Return-path: X-Andrew-Authenticated-as: 7997;andrew.cmu.edu;Ted Anderson Received: from hogtown.andrew.cmu.edu via trymail for +dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/space.dl@andrew.cmu.edu (->+dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/space.dl) (->ota+space.digests) ID ; Wed, 19 Jun 91 02:02:40 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: Precedence: junk Reply-To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU From: space-request+@Andrew.CMU.EDU To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU Date: Wed, 19 Jun 91 02:02:35 -0400 (EDT) Subject: SPACE Digest V13 #663 SPACE Digest Volume 13 : Issue 663 Today's Topics: Asteroid strike on moon: Effects here? (was Re: The Un-Plan) Re: Moonbase movie *Plymouth* to air Sunday? Re: Info on spacecraft power storage wanted MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT Re: Good for the Japanese MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT - 30 MAY Re: INFO: Clandestine Mars Observer Launch?? Space Science Postdoc positions available at UC Berkeley Administrivia: Submissions to the SPACE Digest/sci.space should be mailed to space+@andrew.cmu.edu. Other mail, esp. [un]subscription requests, should be sent to space-request+@andrew.cmu.edu, or, if urgent, to tm2b+@andrew.cmu.edu ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 29 May 91 19:27:18 GMT From: ogicse!emory!ox.com!fmsrl7!wreck@uunet.uu.net (Ron Carter) Subject: Asteroid strike on moon: Effects here? (was Re: The Un-Plan) In article <1991May25.180715.18318@watdragon.waterloo.edu> jdnicoll@watyew.uwaterloo.ca (James Davis Nicoll) writes: > How large a rock do you need (and moving at what velocity) to >generate enough heat to light fires at 380,000 km? Is it reasonable to >assume that's the size & velocity of the rocks Mr Szabo is talking about? Let's try some reasonable assumptions here: 1.) We have a 100 m body of density 3.5 (probably the largest we're likely to be moving around soon) hitting the near side of Luna. 2.) It strikes at 10 km/sec. 3.) 50% of the energy of impact is converted into isotropic radiation in 5 seconds. The body's mass is 1.83e9 kg, and its kinetic energy is 9.16e16 J. The rate of radiation is 9.16e15 watts. At 3.8e8 meters distance, that radiation is spread across a half-sphere of area 9.07e17 square meters, for a total power incident upon the earth of .01 watts/m^2. A 1 kilometer body of the same density moving at the same speed would give us 10 W/m^2, using the same assumptions. I think it is safe to assume that the radiation from such an impact will not be igniting any fires dirtside. You'd need a rock at least 10 km in size to give the multiples of solar irradiance needed to ignite fires. ------------------------------ Date: 29 May 91 21:24:41 GMT From: yamuna.cs.umd.edu!liu@mimsy.umd.edu (Yuan Liu) Subject: Re: Moonbase movie *Plymouth* to air Sunday? In article hermann@cpsc.ucalgary.ca (hermann) writes: #More technical problems: # #- an airlock door in the moonrover garage that consisted mostly of glass. #There is no need to put glass in an airlock door, and it complicates the #engineering enormously. Put a viewport in the bulkhead next to it. # Maybe they are transparent aluminum. Remember Star Trek IV? :-) Yuan Liu liu@cs.umd.edu ------------------------------ Date: 30 May 91 14:36:55 GMT From: cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!umich!ox.com!fmsrl7!wreck@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (Ron Carter) Subject: Re: Info on spacecraft power storage wanted Add nickel-hydrogen batteries to the list Frank Crary posted. They are widely used in some applications and apparently have superior characteristics for spacecraft purposes. I have no information on performance, but it should not be too difficult to find in the proper trade rags. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 May 91 02:09:01 MDT From: oler <@BITNET.CC.CMU.EDU:oler@HG.ULeth.CA> (CARY OLER) Subject: MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT X-St-Vmsmail-To: st%"space+@andrew.cmu.edu" -- MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT -- MAY 29, 1991 Flare Event Summary Potential Impact Assessment -------- MAJOR ENERGETIC EVENT SUMMARY Region 6654 managed to spawn a very impulsive class X1.0/2B Tenflare located at N05E38. The flare began at 23:39 UT, peaked at 23:45 UT and ended shortly thereafter at 23:51 UT. The 2695 MHz radio burst was measured at 460 s.f.u., while the 245 MHz burst registered 3,200 s.f.u.. No sweeps were observed from this event. Region 6654 has maintained its structure and characteristics. It has continued to produce minor M-class flares. Aside from todays major event, M-class flaring was observed four separate times from Region 6654: M1.3/2B at 03:04 UT, M1.7/1N at 04:50 UT, M4.3/SF at 12:11 UT, and an M2.7/1B at 16:02 UT. Region 6652 also managed to produce a long-duration (118 minutes) class M2.7/1B flare at 16:02 UT. The probability for further major flaring from Region 6654 is high. This region is not yet showing signs of weakening. There is a possibility for another isolated major X-class flare from this region, although we still maintain X-class flare production to be rather unlikely (30% probability). Most of the major flaring should remain within the M-class category. The probability for proton activity from major flaring in Region 6654 is not yet very high (approximately 10-20%). Most of the major flaring from this region has not been energetic enough to eject protons. However, as this region approaches the central solar meridian, the risk for proton activity from any particularly intense solar flaring will increase. Region 6654 will cross the central meridian on 02 June and will be in a sensitive position for terrestrial proton impacts by 04 June. POTENTIAL TERRESTRIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT This latest X-class flare is not expected to have a terrestrial impact. Within the next 48 hours, the threat for potential terrestrial impacts from a major flare will increase. Proton flaring and possible PCA activity could become a concern later this week and early next week (early June). Major flaring is expected to continue from Region 6654. Minor M-class flares are a definite certainty for the short-term (72 hours). Region 6652 could also contribute to the M-class flaring. HF radio propagation conditions have suffered due to the frequent M-class flaring. The daylit hemisphere of the Earth will continue to experience fading associated with flare-induced SIDs (Sudden Ionospheric Disturbances). Night-time propagation should continue to improve as the recent coronal-induced geomagnetic activity gradually subsides. Expect relatively frequent periods of fading and absorption over the next 2 to 3 days at least over the sunlit hemisphere while the night-time hemisphere can expect gradual improvements in conditions, particularly over the polar and high latitudes. A return to more normal conditions over these latitudes is not expected until 03 or 04 June. VHF operators may experience some periods of SID-enhancements during the sunlit hours of the day. Enhancements may be rather unstable and sporadic. They should remain confined mostly to the middle and low latitudes. ** End of Alert ** ------------------------------ Date: 30 May 91 17:36:52 GMT From: cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato!vsnyder@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (Van Snyder) Subject: Re: Good for the Japanese In article <283@rins.ryukoku.ac.jp> will@rins.ryukoku.ac.jp (will) writes: > > Nick, you missed the point. The fact is that America and it's > businesses cannot be trusted any longer.... ^^^^^^^^^^ The rest of the piece was about how the President and Congress have jerked NASA, ESA and the Japanese space agency around. Where's the argument that business is at fault? I agree that business is shortsighted, but part of the reason for that is the expense of capital. There was a very nice piece in the "Analytical Economist" column in the May Scientific American about how American business has no problem with innovation, but seems unable to make an investment. One of the examples used was the fact that the flat display screens used in all the *Japanese* laptop computers use technology invented by Westinghouse and RCA in about 1970. Another example: RCA invented video cassette recorders, but couldn't build them in the US for a salable price. So they had their subsidiary, Japanese Victor Corporation (JVC) build them. My own opinion is that the current business climate is largely the fault of congress. To paraphrase another's signature line: "The people said 'balance the budget!' The president thought this meant 'soak the poor;' Congress thought this meant 'soak the rich.' What the people wanted was less spending." Actually, Nixon tried to cut spending unilaterally (remember "impounding?"). Congress got the supreme court to declare he HAD to spend ALL the money Congress had allocated. -- vsnyder@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov ames!elroy!jato!vsnyder vsnyder@jato.uucp ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 91 05:23:36 MDT From: oler <@BITNET.CC.CMU.EDU:oler@HG.ULeth.CA> (CARY OLER) Subject: MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT - 30 MAY X-St-Vmsmail-To: st%"space+@andrew.cmu.edu" -- MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT -- MAY 30, 1991 Flare Event Summary Potential Impact Assessment -------- MAJOR ENERGETIC EVENT SUMMARY Another major flare erupted from Region 6654 on 30 May. The event began at 09:35 UT, peaked at 09:41 UT and ended at 09:57 UT on 30 May. The flare was rated a class M8.2/1F event, and was located at N07E30. No significant radio bursts or sweeps were observed with this event. The structure and characteristics of Region 6654 have not changed significantly over the last several days. For this reason, major flaring is expected to continue, intermixed with lower-level M-class flares. Region 6652 (which is just west of Region 6654) could also contribute an isolated major flare and/or occassional minor M-class events. POTENTIAL TERRESTRIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Todays class M8.2/1F flare is not expected to have a terrestrial impact. Additional major flaring will become a greater threat within the next 48 to 72 hours. Polar and high latitude communicators, navigators, and satellite operators should be aware that a risk does exist for possible future proton related activity over the next week. At the present time, the risk is only minor. But as Region 6654 crosses into the western solar hemisphere, the probability for proton activity will increase. Region 6654 may be capable of spawning a proton flare sometime within the next week. ** End of Alert ** ------------------------------ Date: 31 May 91 21:48:24 GMT From: jarthur!nntp-server.caltech.edu!hamlet.caltech.edu!carl@uunet.uu.net (Lydick, Carl) Subject: Re: INFO: Clandestine Mars Observer Launch?? In article <1991May31.022927.35@bilver.uucp>, dona@bilver.uucp (Don Allen) writes... > ParaNet has received information that Richard C. Hoagland, >the noted author of The Monuments of Mars - a book detailing a >possible surface anomaly on the planet, Hoagland is noted mainly for being a zealot who's rediscovered the fact that if you take enough random data, you'll be able to find a correlation with something in it. I've been able to spot SEVERAL humanoid faces in the acoustical tile on my ceiling. >that NASA has covertly >launched the Mars observer spacecraft to speed to Mars to find >out what is going on up there. Below is a reprint of that >article. Our members are encouraged to provide any information >that would substantiate or disavow these claims. Hmmm. Maybe somebody ought to tell those people just upstairs from me who are working on the Mars Observer Camera about this? Boy will they be pissed that their payload didn't get off the ground! Oh, and without the camera, what's the Mars Observer going to observe with? >Observers reported seeing Atlantis and its satellite deployment >during mission STS-38. Some observers reported seeing both >objects illuminated by a reddish glow, which has yet to be >explained. Perhaps sunlight filtered through (or reflected off of clouds)? >On later orbits, the deployed satellite appeared to have vanished. Unless the satellite was to remain in the shuttle's orbit, this is to be expected. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carl J Lydick HEPnet/NSI: SOL1::CARL Internet: CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU ------------------------------ Date: 31 May 91 23:08:16 GMT From: csus.edu!wuarchive!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!agate!root@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu (EUVE jobs) Subject: Space Science Postdoc positions available at UC Berkeley Map the Unseen Universe The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) Project is looking for talented and enthusiastic professionals to join our team in exploring and documenting stars and galaxies as they have never been seen before. EUVE is a NASA satellite scheduled for launch in December 1991. Its four telescopes were designed and built at the Space Sciences Laboratory of the University of California, Berkeley. These high-tech instruments will scan the sky in the first-ever study of the extreme ultraviolet, a band of the spectrum that cannot be seen from Earth. Discoveries await us in this previously unexplored region of space. Among the challenges of the EUVE mission is the development of software to interpret the data gathered by the satellite. This software will be used to study the entire sky, creating a map of the locations and intensities of stars and other astronomical sources emitting EUV radiation, and to convert photon events into meaningful data for in-depth scientific study. ACADEMIC POSITIONS All of the jobs require a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Physics, or a related field. Experience in satellite or ground-based astronomical data analysis and/or research in the field of EUV astronomy are desirable. Skills should be demonstrated by an active and current publication record. POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER: Guest Observer Program Develop innovative analysis methods for scientific observations with EUVE. Collaborate with other scientists and programmers to develop custom packages in IRAF for calibrating and reducing Guest Observer data. Responsible for understanding satellite instruments and performance. Organize instruction of Guest Observers in analysis routines and assist in technical evaluation of proposals. DESIRABLE: Experience with IRAF. POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER: Data Reduction and Analysis Assist in the acquisition, reduction, and analysis of the All-Sky Survey data. Supervise data processing and assist in the production of multi-bandpass skymaps, source catalogs, time-tagged photon files and spectra. Detect new EUV sources, model skymap background, and analyze EUV spectra. REQUIRED: Demonstrated ability to carry out research in the field of EUV astronomy. All jobs are located at the Center for EUV Astrophysics on the UC Berkeley campus. To apply, send a resume and cover letter with three references to Cathie Jones, Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720. You may also send copies of resumes and cover letters by email to euvejobs@ssl.berkeley.edu. THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER ------------------------------ End of SPACE Digest V13 #663 *******************