21 December 2007

21 December 2007


In a story posted late last night Space.com says NASA, claiming needing more time to study the data (read everyone is on vacation for Christmas) will not decide what to do about the faulty ECO connector until after Christmas. They have also delayed any further assembly on STS-123, currently targeted for liftoff on 14Feb08. The delay may further delay the STS-122 launch which would then have a trickle-down effect on subsequent missions (and make it more important that the shuttle fleet not be retired in 2010 as required by our forward thinking president.


The forecast is for better than 80% cloud cover through tomorrow. There will be no way of confirming the alignment of the McGrwa-Hill Sun Triangle this solstice.


I just found that NASA is predicting the asteroid 2007 WD5 has a 1 in 75 chance of striking Mars when it makes a close approach to the planet at 0555 EST on 30Jan08. That morning the Sun doesn't rise until 0707 EST but Mars doesn't rise that morning until ~0627 EST (Starry Night Starter). The asteroid is currently at Mag 13.8 and getting dimmer as it moves away from earth. It is about the size of the asteroid that is believed to have caused the Tunguska event. If the asteroid does impact Mars it is estimated that it will create a crater 1/2 mile in diameter, too small to see it even with Peter's Teleport, but maybe there would be some atmospheric dusturbance (like a dust storm) that would be visible a la P/Shoemaker-Levy 9. Stories

posted by Charlie at 13:16

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