Universe Today - December 18, 2001
A note from Fraser... World Database of Observatories
As an extension to yesterday's newsletter, here's an idea that you might want to do with your family. Take a tour of your nearby astronomical observatory. Some observatories are strictly for research and don't allow visitors, but others welcome visitors, and even let you tour the facilities and see how they operate.
Wolfgang Grond has built a database containing most of the world's observatories, which you can use to find your closest one. He's also looking for people to submit information on any observatory that might be missing, so check it out: Milkyweb Astronomical Observatory Guide.
And just to mention another company that's providing trips to the International Space Station, check out Space Adventures. They handled Dennis Tito's trip, and are currently coordinating Mark Shuttleworth's visit. So, if you've got $20 million to spend on your next vacation, check them out.
Fraser Cain, Publisher - Universe Today
 NASA |
The End of Deep Space 1
After more than three years in space, and a close encounter with Comet Borrelly, NASA's Deep Space 1 will be shut down later today. This will end the mission of a spacecraft designed to test future space equipment, including an ion engine, automatic navigation, and a collection of other prototype technologies. NASA is proud of the accomplishments of the $152 million spacecraft, and feels they "squeezed far, far more out of DS1 than ever expected."
Original Source:
NASA News Release
Other Coverage: MSNBC - SPACE.com - Spaceflight Now Similar Stories: Deep Space 1 Related Sites: NASA Related Books: NASA |
 NASA |
Odyssey's Getting a Rough Ride
Even though it recently completed its 100th orbit around the Red Planet, NASA's Mars Odyssey is still having rough sailing as it passes through the planet's turbulent atmosphere. When it first entered Mars' atmosphere in October, the spacecraft took 18.6 hours to orbit the planet; now it only takes 6.32 hours. NASA is discovering that the atmosphere changes dramatically depending on the altitude, latitude and longitude, and adjusts accordingly for every pass. Odyssey has 200 more orbits to go before it reaches its final position in mid-January.
Original Source:
NASA News Release
Other Coverage: Cosmiverse - SPACE.com Similar Stories: Mars Odyssey Related Sites: Mars Related Books: Mars |