Pauls Blog

Ulysses, the end of an extraordinary mission

Pauls Blog — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:30:13 +0100

4 June 2008 ESA PR 29-2008. After more than 17 years relentlessly
exploring the effects of solar activity on the space that surrounds us,
the Ulysses mission is now approaching its end. Representatives of the
media are invited to a joint ESA/NASA press conference on 12 June 2008
taking place at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, to hear about the
achievements that will form the Ulysses legacy.
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMEVQNKRGF_index_0.html

New Launch Date for GOCE

Pauls Blog — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:28:50 +0100

A new launch date has been set for GOCE. The change of date is due to precautionary measures taken after the malfunction of an upper-stage section of a Russian Proton launcher. Now confirmed not to affect GOCE's Rockot launcher, the most advanced gravity mission to date is scheduled for lift-off on 10 September 2008.

Phoenix Links

Pauls Blog — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:46:20 +0100

Try this list of links
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mars-live http://www.dmuller.net/phoenix/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/ http://journals.aol.com/stuartatk/Cumbrian-Sky/
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Phoenix

Pauls Blog — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:18:19 +0100

ESA's Mars
Express during Phoenix's descent to the Martian surface were successfully
received at the European Space Operations Centre.
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMUVI1YUFF_index_0.html

Saturn's moon Rhea

Pauls Blog — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:45:31 +0000

7 March 2008
The Cassini spacecraft has found evidence of material orbiting Rhea,
Saturn's second largest moon. This is the first time rings may have been
found around a moon.
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMY6NK26DF_index_0.html

Nasa craft on crash course for the Moon

Pauls Blog — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:12:40 +0000

Nasa is planning to smash a spacecraft into the south pole of the Moon in order to discover whether there is water at the location.

More at

http://www.infomaticsonline.co.uk/vnunet/news/2210888/nasa-spacecraft-crash-moon

Phoenix

Pauls Blog — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:54:01 +0000

A trio of NASA and ESA spacecraft orbiting Mars are preparing for the

25 May arrival of NASA's Phoenix lander. ESA's Mars Express has already

started adjusting its orbit to provide critical back-up monitoring of Phoenix

Phoenix.

More at:

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMWMUJ26DF_0.html

Galileo Satellite GIOVE-B

Pauls Blog — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:27:13 +0000

26 February 2008
ESA PR 11-2008. Europe is building its own satellite navigation system,
Galileo, which will deliver a new, advanced global civil positioning
service for the benefit of citizens in Europe and throughout the world.

http://asimov.esrin.esa.int/esaCP/SEMELP3CXCF_index_0.html

Saturn's Orange Moon

Pauls Blog — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:30:36 +0000

Saturn’s orange moon Titan has hundreds of times more liquid

 hydrocarbons than all the known oil and natural gas reserves on Earth, according

 to new Cassini data. The hydrocarbons rain from the sky, collecting in

 vast deposits that form lakes and dunes.

More at:

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/SEMCSUUHJCF_0.html

The Gigantic Telescope

Pauls Blog — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 23:06:10 +0000

ESA's test centre is buzzing with activity and anticipation as it welcomes its latest guest. The gigantic telescope of ESA’s space-based infrared observatory, Herschel, is being prepared to be assembled with its spacecraft in the next few weeks.

View of ISS

Pauls Blog — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:36:41 +0000

Perfect view of ISS just before Columbus launch

6 February 2008
As ESA’s Columbus module sits on the launch pad awaiting liftoff on
board the Space Shuttle Atlantis, Europe will have a great view tomorrow
night of its destination: the International Space Station (ISS).
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMTFDPR4CF_index_0.html

Beatles beamed into space

Pauls Blog — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:32:50 +0000

The Beatles' peace anthem Across the Universe is being beamed into outer space by scientists at Nasa.

An avid fan persuaded the US space agency to do it to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the song's release.

If all goes according to plan, Nasa will transmit the Beatles tune via its deep space network at Midnight GMT.

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/jan/HQ_08032_NASA_Beatles.html

ASTROFEST

Pauls Blog — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:08:22 +0000

EUROPEAN ASTROFEST 2008

The Universe under one roof 8-9 Febuary Kensington Conference & Events Centre. The Town Hall Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Hornton Street London WX 7NX.

FOR LATEST INFORMATION AND TICKET

www.astronomynow.com/astrofest

Links

Pauls Blog — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:49:11 +0000

If you are new to astronomy have a look at the links below

Wycombe Astronomical Society

Society For Popular Astronomy

Pauls Astronomy site

Pauls Pics