Being the “token astronomer” in some of my circles means that I get asked all kinds of interesting questions. Like this: “You’re an astronomer! Tell me – is it normal for your boobs to actually be separate entities outside your space suit? I mean, I assume that’s for science reasons.” With the picture at rightContinue reading “I get Questions”
Tag Archives: astronauts
Telescopes from Space!
Soichi Noguchi, an astronaut currently living aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 23, loves sending back gorgeous pictures of the Earth and Moon via his Twitter feed, astro_soichi. This morning, I woke up to a lovely picture of the Atacama Desert, complete with a from-orbit view of the ALMA OSF. Don’t yetContinue reading “Telescopes from Space!”
LIFTOFF!
Wow. STS-130 lifted off at 4:14AM on 8 February 2010. The crew of the space shuttle Endeavor was strapped in for a second launch attempt after the previous morning’s attempt had been scrubbed for a low cloud ceiling. A few miles away, on a much emptier and slightly warmer causeway, the space tweeps gathered onceContinue reading “LIFTOFF!”
Shuttle Launch Attempt… take one!
So…. the launch of STS-130 was scrubbed last night. The crew of six was primed and ready to deliver the Tranquility module to the International Space Station, and the shuttle itself was all ready for liftoff! The weather, however, would not cooperate. We kept swinging between “go” and “no-go” due to a low cloud ceiling.Continue reading “Shuttle Launch Attempt… take one!”
A nod to STS-125
Astronomers in my department are anxiously and excitedly watching the events unfold from the space shuttle mission to repair Hubble this week. HST has been a fantastically productive scientific instrument, and many people are hoping it will continue to revolutionize how we think of the universe for a few more years. My personal favorite hasContinue reading “A nod to STS-125”
Carnival of Space #79
Welcome, one and all, to the glittering light show that is the Carnival of Space! Only this time, it’s not a carnival lit by twinkling bulbs but by the nuclear furnaces of stars and the fires of our own imaginations. This week, it’s all about planets as we start from Earth and move through ourContinue reading “Carnival of Space #79”
Radio Astronomy on the Moon
So I’ve been able to sit in on a video-conference for a group that is putting out a plan for a low frequency radio telescope on the Moon. I’m just a wee student, so I observed quietly. There are a lot of technical challenges, and the science is fascinating and there is SO MUCH toContinue reading “Radio Astronomy on the Moon”