Endeavour Mated to SCA Time-Lapse

Source - NASA Kennedy Space Center for Sept. 18, 2012: 

At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour is mounted atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, in preparation for its ferry flight to California. The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era. 



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Atlantis Transits the Sun Just Before Landing

Source - Space Weather News for July 21, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

FINAL ACT: Space shuttle Atlantis landed in Florida this morning, bringing an end to NASA's 30-year shuttle program. Just 21 minutes before the de-orbit burn, a photographer in Germany snapped what may be the last-ever photo of a shuttle in space. He caught Atlantis transiting the face of the sun, silhouetted against a backdrop of solar fire in conjunction with nearby sunspot AR1254. Visit http://spaceweather.com for images and more information.

AURORA WATCH: A fast stream of solar wind is buffeting Earth's magnetic field on July 21st. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras, especially in the southern hemisphere where night skies are winter-dark. Aurora alerts are available from http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice) or http://spaceweathertext.com (text).

Atlantis Crew Sees Auroras from Space

Source - Space Weather News for July 16, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

AURORAS UNDERFOOT: Flying the last mission of NASA's 30-year shuttle program, the crew of Atlantis has witnessed a beautiful display of auroras from Earth orbit--and there might be more in the offing. Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos and the geomagnetic forecast.

ASTEROID VESTA: This weekend, NASA's Dawn spacecraft is entering orbit around Vesta for a year-long study of the giant asteroid. Dawn's cameras are expected to reveal a primitive world of desolate beauty from close range. As close as Dawn will be, however, you can be even closer; it's actually possible to hold a piece of Vesta in your hand. Authentic Vesta meteorites are now available in the Space Weather Store: http://www.shopspaceweather.com/asteroid-vesta-meteorite.aspx

Double Flyby Alert: Last Chance to See Space Shuttle Endeavour

Source - Space Weather News for May 30, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

DOUBLE FLYBY ALERT: Space shuttle Endeavour undocked from the International Space Station on Sunday evening, May 29th, at 11:55 pm EDT. This sets the stage for a series of beautiful double flybys: The shuttle and station will soar through the night sky side-by-side in advance of Endeavour's final landing on June 1st. Check the Simple Satellite Tracker to see if you are favored with an apparition: http://spaceweather.com/flybys

BONUS: You can also turn your cell phone into a shuttle tracker. Our "Simple Flybys" app works on both iPhone and Android devices. Details at http://simpleflybys.com

Flashes of Light in the Night Sky from NASA's NanoSail-D

Source - Space Weather News for May 27, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR SAIL FLASHES: NASA's Nanosail-D, the first solar sail to orbit Earth, is flashing as it glides through the night sky. Observers in Europe report luminous peaks as bright as a 1st magnitude star. The irregular period of the flashes suggests that the sail might be tumbling, although no one is certain at this moment what is causing the phenomenon. Sky watchers are encouraged to check the Simple Satellite Tracker for local flyby times and watch this unique spacecraft strobe overhead: http://spaceweather.com/flybys

DON'T FORGET THE SPACE SHUTTLE: Meanwhile, space shuttle Endeavour and the ISS are putting on a show of their own. The docked spacecraft are making a series of brilliant dawn flybys over North America and Europe, providing early risers with a chance to see Endeavour one last time before it returns to Earth for retirement. Tracking them is easy; just use your cell phone: http://simpleflybys.com.

Endeavour Lifts Off with Dark Matter Physics Experiment

Source - Space Weather News for May 16, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

Endeavour has left the planet. The space shuttle lifted off this morning at 8:56 am EDT on a two week mission to the International Space Station. There it will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer--a $1.5 billion cosmic ray detector that could reveal the nature of dark matter and find whole galaxies made of antimatter. Links to more information are available at http://spaceweather.com.

This is Endeavour's final flight as the shuttle program winds down. During the mission, Endeavour will make numerous passes over North America, Australia, and other places. Would you like to see it one last time? You can turn your cell phone into a field tested shuttle tracker by downloading our Simple Flybys app. Details at http://simpleflybys.com

Geomagnetic Storm on April 30th

Source - Space Weather News for April 30, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field during the early hours of April 30th, sparking a G1-class geomagnetic storm. Northern Lights descended as far south as Michigan in the United States. High-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras (http://spaceweatherphone.com) tonight as the solar wind continues to blow. Photos of the April 30th display are highlighted on today's edition of http://SpaceWeather.com.

TRACK THE SPACE SHUTTLE: Space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center on Monday, May 2nd, on a two-week mission to the International Space Station. The shuttle and station will make many visible passes over Europe and North America during the mission--the trick is knowing when to look. You can turn your cell phone into a field tested shuttle tracker by downloading our Simple Flybys app. Details at http://simpleflybys.com

PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER CAMP HONORS CHALLENGER ASTRONAUT RON MCNAIR APRIL 9

PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER CAMP HONORS RON MCNAIR; Blacks in Science presents the 25th annual Ron McNair Camp-In at Pacific Science Center, April 9

SEATTLE – In 1986 Dr. Ron McNair died when the Space Shuttle Challenger he was aboard exploded after it launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, also taking the lives of his fellow astronauts. A physicist recognized nationally for his work in the field of laser physics, Dr. McNair was also notable for being the second African American to fly in space.

For the past 25 years Pacific Science Center, an independent, not-for-profit educational institution, in partnership with Blacks in Science (BIS), has proudly presented the Ron McNair Camp-In. This special overnight adventure at Pacific Science Center gives children the opportunity to be inspired and learn by discovering science in a relevant, engaging way.

Join us as we iinvestigate the science of science fiction through a Humanoid Robotics Hands-on Science Workshop, fly through space in the Galaxies Planetarium Show and visit our special engagement exhibit at this year’s annual Ron McNair Camp-in.

Details:
Ron McNair Camp-in
Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave North
Under the arches, near the Space Needle
Saturday, April 9-10
5:30 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday
To register: 206 443-2925 or visit us online.

As with all of our overnight camp-in programs, the children and their adult chaperones enjoy a hands-on science workshop, live science demonstrations, planetarium shows, an IMAX® film, laser show, and the unique opportunity to roam the Science Center and explore after the public goes home. This camp is geared to boys and girls ages 8-12 and their adult chaperones.

Dr. Ron McNair was a scientist from North Carolina A&T University. He earned his Ph.D. at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. McNair maintained his commitment to African American children by introducing them to science at a young age in order to help them develop to their full potential.

BIS promotes enrichment and interest in the world of science among African American and all interested children. BIS has never turned a child away; offering scholarships as needed. One of Pacific Science Center’s key goals is to make science and science education accessible to everyone, especially those who do not have easy access to such opportunities.


Pacific Science Center: http://www.pacsci.org/
Blacks in Science: http://www.blacksinscience.org/

Discovery-ISS Double Flyby Alert

Source - Space Weather News for March 7, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

DOUBLE FLYBY ALERT: This morning, March 7th, space shuttle Discovery undocked from the International Space Station. This sets the stage for a spectacular series of double flyby sighting opportunities. The station and shuttle will be flying over parts of the United States and Europe tonight and tomorrow, appearing in the night sky as a closely-spaced pair of bright lights. This is also a last chance to see Discovery in flight, because the orbiter will be retired after landing in Florida on Wednesday, March 9th.

Check the Simple Satellite Tracker (http://spaceweather.com/flybys) or download our smartphone flybys app (http://simpleflybys.com) to find out when to look. If you'd like a phone call when the ISS is about to fly over your location, sign up for Space Weather Phone: http://spaceweatherphone.com .

Video: Shuttle Discovery's final takeoff.

The Shuttle Discovery took off for the last time today (02/24/11). Below is a video of the event:



Here's to a successful voyage, and a safe return to Earth.

Atlantis and the ISS Transit the Sun

Source - Space Weather News for May 23, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR TRANSIT: Yesterday in Switzerland, Thierry Legault photographed the International Space Station and space shuttle Atlantis passing directly in front of the sun, not far from new sunspot 1072. The veteran astrophotographer calls the image his "best ever of a solar transit," and indeed the silhouette of the docked spaceships backlit by "solar fire" is a must see. It is featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.

DOUBLE FLYBY ALERT: Atlantis is scheduled to undock from the ISS on Sunday, May 23rd, at 11:22 am EDT, setting the stage for double flybys over many towns and cities around the world. Need a flyby prediction? There's an app for that: http://simpleflybys.com .

NASAtelevision: The View from the Crew

Source - NASAtelevision, May 18, 2010:

"Members of the shuttle Atlantis crew provide their "take" of the day's events in space in HD video captured aboard the orbiter and the International Space Station, where they are guests of the Expedition 23 crew. Commander Ken Ham, Pilot Tony Antonelli and Mission Specialists Garrett Reisman, Steve Bowen, Mike Good and Piers Sellers are spending a week aboard the orbiting complex."

Amazing 3D Space Station Movie

Source - Space Weather News for May 14, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

Today's edition of spaceweather.com features a remarkable 3D movie of the International Space Station (ISS) recorded by French astrophotographer Thierry Legault. No special glasses are required to see the ISS pop out of your screen in amazing detail.

The movie will whet your appetite for a weekend of bright spaceships and planets. On Friday, May 14th at 2:20 pm EDT, space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center on its final voyage to the ISS. An on-time liftoff would set the stage for an incredible sky show. On Saturday and Sunday, May 15th and 16th, many observers will be able to see Atlantis and the ISS flying past Venus and the crescent Moon in the evening sky. Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps and more information.

Seeing the ISS is easy if you know when to look. Sign up for Spaceweather PHONE (http://spaceweatherphone.com) and we will call you when the space station is about to fly over your hometown.

A Rare Meeting of Planets and Spaceships

Source - NASA Science News for May 13, 2010

Something special is happening this weekend. Venus and the Moon are gathering for a sunset conjunction on Saturday and Sunday, May 15th and 16th. On the same nights, the ISS is going to be flying over many US towns and cities. And if space shuttle Atlantis launches on schedule--wow! People could witness a rare meeting of the shuttle, station, Venus and the Moon. Details and observing tips may be found in today's story from Science@NASA.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/13may_planetsandspaceships/

Second Chance for Shuttle Sightings

Source - Space Weather News for April 19, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

SECOND CHANCE FOR SHUTTLE SIGHTINGS: Monday's planned landing of space shuttle Discovery was waved off because of bad weather in Florida. The postponement sets the stage for another try on Tuesday. Once again, Discovery is slated to reenter Earth's atmosphere over the continental United States, and many sky watchers--especially in the northwestern USA and neighboring Canada--could witness a beautiful pre-dawn reentry. The exact ground track depends on weather and whether mission controllers decide to send Discovery to land in Florida or California. Nominally, Discovery would pass diagonally across the country, passing over, e.g., Minneapolis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Jacksonville en route to a 7:34 am EDT landing at the Kennedy Space Center. On the other hand, a redirect to Edwards Air Force Base would strongly favor observers in California. Please check http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates as the re-entry time approaches.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com

Rare Shuttle Re-entry over the Continental USA

Source - Space Weather News for April 18, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

SPACE SHUTTLE RE-ENTRY: On Monday morning, April 19th, space shuttle Discovery will make a rare "descending node" reentry over the continental United States. The returning spacecraft will pass over or close to many towns and cities en route to landing in Florida at 8:48 am EDT, including Fort Peck Lake, Montana; Pierre, South Dakota; Sioux City, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri; Tupelo, Mississippi, Birmingham, Alabama, and Jacksonville, Florida. Observers along western parts of the ground track could see the shuttle blazing through pre-dawn darkness. As Discovery makes its way east, it will enter daylight and fade into the bright blue background. If you can't see the shuttle, however, you might be able to hear it. The shuttle produces a sonic double-boom that reaches the ground about a minute and a half after passing overhead. Check http://spaceweather.com for maps and more information.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com

Geomagnetic Storm

Source - Space Weather News for April 5, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

AMAZING LIFTOFF: This morning, space shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral at the crack of dawn. Longtime shuttle watchers say it was one of the most remarkable launches of the 30-year program. Discovery resembled a comet arcing across the sky as sunrise rays played across the ship's icy exhaust, creating an artificial noctilucent cloud. Images and eyewitness accounts are featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A sharp gust of solar wind hit Earth's magnetosphere today, April 5th, at approximately 0800 UT and sparked the strongest geomagnetic storm of the year. The event registered 7 on the 0-to-9 Kindex scale of magnetic disturbances. Although the storm is subsiding now, it is not over; high-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. Latest images may be found in the gallery: http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01apr10_page3.htm

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com

Space Shuttle Sky Show

Source: - Space Weather News for April 3, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

SPACE SHUTTLE SKY SHOW: On Monday morning, April 5th, thousands of people gathered in Florida to witness the launch of space shuttle Discovery may get more than they bargained for. Just fifteen minutes before the shuttle takes off, the International Space Station (ISS) will fly over the launch site. The station's path across the dawn sky takes it right past the gibbous Moon--a beautiful close encounter! Photographers should be prepared for the ISS at 6:06 am EDT followed by Discovery's launch at 6:21 am EDT. Sky watchers with iPhones can prepare themselves by downloading our Simple Satellite Tracker (http://simpleflybys.com); it will guide you to the ISS and count down to the flyby so you can't miss it.

SUNSET PLANETS: This is for everyone. Venus and Mercury are having a close encounter on April 3rd and 4th. Look west at sunset to see the two bright planets beaming through the twilight only 3 degrees apart. Sky maps, pictures and more information may be found at http://spaceweather.com

'Radio-Active' Sunspot

Source - Space Weather News for March 29, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

"RADIO-ACTIVE" SUNSPOT: Over the weekend, big sunspot 1057 emitted a series of radio bursts that caused roaring sounds to issue from the loudspeakers of shortwave receivers. Visit today's edition of http://spaceweather.com to hear a sample "roar" and to find out how you can build your own solar radio burst monitor.

FIRST FULL MOON OF NORTHERN SPRING: According to folklore, tonight's full Moon has a special name--the Worm Moon. It signals the coming of northern spring, a thawing of the soil, and the first stirrings of earthworms in long-dormant gardens. Step outside tonight and behold the wakening landscape. "Worm moonlight" is prettier than it sounds.

SHUTTLE SIGHTINGS: Space shuttle Discovery is set to launch to the International Space Station on April 5th. During the 13-day mission, the two spaceships will make a series of bright flybys over North America. Check the Simple Satellite Tracker for viewing opportunities:

http://spaceweather.com/flybys

And don't forget, there's an app for that, too:

http://simpleflybys.com

Weekend Shuttle Sightings--Double Flyby Alert

Source - Space Weather News for Feb. 19, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

DOUBLE FLYBY ALERT: Space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, Feb. 19th, at 7:54 pm EST. This sets the stage for a weekend of double flybys. The ISS and Endeavour will be circling Earth in mutual proximity, streaking through the night sky as distinct points of light. The show will continue until Endeavour lands at Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, Feb. 21st, at 10:16 pm EST. Check the Simple Satellite Tracker to see if you are favored with an apparition: http://spaceweather.com/flybys

NEW AND IMPROVED: SpaceWeather's Satellite Tracker app for the iPhone and iPod touch has been improved. It now predicts flybys worldwide, uses GPS location services, and more. Check it out at http://simpleflybys.com .

GREAT NORTHERN LIGHTS: This past week, Arctic sky watchers have seen some of the best auroras in years. It's another sign that the sun is coming back to life after a long, deep solar minimum. Recent images may be found in our photo gallery; start browsing here: http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01feb10_page3.htm