Sunday, December 27, 2009

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.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Monthly Meeting

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

Everyone is welcome!

Monday, December 21, 2009

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.

Friday, December 18, 2009

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.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

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.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

NASA's WISE Spacecraft

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

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

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.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

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.