Archive for March, 2009
Moons in transit
This amazing quadruple transit was released by HubbleSite on St. Patrick’s Day — what a visual treat! I definitely recommend getting it in a larger size, if you have a chance! :D
Saturn’s comparatively paper-thin rings are tilted edge on to Earth every 15 years. Because the orbits of Saturn’s major satellites are in the ring plane, too, this alignment gives astronomers a rare opportunity to capture a truly spectacular parade of celestial bodies crossing the face of Saturn. Leading the parade is Saturn’s giant moon Titan — larger than the planet Mercury. The frigid moon’s thick nitrogen atmosphere is tinted orange with the smoggy byproducts of sunlight interacting with methane and nitrogen. Several of the much smaller icy moons that are closer in to the planet line up along the upper edge of the rings. Hubble’s exquisite sharpness also reveals Saturn’s banded cloud structure.
Wind, Sand and Stars
Posted by Danielle in Perspectives on March 30, 2009
The above image of Almahata Sitta 15 reminded me of a wonderful piece of work by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (author of The Little Prince) — also quite the aviation pioneer. This essay comes from his aviation memoirs, Wind, Sand and Stars (1939), translated by Lewis Galantière, and I read it first in the lovely anthology Bedrock: Writers on the Wonders of Geology.
But by the grace of an airplane I have known a more extraordinary experience than this, and have been made to ponder with even more bewilderment the fact that this earth that is our home is yet in truth a wandering star.
Saturday Special
Posted by Danielle in Perspectives on March 28, 2009
I just had to post, weekend or no — the above is the Expedition 19 hatch opening at the International Space Station, filmed earlier today. What I kept noticing is how thrilled to pieces Charles Simonyi looks; truly, like a kid in a candy shop. He is just SO happy to be back! I think that’s how I’d be, if I were up there; looking around the whole time and grinning ear to ear.
Eye Candy
As mentioned Wednesday, a Soyuz took off earlier today, carrying Expedition 19 to the International Space Station. This phenomenal launch photo by Bill Ingalls gives me excited fits; hope you enjoy. There’s quite a few more to look at, as well; I think downloading and enjoying the largest resolution available (otherwise known as ENORMO-VISION) is the only way to go.
In other heart-stoppingly-beautiful image news, the Flickr blog had a feature today on “stellar” Flickr photography, talking a bit about the International Year of Astronomy and such; this image by orvaratli was featured. The colors are what get me, and apparently such a shot is not common: “the combination of clear skies, snowy foreground and highly active Aurora is a rare thing in Iceland but it makes a great shot.”
Last, but absolutely not least, the Lunar Orbiter Image Recovery Program (LOIRP) released their second image last weekend, a fantastic view of Copernicus crater. For those unfamiliar with the program, the above link gives the history nicely, and I look forward to many more images in the future!
Speaking of ENORMO-VISION, the full-size, full-resolution version can be downloaded for the low, low ticket price of 2.2 GIGABYTES (…the satellite internet says NO. Will have to wait on that one until I’m somewhere fast… and for a few hours solid.)
Enjoy the pics — maybe Friday picspam will become a regular thing?
Third Spot
Posted by Danielle in Perspectives on March 26, 2009
Around this time last year (give or take a month), Jupiter started sporting a third Red Spot, to go with the Great Red Spot and Red Spot Jr. Unfortunately Red Spot the Third was short-lived, being torn apart by the other two shortly after formation.
Crescent Moon Over Kazakhstan
Posted by Danielle in Perspectives on March 25, 2009
This photo shows the launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome awaiting a Soyuz rocket launching tomorrow for the International Space Station. Of note on this crew swap is Charles Simonyi, the fifth private explorer to visit the ISS (in spring 2007), who revisits the station for a twelve-day stay. He will return to Earth with swapped crew members (also in a Soyuz capsule, which is being swapped out for the one he arrives in.) Looks like he’ll just miss the crew of STS-119, which undocks from the ISS later today.
Godspeed, Charles!
Rising from the ashes
Posted by Danielle in Perspectives on March 24, 2009
This image really caught my eye (in a sea of other astro-pix, I might add.) It reminds me of a phoenix rising, or sparks rising from a fire (the stars), something magical, something higher and bigger than we are….
Viewing Jupiter
Posted by Danielle in Perspectives on March 23, 2009
I was at Space Camp (well, Space Academy Level II, to be exact) the first time I viewed Jupiter through a telescope. It was 15 years ago now, but I remember it clearly; the overwhelming sense of wonder at seeing something so far away, in such detail, with my naked eye (looking through the eyepiece, of course.) I could see the cloud bands, and the spot, and two or three of the moons — it was just marvelous. It’s hard to believe something like Jupiter is real, having only seen it in photographs in books and on computer screens. Maybe that seems childish, but really, there’s nothing quite like seeing a celestial object “in person” of sorts, watching the moons move, telling yourself that it’s real time… that it’s real.
Space cheese, part 7
Posted by Danielle in Advertising & Media, Food & Drink on March 20, 2009
Final assortment of space-themed camembert labels for your amusement. (A comet made of double cream, and a rocket named Sputnik. Funnily enough, I will be attending an artisan cheese festival this weekend, not specifically because of this post series. I doubt I’ll find space-themed cheese labels, but if I do I’ll be sure to take a picture and let you know.)
Moon over Discovery
Posted by Danielle in Perspectives on March 19, 2009
A full moon rises over Space Shuttle Discovery last week, awaiting the first scrubbed launch attempt on Wednesday the 11th. Discovery successfully launched Sunday evening, and is now visiting the International Space Station.
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About Silver Rockets
This blog celebrates space exploration, human spaceflight and the heavens, through lots and lots ofimages.
My name is Danielle Signor, and I am a space cadet.
This is a blog, NOT A SHOP. Click the images for their source or purchase link, if available.
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