Rocket Section

Here is the second of two initial launches of the NEAS’s Rocket Section:

The first test launch used an A-type rocket motor and was recovered. The second launch, using a more power C-type motor, also launched successfully, with the rocket achieving an estimated altitude of ~500 feet. The parachute correctly deployed but the rocket body was, however, lost in a nearby corn field.

We Are Astronomers

Do you know what an astronomer does?

Do you know what an astronomer does?

Today’s astronomer is not the lone observer of past centuries. A new planetarium show for the Internationa Year of Astronomy 2009 – “We are Astronomers” – reveals the global collaboration, technology and dedication required to answer the unresolved questions of the Universe.

 

“We are Astronomers” is an exciting new 360° Fulldome digital planetarium show launching today in various sites across the UK. The show has been produced with input from UK astronomers and was funded by the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC).

 

You can find out where “We Are Astronomers” is showing here. There are unfortunately only seven locations showing it. Hopefully it’ll be converted to Imax at some point for some wider coverage.

 

You do also have the opportunity to win free tickets to see the show at your nearest planetarium, along wtih an exclusive “We Are Astronomers” poster signed by the show’s narrator, David Tennant! You can find out how to enter this competition here. 

Today’s astronomer is not the lone observer of past centuries. A new planetarium show for the Internationa Year of Astronomy 2009 – “We are Astronomers” – reveals the global collaboration, technology and dedication required to answer the unresolved questions of the Universe.

“We are Astronomers” is an exciting new 360° Fulldome digital planetarium show launching today in various sites across the UK. The show has been produced with input from UK astronomers and was funded by the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC).

You can find out where “We Are Astronomers” is showing here. (Note: There are unfortunately only seven locations showing it. Maybe some sort of Imax or cinema show would’ve been better at getting IYA2009 some wider coverage…)

You do also have the opportunity to win free tickets to see the show at your nearest planetarium, along wtih an exclusive “We Are Astronomers” poster signed by the show’s narrator, David Tennant. You can find out how to enter this competition here. 

May Public Meeting

This month’s public meeting takes place on Wedneday 20th May:

 

“The Telescopes of La Palma” by Neil Parker

Neil Parker’s background is in the world of professional astronomy – he is a former Deputy Director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory and was once Head of its Technology Division, working for the RGO until it’s close in 1998. His talk will detail the many telescopes on La Palma and the many engineering features involved with the installation and maintenance of the British telescopes on top of the island’s volcanic caldera.

The meeting that will be held at the Henry Dixon Hall, Rivenhall End, Witham, CM8 3HD. The doors open at 7:30 pm with the talk getting underway at ~8pm. Entry costs £3.

ESA’s Herchel-Planck Launch

Following on from NASA successful launch to the Hubble Space Telescope, ESA will be launching two probes on one Arianne rocket today.

The Herschel Space Observatory is a far-infrared telescope and detector which, at 3.5 meters wide, will be using the  largest mirror ever deployed in space. Planck is a spacecraft which will be observing the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation at a much high resolution and sensitivity than before.

The satellites, with a joint launch cost of €1.1 billion, will be carried into space by an Ariane 5 ECA rocket.

Video coverage will be begin here at roughly 1:30pm.

Live Shuttle Atlantis Launch Coverage

Beginning now live from the Kennedy Space Center, you can see science journalist Miles O’Brien covering today’s launch which will see the Space Shuttle Atlantis begin it’s mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. He’s joined by former NASA spokesman David Waters and astronaut Leroy Chiao.

Go to http://spaceflightnow.com/ and follow the links. (The video stream may take some time to load)

Eta Aquarids 2009

METEOR SHOWER: Earth is entering a stream of dusty debris from Halley’s Comet, the source of the annual eta Aquarid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on Wednesday 6th May, with as many as 20-30 per hour predicted in the UK.  The best time to look is during the dark hour before local sunrise on Wednesday morning.