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Did scientists really have to go to the South Pole to spot those Big Bang waves?

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The cold, dry climate of Antarctica is perfect for astronomy, say scientists.

Antarctica may not be very conducive for living, but it is probably the best spot on Earth for stargazing.

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It was using the BICEP2 telescope in Antarctica that scientists detected the gravitational waves that were imprinted on the thermal radiation left over from the Big Bang some 14 billion years ago. The observations were made possible because of the cold, dry atmospheric conditions typical for the region

"The South Pole is the closest you can get to space and still be on the ground," said John Kovac, a radio astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the lead discoverer. "It's one of the driest and clearest locations on Earth, perfect for observing the faint microwaves from the Big Bang."

Vladimir Papitashvili, the US Antarctic Program's astrophysics and geospace sciences program director agrees. "The South Pole is an excellent place for Cosmic Microwave Background observations during the long, dark, and very cold winter," Dr. Papitashvili said in a press release.

Dry conditions (precipitation is roughly 2 inches every year) prevent growth of trees. Vegetation in the region consists mainly of algae, mosses, and lichens.

Last year, temperature on the East Antarctic Plateau plummeted to as low as 133.6 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 92 degrees Celsius), according to NASA.

With an average elevation of more than 2,000 m (6,500 ft.), the high altitude is a huge advantage for the astronomers. It means, "theres less atmosphere to look through," according to Ice Stories: Dispatches from Polar Scientists. "The cold, dry air makes for minimal water vapor and less atmospheric emission of infrared light, both of which interfere with observations. Best of all, 24-hour darkness in winter means no daily temperature oscillations, reducing air currents."

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Did scientists really have to go to the South Pole to spot those Big Bang waves?

Astronomy from the Moon: ILOA Acquires Exclusive Images from ChangE-3 Lunar Ultraviolet / Optical Telescope

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(Kamuela, Hawai`i, USA; Wednesday, 19 March 2014) The International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) is receiving exclusive images from key partners at NAOC in Beijing, comprising data from the Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope aboard Chang'e-3 operating on the surface of the Moon.

Professor Jianyan Wei, principal investigator of the LUT instrument, indicated that the testing and commissioning phase is complete and all the telescope systems are operating nominally. He reports that the LUT already has captured over 22,000 astronomical images. The 150-mm diameter, near ultraviolet telescope is the payload that has operated the longest and obtained the most data since the 14 December 2013 Moon landing of Chang'e-3.

ILOA has Memoranda of Understanding with National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) and China National Space Administration (CNSA) to exchange observation opportunities between China's Lunar Ultraviolet / Optical Telescope (LUT) aboard Chang'e-3 and the ILO-X Precursor and ILO-1 Moon South Pole mission currently in development for launch 2015-2016.

A team of ILOA scientists is currently collaborating with NAOC experts to formulate a plan for additional astronomical observations. ILOA will utilize the Chang'e-3 pioneering and historic data to enhance its Galaxy Forum 21st Century Education program. ILOA Founding Director Steve Durst says the dynamic Galaxy Forum architecture "should allow ILOA to advance human understanding of the Cosmos from the Moon and help identify support for the ILOA missions."

Distinguished members of the ILOA Board of Directors have offered some relevant analysis, explanation, interpretation and commentary:

- Astronomer and Explorer Dr. Yuki Takahashi:

"These UV observations of the XZ Cygni (RR Lyrae type) variable star cannot be done from the Earth's ground, and the lunar surface provides a stable platform that should make it easier to operate a long-lasting telescope. Studies of variable stars like this in the UV will help us measure distances in our Galaxy, providing humans with a more 3-dimensional visualization of our home Galaxy."

- Aerospace Engineer, Medical Doctor and co-author of The Moon Dr. David Schrunk:

"Similar measurements enabled Edwin Hubble to establish the fact that the Milky Way is not an "Island Universe" but merely one of billions of other galaxies in a vast universe (this settled the major 20th Century debate of the structure and size of the universe)... Also, the data from the Moon is highly accurate -- not distorted by an atmosphere. We need more telescopes on the Moon!!"

- ILOA Founding Director and Space Age Publishing Company Editor-in-chief Steve Durst:

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Astronomy from the Moon: ILOA Acquires Exclusive Images from ChangE-3 Lunar Ultraviolet / Optical Telescope

Astronomy and Music: The Connection?

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The connection between music and astronomy has deep historical roots. Matthew Whitehouse will present a lecture-recital in which he will play some of his compositions on pipe organ and talk about the connection between astronomy and music. He holds a doctorate in organ performance from The University of Arizona and is presently the Observatory Manager at the S.C. State Museum.

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Astronomy and Music: The Connection?

Wayne State Professor Receives Prestigious NSF Early Career Award; Research to Impact Metro Detroit Schools' Astronomy …

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Newswise DETROIT A Wayne State University researcher has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, the agency's most prestigious award for up-and-coming researchers in science and engineering.

The five-year, $550,000 grant was awarded to Ed Cackett, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics & astronomy in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, for the project Reflection and reverberation in neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries.

According to Cackett, neutron stars are extreme stars about the mass of the sun, but only the size of a city containing ultra-dense material, many times the density of an atomic nucleus. These stars are so dense that the velocity needed to escape a neutron star's gravity is about 30 percent of the speed of light, said Cackett.

Cackett studies these stars in binary systems where a sun-like star orbits a neutron star. He will apply cutting-edge techniques to understand how the strong gravity around these objects pulls material from the companion star toward it a process known as accretion.

This NSF award also will allow Cackett to develop a program to provide access to solar telescopes to metro Detroit-area schools to add a hands-on daytime observing aspect to their science curricula. In addition, he will provide curricular materials and conduct workshops for high school teachers for this program, as well as review all astronomy topics in the high school science standards.

Cackett received his Ph.D. from the University of St. Andrews (UK) and held postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Michigan and University of Cambridge (UK) before joining the Wayne State University faculty in January 2012.

The award number for this NSF grant is 1351222.

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Wayne State Professor Receives Prestigious NSF Early Career Award; Research to Impact Metro Detroit Schools' Astronomy ...

ASTRONOMY'S HOLY GRAIL | Scientists find echoes of universe's expansion after Big Bang

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Ex-BIR examiner claims Henares 'intentionally' failed to collect P1.5-billion tax due Prieto firm 18-Mar-14, 4:42 PM | Likha Cuevas-Miel, InterAksyon.com A former examiner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue is accusing the agency's chief of favoring the master franchise holder of Dunkin' Donuts in the Philippines, 'deliberately not collecting' from the firm more than P1.5 billion worth of taxes. GUESS | Which teachers' schools have the best passing rates? 18-Mar-14, 11:08 AM | Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com To help students and parents choose the best school to study being a teacher, education reform organization Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) analyzed the results of the state licensure exams from October 2009 to September 2013, making the research public Monday. Malversation raps readied vs 100 public servants over P4B in unliquidated funds 17-Mar-14, 7:09 PM | Ernie Reyes, InterAksyon.com Suspecting that public servants had been engaging in corrupt behavior for many years that resulted in billions of pesos in unliquidated funds, Commission on Audit chief Grace Pulido Tan on Monday said malversation charges would be filed against at least 100 government officials and employees. 700,000 new grads to add to country's 2.96 million jobless 18-Mar-14, 8:43 AM | Ernie Reyes, InterAksyon.com About 700,000 fresh graduates will add to the current 2.96 million jobless workers, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, as he asked the Department of Labor and Employment to go after illegal recruiters and fly-by-night manning and placement agencies and assist job hunters for hassle-free job-hunting. What are the benefits of increased rotational presence of US forces in PH? Palace makes a list 18-Mar-14, 7:22 AM | Philippines News Agency Sealing an agreement for an increased rotational presence of American forces in the Philippines will bring in wide-ranging benefits for the country, a Palace official said. Palace defends BI, says immigration guidelines not harassment but protection vs human trafficking 18-Mar-14, 6:19 AM | Ernie Reyes, InterAksyon.com | Philippine News Agency Hoping that Filipinos will appreciate government efforts in addressing human trafficking, Malacanang on Monday defended the Bureau of Immigration (BI) from accusations that it was violating the constitutional right of Filipinos to travel abroad. DINUKTOR | 5 stem cell society doctors face raps for submitting falsified PRC endorsement to SEC 17-Mar-14, 7:45 AM | Jet Villa, InterAksyon.com Five doctor-incorporators of the Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine (PSSCM) face charges and may have their medical licenses revoked for submitting a fabricated endorsement from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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ASTRONOMY'S HOLY GRAIL | Scientists find echoes of universe's expansion after Big Bang


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