New Chemistry Centers from NSF

The Chemistry Division of the National Science Foundation has announced support for three new multi-institutional research centers through the Centers for Chemical Innovation program. One of the new centers will be the Center for Chemistry of the Universe at the University of Virginia.

Moon, Regulus, and Saturn

I heard this story Moon, Regulus, and Saturn on NPR this morning.
According to this story, the Cassini orbiter needs about three hours time when it encounters a problem as it orbits Saturn.
It sends a message to Earth and then shuts down until a return message from Earth tells it what to do.

LHC-Cern 2008 Scream Awards

The Large Hadron Collider is suppose to be out of action until next spring.


Last night the 2008 Scream Awards show was broadcast. The Dark Knight did very well. The best Sci-fi movie went to Iron Man. The Comic-Con Icon Award went to George Lucas -- the first time for someone not in comics. He gave a special thank you to Star Trek for the beginning of fans getting together to share their enthusiasm for Sci-fi and related entertainment.

Sanctuary

I watched this episode, Folding Man, of Sanctuary.
I saw another episode of Sanctuary, Fata Morgana, a few weeks ago.
I like Amanda Tapping's new television series.

India Launches Moon Mission in Asian Space Race

I am reading this article, India Launches Moon Mission in Asian Space Race
By Gavin Rabinowitz and Seth Borenstein, on Space.com.

Meet Virginia's Outstanding Scientists and Industrialist for 2008

I am reading this article, Meet Virginia's Outstanding Scientists and Industrialist for 2008, on the Science Museum of Virginia's website.
According to this article, Virginia's Outstanding Scientists for 2008 are:
Dr. Sarah Spiegel and Dr. James M. Russell III.
Dr. Jack Musick won the Virginia's Lifetime Achievement award.

According to this article:
Dr. Sarah Spiegel is a professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and co-leader of the Massey Cancer Center's Cancer Cell Biology Program.

Dr. James M. Russell III is a Hampton University atmospheric and planetary sciences professor and Center for Atmospheric Sciences co-director.

Dr. Jack Musick is Marshall Acuff Professor of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary

Thinking outside the square finds light in oven

I am reading this article, Thinking outside the square finds light in oven by Deborah Smith (Science Editor August 20, 2008), on-line in The Sydney Morning Herald.

According to this article, Ms. Nicole Kuepper won two Australian Museum Eureka Prizes for her scientific research.
She developed a cheap method of producing solar cells called the iJET cell concept.
She is a lecturer in the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales and a PhD Candidate UNSW.

I found one of her papers, PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGIES FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, at this website: http://www.pv.unsw.edu.au/documents/PV_Technology_for_Dev_Countries_Sep07.pdf

Former Astronaut's Son Blasts Off Toward Space Station

I am reading this article, Former Astronaut's Son Blasts Off Toward Space Station
By Tariq Malik, on Space.com.
I heard about this on Sunday, the launch was from Kazakhstan at 0301 EDT aboard a Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft.
Richard Garriott, Michael Fincke and Yury Lonchakov were abound and on their way to the IST.

FTL Team

Welcome to the Nighthawk Sci Fi Club blog.
Please feel free to post comments to our posts, if you like.

Spacecraft Zooms by Mercury for Second Time

I am reading this article, Spacecraft Zooms by Mercury for Second Time
By Jeremy Hsu, on Space.com.

SR-71 Forum

I enjoyed our annual outing to the Virginia Aviation Museum for the SR-71 (Blackbird) Forum. The weather was nice, and it turned out to be a very pleasant day. The Air Force intelligence officer, maintenance specialist, and former SR-71 rear seat pilot that were there last year were back this year. The Air Force intelligence officer brought a magazine with an article about a possible replacement for the SR-71 that is being developed -- an unmanned aircraft with a possible Mach 6 speed called the Blackswift. I always learn something interesting at this forum.