Newly-discovered asteroid 2009 BD is slowly passing by Earth - 26 Jan 2009

CURIOUS ASTEROID FLYBY: Newly-discovered asteroid 2009 BD is slowly
passing by Earth today only 400,000 miles away. The approximately 10
meter-wide space rock poses no significant threat, but it merits
attention anyway: The orbit of 2009 BD appears to be almost identical
to the orbit of Earth. 2009 BD may be a rare "co-orbital asteroid,"
circling the sun in near-tandem with our planet. If current
measurements of the asteroid's orbit are correct, 2009 BD will remain
in Earth's neighborhood for many months and possibly years to come.
Visit http://spaceweather.com to view the asteroid's curious orbit.
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We just keep finding rocks in our neighborhood.
Sure would be nice to be able to practice our ability to control some of them.
At least be able to tag them and do mineral surveys for ones with rare metals.
Where are those nanobots that could digest them?

Just twice the distance to the Moon.
Then again, if you were on the Moon maybe toss a line.
Who is good with a harpoon?
- LRK -

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Soyuz 4 and 5 docking January 16 1969 - Soyuz 5 rough landing coming up

A bit late in posting this bit but something to think about when you consider your desire to be an astronaut, cosmonaut, or other space-naut.

Thanks Mark. He is referring to Soyuz 5 re-entry experience, January 17 1969.
- LRK -

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Larry,

slashdot reminds that today is the anniversary of Soyuz 4 and 5, and a rather nasty re-entry for one hardy cosmonaut.

http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/01/17/2113235

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2009/01/dayintech_0116

http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/trackind/soyuz45/soyuz45.html

Reading this, and reflecting on US Airways new Hudson River runway, "happy landings" has special meaning.

/m
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And this link gives more information on how it is supposed to go.
- LRK -
http://www.zarya.info/Diaries/Soyuz4-5/Index.htm

If your interest has been aroused then take a look at a more sober account from Encyclopedia Astronautica.
- LRK -

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http://www.astronautix.com/flights/soyuz5.htm
snip
What went wrong: Service module failed to separate resulting in nose-first re-entry.
snip
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The Curious Case of Martian Methane - Sky and Telescope News Blog

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http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/newsblog/37667714.html
The Curious Case of Martian Methane

Those of you old enough to have lived through the 1960s might remember comedian Bill Dana's routine involving "Jose Jimenez," the first astronaut in space. When asked whether there might be life on Mars, the reluctant space pioneer replied, "Maybe . . . if I land on a Saturday night."

Be honest: deep down inside, don't you wish that life of some kind exists (or at least once existed) on Mars? Whether you do or don't, the news today out of NASA's Washington headquarters would really have piqued Jose's interest.
snip
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The above blog is a nice read and has some good thoughts about the below announcement.
- LRK -

The Red Planet is Not a Dead Planet 1.15.2009
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/15jan_marsmethane.htm?list965414

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NASA Radar Provides First Look Inside Moon's Shadowed Craters

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http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/jan/HQ_09-010_Moon_radar_pictures.html

WASHINGTON -- Using a NASA radar flying aboard India's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, scientists are getting their first look inside the moon's coldest, darkest craters.

The Mini-SAR instrument, a lightweight, synthetic aperture radar, has passed its initial in-flight tests and sent back its first data. The images show the floors of permanently-shadowed polar craters on the moon that aren't visible from Earth. Scientists are using the instrument to map and search the insides of the craters for water ice.
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The Red Planet is Not a Dead Planet 1.15.2009

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NASA Science News for January 15, 2009

A team of NASA and university scientists has discovered 'substantial plumes' of methane floating through the atmosphere of Mars. The discovery indicates Mars is either biologically or geologically active.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/15jan_marsmethane.htm?list965414

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High-Energy Gamma-rays and Neutrinos from Extra-Galactic Sources

High-Energy Gamma-rays and Neutrinos from Extra-Galactic Sources
http://www.mpi-hd.mpg.de/icecube/HdWorkshopNo2/index2.htm

When you look up and put a hand up to shield your eyes, what do you
feel going through you?

I remember as a teenager going to a science fair where they had a
large rectangular display field with horizontal Geiger tubes that
would spark when a high energy particle from space came streaming down
through the display. A set of sparks making a line down through the
tubes and possibly going right through me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geiger-M%C3%BCller_tube

Didn't feel a thing but made a lasting impression on my young mind.
There are things out there shooting at me.

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Mars rovers leaders will present

Mars rovers leaders will present free talks Thursday Jan. 15, and Friday Jan. 16.
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2009-04

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