Mapex

Archive for April, 2010

At the next space shuttle launch, NASA will host 150 people from around the world and provide them with a behind-the-scenes perspective to share with their followers via the social networking service Twitter.

This new image from the Solar Dynamics Observatory?s Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) shows in great detail a solar prominence taken from a March 30, 2010 eruption. The twisting motion of the material is the most noticeable feature. Launched on Feb. 11, 2010, SDO is the most advanced spacecraft ever designed to study the sun. During its five-year mission, it will examine the sun’s magnetic field and also provide a better understanding of the role the sun plays in Earth’s atmospheric chemistry and climate. Since launch, engineers have been conducting testing and verification of the spacecraft?s components. Now fully operational, SDO will provide images with clarity 10 times better than high-definition television and will return more comprehensive science data faster than any other solar observing spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA/SDO/AIA

NASA and EPA signed a Memorandum of Agreement to continue collaboration between the two agencies in environmental and Earth sciences and applications

The director of NASA’s Ames Research Center, S. Pete Worden, was recognized Tuesday by The Arthur C. Clarke Foundation for his leadership in space exploration.

ESA PR 08-2010. Media representatives are cordially invited to celebrate the release of the first results from ESA’s Herschel infrared space telescope. The theme of the media day is: Revealing the Hidden Side of Star Formation.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson signed a Memorandum of Agreement today to promote and continue collaboration between the two agencies in environmental and Earth sciences and applications. The signing ceremony took place at the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science (MS)^² on the campus of Howard University in Washington. Following the ceremony, both administrators met with students to discuss the importance of science and engineering education. “Our agencies have a remarkable opportunity to tackle a variety of environmental issues together,” said Administrator Bolden. “Involving students in Earth science and climate research at an early age will encourage a stronger sense of stewardship toward our home planet.” The agreement renews a broad partnership to promote joint efforts to improve environmental and Earth science research, technology, environmental management, and the application of Earth science data, models and technology in environmental decision-making. Video of the event can be seen on UStream Image Credit: NASA/Paul Alers

As the Hubble Space Telescope achieves the major milestone of two decades on orbit, NASA and the Space Telescope Science Institute, or STScI, in Baltimore are celebrating Hubble’s journey of exploration with a stunning new picture and several online educational activities.

This new Hubble photo is but a small portion of one of the largest seen star-birth regions in the galaxy, the Carina Nebula. Towers of cool hydrogen laced with dust rise from the wall of the nebula. Reminiscent of Hubble’s classic image of the Eagle Nebula dubbed the ‘Pillars of Creation’ this image is even more striking in appearance. Captured here are the top of a three-light-year-tall pillar of gas and the dust that is being eaten away by the brilliant light from nearby bright stars. The pillar is also being pushed apart from within, as infant stars buried inside it fire off jets of gas that can be seen streaming from towering peaks like arrows sailing through the air. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and M. Livio and the Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)

Taking advantage of NASA’s ‘Operation Ice Bridge’ campaign, measurements of Arctic sea ice have been made from an aircraft flying directly under CryoSat-2′s orbital path. These measurements offer an early opportunity to check the quality of the newly launched CryoSat-2 satellite data over sea ice.

Community college students have been selected to travel to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, May 20-22, for an out-of-this-world experience.