There is an anecdote about a foreigner visiting London asking a man on the street “what is time?” and receiving the answer “I’m sorry, but I am not a philosopher”.
I don’t want to discuss here the philosophical or physical questions of what time is, but rather what we mean by time in telecommunications applications. In particular, we frequently hear the terms “UTC”, “GPS time”, “NTP time”, and “1588 time”, and I would like to clarify what these terms mean.
Everything starts with the question “what is a second?”. Until 1960 the second’s duration was based on the rotation of Earth. Specifically, the second was defined as the unit of time of which there are precisely 24*60*60 =86,400 of them in a mean solar day. Unfortunately, the Earth’s rotation is slowing down due to tidal friction, and so between 1960 and 1967 the second was redefined as a particular fraction of the duration of the year 1900. Since it is hard to reproduce the year 1900 in the lab, the second was finally linked to a stable, reproducible, physical phenomenon, namely the radiation emitted when an electron transitions between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the cesium 133 atom. Cesium atomic clocks need only count 9,192,631,770 oscillations and declare that a second has passed. (Cesium is chosen because all of its 55 electrons except the outermost one are in stable shells, minimizing their effect on the outermost electron.)
Even such a stable phenomenon as the hyperfine transition is somewhat subject to variability (due to contaminants, undesired fields, and General Theory of Relativity corrections due to height above sea level) leading to variability on the order of a nanosecond or two per day. In order to remove even this small variability the TAI international time scale (TAI stands for “Temps Atomique International” or International Atomic Time) maintained by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Paris, is defined as the weighted average of over 300 atomic clocks located around the world (the higher weightings going to the more stable clocks).
TAI is precisely defined, but has become entirely divorced from the Earth’s rotation. Were we to adopt only TAI the time of day would slowly lose connection with the position of the sun in the sky, and after a long enough time we would be having breakfast at 12 noon. IN order to resynchronize the two definitions of the second UTC is defined. UTC stands for Coordinated Universal Time (the order of letters is a compromise between several languages), and it replaced older time standards such as “GMT”. It is defined in ITU-R Recommendation TF.460-6 to be TAI adjusted by leap seconds introduced to compensate for the changing of Earth’s rotational velocity. When to introduce leap seconds is now determined by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS). While leap seconds can be either positive or negative, and can be introduced at the end of any month, there have only been positive ones (corresponding to slowing down of Earth’s rotation) and they have only been introduced on the last day of June or December. There are presently proposals to eliminate leap seconds entirely (in which case TAI would be abolished), and perhaps introduce leap hours should the need arise.
UTC is now exactly 34 seconds behind TAI, because of a 10 second introduced in 1972 when the present system was adopted, and 24 positive leap seconds that have been declared since then. The next leap second will be at the end of June 2012, increasing the difference to 35 seconds.
Actually there are several versions of Universal Time. UT0 and UT1 are found by observing the motion of stars (UT0) or distant quasars (UT1), as well as from laser ranging of the Moon and artificial Earth satellites (such as GPS satellites). UT1R and UT2R are smoothed versions of UT1, filtered to remove periodic and stochastic variations in the Earth’s rotation. UT2R is smoother than UT1, and any variations left in it are because of erratic changes in the Earth’s rotation, due to plate tectonics and climate change.
So, what kind of time do we use in GPS and our time distribution protocols ?
The time of day reported by GPS, which is often called “GPS time”, is not UTC. Every GPS satellite has several on-board atomic clocks, and these clocks are set according to the master clock at the US Naval Observatory in Boulder Colorado. “GPS time” does not include leap seconds, but GPS satellites periodically transmit a UTC offset message for this purpose (the GPS-UTC offset field is 8 bits and can thus accommodate 255 leap seconds, which should be sufficient for several hundred years). Once thus compensated, USNO time is within tens of nanoseconds of UTC. However, it can take over 10 minutes until you receive an offset message.
It is interesting that the on-board atomic clocks must be corrected for relativistic effects. Since the satellites are moving at high speeds with respect to an observer on the ground, the Special Theory of Relativity predicts that the on-board clocks will seem to be running about 7 microseconds per day slower than were they stationary with respect to the observer. On the other hand, the General Theory of Relativity predicts that because the satellite is high above the Earth, and thus experiences a weaker gravitational field, the on-board clocks will seem to be running faster by about 45 microseconds per day. The net relativistic correction is about 38 microseconds per day. After compensating for relativistic effects, the accuracy of time derived from a good GPS receiver is about 50 nanoseconds.
NTP (and that included SNTP) distributes UTC (i.e., it does takes leap seconds into account) and specifies UTC in seconds since Jan 1, 1900. The NTP 64-bit timestamp consists of 32 bits of whole seconds (about 136 years until roll-over) and 32 bits of fractional seconds (about 233 picoseconds of resolution). However, any specific NTP server distributes time according to the stratum of its reference clock. Of course, the time a particular NTP client obtains depends on the network between the client and the NTP server. You can expect an NTP client to be within tens of milliseconds of its server on a LAN, but only 100s of milliseconds of error over the Internet. However, NTP allows a client to track several servers, and thus improve its accuracy.
IEEE 1588 distributes TAI according to UNIX epochs. Since the UNIX time epoch started Jan 1, 1970, 1588 time is now ahead of UTC by 24 seconds (soon to be 25). The 1588v2 10-byte timestamp consists of 48 bits of whole seconds, and 32-bits of nanoseconds. Once again, the precise time accuracy depends on the type of grand master to which the 1588 master is synchronized. The big difference between 1588 and NTP is the possibility of on-path support in the network. If you have Boundary Clocks (BCs) or Transparent Clocks (TCs) in your network, the time error should be very small (perhaps a microsecond or less). 1588 can't simultaneously track multiple masters, but it can choose the best one from a list.
So that's what we mean by time.


Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere, having surface features reminiscent both of the impact craters of the Moon and the volcanoes, valleys, deserts, and polar ice caps of Earth. The rotational period and seasonal cycles of Mars are likewise similar to those of Earth. Mars is the site of Olympus Mons, the highest known mountain within the Solar System, and of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon. The smooth Borealis basin in the northern hemisphere covers 40% of the planet and may be a giant impact feature.
Until the first flyby of Mars occurred in 1965, by Mariner 4, many speculated about the presence of liquid water on the planet's surface. This was based on observed periodic variations in light and dark patches, particularly in the polar latitudes, which appeared to be seas and continents; long, dark striations were interpreted by some as irrigation channels for liquid water. These straight line features were later explained as optical illusions, yet of all the planets in the Solar System other than Earth, Mars is the most likely to harbor liquid water, and thus to harbor life. Geological evidence gathered by unmanned missions suggest that Mars once had large-scale water coverage on its surface, while small geyser-like water flows may have occurred during the past decade. In 2005, radar data revealed the presence of large quantities of water ice at the poles, and at mid-latitudes. The Phoenix lander directly sampled water ice in shallow Martian soil on July 31, 2008.
Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are small and irregularly shaped. These may be captured asteroids, similar to 5261 Eureka, a Martian Trojan asteroid. Mars is currently host to three functional orbiting spacecraft: Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. On the surface are the two Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) and several inert landers and rovers, both successful and unsuccessful. The Phoenix lander completed its mission on the surface in 2008. Observations by NASA's now-defunct Mars Global Surveyor show evidence that parts of the southern polar ice cap have been receding.
Mars can easily be seen from Earth with the naked eye. Its apparent magnitude reaches −3.0 a brightness surpassed only by Venus, the Moon, and the Sun.
Mars has approximately half the radius of Earth. It is less dense than Earth, having about 15% of Earth's volume and 11% of the mass. Its surface area is only slightly less than the total area of Earth's dry land. While Mars is larger and more massive than Mercury, Mercury has a higher density. This results in the two planets having a nearly identical gravitational pull at the surface—that of Mars is stronger by less than 1%. Mars is also roughly intermediate in size, mass, and surface gravity between Earth and Earth's Moon (the Moon is about half the diameter of Mars, whereas Earth is twice; the Earth is about nine times more massive than Mars, and the Moon one-ninth as massive). The red-orange appearance of the Martian surface is caused by iron(III) oxide, more commonly known as hematite, or rust
Based on orbital observations and the examination of the Martian meteorite collection, the surface of Mars appears to be composed primarily of basalt. Some evidence suggests that a portion of the Martian surface is more silica-rich than typical basalt, and may be similar to andesitic rocks on Earth; however, these observations may also be explained by silica glass. Much of the surface is deeply covered by finely grained iron(III) oxide dust.
Although Mars has no evidence of a current structured global magnetic field, observations show that parts of the planet's crust have been magnetized, and that alternating polarity reversals of its dipole field have occurred in the past. This paleomagnetism of magnetically susceptible minerals has properties that are very similar to the alternating bands found on the ocean floors of Earth. One theory, published in 1999 and re-examined in October 2005 (with the help of the Mars Global Surveyor), is that these bands demonstrate plate tectonics on Mars four billion years ago, before the planetary dynamo ceased to function and caused the planet's magnetic field to fade away.
Current models of the planet's interior imply a core region about 1,480 km in radius, consisting primarily of iron with about 14–17% sulfur. This iron sulfide core is partially fluid, and has twice the concentration of the lighter elements than exist at Earth's core. The core is surrounded by a silicate mantle that formed many of the tectonic and volcanic features on the planet, but now appears to be inactive. The average thickness of the planet's crust is about 50 km, with a maximum thickness of 125 km. Earth's crust, averaging 40 km, is only one third as thick as Mars’ crust, relative to the sizes of the two planets.
During the Solar system formation, Mars was created out of the protoplanetary disk that orbited the Sun as the result of a stochastic process of run-away accretion. Mars has many distinctive chemical features caused by its position in the Solar System. Elements with comparatively low boiling points such as chlorine, phosphorus and sulphur are much more common on Mars than Earth; these elements were probably removed from areas closer to the Sun by the young Sun's powerful solar wind.
After the formation of the planets, all were subjected to the "Late Heavy Bombardment". About 60% of the surface of Mars shows an impact record from that era. Much of the rest of the surface of Mars is probably underlain by immense impact basins that date from this time—there is evidence of an enormous impact basin in the northern hemisphere of Mars, spanning 10,600 km by 8,500 km, or roughly four times larger than the Moon's South Pole-Aitken basin, the largest impact basin yet discovered. This theory suggests that Mars was struck by a Pluto-sized body about four billion years ago. The event, thought to be the cause of the Martian hemispheric dichotomy, created the smooth Borealis basin that covers 40% of the planet.
The geological history of Mars can be split into many epochs, but the following are the three primary epochs:
Noachian epoch (named after Noachis Terra): Formation of the oldest extant surfaces of Mars, 4.5 billion years ago to 3.5 billion years ago. Noachian age surfaces are scarred by many large impact craters. The Tharsis bulge, a volcanic upland, is thought to have formed during this period, with extensive flooding by liquid water late in the epoch.
Hesperian epoch (named after Hesperia Planum): 3.5 billion years ago to 2.9–3.3 billion years ago. The Hesperian epoch is marked by the formation of extensive lava plains.
Amazonian epoch (named after Amazonis Planitia): 2.9–3.3 Gyr ago billion years ago to present. Amazonian regions have few meteorite impact craters, but are otherwise quite varied. Olympus Mons formed during this period, along with lava flows elsewhere on Mars.
Some geological activity is still taking place on Mars. The Athabasca Valles is home to sheet-like lava flows up to about 200 Mya. Water flows in the grabens called the Cerberus Fossae occurred less than 20 Mya, indicating equally recent volcanic intrusions. On February 19, 2008, images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter showed evidence of an avalanche from a 700 m high cliff
Although better remembered for mapping the Moon, Johann Heinrich Mädler and Wilhelm Beer were the first "areographers". They began by establishing that most of Mars’ surface features were permanent, and more precisely determining the planet's rotation period. In 1840, Mädler combined ten years of observations and drew the first map of Mars. Rather than giving names to the various markings, Beer and Mädler simply designated them with letters; Meridian Bay (Sinus Meridiani) was thus feature "a."
Today, features on Mars are named from a number of sources. Large albedo features retain many of the older names, but are often updated to reflect new knowledge of the nature of the features. For example, Nix Olympica (the snows of Olympus) has become Olympus Mons (Mount Olympus). The surface of Mars as seen from Earth is divided into two kinds of areas, with differing albedo. The paler plains covered with dust and sand rich in reddish iron oxides were once thought of as Martian 'continents' and given names like Arabia Terra (land of Arabia) or Amazonis Planitia (Amazonian plain). The dark features were thought to be seas, hence their names Mare Erythraeum, Mare Sirenum and Aurorae Sinus. The largest dark feature seen from Earth is Syrtis Major. The permanent northern polar ice cap is named Planum Boreum, while the southern cap is called Planum Australe.
Mars’ equator is defined by its rotation, but the location of its Prime Meridian was specified, as was Earth's (at Greenwich), by choice of an arbitrary point; Mädler and Beer selected a line in 1830 for their first maps of Mars. After the spacecraft Mariner 9 provided extensive imagery of Mars in 1972, a small crater (later called Airy-0), located in the Sinus Meridiani ("Middle Bay" or "Meridian Bay"), was chosen for the definition of 0.0° longitude to coincide with the original selection.
Since Mars has no oceans and hence no 'sea level', a zero-elevation surface or mean gravity surface also had to be selected. Zero altitude is defined by the height at which there is 610.5 Pa (6.105 mbar) of atmospheric pressure. This pressure corresponds to the triple point of water, and is about 0.6% of the sea level surface pressure on Earth (0.006 atm).
Liquid water cannot exist on the surface of Mars due to its low atmospheric pressure, except at the lowest elevations for short periods. However, the two polar ice caps appear to be made largely of water. The volume of water ice in the south polar ice cap, if melted, would be sufficient to cover the entire planetary surface to a depth of 11 meters. A permafrost mantle stretches from the pole to latitudes of about 60°.
Large quantities of water ice are thought to be trapped underneath the thick cryosphere of Mars. Radar data from Mars Express and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show large quantities of water ice both at the poles (July 2005) and at mid-latitudes (November 2008). The Phoenix lander directly sampled water ice in shallow Martian soil on July 31, 2008.
A large release of liquid water is thought to have occurred when the Valles Marineris formed early in the history of Mars, forming massive outflow channels. A smaller outflow may have occurred when the Cerberus Fossae chasm opened about 5 million years ago, leaving a supposed sea of frozen ice still visible on the Elysium Planitia, centered at Cerberus Palus. However, the morphology of this region may correspond to the pooling of lava flows, causing a superficial morphology similar to ice flows, which probably draped the terrain established by earlier massive floods of Athabasca Valles. The rough surface texture at decimeter (dm) scales, a thermal inertia comparable to that of the Gusev plains, and the presence of hydrovolcanic cones, are consistent with the lava flow hypothesis. Furthermore, the stoichiometric mass fraction of water in this area, to tens of centimeter depths, is only about 4%, which is easily attributable to hydrated minerals, and inconsistent with the presence of near-surface ice.
The high resolution Mars Orbiter Camera on the Mars Global Surveyor has taken pictures which give much more detail about the history of liquid water on the surface of Mars. Despite the many giant flood channels and associated tree-like network of tributaries found on Mars, there are no smaller scale structures that would indicate the origin of the flood waters. Weathering processes may have denuded these, indicating that the river valleys are old features. High resolution observations from spacecraft show thousands of features along crater and canyon walls that appear similar to terrestrial gullies. The gullies tend to be in the highlands of the southern hemisphere and to face the Equator; all are poleward of 30° latitude. No partially degraded gullies have formed by weathering and no superimposed impact craters have been observed, indicating that these are very young features.
Two photographs, taken six years apart, show a gully on Mars with what appears to be new deposits of sediment. Michael Meyer, the lead scientist for NASA's Mars Exploration Program, argues that only the flow of material with a high liquid water content could produce such a debris pattern and colouring. Whether the water results from precipitation, underground or another source remains an open question. However, alternative scenarios have been suggested, including the possibility of the deposits being caused by carbon dioxide frost or by the movement of dust on the Martian surface.
Further evidence that liquid water once existed on the surface of Mars comes from the detection of specific minerals such as hematite and goethite, both of which sometimes form in the presence of water. Some of the evidence believed to indicate ancient water basins and flows has been negated by higher resolution studies taken at resolution about 30 cm by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. However, in 2004, Opportunity detected the presence of the mineral jarosite on "El Capitan", a rock on the outcrop of Opportunity Ledge. Jarosite forms only in the presence of acidic water, and the presence of jarosite is seen as proof that water once existed on Mars.
Mars lost its magnetosphere 4 billion years ago, so the solar wind interacts directly with the Martian ionosphere, lowering the atmospheric density by stripping away atoms from the outer layer. Both Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Express have detected these ionised atmospheric particles trailing off into space behind Mars. Compared to Earth, the atmosphere of Mars is quite rarefied. Atmospheric pressure on the surface ranges from a low of 30 Pa (0.030 kPa) on Olympus Mons to over 1,155 Pa (1.155 kPa) in the Hellas Planitia, with a mean pressure at the surface level of 600 Pa (0.60 kPa). The surface pressure of Mars is equal to the pressure found 35 km above the Earth's surface. This is less than 1% of the Earth's surface pressure (101.3 kPa). The scale height of the atmosphere is about 10.8 km, which is higher than Earth's (6 km) because the surface gravity of Mars is only about 38% of Earth's, an effect offset by both the lower temperature and 50% higher average molecular weight of the atmosphere of Mars.
The atmosphere on Mars consists of 95% carbon dioxide, 3% nitrogen, 1.6% argon and contains traces of oxygen and water. The atmosphere is quite dusty, containing particulates about 1.5 µm in diameter which give the Martian sky a tawny color when seen from the surface.
Methane has been detected in the Martian atmosphere with a concentration of about 30 ppb by volume; it occurs in extended plumes, and the profiles imply that the methane was released from discrete regions. In northern midsummer, the principal plume contained 19,000 metric tons of methane, with an estimated source strength of 0.6 kilogram per second. The profiles suggest that there may be two local source regions, the first centered near 30° N, 260° W and the second near 0°, 310° W. It is estimated that Mars must produce 270 ton/year of methane.
The implied methane destruction lifetime may be as long as about 4 Earth years and as short as about 0.6 Earth years. This rapid turnover would indicate an active source of the gas on the planet. Volcanic activity, cometary impacts, and the presence of methanogenic microbial life forms are among possible sources. Methane could also be produced by a non-biological process called serpentinization[b] involving water, carbon dioxide, and the mineral olivine, which is known to be common on Mars
Of all the planets in the Solar System, the seasons of Mars are the most Earth-like, due to the similar tilts of the two planets' rotational axes. However, the lengths of the Martian seasons are about twice those of Earth's, as Mars’ greater distance from the Sun leads to the Martian year being about two Earth years long. Martian surface temperatures vary from lows of about -87 °C during the polar winters to highs of up to -5 °C in summers. The wide range in temperatures is due to the thin atmosphere which cannot store much solar heat, the low atmospheric pressure, and the low thermal inertia of Martian soil. The planet is also 1.52 times as far from the sun as Earth, resulting in just 43% of the amount of sunlight.
If Mars had an Earth-like orbit, its seasons would be similar to Earth's because its axial tilt is similar to Earth's. However, the comparatively large eccentricity of the Martian orbit has a significant effect. Mars is near perihelion when it is summer in the southern hemisphere and winter in the north, and near aphelion when it is winter in the southern hemisphere and summer in the north. As a result, the seasons in the southern hemisphere are more extreme and the seasons in the northern are milder than would otherwise be the case. The summer temperatures in the south can reach up to 30 °C warmer than the equivalent summer temperatures in the north.


Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies
This course surveys current knowledge of the physical nature of stars and galaxies. Topics include the sun and other stars, the evolution of stars, interstellar matter, the end products of stellar evolution (including pulsars and black holes), the organization of stellar systems such as clusters and galaxies, and the large-scale structure of the universe itself. Evening laboratory sessions will include telescopic observation, laboratory investigations of light and spectra, and computer modeling and simulation exercises. No prerequisite.


This is our last full day in Maui. Jason is out snorkeling while I am catching up with e-mail (I don’t swim) and thinking about having an ice cream cone. Yesterday we drove to the summit of Haleakala to see the sunset. The summit is 10,023 feet up and it is darned cold up there, but the view is stunning. Then the stars came out. Venus is incredibly bright in the evenings right now. The moon is full and it was right next to Saturn, near Orion — quite a show.


Space Blaster Inspired Stained Glass Pattern
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Ever daydreamed about zipping through the cosmos, taking on alien invaders, or simply being part of an epic space saga? Well, now you can bring a piece of that dream into your home with this printable Space Blaster stained glass pattern! This original design is a tribute to the countless space-themed games, movies, and stories we all love. If you are a sci-fi lover and fascinated by space themes, this pattern is your gateway to the universe. Perfect for confident beginners to advanced glass artisans.
- A printable PDF file featuring a circular stained glass pattern of a Space Blaster, complete with an info page included.
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The Valentina Ring
Linking the traditionally masculine cigar band to the daintiest of stackers, the Valentina Ring is an otherworldly creation set with six star-set white sapphires. Blast off in silver or gold.
Handmade in Toronto in Sterling silver. Customization available for mixed metals or different stones upon request. Please allow for 1-2 weeks to ship as this is a made-to-order piece.
Valentina Tereshkova is a politician, engineer, and cosmonaut. At the age of 26, she became the first youngest woman to have flown in space. She remains the only woman to have completed a solo space mission. She's had a crater on the moon named after her, and now, a sapphire star-set ring!


A historic mission
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has successfully returned to Earth with a sample of asteroid Bennu, a carbon-rich rock that may hold clues to the origin of life and the formation of the solar system. The sample capsule, containing at least 60 grams of dust and pebbles from the asteroid, landed in the Utah desert on Sunday, September 24, 2023, after a seven-year journey that spanned more than 4 billion miles.
The mission, which began in 2016, was the first for NASA to collect and return an asteroid sample, and only the second in history after Japan’s Hayabusa missions. Scientists hope that by analyzing the pristine material from Bennu, they can learn more about the history and evolution of the solar system, as well as the potential for asteroid impacts on Earth.
A daring maneuver
The sample capsule was released by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft four hours before landing, from an altitude of 63,000 miles above Earth. The capsule then plunged through the atmosphere at a speed of more than 27,000 miles per hour, enduring temperatures of up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Two parachutes deployed to slow down the capsule, which landed safely on a remote expanse of military land in Utah.
The recovery team, consisting of NASA and U.S. Air Force personnel, located the capsule using helicopters and radio signals. They then transported it to a temporary clean room, where they opened it and confirmed that the sample was intact. The capsule will be flown to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Monday, where it will be stored and analyzed in a new laboratory.
A scientific treasure
The sample from Bennu is expected to be the largest and most diverse ever returned from an asteroid. Bennu is an ancient and primitive asteroid, dating back to the early stages of the solar system, about 4.5 billion years ago. It is rich in carbon, which is a key element for life, and may contain organic molecules, water, and minerals that could shed light on how planets and life emerged.
The sample also represents a valuable resource for planetary defense, as Bennu is one of the most potentially hazardous asteroids known, with a 1 in 2,700 chance of impacting Earth in the late 22nd century. By studying the sample, scientists can better understand the physical and chemical properties of Bennu, as well as its orbit and trajectory, which could help devise strategies to prevent or mitigate a future collision.
A new adventure
While the sample capsule has completed its mission, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is not done yet. It still has enough fuel and resources to continue exploring the solar system, and NASA has already selected a new target for it: a small asteroid named 1999 RQ36, which is similar to Bennu in size and composition. The spacecraft will fly by the asteroid in 2029, and perform a series of scientific observations and measurements.
The OSIRIS-REx mission is part of NASA’s New Frontiers program, which aims to explore the solar system with innovative and cost-effective missions. The program also includes the Juno mission to Jupiter, the New Horizons mission to Pluto and beyond, and the upcoming Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan.


Keeping true to its promise, United Space Alliance will issue today and tomorrow some 1,000 layoff notices to its space shuttle mission employees at the Kennedy Space Center. The layoffs, Click Orlando reports, will occur later this year and come as a result of the ramping down and the eventual elimination of NASA’s shuttle program. Two additional flights, and potentially a third, remain for the aging shuttles after nearly 30 years of service.
United Space Alliance currently employs a total of 8,100 workers at their Florida, Texas, and Alabama sites. Officials from that company plan on reducing its overall workforce by 15 percent as a result of the cancellation. Experts predict that as many as 8,000 total Kennedy Space Center employees could lose their jobs when the shuttle program shuts down.1,000 Get Layoff Notices At Kennedy Space Center by Harrison Barnes


Astronaut, Speaker, Entrepreneur, Educator & Consultant
– Seasoned Public Speaker and Media Ambassador
– Leadership positions at NASA, and in space and technology companies
– Astronaut (US and Russian Spacecraft): 229 days spaceflight; 36 hours Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA)
– Commander: International Space Station Expedition 10
– Published Research Engineer
– Instrument-rated pilot, 3000 hours in various aircraft and spacecraft
– Foreign Languages: Russian, Mandarin
For more information on booking Commander Leroy Chiao, Ph.D for speaking engagements or events please contact us here
Leroy Chiao is a former NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander. He works in business and consulting. Chiao also holds appointments at Rice University and the Baylor College of Medicine, and is the special advisor for human spaceflight to the Space Foundation. He has worked extensively in both government and commercial space programs, and has held leadership positions in commercial ventures and NASA. Chiao has extensive experience as a NASA Astronaut and prior to that, as a Research Engineer. Dr. Chiao is a fellow of the Explorers Club, and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and the Committee of 100. Chiao also serves in various capacities to further space education.
Dr. Chiao left NASA in December, 2005 following a fifteen-year career with the agency. A veteran of four space missions, Dr. Chiao most recently served as Commander and NASA Science Officer of Expedition 10 aboard the International Space Station. He has logged over 229 days in space – over 36 hours of which were spent in Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA, or spacewalks). From June-September 2009, he served as a member of the White House appointed Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, and currently serves on the NASA Advisory Council.
A native English speaker, Dr. Chiao also speaks Mandarin Chinese and Russian. He has flown space missions and worked closely with Russian, Japanese and European Astronauts and their affiliated space agencies. Dr. Chiao is uniquely qualified to speak about the United States, Russian, Japanese, European and Chinese Space Programs. A Space Station Commander and Space Shuttle Mission Specialist, Dr. Chiao was also a certified Co-Pilot of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. He is an expert in all facets of U.S. and Russian EVA hardware and operations and is EVA certified in U.S. and Russian spacesuits, tools, and training programs. In September 2006, Chiao became the first American to visit the Astronaut Research and Training Center of China. There, he met the first national Chinese astronauts.
Dr. Chiao studied Chemical Engineering, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1983. He continued his studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara, earning his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 1985 and 1987. Prior to joining NASA in 1990, he worked as a Research Engineer at Hexcel Corp. and then at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Honors and Awards
- Space Technology Hall of Fame Inductee
- NASA: Distinguished Service Medal, 4 Space Flight Medals, 2 Exceptional Service Medals, 4 Individual Achievement, 2 Group Achievement Awards, Going the Extra Mile Award
- Russian Federation: Medal for the Development of Space; Order of Gagarin Medal
- Public Svc. Awards: Comm. of 100; Asian Chamber of Commerce; Asian Pacific American Heritage Assoc.
- Federation Aeronautique Internationale: Koroliev Diploma, Komarov Diploma, De La Vaulx Medal
- Distinguished Alumni Award, from the University of California, Santa Barbara
- Excellence in Achievement Award, from the University of California, Berkeley
- Explorers Club: Lowell Thomas Award
- Phi Kappa Tau Awards: National Hall of Fame, Borradaile Award, Alumnus of the Year Award
Speaking Topics Include
- Leading in the International Arena
- Positioning Your Endeavor: Technology Innovation Trends
- Effective Problem Solving: How to Lead Like an Astronaut
- Is it SADS, or Am I in Space? Medical Considerations for Spaceflight


From Jupiter to Mars, from Uranus to Saturn, from Earth to Venus. Travel through the solar system with this Londji puzzle.
Now in a 600-piece micropuzzle.
- Illustration Carmen Saldaña
- Age from 6 to 106 years old
- Material Recycled cardboard and paper
- Packaging Sturdy cardboard box
- Size 20 x 30 cm
- Box Size 14,5 x 14,5 x 3,5 cm
Micro puzzle 600 pcs- Planets


Yosemite Valley by Starlight
The slow running Merced River lumbers though Yosemite Valley on a dark moonless night. As your eyes adjust to what little light is available the Valley takes on a new perspective under billions of stars. Soon you can hear every sound in the valley as the river murmurs lightly and the tall pines surrounding you whisper in the night. Starlight is your only light source and after some adjustment it seems incredibly bright. Jupiter, the brightest light in the sky seems overwhelming compared to the distant suns and you ponder with all the vistas that exist in the entire universe Yosemite Valley may indeed be the most beautiful sight under a starry sky. After a couple of hours star gazing as the clouds exited Yosemite Valley over the Eastern peaks the cold finally sunk in and it was time to head back to the warmth of the car. Reluctantly I packed up my gear hoping I had captured the mood Yosemite National Park offers to those who stay up late to experience the darkness of the pine forest and the illumination provided by distant suns.


The moon-sighting committee said that the crescent moon had not been sighted
The first day of Ramadan will be April 13, Tuesday. The moon sighting committee in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said that the crescent moon had not been sighted. Accordingly, Monday, April 12, will be the last and 30th day of Shaban 1442 Hijri which means, by default, the first day of Ramadan will be on Tuesday.
Sunday marks the 29th day of Shaban, the month before Ramadan according to the Islamic calendar. Ramadan lasts for one complete moon cycle, which is usually 29 or 30 days. The moon sighting determines the duration.
Makkah is considered the holiest city in Islam. Not only was it the birthplace of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), but also the location where Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) had his first revelation of the Quran. Because of this, the rest of the Islamic world follows Saudi Arabia’s announcement. UAE also usually follows Saudi Arabia’s announcement, but residents should wait for an official confirmation from the UAE authorities.
Eid Al Fitr is a three-day celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. The exact date will be determined by the moon-sighting committee.
Ebrahim Al Jarwan, member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences and head of Sharjah Planetarium said that the crescent moon for the month of Shawwal will form on May 11, 2021, although it is not expected to be visible until Thursday, May 13, which will mark the first day of Eid Al Fitr.


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Your Framed gift set includes:
A4 Certificate of Registration - showing the new Star Name, the date of registration and the star's telescopic co-ordinates
Stylish clip-frame - our frame complements and fits the certificate beautifully, turning your order into a stylish and classic gift.
Jewel encrusted star - Mark your star on the full colour map of the night sky
Star locator instructions - Step by step guide to find the precise position of the star that has been named
Full colour map of the night sky - this great wall chart shows all the constellations and stars visible to the naked eye and is where you mark your star with the star locator
Star registration details - confirmation of the star details and your entry into our maintained star register database
Message service - Place your order via the internet and include your message in the gift set for FREE - (normal price £3 extra)
Delivery - please read carefully
Delivery is by private courier or Royal Mail - you MUST SIGN for the parcel. It is usually best if we deliver to your place of work. Please allow 5 - 7 days to receive your gift set. See below for alternative express delivery options.
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Thursday 3rd March
The Martian (12A) 144 mins (no shorts this evening) TRAILER REVIEW
Given all the interest in Major Tim’s trip to the International Space Station, we though it timely to show Ridley Scott’s space adventure about an astronaut accidentally left behind on Mars, his battle for survival and attempts to rescue him. The bulk of the film rests on Matt Damon as the castaway. There has been much discussion about the scientific plausibility of the film (see Wikipedia) but NASA gave unprecedented access to its facilities to the film makers (presumably in the hope of good PR for their space programme) and physicist Brian Cox said, "The Martian is the best advertisement for a career in engineering I've ever seen."[
This film is far from the first film to have someone stuck on Mars - there are at least 30 others, in most of which the voyagers encounter aliens or monsters of some kind, in total contrast to the problems of isolation and loneliness featured here.
Thursday 7th April
The Lady in the Van (12A) 104 mins TRAILER REVIEW
Maggie Smith gives an exceptional performance as Miss Mary Shepherd, an enigmatic and eccentric old woman who takes up residence in the driveway of writer Alan Bennett’s Camden house in 1973.
Running alongside what are presented as the facts of the story are scenes showing the conflicts experienced by Bennett as both protagonist and writer - just who is exploiting whom as the story is unfolded?
You can read an excerpt from Bennett’s diaries (6 January and mid-October when filming started in 2014).


Made of Star Stuff
AEC Interesni Kazki
August 30, 2022 – September 21, 2022
1922-2022. Made of star stuff is the title of the project that Street Levels Gallery commissioned to AEC Interesni Kazki, a Ukrainian artist known internationally for his surrealist paintings, inspired by science, cosmology, past times. The artist decided to combine the Greek-Egyptian mythological image of Zeus Ammon, considered the god of the sky, with that of Margherita Hack, the Italian astronomer who, by chance, was born in via delle Cento Stelle, in Florence. From ancient myths to modern science, AEC is one of the few international muralists able to collect the legacy of complex themes that intertwine nature, the human being and the supernatural. The result of his artistic research is an extremely recognizable evocative alphabet, capable of combining the figurative and the allegorical without falling into simple didactic reproduction. His narrative bases its roots in the past, from the history of the cosmos to that of human civilization, to continually renew itself thanks to his imaginative vision and singular surrealist stylization.
“We are the way the universe knows itself. Part of our existence knows that’s where we come from. We want to go back, and we can, because the cosmos is also within us. We are made of stars ”.
– C. E. Sagan
The Ukrainian artist considers his work as “an opportunity to understand the mystical reasons of the Universe” and precisely this ambition unites him to Hack: he with the brush, she with the optical instruments, both tireless seekers of the unknown. title chosen by AEC for the Made of star stuff project took up a quote from a famous American-born astrophysicist, Carl Edward Sagan, who in a few words succeeded in capturing the meaning conveyed by the artwork itself.
Via delle Cento Stelle n.16 50137, Firenze (FI) Italia


Where did the Zodiac Signs Originate From - The zodiac signs are a division of the ecliptic that dates back to Babylonian astronomy in the first millennium BC. The zodiac is based on stars from previous Babylonian star catalogues, such as the MUL.APIN catalogue (about 1000 BC).
Which are the 12 Zodiac Signs?
Aries(March 21- April 19)
The ram is the constellation that represents Aries, the first of the twelve zodiac signs. You are adventurous, active, ambitious, and competitive if you were born under this sign. Aries are recognized for their agility and leadership abilities, as well as a proclivity for being impetuous (due to the "fire" aspect) and forthright.
Tauraus (April 20- May 20)
Taurus is the second of the twelve zodiac signs, and the constellation Taurus represents it. You are committed, trustworthy, focused, and creative if you were born under this sign. Tauruses are noted for their intelligence, trustworthiness, and stubbornness (the sign is a bull, after all). Tauruses are notorious for questioning authority and seeking pleasure.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
The constellation Gemini, which is made up of the twins Castor and Pollux, represents Gemini, the third of the twelve zodiac signs. You are active, outspoken, intellectual, and fun if you were born under this sign. Geminis are recognized for their gregarious personalities and diverse interests, yet they have a (probably undeserved) reputation for being duplicitous.
Cancer (June 21- July 22)
The constellation Cancer, which is most typically pictured as a crab, represents Cancer, the fourth of the twelve zodiac signs. If you were born under this sign, you are brave, empathetic, protective, and perceptive. Cancers are noted for their inclination to be remote and passive-aggressive, as well as their caring nature.
Leo (July 23- August 22)
The lion is the constellation that represents Leo, the fifth of the twelve zodiac signs. You are lively, extroverted, and fiery if you were born under this sign. Leos are recognized for their warm personalities and great self-esteem, although they may be prideful or envious at times.
Virgo (August 23- September 22)
The virgin is the constellation that represents Virgo, the sixth of the twelve zodiac signs. You are realistic, analytical, and sophisticated if you were born under this sign. Virgos are recognized for their generosity and meticulous attention to detail, yet they may also be introverted and have unrealistic expectations for themselves and their loved ones.
Libra (September 23- October 22)
The scales, the only inanimate constellation, represents Libra, the seventh of the twelve zodiac signs. You are thought to be balanced, sociable, and diplomatic if you were born under this sign. Libras are recognized for their selflessness and camaraderie, although they may be overly pragmatic and insecure at times.
Scorpio (October 23- November 21)
Scorpio is the eighth of the twelve zodiac signs, and it is symbolized by the scorpion constellation. You are loyal, resourceful, and dedicated if you were born under this sign. Scorpios are recognized for their boldness and pioneering spirit, yet they may be abrasive and walled off to outsiders.
Sagittarius (November 22- December 21)
The archer is the constellation that represents Sagittarius, the ninth of the twelve zodiac signs. If you were born under this sign, you are cheerful, self-reliant, and smart. Sagittariuses are noted for their magnetic qualities and generosity, yet they can also be arrogant and forthright.
Capricorn (December 22- January 19)
Capricorn is the tenth of the twelve zodiac signs, and it is symbolized by the sea goat constellation. If you were born under this sign, you are patient, hardworking, and disciplined. Capricorns are recognized for their tenacity and fondness for limits and regulations, yet they may be obstinate and too concerned with perfection.
Aquarius (January 20- February 18)
Aquarius is the eleventh of the twelve zodiac signs, and it is symbolized by the water carrier constellation. If you were born under this sign, you are thought to be creative, loyal, and unique. Aquariuses are recognized for their rebellious temperament and ingenuity, yet they may be distant and unyielding with loved ones.
Pisces (February 19- March 20)
Pisces is the last of the twelve zodiac signs, and it is symbolized by the fishes constellation. You are perceptive, artistic, and sympathetic if you were born under this sign. Pisces are famed for their empathy and artistic abilities, yet they may also be overly sensitive or deluded.


Experience the summer solstice at Stonehenge on a sunset or sunrise excursion from London! The astrological celebration at the ancient site has become an annual pilgrimage for druids, sun worshipers and revelers who flock there to welcome the summer. Embrace the festival atmosphere during a sunset viewing on June 20 or a sunrise viewing on June 21, and walk right inside the stone circle itself. Sunset viewings include a trip to the nearby stone circle at Avebury and a light supper in the village of Lacock.
Please arrive at Millennium Gloucester Hotel 15 minutes before the departure time stated and wait at the Hotel Casino entrance.


Universe Sandbox 2 Download is a popular space simulation strategy game for Windows PC. With regular updates, the developers keep improving the images and graphics. In this learning based game, you can interact with different worlds in the universe and even create new worlds according to your imagination. If you are fascinated by astrophysics and space concepts, this would be a great option. There is no fixed mission or battle, and you need to create fun universes, explore existing universes, enjoy the scenery, or cause chaos. With endless possibilities, Universe Sandbox keeps you busy for a long period of time.
This is all about the universe and what happens in it. If you have a knack for this type of exploration that delves into the mysteries of the universe and you haven’t tried this game yet, you’re missing out. Take a look at what this game has to offer and let us show you exactly why it’s such a great choice! Produced by Giant Army, this game can be played on Microsoft Windows Linux and Mac. It has 10 out of 10 reviews and ratings on Steam. Need we say more?
There is practically no limit to what you can do in this game. Create any type of planet or modify the Earth to your liking. He can also manipulate what happens in the universe, such as meteor collisions and black holes. Everything you do results in an immediate reaction to your planets and their surroundings. This results in hours of challenging physics for fun. The possibilities are endless. In-Universe Sandbox 2 Free Download you can experience an accurate simulation of the universe. And the best thing is that it really allows you to go crazy with all the settings available. You can make a super dense star with even more massive planets and see what happens. A You can try putting a supernova in the middle of the solar system and see how it happens. Create towers and be the owner of your own universe.
The game explores a genre that has yet to catch on to a great extent. The gameplay in Universe Sandbox 2 PC Game Download is quite easy to understand. Everything is just a scheme in which you can also from your friend’s state, create your own things (even if other objects are sometimes destroyed) and, above all, experience the great immensity of space. Universe Sandbox 2 is one of the best games that debuted in the market. While the market is full of new superhero toys and models that are best sellers as such. The game also allows you to create your own systems.
Both real and fictional simulations appear in the Universe Sandbox, with each region of outer space placed by default or based on the player’s preference. The real simulation includes the solar system, which includes eight planets, five minor planets, more than 160 moons, and hundreds of asteroids. And predictions of future events like the collision of the Andromeda galaxy and the Milky Way which will occur in 3.8 to 4.5 billion years. During the game, the player can learn about regions with the 100 largest objects in the solar system, the 1000 closest stars to the sun or the 70 closest galaxies to the Milky Way. A visible size comparison of the largest known stars and planets can be explored, and real-time animations of events such as the asteroid Apophis passing close to Earth in 2029 can be viewed.
As such, judging Universe Sandbox 2 Download as a game is unfair. It does not come with power-ups, levels, bosses, battles, or objectives. Based on the Sandbox model, just like Minecraft and Roblox, this space simulator focuses on giving you a fun learning experience. While the game has limited configuration options, the space simulator gives you plenty of mod options. It allows you to customize the time and place. It is worth noting that some of the mods do not work as intended. While these bugs and fixes can be annoying, they don’t hurt the deals.
this is different. You should keep in mind that the game is nude. It can find quite a few bugs, and it also ignores a lot of articles. The good thing is that Universe Sandbox 2 runs smoothly on many computers. If you like playing with the universe and don’t mind Universe Sandbox 2 being empty, go right ahead. But if you want to wait until the element is complete, or don’t want to play without a fixed goal, for now we urge you to find a different way to destroy the universe.
Universe Sandbox 2 Features:
Make or break your planets
The game allows you to explore outer space both on a complex and large scale. Therefore, the game gives you a way to realize the paths of the universe with your own hands! You can collide planets, a supernova with a star or even go through different historical events.
easy to understand
The game is about how each person gets the slightest idea about the universe. This means that the game must reach the masses. This, in turn, again means that the game should make it simpler and easier for everyone to understand. The game language and gameplay are also very easy!
familiar with nature
The game contains a lot of information that should be provided to the users, whenever they want. This game not only makes physics interesting, but also unknown to you, there are many who are affected by the game and continue their studies in this field! So the game has a very informed side too!
It’s a simulation game! Graphics play a big role in simulation games, which is why I also played Universe Sandbox 2. You can feel the planets around you and feel like you’re becoming one with what’s around you there. Although it may sound pretty fun right now, that’s the power of graphics.
- Material System – Build planets from hydrogen, iron, rock and water.
- Star flares and choppy paths
- Procedurally generated stars and planets
- Black holes distort light
- dark matter
Universe Sandbox 2 Download information:
- Genre: Casual, Indie, Simulation, Early Access
- Developed By: Giant Army
- Platform: PC
- Game Size: 0.97GB
- Repack By: GOG
- Version: v29.0.1 – Early Access (Latest)
- preinstalled game
- polished graphics
- Smooth game engine
- time control
- quick reboot
- Game Freeze Errors
- Some functions do not work
- fantasy physics
Universe Sandbox 2 Minimum System Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 7SP1+ (64bit*)
- Processor: Dual core 1.6GHz
- Memory: 1GB RAM
- Graphics: 512 MB video memory, Shader Model 4.0
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 2 GB of available space
Recommended System Requirements:
- Processor: 2.6GHz quad-core
- Memory: 4GB RAM
- Graphics: 1 GB of video memory
- DirectX: Version 11
How to Universe Sandbox 2 Free Download for Pc?
Step 1 – Click the download button, you will be redirected to our download page
Step 2 – Click the Download button
Step 3: Your download will start The free installer created officially from hdpcgames.com
Step 4 – Download and install the file and then you can install the game
Step 5 – With a good internet connection, it will be easy to download the game
Step 6 – After the installation is complete, you can enjoy Game for free
If you still have problems or want to report bugs, please contact me.
Is Universe Sandbox 2 free?
No, the game is not free. You should be around $30.00 to enjoy the game.
Can you create your own simulations in Universe Sandbox 2?
If you can! But for this you will have to purchase the premium version of the game and only then can you create new planetary systems.
Is Universe Sandbox 2 too big?
Universe Sandbox 2 takes up quite a bit of space. It occupies about 2 GB of your device memory.


Boat trip from Los Gigantes
Routes along the Los Gigantes Cliff starting from the Los Gigantes Marina to Punta de Teno, passing through Masca beach.
Visit to the new volcano of La Palma (North face)
Get to know the new volcano of La Palma and its consequences. The land was opened on September 19, 2021 to create the Youngest territory on the Continent. Its consequences were both sides of the coin.
Kayak from El Remo
Discover the wonderful coast of La Palma from a different point of view. Routes adapted to each level, visiting caves or lonely beaches only accessible by the sea.
Kayak to Cueva Bonita
A magical excursion on the island of La Palma from the wonderful Porís de Candelaria to the Cueva Bonita, round trip.
Kayak in Punta de Teno
Two hour routes from Punta de Teno enjoying the unbeatable views of the Los Gigantes Cliff.
Tour fotográfico nocturno noroeste
The night and the stars as you have never photographed them. We look for the best spots for your photographs in the northwestern region of the island of La Palma.
Archeology, moon and stars
We visit stations full of spirals and other geometric shapes that the Awara have written in stone. Under the light of the Moon, we discover its meaning on a magical route under the stars.
Camping and stars
Do you want to enjoy the starry sky of La Palma? Do you want to have the experience of sleeping under the stars?
Tours of the celestial vault to know the main constellations, stars and planets with the help of expert guides with the use of telescope equipment and other accessories of excellent astronomical quality.
Boat trip from Punta de Teno
Enjoy our daily excursions from Punta de Teno to Masca Beach in our 7.50 m long semi-rigid boat.


Stars collision in astronomy
Astronomers announced an important breakthrough on 16th October, 2017. They detected the collision of two neutron stars on this day. This breakthrough was significant enough in the sense that these collisions would not lead to γ-ray bursts along with the creation of heavier elements in the Universe, such as gold and uranium.
Astronomers detected the gravitational waves, which were dissipated as ripples during the collision. This project was carried out by a team of 70 astronomers at Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) based in the USA. Using sophisticated telescopes, scientists observed these γ-rays and radio-frequency spectrum.
Another important feat of 2017 was advancements in quantum communications. On 15th June, 2017, researchers in China made an important public announcement: they had shot pairs of photons from Micius satellite to two ground stations; the distance of separation between these two stations was 1200 kms. This experiment was a breakthrough event as it broke the record of the distance over which particles are associated with each other in an “entangled” state. This was a major breakthrough for Chinese researchers who are trying to develop “quantum internet” in the near future.
Breakthroughs in Genetics
In 2017, a sophisticated treatment for cancer received its first approval: CAR-T cell therapy. In this approach, the immune cells of a patient were genetically engineered to destroy tumor cells of the target. Although the scientific community is not yet clear about the safety of this novel approach, the method did receive its approval from US FDA. This method was approved for treating acute leukemia in children and young adults.
Organ transplantation may soon become a reality given the path-breaking breakthrough in January, 2017. In a peer-reviewed report, scientist claimed to have developed fetuses with both pig and human cells. These hybrids would then be used for developing animals with organs, which are compatible with that of humans. Then, these organs could then be transplanted into people.
Assisted reproduction received a major boost in 2017 as gene editing was now approved for clinical use in six peer-reviewed studies. For the first time, a team of scientists announced in August 2017 that they had developed an innovative CRISPR–Cas9 gene-editing system that repairs pathogenic (disease-causing) mutation in human embryos. The researchers proved that the method was safe for clinical use as this method did not lead to any unwanted mutations. Another innovative study was published in September 2017. In this study, scientists fixed the gene associated with recessive blood disease in human embryos, which contained unwanted mutations. These researchers had used human skin cells to clone embryos. Then, they corrected the defects by editing single bases of the DNA.
Another important breakthrough in genetics occurred in July 2017. Genomic data of more than 500, 000 participants was released by the UK Biobank; this genetic data is considered to be one of the largest troves till date. Complete information about the health and traits of 500, 000 participants was provided by UK Biobank to approved scientists. Using this genetic data, a team of scientists carried out a study on 2,000 genomes to understand the inheritance of diseases and traits.
Breakthroughs in space science
Cassini spacecraft launched by NASA got burned up in Saturn’s atmosphere on 15th September 2017. At the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, scientists and engineers recorded the dwindling and death of incoming radio signals from Cassini spacecraft. This spacecraft had explored the Saturn planet was almost 13 years, and it crashed out as its fuel supply was exhausted completely; therefore, engineers at NASA steered this spacecraft for a crash and prevented it from bumping into one of the moons of Saturn planet. Cassini spacecraft provided important information about the powerful storms and constantly-changing rings of Saturn planet. Moreover, the spacecraft discovered a mammoth sea of hydrocarbon on Titan, which is the moon of Saturn planet.
In October 2017, astronomers observed a fast-moving asteroid whose orbit was unlike anything seen earlier. This important asteroid was spotted by astronomers in Hawaii. They christened this celestial body as “Oumuamua”; it was 400 meters in length and was believed to have originated from interstellar space. This celestial body zipped back toward the Sun and deep space no sooner it was observed. Such an object was observed for the first time ever in space.
In February 2017, astronomers discovered that seven planets (these plants were of the size of Earth) were orbiting around a star named TRAPPIST-1; this star was about 41 light years away from the Sun. This system was peculiar in terms of the number of small planets; all these planets were rotating in temperate orbits. This is an important breakthrough that paves the way for interplanetary visits.


What are meteorites?
- Pieces of rock or iron that fall to earth from space. Many thousands fall to earth each year, mostly landing in the ocean, but significant numbers fall onto the continents.
- Mostly derived from the asteroid belt, where fragments are knocked out of orbit, eventually intersecting with the earth. A much smaller number are derived from the Moon and from Mars as the result of large collisions.
- Classified as either falls or finds. Falls are those recovered after being observed to fall to earth. A famous Queensland example is the 1879 Tenham meteorite shower, of which over 300 stones have been collected. A find is a meteorite discovery without the observation of a fall.
Meteorites have been found in many places in Australia. Most have been found in the desert and drier areas of the continent where they are easily seen without the vegetation cover.
Meteorites found in Australia may not be exported without a permit.
Types of meteorites
Iron meteorites are mostly made of nickel rich metallic iron and are believed to come from the cores of broken up asteroids. They contain few silicate minerals, and are very heavy. There are many different classes of iron meteorite.
Stony meteorites are meteorites rich in silica minerals such as olivine and hypersthene. They contain small amounts of metal. They are lighter in weight then iron meteorites. There are a large number of classes of stony meteorites.
Stony-iron meteorites have approximately equal amounts of iron and silicate minerals which make for very attractive meteorites. Again, there are many different types of stony-iron meteorites.
The study of meteorites is call meteoritics. Most, but not all meteorites are billions of years old. Their study can provide a great deal of information on the origin of the solar system and the formation of the earth itself.
Queensland Museum's Find out about... is proudly supported by the Thyne Reid Foundation and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation.


When: Tue., March 6, 7-9 p.m. 2018
Join us for an end of winter open house at Protohaven! Come meet our members and directors, experience equipment and project demonstrations, and find out more about our upcoming equipment and space expansion program. We will be running a membership drive during the event. The first 25 people who sign up will receive a made-at-Protohaven gift. We will have light refreshment at the event. Everyone is welcome, minors must be accompanied by an adult.


As of June 2020, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory — SDO — has now been watching the Sun non-stop for over a full decade. From its orbit in space around the Earth, SDO has gathered 425 million high-resolution images of the Sun, amassing 20 million gigabytes of data over the past 10 years. This information has enabled countless new discoveries about the workings of our closest star and how it influences the solar system.
With a triad of instruments, SDO captures an image of the Sun every 0.75 seconds. The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instrument alone captures images every 12 seconds at 10 different wavelengths of light. This 10-year time lapse showcases photos taken at a wavelength of 17.1 nanometers, which is an extreme ultraviolet wavelength that shows the Sun’s outermost atmospheric layer — the corona. Compiling one photo every hour, the movie condenses a decade of the Sun into 61 minutes. The video shows the rise and fall in activity that occurs as part of the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle and notable events, like transiting planets and eruptions. The custom music, titled “Solar Observer,” was composed by musician Lars Leonhard (https://www.lars-leonhard.de/).
While SDO has kept an unblinking eye pointed towards the Sun, there have been a few moments it missed. The dark frames in the video are caused by Earth or the Moon eclipsing SDO as they pass between the spacecraft and the Sun. A longer blackout in 2016 was caused by a temporary issue with the AIA instrument that was successfully resolved after a week. The images where the Sun is off-center were observed when SDO was calibrating its instruments.
SDO and other NASA missions will continue to watch our Sun in the years to come, providing further insights about our place in space and information to keep our astronauts and assets safe.
Some noteworthy events appear briefly in this time lapse. Use the time links below to jump to each event, or follow the links to more detailed views.
20:25 Sept. 29, 2013-- A prominence eruption forms a long 'canyon’ that is then covered with loops of plasma. See the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qurh_BZ-O2E https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/11379
36:18 May 9, 2016-- Mercury transits across the face of the Sun. Smaller and more distant than Venus it is hard to spot. See the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhO6Ufw9h_s https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12235
44:20 Sept. 6, 2017-- The most powerful sequence of flares during this solar cycle crackle for several days, peaking at X9.3. See the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-ZQBlWdlAY https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12706
Music: "Solar Observer" written and produced for this video by Lars Leonhard (https://www.lars-leonhard.de/)
Video credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/SDO
Scott Wiessinger (USRA): Lead Producer
Tom Bridgman (GST): Lead Data Visualizer
Mara Johnson-Groh (Wyle Information Systems): Lead Science Writer
This video is public domain and along with other supporting visualizations can be downloaded from NASA Goddard's Scientific Visualization Studio at: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/13641
If you liked this video, subscribe to the NASA Goddard YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/NASAGoddard
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Note: All videos are hosted by YouTube, Swoj.com did not produce this video. If you have any claim on the video then please follow through to Youtube and report at the source.


By Caleb Henry, SpaceNews, December 19, 2019
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission gave HawkEye 360 the approvals it needs to launch and operate 15 additional satellites for radio-frequency mapping from low-Earth orbit. The license, issued Dec. 10, permits HawkEye 360 to launch up to 80 satellites over 15 years in order to maintain a constellation of 15 operational spacecraft.
Herndon, Virginia-based HawkEye 360 has three pathfinder satellites in orbit today, and 15 more under construction by the Space Flight Laboratory at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies. The FCC said the first three satellites will not count towards the 15 since they were authorized under an experimental license.


Kennedy Space Center
While traveling through Florida this winter, we visited the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex. It is located on Cape Canaveral and, in addition to on-site attractions, offers tours by bus, allowing visitors to see the Saturn V rocket, rocket launchpads, and the vehicle assembly building.
The concrete pad in the photo below is the launchpad used to send the Apollo spacecraft to the moon. You may notice that the fence is curved outward; we were told this is to keep alligators from wandering onto the launchpad.
This is the vehicle assembly building. The American flag in the upper left corner is 22 stories tall!
This is the Apollo control room, containing original equipment. Sitting in the room you can imagine it as it once was, bustling with activity as history was made.
This cute little bus transported astronauts to the launch site.
The next three images show the Saturn V rocket, quite an impressive display in person.
This is the lunar landing module – so small!
This is a surface rover, built from spare parts but identical to the one used on the moon. The wheels are metal mesh.
These two photos show the space shuttle Atlantis – it’s like a delivery truck built for space. The giant arm in the photo below was used for docking onto the space station.
Rocket engines. The three main engines on Atlantis generated over 37 million horsepower. Wow.
A replica space shuttle stack, complete with two solid-fuel boosters, sits outside the building that houses Atlantis.
Report written by Mattea Brown, E.I.T.


Every 238 years, the orbits of Neptune and Pluto change making Neptune at times the farthest planet from the sun.
The common pond frog is ready to breed when it is only three years old.
In February 1878, the first telephone book was published in New Haven, Connecticut. The book was one page long and had fifty names in it.
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NEON ASTRO FLOAT
Our Neon Astronaut t-shirt is the perfect choice for anyone who loves space exploration and futuristic fashion. This shirt features a bold and vivid design, showcasing an astronaut floating in space against a bright and colorful neon background.
Whether you're a fan of science fiction, astronomy, or just love to make a statement with your style, this Neon Astronaut t-shirt is sure to impress. The eye-catching design is perfect for casual wear, festivals, or any occasion where you want to stand out from the crowd.
So why wait? Add a touch of interstellar flair to your wardrobe with our Neon Astronaut t-shirt. Whether you're exploring the city or the cosmos, you're sure to turn heads in this striking and unique t-shirt design. Order yours today and take your fashion game to the next level!
• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Blank product sourced from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, or the US
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!


WILMINGTON, Del. – Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) hosted a virtual event with astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, and 250-plus Delaware students.
"NASA's Artemis mission has the goal of landing a woman on the moon by 2024, and it's something that I'm grateful NASA is championing," said Sen. Coons, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, which funds NASA.
"Inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers – the Artemis Generation – ensures America will continue to lead in space exploration and discovery," said NASA Administrator Bridenstine. "Delaware is committed to STEM education, and is already making great contributions to America's Moon to Mars exploration plans. The students who participated in today's event are tomorrow's NASA and aerospace workforce, and encouraging STEM early on in their education is critical to America’s future in space. We are grateful to Senator Coons for his leadership to promote STEM education, and look forward to continuing strong partnerships in the state of Delaware."
"Open your minds to the new frontiers offered by a career in STEM fields, keep them open and take these opportunities, to learn and grow," said Lt. Gov. Hall-Long. "You are the next generation of leaders that will guide us and expand STEM industry careers. Thank you to Sen. Coons and to NASA for hosting this event today and providing a unique opportunity for Delaware students to learn firsthand about all the amazing opportunities available to them."
A research scientist and professor, Dr. Hall-Long also serves as the honorary co-chair of the Million Women Mentors, which promotes and connects young girls with leaders in STEM related fields.
To watch a video of yesterday's virtual event, visit https://bit.ly/2Ttx71h.


Climb up to the moon with this amazing foldout coloring book. To the Moon is the tallest coloring book in the world!
Color an amazing tower — all the way from your house down on Earth, past dragons, witches, space ports, and flying elephants — to reach the moon at the very top.
Grab your favorite coloring tools and blast off! The book folds out to an incredible 15 feet long, providing hours of coloring fun for artists of all ages.
Illustrator — Sarah Yoon.
Paperback. 15 pages. 14" × 8¾".


Washington: NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has beamed back new images of Ultima Thule, which show that the most distant world ever explored is much flatter than previously thought.
The images of the KBO — officially named 2014 MU69 — were captured by the New Horizons as it raced away at over 50,000 kilometres per hour on January 1. The images were taken nearly 10 minutes after New Horizons crossed its closest approach point.
“This really is an incredible image sequence, taken by a spacecraft exploring a small world four billion miles away from Earth,” said mission principal investigator Alan Stern, of Southwest Research Institute in the US. “Nothing quite like this has ever been captured in imagery,” said Stern.
The newly released images also contain important scientific information about the shape of Ultima Thule, which is turning out to be one of the major discoveries from the flyby. The first close-up images of Ultima Thule — with it’s two distinct and, apparently, spherical segments — had observers calling it a “snowman.”
However, more analysis of approach images and these new departure images have changed that view, in part by revealing an outline of the portion of the KBO that was not illuminated by the Sun but could be “traced out” as it blocked the view to background stars.
Stringing 14 of these images into a short departure movie, New Horizons scientists can confirm that the two sections (or “lobes”) of Ultima Thule are not spherical. The larger lobe, nicknamed “Ultima,” more closely resembles a giant pancake and the smaller lobe, nicknamed “Thule,” is shaped like a dented walnut.


Out Of Space - Bonus Blog Activities
Friday 13th April 2018
This week we are immersing ourselves in the world of outer space. Whether you fancy making some rice cake moon snacks, getting messy with paint and shaving foam, or singing along to the solar system song, we've got something for everyone in this blog post!
Nut Free Recipe - Moon Bites
If you came here looking for a nut free alternative to the recipe in this week’s box, look no further! Click the link here to view the recipe.
Marble Paint Planets
This cool craft can be repeated again and again with different colours to create a whole solar system full of wonderful planets! All you will need is some acrylic paint, shaving foam and paper.
Simply squirt out the shaving foam onto a washable surface (we used a cake tin!) and then pour some different colours of acrylic paint on it as shown.
Use your fingers or some cocktail sticks to swirl the colours about. Get some circles of white paper and press them lightly on top of the shaving foam and paint. Peel them off. Look at that cool marble effect! Now leave them to dry and stick them on some black card to create a cool intergalactic picture.
Take a break from all your crafting to learn a bit more about the solar system with a cool song! Whoever said learning was boring?!
Edible Moon Snacks
These snacks are healthy, tasty and easy to make! All you have to do is spread a small amount of peanut butter or cream cheese onto a rice cake to create the moon base. Add some craters to the moon made out of thin banana slices and cheerios - it really is as simple as that!
Build your own Rocket!
As a final activity, why don’t you try building your own virtual rocket on the Nasa website?
There’s loads to do this week, so we hope you enjoy going to infinity… and beyond!
Love, the Weekend Box Team.


Professor Takaaki Kajita, 2015 Nobel Laureate in Physics, gives a lecture at Sun Yat-sen University
Last updated :2017-04-13
Source: School of Physics
Written by: School of Physics
Photo by: Xiao Yao, Liu Jia
Edited by: Wang Dongmei
On the afternoon of April 7, 2017, the 15th Session of Nobel Laureates Series Lectures at Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), organized by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of Guangdong Province, and Sun Yat-sen University, was held in Swasey Hall on Guangzhou South Campus. Prof. Takaaki Kajita, the 2015 Nobel Laureate in Physics, the director of the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research at University of Tokyo, gave a lecture entitled “From Neutrinos to Gravitational Waves”. The lecture was hosted by Prof. Wang Wei. The State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs sent a congratulatory telegram, which was read by Mr. Li Diyun, Director of Experts Office at the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of Guangdong Province. About 300 faculty and students from Sun Yat-sen University attended the lecture.
President Luo Jun meeting with Professor Takaaki Kajita
Before the lecture, Prof. Luo Jun, President of Sun Yat-sen University, met with Prof. Takaaki Kajita, and introduced the development of the University. Mr. Li Diyun, Director of Experts Office at the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of Guangdong Province, Ms. Gu Wenli, Deputy Director of Office of International Exchange and Cooperation at SYSU, Prof. Yao Daoxin, Deputy Dean of School of Physics at SYSU, and Prof. Wang Wei from the School of Physics at SYSU, also attended the meeting.
Professor Takaaki Kajita giving a lecture entitled “From Neutrinos to Gravitational Waves” at SYSU
During the lecture, Prof. Kajita introduced the physics knowledge for the "Kamiokande" Observatory, which was designed to search for proton decay. Although the original goal was not realized, the solar neutrinos can be detected by the detector. For the at that time well-known solar neutrino problem, following Observatory “Super-Kamiokande” was designed and built. In 1998, the Super-Kamiokande detected strong evidence of neutrino oscillation that successfully explained the solar neutrino problem. In other words, Super-Kamiokande proved that the flavor of neutrinos can be changed in the flight. This result showed that the neutrinos have mass. This is the first time in the whole human history, that the new physics beyond the Standard Model was found. Neutrinos are not massless as the Standard Model predicted. After the introduction of his work for Super-Kamiokande, Prof. Kajita made an outlook for neutrino physics. He pointed out especially, the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), which SYSU participates, will become one of the most important observatory for neutrino physics all over the world.
After research of neutrino physics for more than 20 years, Prof. Kajita decided to throw himself into the research of gravitational wave. During the lecture, Prof. Kajita made an introduction about the physics behind the gravitational wave and introduced the most leading-edge international projects for the research of gravitational wave. Especially, Prof. Kajita introduced the KAGRA experiment, which was led by Japanese institute and universities. KAGRA has two arms, which form a laser interferometric gravitational wave detector. It is built in the Kamioka Observatory (Kamiokande) near the neutrino physics experiments and need the cryogenic technologies. Prof. Kajita indicated that, there is not a project of the gravitational wave studies group currently, which can detect the global gravitational waves. In other words, the projects of the gravitational wave studies, as well as projects for other physics studies, more and more depend on international cooperation.
In the Q&A session, President Luo Jun, as well as the faculty and students present at the lecture asked questions, and Prof. Kajita's answers won many applauds.
Prof. Takaaki Kajita has shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2015 with the Canadian Physicist Arthur B. McDonald for the discovery of the neutrino oscillations, which shows that neutrinos have mass. This discovery changed our understanding of the innermost workings of matter and can prove crucial to our view of the universe.
The “Nobel Laureates Series Lectures” at SYSU is a high-level forum series supported by the project “Dialogue with the Master--Nobel Prize Winner’s Lecture Tour on Chinese Campus” and organized by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. It has become an education event with large influence in China and abroad. Since the Series Lectures started, 15 lectures were held successfully. More than ten Nobel Laureates in the field of chemistry, physics, medicine and physiology, and economics were invited to visit SYSU and give a lecture at SYSU.


Today we've been given an extra day. Good? or Bad? It's good this year because it's a beautiful sunny day with temperatures near 60 degrees, but one leap year really messed me up. Three of our children were born on the 18th of some month. It made it really easy to remember their birthdays. Quinn was born on the 17th of March in 1980, which happened to be a leap year. Had it not been a leap year, he would have also been born on the 18th. Rats!
So why leap year? Well, in case you didn't know, it actually takes the earth 365 days + 5 hours, + 48 minutes, + 46 seconds to circle the sun. No big deal, but over time it begins to add up. So they created the Julian calender which added 1 day (4x5 hours + 48 minutes + 46 seconds) or approximately 24 hours every fourth year. Great, the problem is solved! Wait a minute! Every year the Julian calendar is about 11 minutes too long. No big deal, but over time . . . So, in 1582, Pope Gregory XII created the Gregorian calendar (used today) which says that every century year could only be a leap year if it was divisible by 400. So, the year 1900 was not a leap year, but the year 2000 was. The year 3000 will not be a leap year, but the year 4000 will be. Ok, so are we good to go? Not exactly. The Gregorian calendar puts the calendar year very close to the solar year, but it is still a tiny bit off. But it will take around 3000 years for this tiny difference to add up to an extra day, so astronomers have a few years to figure how how to deal with that problem.
It's a little mind-boggling, so just go out and enjoy this extra day, and let the mathematicians worry about the calendar!