik. Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.

 

Unexpected Cosmic Burst In Distant Galaxy Continues To Burn After A Week

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/cosmic-burst-in-far-away-galaxy-puzzles-nasa-20110408-1d6kz.html

Cosmic burst in far away galaxy puzzles NASA

Puzzling ... this cosmic burst has baffled scientists at NASA. Photo: AFP

NASA is studying a surprising cosmic burst at the centre of a distant galaxy that has burned for more than a week, longer than astronomers have ever seen before, the US space agency said on Thursday.

Calling it "one of the most puzzling cosmic blasts ever observed", NASA said it has mobilised the Hubble Space Telescope along with its Swift satellite and Chandra X-ray Observatory to study the phenomenon.

"More than a week later, high-energy radiation continues to brighten and fade from its location," NASA said in a statement.

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"Astronomers say they have never seen such a bright, variable, high-energy, long-lasting burst before. Usually, gamma-ray bursts mark the destruction of a massive star, and flaring emission from these events never lasts more than a few hours."

The first in a series of explosions was detected by a NASA telescope on March 28 in the constellation Draco.

Astronomers think the the blast occurred "when a star wandered too close to its galaxy's central black hole", NASA said.

"Intense tidal forces probably tore the star apart, and the infalling gas continues to stream toward the hole. According to this model, the spinning black hole formed an outflowing jet along its rotational axis. A powerful blast of X- and gamma rays is seen when the jet is pointed in our direction."

On April 4, the Hubble telescope spotted the source of the explosion at the centre of a galaxy 3.8 billion light years away from Earth.

"We have been eagerly awaiting the Hubble observation," said Neil Gehrels, the lead scientist for Swift at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

"The fact that the explosion occurred in the center of a galaxy tells us it is most likely associated with a massive black hole. This solves a key question about the mysterious event."

The Swift telescope has catalogued the event as gamma-ray burst (GRB) 110328A, alerting worldwide astronomers to its existence for further study.

AFP

 

Glimpse InTo Space Thursday December 16th 2010

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

2010 December 16 

Geminids over Kitt Peak 
Image Credit & Copyright: David A. Harvey

Explanation: Two large telescope domes stand in the foreground of this night sky view from Kitt Peak National Observatory, near Tucson, Arizona, USA. The dramatic scene was recorded early Tuesday morning, near the peak of December's Geminid Meteor Shower. With dome slit open, the building closest to the camera houses the 2.3 Meter (90 inch) Bok Telescope operated by Steward Observatory, University of Arizona. Behind the Bok is the Mayall 4 Metertelescope dome. Of course, no telescopes were needed to enjoy the meteors streaking through the sky! The composite image consists of 13 exposures each 15 seconds long, taken with a wide angle lens over a period of about 2 hours during Kitt Peak's warm, clear, night. An annual celestial event, this meteor shower is the result of planet Earth plowing through dust from mysterious, asteroid-like object 3200 Phaethon.

Glimpse InTo Space

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap101214.html

2010 December 14 

Launch of a Delta IV Heavy 
Credit & Copyright: Ben Cooper (Launch Photography)

Explanation: It is the tallest rocket in active use. The Delta IV Heavy is the largest of the Delta series, packing the punch of three rocket boosters instead of the usual one. The resulting rocket, the most powerful in use by the US Air Force, is capable of lifting over 23,000 kilograms into low Earth orbit,comparable to NASA's Space Shuttle. Pictured above is the second launch of the Delta IV Heavy from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA in 2007, and the first night launch. Complex service towers are visible to each side of the soaring rocket. The rocket successfully lifted a reconnaissance satellite to low Earth orbit. The Delta IV Heavy has since completed several more successful lift-offs, while its next launch is currently planned from Vandenberg Air Force Base,California, USA, next month.

 

Glimpse InTo Space Sunday December 12th 2010

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

2010 December 12 

Leonids Above Torre de la Guaita 
Image Credit & Copyright: Juan Carlos Casado (TWAN)

Explanation: In 1999, Leonids Meteor Shower came to an impressive crescendo. Observers in Europe saw a sharp peak in the number of meteors visible around 0210 UTC during the early morning hours of November 18. Meteor counts then exceeded 1000 per hour - the minimum needed to define a true meteor storm. At other times and from other locations around the world, observers typically reported respectable rates of between 30 and 100 meteors per hour. This photograph is a 20-minute exposure ending just before the main Leonids peak began. Visible are at least five Leonid meteors streaking high above the Torre de la Guaita, an observation tower used during the 12th century in Girona, Spain. Over the next few nights, the Geminids are expected to put on the best meteor show of this year.

 

 

StarGazers In United Kingdom Please Report Recent Bright Meteor Event

Call for Reports: Recent Fireball over the United Kingdom 

http://bb.nightskylive.net/asterisk/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=22242

 

Glimpse InTo Space Thursday December 9th 2010

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

2010 December 9 

M81 and Arp's Loop 
Image Credit & Copyright: R Jay GaBany - Collaboration: A. Sollima (IAC), 
A. Gil de Paz (U. Complutense Madrid) D. Martínez-Delgado (IAC, MPIA), J.J. Gallego-Laborda (Fosca Nit Obs.), T. Hallas (Hallas Obs.)

Explanation: One of the brightest galaxies in planet Earth's sky and similar in size to the Milky Way, big, beautiful spiral M81 lies 11.8 million light-years away in the northern constellation Ursa Major. This deep image of the region reveals details in the bright yellow core, but at the same time follows fainter features along the galaxy's gorgeous blue spiral arms and sweeping dust lanes. It also follows the expansive, arcing feature, known as Arp's loop, that seems to rise from the galaxy's disk at the right. Studied in the 1960s, Arp's loop has been thought to be a tidal tail, material pulled out of M81 by gravitational interaction with its large neighboring galaxy M82. But a recent investigation demonstrates that much of Arp's loop likely lies within our own galaxy. The loop's colors in visible and infrared light match the colors of pervasive clouds of dust, relatively unexplored galactic cirrus only a few hundred light-years above the plane of the Milky Way. Along with the Milky Way's stars, the dust clouds lie in the foreground of this remarkable view. M81's dwarf companion galaxy, Holmberg IX, can be seen just above and left of the large spiral. On the sky, this image spans about 0.5 degrees, about the size of the Full Moon.