And here's a gratuitous dog shot for you. I never realized how hard/impossible it is to take a photo of a pitch black dog until I had one. The camera just can't/won't focus on her, poor Laika. No doubt years from now she'll wonder why there are only cute baby photos of Kirby and not her.
It's a two-day event for the launch of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission. The kids and I have studied up on Landsat before. It's a program that's been running for 40-plus years now, using satellites to make Earth observations The February launch will be the eighth satellite in the program. Thanks to Landsat data over the years, there have been improvements in human and biodiversity health, urban planning, disaster recovery, energy and water management, agriculture planning and management and more.
The Landsat launch Social will be on Sunday, Feb. 10 through Monday, the 11th at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompac, Calif.
One of the things that excited me most about the announcement was this line: "On the day of the launch, NASA Social participants AND THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES are invited to a special public viewing area to watch (the satellite) achieve orbit aboard the Atlas-V rocket."
That's right - the whole darn family could go! How cool would that be?
Registration for the Social starts at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, Dec. 12 and closes at noon on Jan. 2, 2013, right here: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/social/social_ldcm_feb2013.html
TEACHING TECH: A Facebook post by Washington STEM led me to a story about tips for teaching technology from people who work in the field. A short read with valuable advice - http://www.technapex.com/2012/10/thoughts-on-tech-education-from-8-entrepreneurs-in-tech/
BOFFO RESOURCE: NASA strikes again! An email today from our nation's space agency let me know about a new online science resource for teachers and students to help bring Earth, the solar system, and the universe into their schools and homes.
Called NASA Wavelength, the Web site features a boatload (rocketload?) of resources organized by subject, for students from elementary to college level, or just anyone who wants to boost their science knowledge.
The site is searchable in a variety of ways, including educational standards, subjects and keywords, and you can even sort by other important details, like and other details. You can even sort lessons by the time or material cost required to carry out the lesson or activity.
SPLASHING DRAGON: If you love splashdowns like we love splashdowns, you're going to want keep an eye on SpaceX's Dragon capsule come Sunday.
Dragon will be closed off and sent on its way at about 6:25 a.m. PT Sunday. A series of thruster firings will carry it away from the ISS and soon it will begin its deorbit burn.
As soon as Dragon hits 45,000 feet above sea level (13,700 meters), its two drogue chutes will deploy to slow its descent. Then at just 10,000 feet (3,000 meters)
When Dragon reaches 13,700 meters (45,000 feet) above sea level, it will deploy two drogue parachutes to slow its descent. At 3,000 meters (10,000 feet), it will deploy its three main parachutes.
Splashdown is expected just after noon, at 12:20. We'll be watching: http://www.spacex.com/webcast/
WRECKINATORS: Still basking in the afterglow of having seen the wonderful "Wreck-It Ralph" last night, today the kids played around on the movie's Web site for the first time.
They were thrilled to learn they could play the three major games featured in the movie, and "Sugar Rush," "Hero's Duty," and "Fix-It, Felix Jr."
CJ wore the shirt he won for playing a game during the pre-movie gameshow by Radio Disney.
Guess we better go to Wreck-it Ralph.
ReplyDeleteAnd better watch that splash down on Sunday