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Saturday 28 May 2011

Geomagnetic Storm: May 28, 2011

Space Weather News for May 28, 2011
http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field on May 27-28, sparking a moderate geomagnetic storm and auroras in both hemispheres.  At the time this alert is being composed (1500 UT on May 28), naked-eye Southern Lights are dancing in the skies over Tasmania and New Zealand. If forecasts are correct, geomagnetic activity should remain at elevated levels for the next 24 to 48 hours. Visit
http://spaceweather.com for updates and images of the ongoing storm.

SOLAR ACTIVITY INTENSIFIES:  The recently-quiet sun is waking up.  New sunspots are emerging across the solar disk, and at least one of them is crackling with C-class solar flares. Even stronger eruptions appear to be in the offing.  If you would like alerts notifying you of solar flares and magnetic storms the instant they happen, please consider signing up for Space Weather Phone:
http://spaceweatherphone.com .
--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
--
More Info:
http://www.localokel.com/event/666/good_clear_skies

Friday 27 May 2011

Flashes of Light in the Night Sky from NASA's NanoSail-D

Space Weather News for May 27, 2011
http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR SAIL FLASHES: NASA's Nanosail-D, the first solar sail to orbit Earth, is flashing as it glides through the night sky.  Observers in Europe report luminous peaks as bright as a 1st magnitude star.  The irregular period of the flashes suggests that the sail might be tumbling, although no one is certain at this moment what is causing the phenomenon.  Sky watchers are encouraged to check the Simple Satellite Tracker for local flyby times and watch this unique spacecraft strobe overhead:
http://spaceweather.com/flybys

DON'T FORGET THE SPACE SHUTTLE:  Meanwhile, space shuttle Endeavour and the ISS are putting on a show of their own.  The docked spacecraft are making a series of brilliant dawn flybys over North America and Europe, providing early risers with a chance to see Endeavour one last time before it returns to Earth for retirement. Tracking them is easy; just use your cell phone:
http://simpleflybys.com.

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
--
More Info:
http://www.localokel.com/event/666/good_clear_skies

Thursday 26 May 2011

Total Eclipse of the Moon: 2011 June 15

You are all Invited to:
Sailors Home Pub Car Park-20.00 Hours (8pm onwards) Clear Skies and Weather Permitting-all welcome
Hello all Astronomers...
 
There is a Total Lunar Eclipse of the Moon on Wednesday June 15th of this year starting at 09.15 pm when the Moon rises in full Eclipse-and I have decided to have a small meeting at Sailors Home pub car park at Kessingland Beach for people to view this as it is an excellent viewing spot for the Eclipse to observe (clear skies and weather permitting) I have ask Paul Poppy who I know and is the landlord of the Pub what he thinks-he has said its alright to go ahead and also if people can bring some equipment (Telescopes, Binoculars etc) to view it as people would be most intrigued to see this being it the height of the Summer season and several people get in the pub around this time of the year-I will also pay for some food and buffet for the evening once I know how many people will be attending and coming along-its all good fun and to enjoy the night.

Please reply to this Email so I know how many will be attending so I know how much food to put on-also the Sailors Home is a real ale Pub and Family Restaurant for anyone that likes to savour local ales and their good food.
--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
--
More Info:
http://www.localokel.com/event/666/good_clear_skies

Wednesday 25 May 2011

Comet Fragment Disintegrates over North America

Space Weather News for May 24, 2011
http://spaceweather.com

COMET FIREBALL: Bright fireballs appear somewhere on Earth every day.  Most are caused by rocky asteroids. On Friday, May 20th, however, a less common object struck.  Sky watchers in the southeastern USA watched a big but fragile piece of comet break apart in Earth's atmosphere.  The resulting fireball was the brightest meteor observed in nearly 3 years by NASA's all-sky network of meteor cameras.  Videos and more information are featured on today's edition of
http://spaceweather.com

HOLD A METEORITE IN YOUR HAND:  Certified authentic meteorites are now available in the Space Weather Store.  Details at
http://www.shopspaceweather.com/meteorite-sets.aspx

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
--
More Info:
http://www.localokel.com/event/666/good_clear_skies

Monday 23 May 2011

SPA Bulletin No. 311

***********************************
The SOCIETY for POPULAR ASTRONOMY
***********************************
====================================================
Electronic News Bulletin No. 311 2011 May 22
====================================================



Here is the latest round-up of news from the Society for Popular
Astronomy. The SPA is Britain's liveliest astronomical society, with
members all over the world. We accept subscription payments online
at our secure site and can take credit and debit cards. You can join
or renew via a secure server or just see how much we have to offer by
visiting
http://www.popastro.com/


PLANETS
By Andrew Robertson, SPA Planetary Section Director

Note: altitudes and timings are given for 52°.5 N, 1°W, near the
centre of England (about Leicester). There will be slight variations
depending on where you live in the UK. Times are BST.

SATURN crosses the meridian about 21:50, 45 minutes after sunset, at
an altitude of 35°. It is now only half a degree from Porrima (Gamma
Virginis), a fine double star with components of equal magnitudes of
3.5, currently only 1".5 apart. As the nights get shorter Saturn will
soon start sinking in the west, so make the most of this apparition --
for the next dozen years it will be at a lower altitude.

As you may be aware from Bulletin 309 and other sources, there is
currently a grouping of planets in the morning sky: Venus, Mars and
Mercury are all within 3° of each other, with Jupiter 10° to the west
of them. At sunrise (5:00) on May 22 the three are only 5° above the
eastern horizon with Jupiter only 4° higher. To be honest I think
that the only way you will see that grouping of planets is if you have
a totally unobscured horizon such as over the sea on the east coast
and you use a large pair of binoculars on a tripod before sunrise.
I say before sunrise as it would be dangerous to scan the horizon once
the Sun has risen, and in any event the grouping probably would not be
visible in binoculars with the Sun above the horizon. I would be
interested to hear if any SPA member manages to observe the grouping.

Any reports of observations would be most welcome at
http://popastro.com/planet/contact/


JUPITER MOON HOLDS MAGMA OCEAN
BBC News

Jupiter's innermost satellite Io, which is slightly larger than our
Moon, is the most actively volcanic body in the Solar System. It
erupts about 100 times more lava each year than the Earth does. In
principle Io's rotation is locked to its orbital revolution, so that
it keeps one face permanently towards Jupiter, as the Moon does
towards the Earth. Interaction between the orbits of Io and the other
Galilean satellites, however, causes the orbits to be slightly
off-circular, so Io would appear to an observer on Jupiter to librate
slightly in longitude. Although the actual rotation of the satellite
with respect to the Jupiter-Io line is very small, owing to the great
mass and proximity of Jupiter it results in heavy tidal squeezing that
dissipates enough energy to keep much of Io's interior molten. Data
from the Galileo probe suggest that under a 50-km crust there is a
magma ocean at least 50 km thick and probably much thicker.
Readings from a magnetometer on Galileo indicated that Io was
dramatically distorting Jupiter's magnetic field -- but it has taken
several years to conclude that the reason is related to the nature of
Io's rocks and how they behave when molten. Experiments found that
when certain types of rock are melted, their electrical conductivity
increases by orders or magnitude. It is the very high conductivity
that can create the type of signature seen by Galileo, which is
consistent with Io's being made of rocks like lherzolite, an igneous
rock rich in silicates of magnesium and iron.

The magma layer, whose temperature probably exceeds 1,200C, is thought
to make up at least 10% of Io's mantle by volume. The mantle -- the
moon's interior mid-layer -- probably extends down a further 700-800
kilometres. Gravity measurements suggest that the core is made of
iron and may be liquid, just like that of the Earth. Although Io is
so much smaller than the Earth, tidal heating seems to have given it
an internal structure quite similar to the Earth's.


HALE-BOPP PHOTOGRAPHED AT 30.7 AU
Astropublishing

It is 14 years since Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 01) lit up the skies
during the first months of 1997, becoming one of the most spectacular
comets of the last century. As always happens, once the comet was no
longer visible to the naked eye it slipped out of the attention of the
media, and the general public heard no more of it. However, some
researchers continued to follow it in its 2,500-year orbit. They
imaged the comet at red wavelengths last December, when it was 30.7
astronomical units away (about the same distance as Neptune) with the
ESO 2.2-m telescope at La Silla. The comet appeared star-like, with
an angular diameter less than 1.9 seconds,and had a magnitude of 23.3.
There was no clear evidence of any coma or tail. It seems as though
there is no longer any cometary activity, as is not surprising for an
object so far from the Sun. However, some doubt remains, because,
according to an estimate of the size of the nucleus, the comet is
about three times as bright as would be expected if it had the
albedo of 4% that is thought to be typical of an inactive nucleus.


DWARF PLANET HAUMEA
ScienceDaily

Haumea, whose existence was confirmed in 2005, is the fifth dwarf
planet in the Solar System after Pluto, Ceres, Eris and Makemake. It
moves beyond the orbit of Neptune and has two satellites, Hi'iaka and
Namaka, has the shape of a flattened rugby ball, is around 2,000 km
long, and rotates in less than four hours. Now an international
research team has confirmed that 75% of the surface of Haumea and 100%
of that ofHi'iaka (which is about 400 km in diameter) are covered with
crystallised water-ice (with an ordered structure), and not, as would
have been expected, with amorphous ice disorganised as a result of
solar radiation. The study suggests that the planet is made up of a
frozen outer layer and an internal volume made up of between 88% and
97% rock with a density of 3.5 g/cm3. Since solar radiation
constantly destroys the crystalline structure of ice on the surface,
energy sources are required to keep it organised. Possible sources
are internal heat from radioactive elements, and tidal forces between
Haumea and its satellites. The research also highlights other
peculiarities of Haumea. Its orbital plane is inclined at 28ยบ to the
orbital planes of most of the other planets in the Solar System, and
the orbits of its satellites are not in the same plane either.
According to the scientists, the two satellites might have been
created by the collision of another object with Haumea, which could
also have given it its rapid rotation and moulded it into its
rugby-ball shape.


OUTFLOWING WINDS SWEEP AWAY GALACTIC GAS AND INHIBIT STAR-FORMATION
ESA

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
in Germany, using the Herschel infrared space observatory, have
detected winds of molecular gas streaming away from galaxies.
Suspected for years, such outflows may be able to strip galaxies of
gas and halt star formation in its tracks. The winds that Herschel
has detected are extraordinary: the fastest is blowing at more than
1,000 km/s. They could be generated by the intense emission of light
and particles from young stars or by shock waves from the explosion of
old stars. Alternatively, they might be triggered by the radiation
given off as matter swirls around a black hole at the centre of the
galaxy. The discovery is important because stars form from molecular
gas, and the outflows are robbing the galaxies concerned of the raw
material needed to make new stars. If the outflows are powerful
enough, they could even halt star-formation altogether. The research
team studied 50 galaxies, and inferred that 1,200 times the mass of
the Sun is being lost each year from the galaxies with the most
vigorous outflows. That is enough to strip them of their entire
reserves of star-forming gas within 1 million to 100 million years.
The fastest winds appear to be coming from the galaxies that contain
the brightest 'active galactic nuclei', in which massive black holes
are thought to be feeding from their surroundings. The class of red
and almost structureless 'elliptical galaxies might owe its existence
to the absence of star-formation, owing to the removal of molecular
gas from the original galaxies by powerful outflowing winds.


DAWN SPACECRAFT SEES ASTEROID
ScienceDaily

The Dawn spacecraft has obtained its first image of its destination,
the asteroid Vesta. The image was taken on May 3 when the spacecraft
was approximately 1.2 million kilometres from Vesta. Vesta is 530 km
in diameter and is the second-most-massive object in the asteroid
belt. It has been known for about 200 years, but its angular diameter
is too small for appreciable surface detail to be seen on it from the
Earth. Dawn is expected to enter orbit around Vesta on July 16, when
the asteroid is about 188 million kilometres from the Earth. To enter
orbit, Dawn must match the asteroid's path around the Sun, which
requires very precise knowledge of the body's location and speed. By
analyzing where Vesta appears relative to stars in images taken by the
spacecraft, navigators will determine its location and refine the
spacecraft's trajectory. Dawn is intended to start collecting
scientific data in early August from approximately 2,700 km above the
asteroid's surface. As the spacecraft gets closer, it will take
multi-angle images, allowing scientists to produce topographic maps;
it is intended ultimately to lower its orbit to about 200 km. Dawn
will remain in orbit around Vesta for one year; then, after another
long cruise phase, it should arrive in 2015 at its second destination,
Ceres.


Bulletin compiled by Clive Down

Owing to holidays, the next bulletin will be issued on June 19.


(c) 2011 the Society for Popular Astronomy


--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
--
More Info:
http://www.localokel.com/event/666/good_clear_skies

Endeavour spacewalk / Soyuz photo op / Atlantis launch date

NEWSALERT: Friday, May 20, 2011 @ 1738 GMT
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The latest news from Spaceflight Now


+++
NEW IN OUR STORE: SPACE MODELS
Spaceships scaled to fit on your desk
http://spaceflightnowstore.com/us/catalog/
+++


SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LAUNCH DATE TARGETED
-------------------------------------
NASA today set Friday, July 8 as the official target launch date for the
final space shuttle mission. Liftoff of Atlantis is scheduled for 11:38
a.m. EDT to begin the 12-day voyage to deliver equipment and supplies to
the International Space Station.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/status.html


ENDEAVOUR ASTRONAUTS TAKE MISSION'S FIRST SPACEWALK
---------------------------------------------------
Working outside the International Space Station for six hours this
morning, Endeavour astronauts Drew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff retrieved
and replaced materials exposure experiment packages, conditioned coolant
lines in preparation for flowing ammonia during Sunday's EVA and installed
two wireless communications antennas. But a malfunctioning carbon dioxide
sensor in Chamitoff's spacesuit prompted an early end to the spacewalk
before the crew could connect and route a large bundle of wiring for those
new antennas.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/status.html


SOYUZ TO IMAGE COMBINED SHUTTLE AND STATION COMPLEX
---------------------------------------------------
The Mission Management Team for the International Space Station met today
and formally approved plans for "the ultimate photo op" to occur Monday
evening when the Russian Soyuz capsule departs the complex for landing.
The crew will take digital imagery of shuttle Endeavour docked to space
station, something never before attempted.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/status.html


PAIR OF ROCKET LAUNCHES SCHEDULED FOR TODAY
-------------------------------------------
Two commercial rocket missions will blast off just hours apart today with
three communications satellites to cover the Americas, Asia and the Indian
subcontinent. A Proton rocket will launch first from Kazakhstan at 1915
GMT (3:15 p.m. EDT), followed by a dual-payload Ariane 5 flight beginning
at 2038 GMT (4:38 p.m. EDT) from Kourou, French Guiana.

PROTON ROLLS OUT TO LAUNCH PAD:
http://spaceflightnow.com/proton/telstar14r/prelaunch/

ARIANE ROCKET PREPPED FOR FLIGHT:
http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/va202/prelaunch/


ANALYSTS CONTINUE SHUTTLE HEAT SHIELD ASSESSMENT
------------------------------------------------
Engineers have eliminated one of three damage sites on the shuttle
Endeavour's heat shield tiles as an area of concern and a second may be
dismissed and deemed safe for re-entry as is by Friday, a senior manager
said Thursday. But one damage site on the shuttle's belly may require an
additional, "focused," inspection Saturday to make sure repairs are not
needed.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/110519fd4/index4.html


ENDEAVOUR'S BOOSTERS TO BE STORED TO FLY AGAIN SOMEDAY
------------------------------------------------------
The shuttle Endeavour's two spent solid rocket booster casings returned to
a Cape Canaveral hangar Wednesday to undergo inspections and cleaning
before being put into storage for potential future use on commercial or
heavy-lift launchers.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/110519boosters/

+++
FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE ASTRONAUT PATCH!
Emblem for STS-135 now available in our store.
http://www.spaceflightnowstore.com/
+++

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
--
More Info:
http://www.localokel.com/event/666/good_clear_skies

[BAA-ebulletin 00581] Asteroid (229255) Andrewelliott

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletin
======================================================================
I am very pleased to announce that an asteroid, discovered by Peter
Birtwhistle in 2005, has now been named in posthumous recognition of Andrew
Elliott's contributions to amateur astronomy.

The citation, published in the Minor Planet Circular MPC 75105 on May 17,
reads as follows:

(229255) Andrewelliott = 2005 AJ
Discovered 2005 Jan. 4 by P. Birtwhistle at Great Shefford.
Andrew John Elliott (1946-2010) was a British observer who pioneered the
use of low-light devices, precision timing and video methods in observing
short-lived
phenomena. Assistant director for occultations of the British Astronomical
Association Lunar and Asteroids Sections, he lectured widely in the UK and
Europe.

Andrew sadly passed away on 2010 November 28.  The announcement nicely
coincides with the publication in the next few days of the June issue of the
Journal of the British Astronomical Association where you can read Andrew's
obituary on pages 176-178.

Rest in peace dear friend.

Richard Miles
Director, Asteroids and Remote Planets Section
arp [at]  britastro.org

2011 May 19
======================================================================
BAA-ebulletin mailing list
This is an announcements only list - please do not reply to the list.
Visit: http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2011 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================
--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
--
More Info:
http://www.localokel.com/event/666/good_clear_skies


Shuttle delivers premier physics experiment to space station

NEWSALERT: Thursday, May 19, 2011 @ 1555 GMT
---------------------------------------------------------------------
  The latest news from Spaceflight Now

**************************************
The Rocket City Space Pioneers team provides low-cost access to space
for fixed and deployable cargo/spacecraft. We can take your small
primary or secondary payload to the moon (GTO/GSO/LLO) at 50% off the
cost of a dedicated launch.

http://www.rocketcityspacepioneers.com/space/catch-a-ride
**************************************


SPACE STATION RECEIVES PREMIER PHYSICS EXPERIMENT
-------------------------------------------------
An exotic experiment that could write the lasting scientific legacy of the
International Space Station by probing the mysteries of physics was
unloaded from the shuttle Endeavour and mounted atop the orbiting outpost
this morning.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/status.html


ATLANTIS HOISTED FOR MATING TO TANK AND BOOSTERS
------------------------------------------------
For the final time in space shuttle program history, an orbiter has been
hoisted into position for attachment to the external fuel tank and solid
rocket boosters inside the Vehicle Assembly Building.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/status.html

PHOTOS: SLING ATTACHED TO ATLANTIS
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/110518slingattach/

PHOTOS: SHUTTLE HANGING INSIDE VAB
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/110518vertical/

PHOTOS: ATLANTIS LIFTED FROM THE FLOOR
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/110518lift/


ENDEAVOUR DOCKS TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
--------------------------------------------------
Sailing on her last journey, Endeavour has arrived at the International
Space Station to bolster the outpost's scientific potential with a
particle physics detector to study the origins of the universe. But before
the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer gets installed Thursday, the astronauts
Wednesday morning transferred from Endeavour's payload bay the final batch
of large spare parts to sustain the station's viability after the space
shuttles are retired.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/110518fd3/index2.html


NASA ASSESSES TILE DAMAGE ON SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR
----------------------------------------------
Close-up photos of heat shield tiles on the shuttle Endeavour's belly
taken during final approach to the International Space Station Wednesday
revealed several gouges and dings from apparent debris impacts during
launch. LeRoy Cain, chairman of NASA's Mission Management Team, said three
"areas of interest" may require an additional focused inspection Saturday
to collect more data.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/110518fd3/index3.html


HEAVY-DUTY HEAT SHIELD PREPARES FOR LAUNCH TO MARS
--------------------------------------------------
A massive carbon-covered heat shield, one of the largest ever built for
space travel, is now at the Kennedy Space Center being readied for launch
on NASA's next mission to Mars.

http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1105/18mslaeroshell/


ASTRONAUTS GIVE ENDEAVOUR FULL POST-LAUNCH INSPECTION
-----------------------------------------------------
The Endeavour astronauts, working a deep overnight shift, spent their
first full day in space inspecting the shuttle's nose cap and wing leading
edge panels for standard post-launch heat shield checks, testing equipment
needed for upcoming spacewalks and preparing for Wednesday's docking to
the International Space Station.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/110517fd2/index3.html


ENDEAVOUR LAUNCHES ON HER 25TH AND FINAL VOYAGE
-----------------------------------------------
Shuttle Endeavour safely sailed into orbit Monday on a 16-day journey to
the International Space Station to install the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer
experiment that promises to chart a new course in physics research, plus
deliver another stockpile of spare parts for supporting the outpost's
extended life.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/110516launch/


+++
FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE ASTRONAUT PATCH!
Emblem for STS-135 now available in our store.
http://www.spaceflightnowstore.com/
+++


--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
--
More Info:
http://www.localokel.com/event/666/good_clear_skies

[BAA-ebulletin 00580] Reminder of May meeting

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletin
======================================================================

I would like to remind you that the next meeting of the BAA will be on
Wednesday 25th May 2011 in the new lecture room, Burlington House.

17:30    Roger Pickard  BAA Vice President - Welcome, OM, notices etc
17:40    Dr Jeremy Yates - New insights on the Interstellar Medium
from the New Observations and Computational Models
18:35    Gary Poyner - George Alcock Memorial Lecture "Observing
through the Light".
19:30    Dr David Arditti - Sky Notes
20:00    Close

Doors open at 17.00 and the meeting will start at 17.30 and is due to
finish by 20:00. Tea will be served in the library from 17:00

Hope to see you there

Hazel

Hazel Collett
Meeting Secretary
======================================================================
BAA-ebulletin mailing list
This is an announcements only list - please do not reply to the list.
Visit: http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2011 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
--
More Info:
http://www.localokel.com/event/666/good_clear_skies
--

Another spacewalk completed / Must-see aerial views of Endeavour's launch

NEWSALERT: Sunday, May 22, 2011 @ 1838 GMT
---------------------------------------------------------------------
  The latest news from Spaceflight Now

+++

NEW IN OUR STORE: SPACE MODELS
Spaceships scaled to fit on your desk
http://spaceflightnowstore.com/us/catalog/
+++

SPACEWALKERS WORK ON THE SPACE STATION'S LONGEVITY
--------------------------------------------------
For the second spacewalk of Endeavour's mission, astronauts Drew Feustel
and Mike Fincke took an eight-hour excursion this morning to replenish the
ammonia in one of the International Space Station's cooling systems and
lubricate a massive solar array drive mechanism to reduce long term wear
and tear.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/status.html


PHOTO GALLERY: AERIAL VIEWS OF ENDEAVOUR'S LAUNCH
-------------------------------------------------
A low deck of clouds covering the Kennedy Space Center made Endeavour's
final launch mostly invisible to the spectators who flocked to the Space
Coast. The ship disappeared into the clouds about 23 seconds after liftoff
and was never seen again. But these aerial pictures provide a beautiful
look at Endeavour's morning ascent.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/110521stalaunch/


'FOCUSED INSPECTION' CLEARS ENDEAVOUR HEAT SHIELD
-------------------------------------------------
The shuttle Endeavour's crew early Saturday morning conducted a close-up,
focused inspection of a damaged tile on the belly of the orbiter. The
three-dimensional insight into ding allowed managers by the afternoon to
announce the spacecraft's heat shield is safe for re-entry.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/110521fd6/index3.html


POPE BENEDICT XVI CALLS THE SPACE SHUTTLE-STATION CREW
------------------------------------------------------
Pope Benedict XVI called the combined crews of the shuttle Endeavour and
the International Space Station Saturday, wishing commander Mark Kelly's
gravely wounded wife, Gabrielle Giffords, a steady recovery and asking
station flight engineer Paolo Nespoli how he endured news of his mother's
death in the isolation of space.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/110521fd6/index2.html


ARIANE 5 ROCKET GIVES TWO SATELLITES A LIFT INTO SPACE
------------------------------------------------------
Riding 2.6 million pounds of ground-shaking thrust, an Ariane 5 rocket
lifted off from the South American jungle Friday and delivered
communications satellites into orbit to reach customers in Asia, the
Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Liftoff occurred at 2038 GMT
(4:38 p.m. EDT).

http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/va202/launch/


PROTON ROCKET ORBITS SATELLITE TO CONNECT THE AMERICAS
------------------------------------------------------
A Russian Proton rocket blasted off Friday from Kazakhstan with a Canadian
communications satellite to link Brazil and other parts of the Americas
with broadband Internet and video services. Liftoff was at 1915 GMT (3:15
p.m. EDT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, and the rocket successfully
released the Telstar 14R satellite nine hours later.

http://spaceflightnow.com/proton/telstar14r/launch/

+++
FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE ASTRONAUT PATCH!
Emblem for STS-135 now available in our store.
http://www.spaceflightnowstore.com/
+++

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Good Clear Skies
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Astrocomet
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Colin James Watling
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Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
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Information:
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More Info:
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Exploring the Wonders of the Universe

Exploring the Wonders of the Universe
Sat, 21 May 2011 23:00:00 -0500

The newly-installed Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 is visible at center of the International Space Station's starboard truss. The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, or AMS, is the largest scientific collaboration to use the orbital laboratory. This investigation is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and made possible by funding from 16 nations. Led by Nobel Laureate Samuel Ting, more than 600 physicists from around the globe will be able to participate in the data generated from this particle physics detector. The mission of the AMS is, in part, to seek answers to the mysteries of antimatter, dark matter and cosmic ray propagation in the universe. Image Credit: NASA 


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Good Clear Skies
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Astrocomet
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Colin James Watling
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Real Astronomer and head of the Co
met section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
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More Info:
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Thursday 19 May 2011

Endeavour's Close Up

Endeavour's Close Up
Wed, 18 May 2011 23:00:00 -0500

This image of the space shuttle Endeavour's starboard wing was taken by the Expedition 27 crew during a survey of the approaching STS-134 mission prior to docking with the International Space Station. As part of the survey and part of every mission's activities, Endeavour performed a rendezvous pitch maneuver, or back-flip, so that the shuttle could be photographed from a variety of angles. The image was photographed at a distance of about 600 feet (180 meters). Image Credit: NASA


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Good Clear Skies
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Astrocomet
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Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
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More Info:
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Tuesday 17 May 2011

Countdown in the final hours for Monday's shuttle launch at 13.56 BST-watch it launch live!!!

Launch time: 1256 GMT (8:56 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 16 Shuttle Endeavour • ULF 6
Launch time: 1256 GMT (8:56 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

STS-134 will be the 36th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The flight will carry the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to be attached for research at the station. Endeavour will also haul maintenance supplies and spare parts to the station on the third ExPRESS Logistics Carrier. Delayed from July 29 due to AMS issues. Delayed from Feb. 26 to accommodate ATV 2 docking with space station. Delayed from Feb. 27 and April 1 due to slips of STS-133. Delayed from April 19 to deconflict with Russian traffic at the space station. Scrubbed on April 29 due to APU heater issue. See our
Mission Status Center. [May 6]

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
--
Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
--
Information:
http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra
--
More Info:
http://www.localokel.com/event/666/good_clear_skies