Bats & Wind in Court

I am reading this article, Bats & Wind in Court, in Bat Conservation Times, issue Volume 7, Number 12 - December 2009, at Bat Conservation International, Inc.'s website.
According to this article, a wind-energy project, a 122-turbine wind farm, in West Virginia was stopped by a federal judge to protect bats.
An application to build the farm in Greenbrier Country, West Virginia was challenged.

Monthly Meeting

Sunday we have our regular monthly meeting at Books-A-Million around 2:00 PM. It may be short.

Everyone is welcome!

Avatar, 3-D

Al and I saw the 3-D version of the movie Avatar Saturday. It was incredible. Even people who are not sci-fi fans show see it, just for the 3-D effects. I thought the story and the way in was unfolded were good too.

Crew Lifts Off From Kazakhstan to Begin Science and Construction Work Aboard the International Space Station

I am reading this article, Crew Lifts Off From Kazakhstan to Begin Science and Construction Work Aboard the International Space Station, on NASA's website.
According to this article, Cosmonaut Max Suraev and Astronaut Jeff Williams are aboard the International Space Station.
Yesterday at 1552 CST, a Soyuz Spacecraft launched from Baikonur Cosmodrone in Kazakhstan.
It is carrying Astronaut Soichi Noguchi, Cosmonaut Oleg Kotov and Astronaut T. J. Creamer to the ISS.

NASA's WISE Eye on the Universe Begins All-Sky Survey Mission

I am reading this article, NASA's WISE Eye on the Universe Begins All-Sky Survey Mission, on NASA's website.
According to this article, NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer(WISE) lifted off from Vandenburg Air Force Base on 14 December 2009 at 0909 EST aboard a Delta II rocket.
It is currently in a Polar orbit.

Nearby Super-Earth May Be a Waterworld

I am reading this story, Nearby Super-Earth May Be a Waterworld
By Jeanna Bryner, at Space.com
I heard about this on NPR yesterday.
According to this article the extrasolar planet is called GJ 1214b is about 40 light-years from Earth.

NASA Partners with Saudi Arabia on Moon and Asteroid Research

I am reading this article, NASA Partners with Saudi Arabia on Moon and Asteroid Research, on NASA's website.
According to this article NASA's Lunar Science Institute's, at Ames Research Center in Moffett Field in California, purpose is to conduct advanced lunar science and to train the next generation of explorers and lunar scientists.
The Saudi Lunar and Near Earth Object Science Center was established as a focal point for Near Earth Object(NEO) studies and lunar science in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by an international interest in lunar science and near Earth objects.
This collaboration between the two research facilities occurs after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Science and Technology last year by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the USA.

NASA's WISE Spacecraft

NASA's WISE Spacecraft has been rescheduled for December 14.

NASA's WISE Spacecraft

NASA's WISE Sky Surveying Spacecraft is scheduled to be launched Friday, December 11:http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/dec/HQ_M09-229_WISE_launch_advisory.html.

Climate Summit Will Produce ‘Robust’ Accord, UN Chief Ban Says

I am reading this article, Climate Summit Will Produce 'Robust' Accord, UN Chief Ban Says, at Bloomberg's website http://www.bloomberg.com/
According to this article, the summit started yesterday in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The goal of the summit is to set a framework for a treaty to reduce emissions thought to cause global warming.
Representatives from about 190 nations are at this summit.

Endeavour, Crew Prepare for Next Mission

I am reading this article, Endeavour, Crew Prepare for Next Mission, on NASA's website.
According to the article, astronauts are doing systems training exercises today at the Johnson Space Center.
The Space Shuttle Endeavour is being prepared, by technicians in Kennedy Space Center Orbiter Processing Facility-2, for a move to Vehicle Assembly Building on 12 December 2009.

Atlantis Lands in Florida

I am reading this article, Atlantis Lands in Florida, on NASA's website.
According to this article, the Space Shuttle Atlantis and crew landed at Kennedy Space Center last Friday at about 0944 EST.
The shuttle launched on 16 November 2009 for the International Space Station. STS-129 is the last shuttle mission scheduled for 2009.

LHC Awakes at CERN

The Large Hadron Collider at Cern, that had been down since it was damaged in its original start-up in September 2008, has restarted: http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/11/large-hadron-collider-starts-up-produces-first-collisions.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss. Originally it was set to restart in the spring of this year.

Space Shuttle Atlantis

I heard on NPR that the Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to land this morning.

Monthly Meeting

This past Saturday Al, Mike, and I got together to view some of the latest sci-fi.

This coming Sunday we have our regular monthly meeting at Books-A-Million around 2:00 PM. Everyone is welcome!

New Moon Sets Stage for Brilliant Leonids Meteor Shower

I am reading this article, New Moon Sets Stage for Brilliant Leonids Meteor Shower, on NASA's website.
According to this article, Bill Cooke will hold a live chat today from 1500 to 1600 CST and will answer questions about the Leonids meteor shower.
You need to go to this address, http://www.nasa.gov/connect/chat/09-094.html, and log on by 1500 CST today.
The meteor shower may peak on Tuesday in the USA.

NASA to Begin Attempts to Free Sand-Trapped Mars Rover

I am reading this article, NASA to Begin Attempts to Free Sand-Trapped Mars Rover, on NASA's website.
According to this article, the Mars rover Spirit has been lodged in the same spot since 23 April 2009.
Today NASA will send commands to the rover that may help free it.

LCROSS Impact Data Indicates Water on Moon

I am reading this article, LCROSS Impact Data Indicates Water on Moon, on NASA's website.
According to this article, data from the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite shows that there is water on the Moon.
On 9 October 2009, the LCROSS Centaur upper stage rocket impacted into a region of Cabeus crater.
I watched the video from the LCROSS as it approached the Moon's Cabeus crater. I saw it get a bit closer and then the video stopped. It was aired on television during the national news.

RSS Rollback

I am reading this article, RSS Rollback, at NASA's website.
According to this article things are going well for the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station, today at 1428 EST.

Astronaut John Grunsfeld, Ph.D.

I read at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's website,
http://www.nasm.si.edu/ that he is scheduled to give a lecture on The Significance of the Hubble Space Telescope, on 17 November 2009 at 1930, in the Lockheed Martin Imax Theater National Mall Building.

Ares I-X Flight Test

I am reading this article, Ares I-X Flight Test, on NASA's website.
According to this article, the 327-foot tall Ares I-X Launch Test Vehicle launched from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center at 1130 EDT on 28 October 2009.
The Ares I-X produced 2.6 pounds of thrust to accelerate the rocket to Mach 4.76 and almost 3 G's.
It reached a suborbital altitude of 150,000 feet after the first stage separated.
The solid rocket motor and booster returned to Earth after parachutes were deployed.
They were recovered at sea by the recovery vessel Freedom Star and will be towed back to Florida.

Atlantis' Payload is Delivered; Astronauts Return to Kennedy

I am reading this article, Atlantis' Payload is Delivered; Astronauts Return to Kennedy, at NASA's website.

According to this article, the cargo for Space Shuttle Atlantis was moved to Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center for installation into the payload bay of the shuttle.
Last Friday, 30 October 2009, The STS-129 mission crew members were doing their final bench review of flight hardware at Johnson Space Center.
A launch dress rehearsal, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, with the STS-129 mission crew members is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
The official date and time for Space Shuttle Atlantis to launch to the International Space Station is 16 November 2009 and 1428 EST.

Monthly Meeting

Our regular monthly meeting will be held this coming Sunday at Books-A-Million around 2:00 PM.


Everyone is welcome!

STS -129 Crew members

According to NASA's website these are the crew members scheduled to launch, for the ISS aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, on 12 November 2009:
Charlas Owen Hobaugh, Barry E. Wilmore, Leland D. Melvin, Michael J. Foreman, Robert L. Satcher and Randolf J. Bresnik.
When Leland Melvin was the featured guest of the Ukrop's Parade in Richmond, Virginia I got to see him from a distance.
He was in a car several walking units ahead of me.
There were some members of the Rebel Alliance and some members of the 501th Legion ahead of me, I believe.
I saw the convertible with Leland Melvin ahead of them near the front of the parade.
Nicole P. Scott is scheduled to return with the Space Shuttle on the crew's return from the ISS.

2009 Scream Awards

The 2009 Scream Awards will be on Spike TV October 27. You can vote for your favorites here: http://www.spike.com/event/scream2009/page/vote/category/33652.

Element 114

The creation of element 114 has been confirmed: http://pubs.acs.org/isubscribe/journals/cen/87/i40/html/8740scic2.html.

CIA's Chief Historian at SR-71 Forum

The CIA's chief historian was at the SR-71 Forum at the Virginia Aviation Museum yesterday. He gave a very interesting presentation. Some of the material he used had only recently, 2007, been declassified. His information about the A-12, Oxcart, and its Black Shield Mission helped bring a lot of things into perspective. He even had a booklet there that he had written. It was nice to be able to get him to autograph it.

Canadian circus billionaire heads to space station

I am reading this article, Canadian circus billionaire heads to space station
by Peter Leonald, on this website http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/964461.html?RSS=untracked
According to this article, Guy Laliberte paid to join Cosmonaut Maxim Surayev and Astronaut Jeffrey Williams aboard a Soyuz-FG rocket.
On Wednesday, 30 September 2009, the rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan, for the International Space Station.

Sci-fi this week

There's a lot of sci-fi this week: "Flash Forward" and "Fringe" Thursday night and "Stargate:Universe" Friday night.

Science Fiction's Robotics Laws Need Reality Check

I am reading this article, Science Fiction's Robotics Laws Need Reality Check by Jeremy Hsu, on Space.com.
This article offers some interesting interesting ideas on new laws of robotics.

Sanctuary

I went to these websites http://sanctuaryforall.com/News/News.php and
http://scifiwire.com/2009/09/sanctuary-season-two-more.php
I wanted to see any news on the television series Sanctuary.
I found this article, Sanctuary season two: more creatures, time travel, vampires.
According to this article, Sanctuary returns on 9 Oct 2009

Fringe

I watched an episode, Night of Desirable Objects, of Fringe on FOX this week.
I went to this website http://fringe.wikia.com/wiki/FringeWiki
Fringe is not The X-Files, but they have Dr. William Bell.
So I will watch the show for a chance to see Bell.

SGU Stargate Universe

I saw a trailer for Stargate Universe in the theater a few days ago.
I went to MGM's Stargate website, http://stargate.mgm.com/, to watch the trailer again.
The series premiers on Friday, 2 October 2009, according to the website..

Stargate SG-1

I watched two episodes, The Broca Divide and The First Commandment, of Stargate SG-1 on WRLH DT2 last Sunday night.
It is interesting to see the SG-1 Team use the Stargate to make contact with civilizations without having to deal with the Goa'uld every time.

Hubble Space Telescope Back Up

NASA has released the first photos from Hubble since it wasupgraded by the recent Space Shuttle mission: http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2009/25/.

Monthly Meeting, etc

Our regular monthly meeting is at Books-A-Million on Sunday around 2:00 PM. Since this is the month of our anniversary we plan to take a hike at the Point of Rocks Park in Chesterfield County, if the weather permits. If not, I thought we could see the new Bruce Willis sci-fi movie Surrogates.


The following weekend we're planning to attend the SR-71 forum at the Virginia Aviation Museum.



Everyone is welcome!

Defying Gravity

I saw my first episode of Defying Gravity last Sunday night.

Stargate SG-1

Two Sunday evenings ago I watched the pilot episode for the Stargate SG-1 television series on WRLH-DT2.
Last Sunday evening I watched "The Enemy Within" episode.
I like this series and the movie, Stargate, that it is based on.

Destination Aquila

I am reading this article, Destination Aquila, at StarDate's website.
According to this article, Pioneer 11 is heading toward this star Lambda Aquilae.

STS-128

I am reading this article, Sturckow: Crew, Discovery 'Great' After Landing, on NASA's website.
According to this article the Space Shuttle Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base Friday.
Tim Kopra returned with the crew.
I am reading this article, Discovery Lands in California, on NASA's website.
According to this article, the Space Shuttle landed at 20:53 EDT.
The crew members that landed were: Rick Sturckow, Kevin Ford, Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Tim Kopra.

I am reading this article, STS-128 Mission Information, on NASA's website.
According to this article, the crew that launched were: Commander Rick Sturckow, Kevin Ford, José Hernández, John "Danny" Olivas, Nicole Stott, Christer Fuglesang and Patrick Forrester.

Fall TV Shows

I'm looking forward to the new season of Fringe. Also, there's a new show called Flash Forward that is based on Robert Sawyer's novel of the same name. Robert Sawyer was the 2007 author guest of honor at Ravencon. Flash Forward starts Thursday September 24 at 8:00 PM on ABC.

Discovery to Undock Today

I am reading this article, Discovery to Undock Today, on NASA's Space Shuttle website.
According to this article the Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station at 15:26 today.

Michael Shermer

I listened to The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor this morning on NPR.
He said that Michael Shermer was born today in 1954 and has written more than 100 columns for the magazine Scientific American.

Fringe

I watched Fringe on FOX a few nights ago.
I went the the show's website on FOX, http://www.fox.com/fringe/
I read this article, TV Throwdown: Leonard Nimoy Vs. Leonard Nimoy, at the website.
It seems that Leonard Nimoy plays a character called Bell in Fringe.

Monster of the Milky Way

I watched the NOVA episode Monster of the Milky Way.
It is interesting that Black Holes may exist at the center of most galaxies.

ST:TOS "Alternative Factor"

I watch Star Trek: The Original Series on WRIC TV-8 early Sunday and Monday mornings when I can.
I watched the "Alternative Factor" episode this morning.

Crews Focusing on Logistics Module Transfer

I am reading this article, Crews Focusing on Logistics Module Transfer, on NASA's website.
The Space Shuttle Discovery launched and successfully docked with the ISS.
Weather and equipment problems delayed the launch and made docking a bit more difficult.
According to this article, the crews from Discovery and the ISS are working to transfer the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module from Discovery to the ISS.

Franz Boas

I heard this anthropologist, Franz Boas, mentioned during The Writer's Almanac program on NPR in July 2009.
I first heard of Franz Boas years ago on Tom Snyder's television show, The Tomorrow Show. 
As I recall, the person that talked about Franz Boas said that he went to Alaska and studied a tribe first hand. He lived like they lived, eat what they eat, and dressed as they dressed on certain occasions. Some photos of Boas dressed in ceremonial dress and performing some native dance was shown.
From this interview on Tom Snyder's television show, I got the impression that Boas went out into the field and studied human cultures first hand and used the scientific method. I also got the impression that this was not how anthropology was usually done in his time.

Countdown to Launch Continues Smoothly

I am reading this article, Countdown to Launch Continues Smoothly, on NASA's website for the Space Shuttle.
According to this article the Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to launch for the International Space Station on Tuesday, 25 August 2009, at 0136 EDT.

Searching for Earths and Keeping Watch

I heard these stories, Searching for Earths and Keeping Watch, on NPR a few days ago during the StarDate radio program.
I am reading these stories, Searching for Earths and Keeping Watch, on StarDate's website.
Both stories tell about Kepler spacecraft's mission to search for Earth-like planets that orbit stars like Earth's Sun and have an orbit like Earth's.
I went to the Kepler website, http://kepler.nasa.gov/.
The website mentions that a television show, "Alien Earths", is scheduled to air on the National Geographic Channel on 23 August 2009.
National Geographic Channel's website, http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/, lists the show to air at 2100 P.

"District 9" Is Summer's Sleeper Hit

I am reading this article, "District 9" Is Summer's Sleeper Hit, on CBS's the early show website.
I went to District 9's website, http://www.d-9.com/, last month.

Amy Strugis from Worldcon

Amy Strugis posted reports from this year's Worldcon, earlier this month, on her blog: http://eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com/.

Agency Officials Discuss Discovery Launch

I am reading this article, Agency Officials Discuss Discovery Launch, on NASA's website.
According to this article, there is a Flight Readiness Review scheduled for today at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. And an official launch date for the STS-128 mission to the ISS will be set at this meeting of NASA senior managers.

UK UFO sightings spiked when blockbusters released

I am reading this article, UK UFO sightings spiked when blockbusters released, on http://www.breitbart.com/
According to this article, the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense released a document containing about 880 UFO reports Monday.
There seemed to be an increase of UFO reports after the movie Independence Day was released and during the time the television show The X-Files played in England.

NASA Can't Keep Up with Killer Asteriods

An article in a recent issue of The Progress-Index newspaper, from the Associated Press, said the NASA hasn't been given enough money to complete the job of spotting most of the asteriods that pose a threat to Earth. Congress assigned this mission to NASA four years ago, but never gave them the money to build the necessary telescopes. This is according to a report released by the National Academy of Sciences. NASA calculated that to spot the asteriods as required by law would mean spending about $800 million between now and 2020.

Babylon 5 Season 2

Over the last week, I watched the first six episodes of the television show Babylon 5.
I watched: Points Of Departure, Revelations, The Geometry Of Shadows, A Distant Star, The Long Dark and Spider In The Web.
This season focuses on the Shadow ships.
I find it interesting that humans are used as central processing units or CPUs for Shadow ships. See Ships Of Tears episode in Season 3 for some more information on this.
I went to the official website, http://babylon5.warnerbros.com/

Harnessing The Power Of The Brain

I saw this story, Brain Power, on 60 Minutes last Sunday evening.
I am reading this story, Harnessing The Power Of The Brain Scott Pelley Reports How Brain Computer Interface May Help The Paralyzed In The Future, on 60 Minutes website.
I am interested in this brain computer interface or BCI that is mentioned in this story.

NASA's Great Observatories Celebrate 2009 as International Year of Astronomy

These images are real interesting: http://gallery.spitzer.caltech.edu/Imagegallery/image.php?image_name=ssc2009-03a.

Microbes That Inhabit the Human Body

I recently read a very interesting article about the microbes that inhabit the human body. Apparently, this is a very acitive area of research at the present time. Our immune system depends on some bacteria in order to work properly -- some dieases are caused by a failure to do so. The microbes in different individuals can vary a great deal. The microbes one one hand of an person vary considerably from those one the other hand of the same individual! Some researchers view humans as a superorganism composed of our bodies and the microbes that inhabit it. They consider the genes of the microbes as extensions of our own genome.

STS-127 Crew Celebrates Smooth Landing Aboard Endeavour

I am reading this article, STS-127 Crew Celebrates Smooth Landing Aboard Endeavour, on NASA's website. According to this article, the STS-127 crew landed at 1048 EDT at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Friday 31 July 2009. Koichi Wakata at the International Space Station was replaced by Kopra aboard the Shuttle Endeavour. The Space Shuttle Endeavour finally launched on 15 July 2009 at 1803 EDT, after several delays. The crew members that launched, according to this article STS-127 Mission Information on NASA's website, were: Commander Mark Polansky, Pilot Doug Hurley, Dave Wolf, Christopher Cassidy, Julie Payette, Tom Marshburn and Tim Kopra.

The Inheritors (Parts 1 & 2) Outer Limits episodes

I watch the Outer Limits on myNetworkTV, http://www.mynetworktv.com/, on WRLH-DT2.
I watched the Outer Limits episodes The Inheritors Parts 1 & 2 a few mornings ago.
Interesting question here, what if aliens wanted to adopt some human children who had medical conditions that the humans could not heal. And the aliens could heal the children, does that give them the right to adopt human children?

Monthly Meeting

We had a nice meeting Sunday and then had supper at Sagebrush.

STS-127

I am reading this article, NASA's Shuttle Endeavour Launches to Complete Japanese Module, on NASA's website.
According to this article, Shuttle Endeavour launched 18:03 EDT yesterday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Apollo 11

I am reading about Apollo 11 on this website, http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/imagery/Apollo/AS11/a11sum.htm
According to this article, Apollo 11 Mission Summery, the crew launched on 16 July 1969 at 13:32 UT from Cape Kennedy.

Foundation and Earth

I'm reading the book Foundation and Earth by Isaac Asimov -- it is the 7th and final book of his Foundation Series. In 1966 the first three book written in this series -- actually books 3, 4, and 5 as far as the story is concerned, received a one-time Hugo Award for the all-time best series.

Monthly Meeting

We had a nice meeting this month, and then Mike, Nik, Al, and I went to see the new Transformers movie. It had great special effects and a lot of action. After the movie, we went to McDonald's for supper.

LRO in Lunar Orbit, LCROSS Swings By Moon

I am reading this article,  LRO in Lunar Orbit, LCROSS Swings By Moon, on NASA's website.
According to this article, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is now in orbit around the Moon.
I went to this website, http://lro.gsfc.nasa.gov/, for more information on the LRO.
The The Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite launced with the LRO and completed it's swing by of the Moon.
I am reading this article, LCROSS Lunar Swingby Blog, on NASA's website.
I went to this website, http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/, for more information on the LCROSS.

Monthly Meeting

We're having our monthly meeting at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights this coming Sunday. We usually started around 2:00 PM. We're planning to go see the new Transformers movie at the Southpark cinema after the meeting. Everyone's welcome!

Endeavour Set to Launch Saturday Morning

I am reading this article, Endeavour Set to Launch Saturday Morning, on NASA's website.
According to this article, Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to launch Saturday, at 0717 EDT.

Wanted

Al and I watched the movie Wanted last Saturday -- great special effects!

Brian Greene

George Noory interviewed Brian Greene on Coast To Coast AM this morning.
I liked the update on cosmology and Super String Theory.

Five Years on Mars

I watched this show, Five Years on Mars, on National Geographic Television Channel.
It was great hearing new information on Spirit and Opportunity Mars probes.

Journey To The Edge of the Universe

I watched this show, Journey To The Edge of the Universe, on National Geographic Television Channel Sunday evening.
I enjoyed the show.
I remember Sagan's Cosmos series had an episode like this, a journey from Earth to the ends of the universe.

Star Trek movie

Deb and I went to see the movie Star Trek Sunday -- my third time, her first.

Axions

I heard this story, Axions, on NPR during a StarDate program.
I am reading these articles, Axions and More Axions, on StarDate's website.
According to these articles, dark matter may consist of subatomic particles with almost zero mass called axions.
A great amount of dark matter, in the form of axions, was created a bit after the Big Bang.
And that axions may be created from X-rays, inside of stars.

Hubble Service Mission

Glad to see the Hubble service mission was a success and that the crew of Atlantis got home safely.

First Landing Opportunity Waved Off

I am reading this article, First Landing Opportunity Waved Off, on NASA's website.
Space Shuttle Atlantis may be able to land today if the weather is good.

Monthly Meeting, etc.

Sunday we have our regular monthly meeting at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights around 2:00 PM. We're planning to see the movie Angels and Demons after the meeting -- there are important sci-fi elements in this movie.

Al, Nik, Boo, and I went to see the new Star Trek movie in Hopewell Saturday -- the second time for Al, Nik, and I.

Why I’m watching the Hubble repairs so intently

I am reading this article, Why I'm watching the Hubble repairs so intently, on Discover Magazine's website
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/

Phil Platt has some interesting things to say about the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph.

BA Review: Star Trek

I am reading the Bad Astronomy Review of the latest Star Trek movie.
Very interesting interview.
I saw the movie twice.

STS-125: Final Shuttle Mission to Hubble Space Telescope

I am reading this article, STS-125: Final Shuttle Mission to Hubble Space Telescope, on NASA's website.
According to this article, Astronaut Scott D. Altman is commanding this shuttle mission and Gregory C. Johnson is the pilot.
The mission specialists are: Michael J. Massimino, Michael T. Good, K. Megan McArthur, John M. Grunsfeld(an astronomer) and Andrew J. Feustel.

Preparations for Fourth Spacewalk Under Way

I am reading this article, Preparations for Fourth Spacewalk Under Way, on NASA's website.
According to this article, Mike Good and Mike Massimino were scheduled to begin the forth spacewalk at 0916 EDT.
 
Most of the repair work involves the HST's  Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph according to this article, STS-125 Crew to Conduct Forth Spacewalk, on NASA's website.

Atlantis Captures Hubble Space Telescope

I am reading this article, Atlantis Captures Hubble Space Telescope, on NASA's website.
According to this article, the Space Shuttle Atlantis has the Hubble Space Telescope in its robotic arm.  The HST will be lowered into the shuttle payload bay and attached to a special cradle.  It will be repaired while attached to a lazy Susan-like device.

Star Trek IMAX

Al, Nik, and I saw the new Star Trek movie in IMAX Saturday. We all enjoyed it. Leonard Nimoy was particularly moving in reprising his Spock role.

STS-125 Astronauts are Boarding Atlantis

I am reading this article, STS-125 Astronauts are Boarding Atlantis, on NASA's website.
According to this article, the launch is scheduled for 1401 EDT today.
The mission is to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.

Quasars

I heard this story, Quasars, of StarDate's radio program that airs NPR.
I went to StarDateOnline to read this story and the second part, Building Galaxies.
What do black holes have to do with the formation of galaxies?
I find it interesting that astronomers find black holes at the center of most if not all galaxies, according to this story. 

NASA Budget Being Drafted Without a Top-Level Advocate

I am reading this article, NASA Budget Being Drafted Without a Top-Level Advocate By Frank Morring, Jr., on  Aviation Week and Space Technology Magazine's website.
What is to become of NASA as the space shuttle program ends? 

Ravencon

Ravencon was great! My compliments to Bill and Pam and their buddies for a job well done. They have come a long way from the small costume party at their home.

Ravencon

This coming weekend we have Ravencon in Richmond. Ravencon will substitute for our regular monthly meeting, so we will not meet at Books-A-Million this coming Sunday.

Space Shuttles Endeavour and Atlantis on Neighboring Launch Pads

I am reading this article, Space Shuttles Endeavour and Atlantis on Neighboring Launch Pads, on NASA's website.
According to this article, the Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch on 12 May 2009 on a mission, STS-125, to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

Walter "Matt" Jefferies

I went to this website, http://www.mattjefferies.com/
I am reading Beyond The Clouds by Richard L. Jefferies, Walter's younger brother.
I saw one his Walter Jefferies planes, a 1935 WACO YOC, and one of his art works at the Virginia Aviation Museum.

QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter

I am reading Richard Feynman's book QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter. I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in physics or chemistry.

Al, Deb, Nik, and I got together last Saturday and watched Stargate: Continuum. We had supper together at Golden Corral afterwards.

Al and I watch Stargate: The Ark of Truth for the second time Saturday -- it was shown on TV for the first time Friday night. A panel discussion with Christopher Judge, Amanda Tapping and Ben Browder was one of the bonus features -- we watched this for the first time -- it was good.

Russian craft docks on International Space Station

I am reading this story, Russian craft docks on International Space Station, on Reuters.com
I saw a video of the launch of Russia's Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft a few days ago on digital television station WCVE 23.3.
I believe it was a story on Russia Today news program.

Watchmen - the movie

Mike, Al, and I went to see the Watchmen movie Saturday. It was very good. Watching it together was a bonus.

Space Shuttle Mission: STS-119

I am reading this article, LIFTOFF!, on NASA's website.
According to this article, STS-119 astronauts are scheduled to install the last of a major set of solar arrays to the ISS.
Koichi Wakata will remain aboard the ISS and Sandra Magnus will return with the shuttle to Earth according to this article. 

 
I am reading this article, NASA Applauds Discovery Launch, on NASA's website.
According to this article, Space Shuttle Discovery launched for the International Space Station on 15 March 2009 at 1943 EDT.
 
I am reading this article, STS-119 Crew Begins First Full Day in Space, on NASA's website.
According to this article, Discovery should arrive at and dock with the ISS at 1713 EDT on Tuesday.
 
I am reading this article, Subject: Ground Teams Monitoring Space Debris, on NASA's website.
According to this article, ground teams are monitoring a piece of space debris in case it comes to close to the ISS.

International Space Station

I am reading this article, Help NASA Name Node 3 on NASA's website http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/name_ISS/index.html
According to this article you can pick one of these names Earthrise, Legacy, Serenity, Venture or another name by 20 March 2009.

Forensic Science

I like books, movies and television shows that have forensic science as a major part of the work.

However as I am reading this article, U.S. forensic crime labs need major reform: experts on Reuters' website http://www.reuters.com/, I am wondering what is going on with forensic science in the real world.
According to this article, U.S. forensic crime labs are putting out unreliable evidence.

Linus Pauling: A Man and his Science

I recently read Anthony Serafini's book Linus Pauling: A Man and his Science. I wouldn't say that it was particularly well written, but it had a lot of interesting facts in it, and Dr. Sarafini made several interesting points. Anyone interested in Linus Pauling should find this book enjoyable. (A bonus is the foreward written by Isaac Asimov.)

New Scientist magazine published a list of the 20 greatest scientists of all time. There were only two in the 20th century: Albert Einstein and Linus Pauling.

Douglas Adams

Douglas Adams was born on 11 March 1952.
He wrote: The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy; So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish; Mostly Harmless; The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; The Salmon of Doubt; Life, the Universe, and Everything; The Meaning of Liff; Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency; Last Chance to See; The Long Dark Tea-time of the Soul; and maybe a few other books.

I like his use of humor and science fiction together in his books. 
I have read most of his books.
I enjoyed the Hitchhiker's Guide book series the best.

STS-119 to Launch No Earlier Than Sunday

I am reading this story, STS-119 to Launch No Earlier Than Sunday, on NASA's website.
 
According to this story a leak involving the gaseous hydrogen venting system outside the external fuel tank, delayed the launch planning for today.
The next planned launch is schedule for 15 March 2009 at 1943 EDT.

Galaxy Zoo

I am reading this story, Galaxy Zoo, on Stardate's website.
I heard the story this morning on NPR.
 
I went to Galaxy Zoo's website, https://www.galaxyzoo.org/, and on to Sloan Digital Sky Survey's website, http://www.sdss.org/
 
This sounds like an interesting astronomical survey to help with.

NASA Removes Discovery's Flow Control Valves - Plans Next Steps for Launch

I am reading this article, NASA Removes Discovery's Flow Control Valves - Plans Next Steps for Launch, on NASA's website.
According to the website the launch date and time are under review and TBA.

'Fantasy Island' actor Ricardo Montalban dead at 88

I am reading this article, 'Fantasy Island' actor Ricardo Montalban dead at 88, on CNN.com.
He played Khan in Star Trek TOS episode, "Space Seed", and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Alan P. Boss

I heard an interview with Alan P. Boss on Coast To Coast AM a few mornings ago.
I went to this website, dtm.ciw.edu,  for more information on him.
He had some interesting things to say about extra-solar planets.

Nanometer-scale MRI

Scientists at IBM's Almaden Research Center, in San Jose, California have announced the first nanometer-scale magnetic resonance imaging of a biological sample. At such length scales, MRI could be used to image the three-dimensional structure of individual macromolecules and complexes. Conventional MRI microscopy is limited to the micrometer scale

2009 International Space Station Calendar

I am reading this article, 2009 International Space Station Calendar, on NASA's website:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html

NASA is offering a calendar to teachers and the general public, as part of a celebration the 10th anniversary of the International Space Station.
You can download it from the website.

'Shadow' illustrator Cartier dies at 94

I am reading this article, 'Shadow' illustrator Cartier dies at 94, on NPR's website.
I had heard it awhile back on the radio.
According to this article he drew covers for books by Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein.

Farewell to "Stargate: Atlantis"

Deb and I watched the final episode of "Stargate: Atlantis" last Friday evening. We were both sorry to see the show end.

Murchison Widefield Array

I am reading this article, Murchison Widefield Array, on StarDate Online's website.
I first heard the story in November 2008, on NPR.
The array is in Australia, and form a radio telescope according to this article.

Isaac Asimov

I heard a story about Isaac Asimov on the Writer's Almanac yesterday morning while listening to NPR.
His birthday was yesterday.
According to the story, his "Nightfall" story is considered by many people to be the best science fiction short story. 

Lithium Battery Alliance

Argonne National Laboratory has teamed up with battery and materials companies to establish manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries for transportation applications. The organization will be called the National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Battery Cell Manufacture. The partners are planning a second joint venture to develop and produce lithium-ion batteries for vehicles.