Sharks swarm at Fla. beaches

Posted on by

Thousands of sharks, heading north after migrating to the south for winter, prompted beach closures along South Florida's Atlantic coastline. NBC's Brian Williams reports.

Several beaches along South Florida's Atlantic coast line were closed after thousands of sharks were seen migrating in the waters.

The sharks were migrating from Boca Raton to Jupiter since the beginning of March, marine biologists told NBC Miami.

Biologists said the sharks are going north after migrating to the south for the winter.

Lifeguards at Midtown Beach saw spinner sharks in the waters and put up red flags to tell beachgoers they couldn't enter the water.

"It's dangerous. It's not what you would expect. Families come out here to enjoy the weather, beach, and sand, but now they can't.They have to travel a little bit further than they should," said beachgoer Guirlene Exantus.

Doctors at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach told WPTV that they see about five to six shark bite victims annually. These bites are usually minor, but can put the victim at risk for infections.

Swimmers are advised to swim close at beaches with lifeguards and take jewelry off before getting in the water as experts say sharks are attracted to silver, yellow and gold.

Jeff Langlois / The Palm Beach Post via ZUMAPRESS.com

A pod of spinner sharks is seen through a wave at Midtown Beach, Fla. A huge swarm of sharks has shut down beaches of Florida as they migrate up the East Coast.

Continue reading here:

Sharks swarm at Fla. beaches

Sharks still seen off Fla., beaches close

Posted on by

Published: March. 8, 2013 at 2:47 PM

PALM BEACH, Fla., March 8 (UPI) -- Beaches on South Florida's Atlantic coast were closed again Friday after sightings of thousands of migrating sharks, authorities said.

Many tourists expressed disappointment that they had to stay out of the water.

The sharks were seen along the coastline, heading back north after migrating south for the winter, marine biologists said.

Lifeguards at Midtown Beach in the Palm Beach area saw spinner sharks and raised red flags, indicating swimmers should not enter the water, NBC News reported.

"It's dangerous. It's not what you would expect. Families come out here to enjoy the weather, beach and sand, but now they can't," said beachgoer Guirlene Exantus.

"We don't have sharks in Washington. I just wanted to go swimming," said Tori Bradshaw, who had just arrived in Florida from her home state.

"If there are sharks, you aren't going to find me in there," said Burt Abrams, visiting from Cleveland.

Swimmers were advised to swim close to shore at beaches that remained open with lifeguards, and to remove jewelry before entering the water because sharks can be attracted by silver, yellow and gold colors, NBC said.

See original here:

Sharks still seen off Fla., beaches close

Distant Suns Astronomy App Giveaway

Posted on by

by Katrina Cain on March 7, 2013

Want to stay on top of all the space news? Follow @universetoday on Twitter

Comet C/2011 L4 PANSTARRS photographed with a 200mm telephoto lens over Bridgetown, Western Australia on March 3. Credit: Jim Gifford

Have you ever been out on a beautiful, starry night and wondered what it was you were seeing? Maybe you are walking your date home on an amazing, clear night and want to impress the heck out of her by comparing her eyes to the stars in Orions Belt; or her movements are as graceful as the swans in Cygnus. The Distant Suns app will help you locate these features in the night sky to back your romantic gestures with pure science. The people at Distant Suns have been working hard to improve the features in this already cool app. The latest and greatest addition is the ability to track Comet PANSTARRS more easily. One of my favorite features of this app is the overlaying of the local landscape with the current features in the night sky. This really allows you to have a reference point for your stargazing in the future should you find yourself without your cell phone.

For the rest of this week until Sunday only, the Distant Suns App is available for half price. If that is still too rich for your blood, try to win one of 6 free copies that Universe Today and Distant Suns is offering to give away this week. With the days getting longer and the nights getting warmer, this is a really cool way to learn about the features of the night sky without the benefit of a telescope.

In order to be entered into the giveaway drawing, just put your email address into the box at the bottom of this post (where it says Enter the Giveaway) before Monday, March 11, 2013. Well send you a confirmation email, so youll need to click that to be entered into the drawing.

About Distant Suns Astronomy AppFeatures include:

Tagged as: Astronomy Apps, Contests, Giveaways

Continued here:

Distant Suns Astronomy App Giveaway

Spellbinding Cosmic Beauty: Why Astronomy Images Matter

Posted on by

We all know that pictures are worth a thousand words, but does that maxim also apply to the world of astronomy?

A team based at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass., has been trying to find out the answer with a years-long review of the lure of cosmic photos. The project, known as "Aesthetics & Astronomy," consists of astronomy outreach coordinators, science writers and astrophysicists, as well as education professors who specialize in aesthetics.

Since 2008, the group has been conducting experiments to determine how much the images produced by orbiting space telescopes, faraway Mars rovers and other interplanetary spacecraft are understood by professional scientists and the public alike.

Aesthetics & Astronomy was born 10 years ago in the backyard of a home in Ohio. Lisa and Jeffrey Smith, the team's two education professionals (and currently professors at the University of Otago, New Zealand) found themselves talking to Jeffrey's nephew about astronomy and reality. Were the vibrant colors and swirling shapes in popular astronomy images real? After all, weren't the images constructed by scientists from data, and weren't the colors in the pictures assigned arbitrarily by astrophysicists? [Amazing Space Photos by Chandra and Hubble Telescopes]

They soon realized that the astronomical community could best serve the public if astronomers explained how each color was chosen and why it was assigned a particular wavelength of light.

In Cambridge, the Smiths teamed with Megan Watzke, a science writer associated with the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and Kimberly Kowal, the visualization and media production coordinator for the Chandra team. Collaborating with Chandra astrophysicists Jay Bookbinder and Randall Smith, the growing team devised questions that could gauge the effectiveness of astronomical images.

For instance, what happens to the understanding of an image if the colors are altered, or if the scale is changed? What about captions do they help, and if so, what kinds of captions are the most helpful? Do astrophysicists and the public approach the images differently, and if so, what is that difference? What are some of the public's misconceptions about astronomy and astronomical images?

"Even after many years of working in science communication, I was surprised to hear in a focus group that someone felt 'tricked' when they learned that the colors in these astronomical images are applied," Kowal told SPACE.com in an email interview. "That is, if you were able to zoom across the galaxy in a spacecraft, stars and nebulae would not appear as the images show because of the way the human eye works." [How Chandra Observatory X-Rays the Sky (Video)]

"As a result, we at the Chandra X-ray Center have tried to be more proactive in our communications and more transparent in what we do with our images," Kowal said.

The team's first experiment was carried out in 2008. It consisted of both online questionnaires and in-person meetings; in all, 8,000 people completed the questionnaire.

Read more here:

Spellbinding Cosmic Beauty: Why Astronomy Images Matter

Vector Aerospace -Andalusia Receives American Eurocopter Service Center Approval

Posted on by

Andalusia, AL Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America (Vector) http://www.vectoraerospace.com, a subsidiary of Vector Aerospace Corporation and one of the worlds leading providers of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services announces that Vector Aerospace and American Eurocopter have signed an agreement enabling Vectors Andalusia, Alabama repair operation to operate as an American Eurocopter Service Center in the United States.

Vector-Andalusia offers depth level repair services in support of US operators of the EC135 and EC145 (and the BK117). As both the EC135 and the EC145 are operated extensively throughout the United States, the agreement provides Vector an immediate opportunity to enhance the support it offers to US-based operators.

As explained by Rick Pataky, VP of Operations for Vector HSNA - Andalusia, the receipt of American Eurocopter service center status for the EC135 and EC145 aligns with Vector-Andalusias recent facility expansion, and is evidence of its success since opening in 2004. Vector will continue to invest to bring increased service to operators in the US.

Anthony Dinota, VP, Commercial Sales, Marketing and Customer Support for American Eurocopter explains that as the leading helicopter supplier in the US commercial market, American Eurocopter must ensure its customers receive the highest standards of MRO support, and we are confident that the Vector-Andalusia team will meet and exceed the expectations of both American Eurocopter and the expanding base of EC135 and EC145 operators in the US.

Vector has extensive success with supporting Eurocopter products in the commercial market; with more than two decades of experience in providing engine, dynamic component, airframe and avionics repair and overhaul services from its Andalusia, Alabama, and Langley, British Columbia operations.

Vectors comprehensive service portfolio includes:

- Engines: (Pratt & Whitney PT6T, Rolls Royce model 250, Arriel 1 and Arriel 2, General Electric T58 / CT58 and CT-7A / T700) * including complete test capability - Dynamic components - Airframes and major inspections (support for various Sikorsky, Eurocopter and Bell models) - Full-service avionics; including glass cockpit engineering, development and integration; complete aircraft rewires, Supplemental Type Certificate development, etc.

See original here:

Vector Aerospace -Andalusia Receives American Eurocopter Service Center Approval

Windsor High School biology teacher Tammie Pennington nominated for prestigious award

Posted on by

Expand Photo

JOSHUA POLSON/jpolson@greeleytribune.com Tammie Pennington, a biology teacher at Windsor High School, watches as Garrett Graff, 15, starts an experiment Friday afternoon at Windor High School. Pennington was watched by four scholars who critiqued her teaching skills for the biology teacher of the year in Colorado.

JOSHUA POLSON/jpolson@greeleytribune.com Tammie Pennington, right, a biology teacher at Windsor High School, watches as Maddie Singleton, 15, prepares lab equipment during class Friday afternoon at Windsor High School. Pennington is currently in the running for biology teacher of year in Colorado.

WINDSOR Tammie Pennington is a rock star in the classroom just ask her students. Pennington, 44, a Windsor High School biology teacher, even makes biology fun for students who dont particularly like it. Carson Barnhart, a 15-year-old sophomore in Penningtons pre-Advanced Placement biology class, admits science isnt on the top of her list of favorites. Science isnt really my thing, but I definitely get it, Barnhart said. Shes a great teacher, and we have a lot of fun. Theres a lot of hands-on, and I really like the hands-on thing. In the classroom, shes really relaxed, and shes

See the rest here:
Windsor High School biology teacher Tammie Pennington nominated for prestigious award

BioBricks founder on his shift from computer science to synthetic biology

Posted on by

Tom Knight, founding director of BioBricks, was pulled away from computer science and into synthetic biology after becoming fascinated by cell division and data storage.

Speaking at the Economist's Technology Frontiers conference, he explained how he used to work in computer science, exploring artificial intelligence, integrated circuit design and programming around the time when the web was emerging. However 15-20 years ago, he decided that "biology would be the next important thing that would change the world as we know it".

Knight was inspired by seeing cell division of bacteria through transmission electron microscopy, a property of living systems which "from the standpoint of an engineer like myself is rather surprising and remarkable". He added: "There are some profound implications. We don't have physical objects that we engineer that reproduce themselves. OK, so maybe computer viruses, but physical objects such as buildings and microprocessors don't have the property that they reproduce themselves."

In addition to this reproduction, Knight was fascinated by the storage capacity of cells. E Coli, for example, has around four million base pairs of DNA. "That's one megabyte of information stored in a region of a micron in each dimension."

"That storage density is somewhere in the vicinity of 10^7 or 10^8 times higher than the very best disk drives, USB sticks or any other semi conductor technology we can build today. That's another reason why a computer jerk like me should be interested in cells. I can store more information that way than with any of the technology I have available," Knight said.

He added that he was also fascinated by catabolism and anabolism -- biochemical processes that take place in living organisms, building things up and breaking them down, to maintain life. He draws parallels between anabolic processes and manufacturing, drawing on a finite core of building materials and referring to a "blueprint" to create things. "Biology does this in an incredibly precise way; in a way that allows us to specify with the genome exactly what's going to be produced."

"We have very little ability to put atoms exactly where we want them. Semiconductor engineers don't get to put atoms where we want them. Biology puts every atom in the place it wants with precise control. We can use that as a very powerful manufacturing technology."

This line of thinking led him to the development of BioBricks -- genetic sequences which have been standardised like electronic components. These Lego-like BioBricks have various functions and can be plugged into each other to create entirely new biological systems in microorganisms. As explained in our article from September 2012, BioBricks can be used to transform bacteria into machines for sensing and degrading pollutants. One tool measures arsenic levels in water -- you add the bacteria to a bottle wait over night and "if it turns red, you have a problem". This replaces the need for expensive laboratory tests.

So far 10,000 of these BIoBricks have been standardised. You can find out more at BioBricks.org.

Don't miss: Synthetic biologists build Lego-style BioBricks in public lab

Go here to read the rest:
BioBricks founder on his shift from computer science to synthetic biology

MIT professor speaks at 13th annual Shine Lecture

Posted on by

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry hosted the 13th annual Henry J. Shine Lecture, coinciding with Shines 90th birthday celebration in the Chemistry building at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The event started with an introduction by Carol Korzeniewski, chairwoman of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and was followed by an introduction about Shine by Interim President Lawrence Schovanec. Guigen Li, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, gave the guest speaker introduction.

Its an endowed lectureship, Korzeniewski said. It was endowed by the friends, and colleagues of Professor Shine, friends, colleagues and former students.

The reason for the continuation of the lecture series, she said, was because the series brings distinguished researchers from around the world to Tech to interact with students and discuss science.

The event was open to the public, she said, but most of the people who attended were from the chemistry department along with science departments, engineering departments and the Tech Health Sciences Center.

After the lecture, Korseniewski said a Q-and-A session occurred, followed by refreshments and a birthday cake to be presented to Shine in the foyer of the building.

He turned 90 in January, she said. Thats what makes this years lecture special.

A group of faculty specializing in organic chemistry selected the guest speaker with preparation taking place a year before the event happened, Korzeniewski said.

The speakers are very prominent, often members of the National Academy of Science, she said. Weve had Nobel Laureates.

Li, Korzeniewski said, played an important role in getting the guest speaker to participate in the lecture series.

Read the original here:
MIT professor speaks at 13th annual Shine Lecture

In the Lab: Research roundup

Posted on by

Following is a list of some of the medical research grants awarded to scientists in the area.

St. Louis University School of Medicine

The scientist Dr. Robert E. Fleming, professor of pediatrics; and biochemistry and molecular biology.

The grant $1.8 million from National Institutes of Health.

The study Examine the role of transferrin in the production of red blood cells and iron metabolism, as a possible treatment for thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, and other iron overload diseases.

The scientist Yuna Ayala, assistant research professor of biochemistry and molecular biology.

The grant $617,181 from National Institutes of Health.

The study Reveal the basic mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS and dementia, that would aid in the development of therapies and better diagnostic tools.

Washington University School of Medicine

The scientist Dr. Stuart Sweet, professor of pediatrics.

Here is the original post:
In the Lab: Research roundup

Student conducts independent Alzheimer’s research

Posted on by

A Cal Poly Pomona biochemistry student is working on independent Alzheimers disease research and is trying to secure private funding to further his research.

Reilly Breaux and his research partner, Alex Lopes, who attends MiraCosta College, are working to figure out what happens when different genes associated with Alzheimers are combined rather than isolated.

Alzheimers disease is a form of dementia that causes problems in thinking, memory and behavior that is on the rise in the elderly.

There are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimers disease, according to the Alzheimers Association, a non-profit organization.

[Alzheimers disease] has already been extensively researched, but it cant be measured, said Breaux. Its not quantitative because youre just seeing this person has the gene and this person doesnt, but still sometimes they both get Alzheimers. Its a really tricky thing.

Breaux and Lopes research is also looking at a gene that has to do with swelling of the brain.

Weve actually found another gene that might have been overlooked, which has to do with inflammation of the brain and that can attribute to the build up of [beta amyloid protein], said Breaux.

The build up of the beta amyloid protein has been linked to Alzheimers disease, said Breaux.

Were not only trying to research the combinations, the interactions, of certain genes, but also maybe this other gene, which has to deal with inflammation in the brain, is causing it or helping it, said Breaux.

The idea of combining genes was inspired by another project that Breaux is working on, which is an iPhone application that deals with the interaction of drugs.

See the rest here:
Student conducts independent Alzheimer’s research

Marta I. Rendon, MD Unanimously Elected President of the Skin of Color Society at the Annual 2013 American Academy of …

Posted on by

BOCA RATON, Fla., March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Dr. Marta Rendon was unanimously elected as the President of the Skin of Color Society by her medical colleagues at the annual 2013 American Academy of Dermatology meeting.

The Skin of Color Society is a professional dermatologic organization dedicated to promoting awareness of and excellence within a specific area of dermatology. Skin of Color is defined by the Society as individuals who are of Asian, Hispanic/Latino, African, Native American and Pacific Island descent. The Skin of Color Society is committed to the education of health care providers and the general public on dermatologic health issues related to skin of color.

For over 25 years Dr. Rendon has been dedicated to treating various skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation, melasma and other unique challenges posed by treating skin of color patients. As a Board and Founding Member of the Skin of Color Society since its inception in 2001, Dr. Rendon, a Board Certified dermatologist of Latin American heritage was a natural choice to lead the organization and further its mission.

Additionally, while attending the AAD annual meeting, Dr. Rendon co-chaired the Women's Dermatologic Society Annual luncheon for a second time. Over 400 people participated in celebrating women in dermatology with a theme of "40 Fabulous Women" in honor of the Women's Dermatology Society's 40th Anniversary. She also trained other Physicians on Dermatological procedures at the AAD "Cosmetic Procedures in Darker Racial Ethnic Groups."

Dr. Rendon has over 25 years of experience in dermatology, aesthetic medicine and research. She is internationally recognized as a renowned authority on cosmetic dermatology, especially in the area of skin pigmentation.

About Dr. Rendon and the Rendon Center for Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine

Dr. Marta Rendon, world-renowned, board-certified dermatologist, is the founder of the Rendon Center for Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine, Boca Raton, FL. The Rendon Center offers services ranging from anti-aging, to cancer removal. Dr. Rendon and her team of world-class, board-certified dermatologists provide unparalleled aesthetic and dermatologic treatment, cutting-edge technology and advanced techniques to provide their patients the best results possible.Contact us today at 561.750.0544 or visit: http://www.drrendon.comto learn more!

Media Contact: Fern Cole: F.Cole@admcorp.com The Rendon Center for Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine Phone: (561) 750-0544 Fax: (561) 750-9873 http://www.drrendon.com

Follow this link:
Marta I. Rendon, MD Unanimously Elected President of the Skin of Color Society at the Annual 2013 American Academy of ...

Private SpaceX Capsule Brings Big Science to Space Station

Posted on by

The International Space Station is now home to more than 1,200 pounds (544 kilograms) of supplies delivered by an unmanned, privately built space capsule that reached the orbiting science laboratory on Sunday (March 3).

Among the goods SpaceX's Dragon capsule transported to the station were science experiments primed and ready for the six international residents of the space station.

"Dragon is scheduled to return to Earth on March 25, bringing home nearly double the amount of supplies it brought up, about 2,668 pounds (1,210 kilograms)," NASA officials said in a statement. "Returning investigation samples will demonstrate how life in microgravity affects the growth of plant seedlings, changes to the human body, the behavior of semiconductors and detergents, and more."

Some of the experiments will only stay on board for three weeks, making a round trip back to Earth with Dragon when the capsule detaches from the station. One of those experiments involves thale cress, a plant used in many experiments because of its small, relatively easy-to-map genome.

Scientists affiliated with NASA and the European Space Agency sent up one experiment called "Seedling Growth-1," designed to investigate how well plants grow amid stresses such as low oxygen. [See video of SpaceX's Dragon docking in orbit]

"The experiment will study how plants adapt to micro- and low-gravity environments," NASA officials wrote in a statement. "Researchers hope to determine the ability of vegetation to provide a complete, sustainable, dependable and economical means for human life-support in space."

Beyond helping scientists learn how to grow food in space, the research might contribute to better agricultural practices back on Earth. Understanding how these plants react to a stressful environment could lend insight into how farmers could mitigate those taxing situations back on the planet's surface.

Some of the experiments sent to theInternational Space Station will play a role in education, as well.

"Students from several California schools developed investigations to study bacteria, iron corrosion, battery performance and carbon dioxide levels aboard the station, all of which will be delivered by Dragon," NASA officials wrote in a statement.

Personal product manufacturer Procter & Gamble sent up another experiment that will study how to better preserve toothpaste, gels and creams.

See more here:

Private SpaceX Capsule Brings Big Science to Space Station

SpaceX Dragon Docks With Space Station After Engine Woes

Posted on by

Space Exploration Technologies Corp.s spacecraft docked with the International Space Station a day late after recovering from engine malfunctions, according to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

The unmanned craft operated by the Hawthorne, California- based company known as SpaceX was in place at 8:56 a.m. today, NASA said in a statement, and it will stay for 22 days before returning for a Pacific Ocean splashdown. This is the companys second of at least a dozen planned supply missions to the station, a $1.6 billion contract.

Just after Dragons March 1 launch, three of the crafts four thruster pods didnt initially work and had to be remotely coaxed back online. Elon Musk, head of SpaceX, had said a preliminary review suggested the malfunction may have stemmed from a blocked or stuck fuel valve.

Spaceflight will never be risk-free, but its a critical achievement that we once again have a U.S. capability to transport science to and from the International Space Station, said William Gerstenmaier, an associate administrator at NASA, in a statement.

The cargo vessel is delivering 1,268 pounds of supplies to support the space stations operations and experiments, according to NASA. It will return with 2,668 pounds of research samples that scientists hope will help them study spaceflights effects on humans, plant samples that may aid in producing food for longer space missions and crystals meant to help improve solar cells and electronics.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jesse Hamilton in Washington at jhamilton33@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Ann Hughey at ahughey@bloomberg.net

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. via Bloomberg

Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s unmanned Dragon capsule is seen in orbit, in this undated handout photo.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s unmanned Dragon capsule is seen in orbit, in this undated handout photo. Source: Space Exploration Technologies Corp. via Bloomberg

Visit link:

SpaceX Dragon Docks With Space Station After Engine Woes

Tamed Dragon supply ship arrives at space station (+video)

Posted on by

A privately ownedDragoncapsule arrived a day late at the International Space Station on Sunday, delivering a ton of supplies with high-flying finesse after a shaky start to the mission.

A privately ownedDragoncapsule arrived at the International Space Station on Sunday, delivering a ton of supplies with high-flying finesse after a shaky start to the mission.

Subscribe Today to the Monitor

Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS of The Christian Science Monitor Weekly Digital Edition

TheDragon'sarrival was one day late but especially sweet and not because of the fresh fruit on board for the station astronauts who snared the capsule.

SpaceX, the California-based company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, had to struggle with theDragon following its launch Friday from Cape Canaveral. A clogged pressure line or stuck valve prevented thrusters from working, and it took flight controllers several hours to gain control and salvage the mission.

In the end, theDragonapproached the orbiting lab with its 1-ton load about as smoothly as could be expected, with all of its thrusters, or little maneuvering rockets, operating perfectly. The capture occurred as the two spacecraft zoomed 250 miles above Ukraine.

"As they say, it's not where you start, but where you finish that counts," said space station commander Kevin Ford, "and you guys really finished this one on the mark."

He added: "We've got lots of science on there to bring aboard and get done. So congratulations to all of you."

Among the items on board: 640 seeds of a flowering weed used for research, mouse stem cells, food and clothes for the six men on board the space station, trash bags, computer equipment, air purifiers, spacewalking tools and batteries. The company also tucked away apples and other fresh treats from an employee's family orchard.

Original post:

Tamed Dragon supply ship arrives at space station (+video)

New Space Station Camera Snaps First Image of Earth

Posted on by

A new photo taken from the International Space Station shows an ecologically diverse area of Panama in a new light.

The picture is the first taken by a new Earth-observing tool recently installed on the orbiting science laboratory, and shows the San Pablo River emptying into the Gulf of Montijo, reported NASA's Earth Observatory.

"It is an ecological transition zone, changing from agriculture and pastures to mangrove forests, swamps, and estuary systems," the Earth Observatory wrote.

NASA officials hope that the ISERV Pathfinder camera (short for International Space Station SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System) will give scientists on the ground more insight into environmental issues around the globe.

"ISERV's full potential is yet to be seen, but we hope it will really make a difference in peoples lives," principal investigator Burgess Howell of NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., told the Earth Observatory. "For example, if an earthen dam gives way in Bhutan, we want to be able to show officials where the bridge is out or where a road is washed out or a power substation is inundated. This kind of information is critical to focus and speed rescue efforts."

Controlled from Marshall, NASA scientists will use positioning software to map exactly where the space station is flying to target and photograph points of interest on the surface of the Earth.

"If there's a good viewing opportunity, the SERVIR team will instruct the camera to take high-resolution photographs at 3 to 7 frames per second, totaling as many as 100 images per pass," reported the Earth Observatory. "With a resolution down to 10 feet (3.2 m) it will be possible to spot fairly small details and objects."

The camera isn't available for this kind of research just yet, however. Engineers are still working out ISERV's kinks before starting in on basic scientific work in a few months.

The International Space Station is about the size of a football field and was built by five different space agencies representing Canada, the United States, Russia, Europe and Japan. The orbiting science laboratory is currently home to Expedition 34's six international astronauts.

Follow Miriam Kramer @mirikramer and Google+. Follow OurAmazingPlanet @OAPlanet, Facebook and Google+.

Read the original:

New Space Station Camera Snaps First Image of Earth

US-Russian Crew Launching to Space Station in Record Time

Posted on by

The next crew to launch toward the International Space Station will make the trip faster than any astronauts before them, thanks to a new docking plan being tested this month.

NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin are set to launch to the space station March 28 at4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule. While it normally takes Soyuz vehicles two days to reach the orbiting laboratory after launch, Cassidy, Vinogradov and Misurkin will make the trip in just six hours.

"I think it's much more interesting when you fly faster," Vinogradov said during a press conference at the crew's Star City, Russia training site. "It's just like in a train," he added, saying he preferred to make quick train trips rather than spend many hours traveling.

Vinogradov and his crew are performing their final mission training for the Soyuz launch from the Central Asian spaceport of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where the local time will be March 29 at liftoff. The six-hour journey will include just four orbits of Earth, officials said.

The new travel scheme has been previously successfully tested with unmanned Russian Progress cargo ships, but never before with manned spacecraft. Officials say the time has come to speed up travel to the space station because spacecraft have become more automated, so the strain on ground-based Mission Control teams isn't so great.

"Now we have onboard a new machinery and new software so the vehicle is more autonomous right now, so it is the possibility to do a lot onboard the vehicle and to calculate the burns so they are not consuming a lot of fuel," said veteran cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, vice president of Russia's RSC Energia spaceflight company in charge of manned spaceflights.

The three new space station crewmembers will join an existing crew trio to complete the Expedition 35 crew aboard the International Space Station. When that mission changes over to Expedition 36 in May, Vinogradov will take over as commander of the station.

Cassidy and Vinogradov are veteran spaceflyers, but Misurkin will be making his first trip to orbit. The three will spend about six months in space, returning to Earth in September.

"I think it should be the most exciting trip in my life," Misurkin said.

Follow Clara Moskowitz @ClaraMoskowitz and Google+. Follow us@Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article onSPACE.com.

Here is the original post:

US-Russian Crew Launching to Space Station in Record Time

NASA Selects Contractors for Engineering Solutions and Prototyping at Marshall Space Flight Center

Posted on by

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA has selected three companies to provide engineering solutions and products to Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO)

The companies are Radiance Technologies, Inc. and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. of Huntsville, Ala., and Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Houston.

The performance-based, cost-reimbursement fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts have a potential value of $350 million. The contracts have a five-year performance period with a minimum order quantity value of $1 million.

Under the contract, the three companies will compete to provide engineering solutions and products for design, development, test, evaluation, operations and training in support of MSFC flight projects, human and robotic exploration, science and technology development, future programs/projects, and other MSFC organizations that have similar needs.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

Home Page

SOURCE NASA

RELATED LINKS http://www.nasa.gov

Link:

NASA Selects Contractors for Engineering Solutions and Prototyping at Marshall Space Flight Center

Don’t let US knee-jerk secrecy slow down space flight

Posted on by

US government red tape threatens to deprive the fledgling space-flight community of important technical insights

ONE of the more unorthodox ornaments that adorns New Scientist's London office is a large model of an inflatable space station that might one day be put into Earth orbit. Not long ago, a film-maker wanted to borrow it. We were fine with that, as was its inventor. But the views of another party had to be considered too: the US Department of State.

The reason? US anti-arms trafficking rules extend to information about space flight equipment. The model had to be judged for its relevance to, say, North Korea's rocket programme.

This example might seem absurd, but the rules can have more serious consequences. It may prevent SpaceX from fully describing the difficulties that beset its Dragon cargo capsule last week, for example (see "SpaceX glitch may be deemed secret under US arms laws"), thus depriving the space-flight community of technical insights. Those planning to send a couple to Mars, who may need SpaceX to lift off, face many stiff challenges (see "Solve four big problems to get people to Mars by 2018"). Knee-jerk secrecy should not be among them.

Our friendly film-maker did eventually get the green light. Let's hope those working with the real thing can cut through the red tape too.

This article appeared in print under the headline "Gagging for space secrets"

If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.

Only subscribers may leave comments on this article. Please log in.

Only personal subscribers may leave comments on this article

Subscribe now to comment.

Here is the original post:

Don't let US knee-jerk secrecy slow down space flight

NASA ‘s Mars Rover Curiosity Recovering from Computer Glitch

Posted on by

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity is on the road to recovery from last week's computer glitch and could be back in action as early as this weekend, mission officials say.

Curiosity went into a protective, minimal-activity "safe mode" last Thursday (Feb. 28) when its handlers swapped the rover over to its backup computer. They made this switch after noticing a problem with the flash memory on Curiosity's primary "A-side" computer.

But the rover's respite may be short-lived. Curiosity came out of safe mode Saturday (March 2) and began using its high-gain antenna again a day later, so the 1-ton robot may soon resume its quest to determine if Mars has ever been able to support microbial life.

"We're out of safe mode and are back with an operable high-gain antenna, which is one of the big steps in the recovery," said Curiosity project manager Richard Cook, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. [Curiosity Rover's Latest Amazing Mars Photos]

Cook cautioned, however, that much work remains to be done. Engineers are still configuring the rover's backup "B-side" computer for surface operations, an activity that should take another few days.

And the Curiosity team still isn't sure what caused the A-side glitch in the first place. They hope to turn the A-side computer on again Wednesday (March 6) or so to take a look, Cook said.

"We really can't tell [the cause of the problem] without turning it on and trying to read the memory locations that look like they were corrupted," Cook told SPACE.com.

One possible cause is an impact by a high-energy charged particle called a cosmic ray. Curiosity's gear is radiation-tolerant, but that doesn't mean it's impervious to all such damage.

"We certainly have seen similar types of behavior in other pieces of memory on other missions as well as MSL," Cook said, referencing the official name of the Curiosity rover's $2.5 billion mission, the Mars Science Laboratory.

Cosmic-ray damage is usually transient, he added, so the problem on the A-side may disappear when the computer is cycled back on. Even if the glitch is more permanent, the rover team can probably still "map around it" and bring the A-side back up, giving Curiosity two functional computer systems once again.

See original here:

NASA 's Mars Rover Curiosity Recovering from Computer Glitch