3,2,1, Blast Off!

[Lily Adams]

Have you guys seen this?...

http://www.galaxyzoo.org

you can classify galaxies on the net!!!

I've been classifying them like crazy today, now that I've finally remember that I have an account on there that I set up a looong time ago. All thanks to you. Thanks, Fifth!

I felt really nerdy today at lunch because I spent it on that website in the school library today.

[papayahed]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080327/...sc/saturn_moon

[Lily Adams]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080327/...sc/saturn_moon

AWESOME!!!!

[ClaesGefvenberg]

Are there any astronomers/astronauts/lovers of the night sky or space, experienced or otherwise?

Yes! All of the above How did I ever miss this thread? Ok, I know about it now.

Those who know me will already know that I am quite fond of good Science Fiction, but am also very interested in Science Fact (particularly concerning aviation and Space). People tell me that the sky is the limit, and I keep dreaming about spending time in Zero G, but barring commercial travel I have only made it up to 13.000ft agl (in a glider, after releasing the tow rope at 2.500ft). Oh, well... At least I used to create simulated zero G for a few seconds by putting the glider through a parabole, like in the infamous Vomit Comet Properly executed it would allow me to have a map or something floating in thin air, in front of me.

/Claes

[Lily Adams]

Yes! All of the above How did I ever miss this thread? Ok, I know about it now.

Those who know me will already know that I am quite fond of good Science Fiction, but am also very interested in Science Fact (particularly concerning aviation and Space). People tell me that the sky is the limit, and I keep dreaming about spending time in Zero G, but barring commercial travel I have only made it up to 13.000ft agl (in a glider, after releasing the tow rope at 2.500ft). Oh, well... At least I used to create simulated zero G for a few seconds by putting the glider through a parabole, like in the infamous Vomit Comet Properly executed it would allow me to have a map or something floating in thin air, in front of me.

/Claes

That is so cool!

Ha ha, Science Fact. My friend and I were saying that once after discussing the movie Contant. So would it be SciFa? I'd like more of that. But I love SciFi, too. I adore it. Best genre ever.

[papayahed]

Life on Mars:

[Lily Adams]

Life on Mars:

XD

I think that will be one of the first things to go over there if we ever colonize Mars.

[AdoreroDio]

hahahaha, I'm pretty sure you're right. That and then a Walmart.

[papayahed]

The Space Shuttle is coming! The Space Shuttle is coming!!




I hope. The shuttle is traveling from california to florida and if the weather works out it is supposed to stop at the air force base here! Last time I missed it due to work, fingers crossed this time.

Whoo Hooo!!! The shuttle just left Fort Worth headed this way!!!!!!

[papayahed]

Crap! Empire Strikes Back is on TV!! What's a girl to do.

[papayahed]

Now that was badass.

[Basil]

It's riding piggyback!

I saw the first shuttle launch after the Challenger disaster. Me and some friends ditched school, drove down to Fort Lauderdale, spent the night in some seedy motel, woke up the next morning and drove the rest of the way to Cape Canaveral. As I recall, we were running late and would have missed the whole thing, but luckily the launch was delayed by about an hour or so. It was an amazing sight. One interesting thing: although it seemed like we were fairly close to the pad, we were far enough away that it took more than a few seconds for the sound to reach us. So when the rocket boosters fired up and the whole launching pad seemed like it was engulfed in flame and there's steam and exhaust everywhere, it all happened in silence. Everyone was cheering, momentarily drowning out the countdown that someone was playing on the radio. THEN the sound of the launch hit us, and it was so loud and thunderous you literally couldn't hear the person next to you. Just a complete sonic blast.

[The Atheist]

Are there any astronomers/astronauts/lovers of the night sky or space, experienced or otherwise? Here's the thread to talk about the incredible beauty of space and the night sky and our exploration of it.

Great idea!

We are the astronomical family with a reasonably good telescope. The kids love it!

[papayahed]

I've always wanted to see a shuttle launch. The closest I've gotten was heading north on I-75 and seeing the launch way in the distance out the back window. It was too far to even bother to stop, but we could still see the steam and flames.

I'm hoping to catch the departure tomorrow.

[billl]

It's riding piggyback!

I saw the first shuttle launch after the Challenger disaster. Me and some friends ditched school, drove down to Fort Lauderdale, spent the night in some seedy motel, woke up the next morning and drove the rest of the way to Cape Canaveral. As I recall, we were running late and would have missed the whole thing, but luckily the launch was delayed by about an hour or so. It was an amazing sight. One interesting thing: although it seemed like we were fairly close to the pad, we were far enough away that it took more than a few seconds for the sound to reach us. So when the rocket boosters fired up and the whole launching pad seemed like it was engulfed in flame and there's steam and exhaust everywhere, it all happened in silence. Everyone was cheering, momentarily drowning out the countdown that someone was playing on the radio. THEN the sound of the launch hit us, and it was so loud and thunderous you literally couldn't hear the person next to you. Just a complete sonic blast.

Great story Basil, it is still surprising to me when I see kids hitting a baseball maybe a hundred yards or so away, with the (not so loud) sound of the bat arriving maybe a second late. Waiting a number of seconds and then being deafened, wow.