PLEASE NOTE:
*
CCNet 107/2001 - 15 October 2001
================================
"On the one hand, the results now published in Science fit
the
"Giant Impact" theory very well. On the other, the
virtually
identical composition of oxygen isotopes are a strong indication
that
proto-earth and Theia were formed from the same mixture of
components
and that they probably orbited the sun at very similar distances
--
like twin planets. Another explanation could be that the moon and
the earth (as it is today) both received the same proportion of
material from proto-earth and Theia. Computer simulations of the
"Giant
Impact", however, refute this hypothesis. They show that the
moon must
have been formed for the main part out of Theia's silicon-rich
outer
portions. In line with what is known today about the formation of
planets in the solar system, the collision of two bodies with
similar
orbits is not an unusual occurrence. Planets are formed in three
stages.
In the last stage, they can only grow by colliding with other
planets."
--Institut für Isotopengeologie und Mineralische
Rohstoffe, 11 October 2001
"For me, as a Czech astronomer, it is a special astronomical
opportunity to say that we are against such terrorist attacks, to
express my deep sympathy to all people who have been hit directly
or indirectly by this barbarism, and that it is necessary to
eliminate
terrorism from the world."
--Jana Ticha, Klet Observatory, Czech Republic, 12
October 2001
(1) WORLDS IN COLLISON: MOON AND EARTH FORMED OUT OF IDENTICAL
MATERIAL
Andrew Yee <ayee@nova.astro.utoronto.ca>
(2) LUNAR SOIL YIELDS EVIDENCE ABOUT SUN'S DYNAMIC WORKINGS
Andrew Yee <ayee@nova.astro.utoronto.ca>
(3) THE FUZZY FACE OF CERES
Ron Baalke <baalke@jpl.nasa.gov>
(4) METEOROID AND ORBITAL DEBRIS IMPACT ANALYSIS OF RETURNED ISS
HARDWARE
Andrew Yee <ayee@nova.astro.utoronto.ca>
(5) COSMIC TRIBUTE TO TERROR VICTIMS
From the BBC News Online, 12 October 2001
(6) NASA ADMINISTRATOR LAUNCHES "FLAGS FOR HEROES AND
FAMILIES" CAMPAIGN
From NASA News <NASANews@hq.nasa.gov>
(7) THE SPREAD OF DREAD
Christian Science Monitor, 15 October 2001
(8) LEONID LINKS
Michael Paine <mpaine@tpgi.com.au>
(9) BALONEY DETECTION
Michael Paine <mpaine@tpgi.com.au>
=============
(1) WORLDS IN COLLISON: MOON AND EARTH FORMED OUT OF IDENTICAL
MATERIAL
>From Andrew Yee <ayee@nova.astro.utoronto.ca>
Institut für Isotopengeologie und Mineralische Rohstoffe
(Institute for Isotope Geology and Mineral Resources)
Zürich, Switzerland
Contact:
Prof. Alex Halliday
Tel. +41 (0)1-632 75 25
Fax +41 (0)1-632 11 79
E-Mail halliday@erdw.ethz.ch
Dr. Uwe Wiechert
Tel. +41 (0)1-632 05 98
Fax +41 (0)1-632 11 79
E-Mail wiechert@erdw.ethz.ch
Embargoed: Thursday, 11th October 2001, 8 pm, CET
ETH Researchers Make Unexpected Discovery on the Genesis of the
Moon
Moon and Earth Formed out of Identical Material
According to the "Giant Impact" theory the moon was
formed by a
collision between a proto-earth and a smaller planet. In the
October 12
issue of Science, ETH researchers present results showing that
the
composition of the oxygen isotopes of the moon and the earth are
identical. This is a
strong indication that the proto-earth and the planet with which
it
collided were formed from an identical mixture of components and
that
they orbited the sun at similar distances.
The research group from the ETH Zurich have presented results of
their
analysis of 31 samples of various types of lunar rocks, which
were
brought back from the Apollo missions 11, 12, 15, 16 and 17.
Isotopes
are atoms of the same element but with different mass because of
differing numbers of neutrons. The oxygen isotopes O16, O17 and
O18 in
the samples were measured using laser fluorination. This
technique was
developed over the past decade and is ten times more precise than
previous methods. The oxygen isotope composition of lunar rocks
had been
measured long before but, encouraged by the availability of the
new
method, the ETH researchers decided to carry out new
measurements. They
were astounded by their results. Uwe Wiechert, senior assistant
at the
ETH Zurich and first-named author of the Science paper, explains:
"We
wanted to investigate how homogeneous the moon is and whether the
samples contained parts of the proto-earth and the planet with
which it
collided. We already knew that the earth and the moon have
a very similar isotopic composition. We never expected, however,
that
they would turn out to be identical." The composition of the
oxygen
isotopes can be used to determine the origin of the rocks within
the
solar system because the oxygen isotope compositions are not
uniformly
distributed. If two rocks have identical oxygen isotopic
composition
then the probability is great that they were formed from the same
"parent planet" or formed from the same average mixture
of solar system
debris. The characteristic composition of meteorites from Mars,
for
example, is different from that of the earth and the moon, or
from any
other bodies in the solar system. If two big bodies, such as the
earth
and the moon, have an identical oxygen isotope composition, they
formed
from an identical mixture of components and were formed at very
similar
distances to the sun.
Gigantic impact of a planet the size of Mars
The "Giant Impact" theory has been known and accepted
by scientists for
more than a decade because it provides an explanation for the low
density of the moon and the angular momentum of the earth-moon
system.
The theory states that, about 50 million years after the birth of
the
solar system, a planet of the size of Mars -- called Theia after
the
mother of the Greek moon goddess, Selene -- collided with the
proto-earth. At this time the earth was in the latter stages of
its
formation and had about 90% of the mass it has today. Due to the
enormous mass involved the collision must have been very
energetic. Most
of the mass of the earth probably melted and major portions may
have
evaporated. The debris from the collision formed a ring around
the
earth, out of which the moon was formed. Subsequently, the moon
moved
further away from the earth and slowed down the rotation of the
earth.
These processes are still on-going.
On the one hand, the results now published in Science fit the
"Giant
Impact" theory very well. On the other, the virtually
identical
composition of oxygen isotopes are a strong indication that
proto-earth
and Theia were formed from the same mixture of components and
that they
probably orbited the sun at very similar distances -- like twin
planets.
Another explanation could be that the moon and the earth (as it
is
today) both received the same proportion of material from
proto-earth
and Theia. Computer simulations of the "Giant Impact",
however, refute
this hypothesis. They show that the moon must have been formed
for the
main part out of Theia's silicon-rich outer portions. In line
with what
is known today about the formation of planets in the solar
system, the
collision of two bodies with similar orbits is not an unusual
occurrence. Planets are formed in three stages. In the last
stage, they
can only grow by colliding with other planets.
Next question: Where does the earth's water come from?
If the moon and the earth are composed of the same material, then
the
question arises as to why these two celestial bodies are so
different
today. Earth, for example, is covered for the main part with
water,
while practically no water is found on the moon -- estimates
suggest
that the
entire water content of the moon is about a third of the volume
of Lake
Zurich. A research team at the ETH is looking into the question
of the
origin of water on earth. There are a number of theories. For
example,
one hypothesis is that the water came from a body from the
asteroid
belt. Others have proposed that comets delivered water to the
Earth. Uwe
Wiechert says: "There are a number of theories on the origin
of water.
It would be exciting to examine the water recently found on the
moon and
compare it with earth's water. At present, we presume that the
water
found on the moon was formed by solar winds, but perhaps here
too, we
will find the unexpected."
Notes for Editors
For more information about the topic please check our web site
http://www.cc.ethz.ch/medieninfo
(available not before 11th October, 9
pm CET)
IMAGE CAPTION:
[ http://www.cc.ethz.ch/medieninfo/2001/img/62-Earth-Moon.jpg
(568KB)]
The moon and the earth seen from outer space: research done at
the ETH
Zurich shows that the difference between the two celestial bodies
cannot
be a result of the raw material they were formed out of. The
material
was identical. (Figure: NASA)
=============
(2) APOLLO SAMPLES REVEAL MOON'S ORIGIN
>From BBC News Online, 10 October 2001
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1593000/1593504.stm
By BBC News Online science editor Dr David Whitehouse
Measurements of lunar soil have cast new light on the origin of
the
Moon, and on processes taking place in the Sun's atmosphere.
Analysis of lunar samples returned by the Apollo astronauts
confirms
previous indications that the ratios of the different types, or
isotopes, of oxygen in the Moon's soil are similar to those of
Earth. It
is a finding that is consistent with the giant impact model for
the
Moon's formation.
A second examination has measured the amount of beryllium-10
blasted on
to the Moon by the solar wind, the stream of particles given off
by the
Sun.
Its presence in lunar soil suggests that the isotope was ejected
directly from the Sun's atmosphere and had never been in the
convective
zones located deeper inside the star, as some have suggested.
Similar composition
The giant Impact model is the most widely accepted theory for the
origin
of the Moon. It proposes that the satellite formed from debris
thrown
into space following a collision between an early-stage Earth and
a
Mars-sized object.
Thought to be a piece of the Earth
This would have happened when the Solar System was still very
young.
Recent computer simulations of the impact suggest that the Moon
would
have been formed mostly from material from the impactor.
If this was the case, then scientists are puzzled as to why the
ratios
of isotopes of oxygen for Earth and Moon rocks are almost
identical.
The best way to explain this, according to a team led by Ernst
Wiechert
of ETH Zentrium, Zurich, Switzerland, is that the impactor was
almost
identical in composition to the proto-Earth, having formed a
similar
distance from the Sun as our own planet.
Cosmic rays
Another analysis of lunar soil, also published in the journal
Science,
looks at the amount of the isotope Beryllium-10.
Beryllium-10 can be produced near the Sun's surface, where highly
energetic protons bombard the nuclei of other elements like
carbon and
oxygen. It can also be delivered to the Moon by galactic cosmic
rays.
A detailed analysis by Kunihiko Nishiizumi of the University of
California, US, suggests that there is more beryllium-10 in lunar
soil
than would be expected for cosmic ray delivery alone.
One conclusion must be, therefore, that much of the isotope has
come
from the Sun's atmosphere.
Copyright 2001, BBC
=================
(3) LUNAR SOIL YIELDS EVIDENCE ABOUT SUN'S DYNAMIC WORKINGS
>From Andrew Yee <ayee@nova.astro.utoronto.ca>
News Service
Purdue University
Writer:
Emil Venere, (765) 494-4709, venere@purdue.edu
Sources:
Marc Caffee, (765) 494-5381, mcaffee@physics.purdue.edu
Kuni Nishiizumi, (510) 643-9361, kuni@ssl.berkeley.edu
Purdue News Service:
(765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
October 11, 2001
Lunar soil yields evidence about sun's dynamic workings
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Soil collected on the moon by Purdue
University
alumnus Eugene Cernan nearly 30 years ago has helped researchers
at his
alma mater and the University of California uncover new details
about
the workings of the sun.
Physicists at UC Berkeley and Purdue analyzed lunar soil samples
for the
presence of an element deposited on the moon's surface by the
solar
winds, a stream of particles constantly being ejected from the
sun. The
analysis revealed strong evidence that materials produced in the
sun's
atmosphere do not circulate farther into the interior of the sun
before
they are ejected, as some scientists have suggested. Instead, the
materials are created in the atmosphere and then ejected directly
outward, spreading throughout the solar system in the solar wind.
The findings will be reported in the journal Science on Friday
(10/12),
in a paper written by Kuni Nishiizumi, a researcher at UC
Berkeley's
Space Sciences Laboratory, and Marc Caffee, an associate
professor of
physics at Purdue.
The lunar soil was scooped up by Apollo 17 astronauts Cernan and
Harrison Schmitt, who landed on the moon in 1972. They collected
the
largest lunar sample ever brought back to Earth -- about 249
pounds of
dirt now stored at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
"The astronauts did a spectacular job," Caffee said,
noting that robots
are still no substitute for humans in space when it comes to
completing
complex assignments.
Cernan, who was the commander of Apollo 17, was the last man to
walk on
the moon. He earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical
engineering from Purdue in 1956 and also holds an honorary
doctorate
from the university.
Nishiizumi and Caffee analyzed lunar soil for the presence of a
radioactive form of the element beryllium called beryllium-10.
Beryllium-10 is an isotope of beryllium; it contains four protons
and
six neutrons in its nucleus, unlike ordinary beryllium, which
contains
four protons and five neutrons. This radioactive, unstable form
of
beryllium decomposes in 1.6 million years, a period of time
called its
half-life. That means any beryllium-10 found in the lunar soil
must
have been deposited there long after the moon's creation, and
much of it
has come from the solar winds, Caffee said.
Beryllium-10 is produced in the sun's atmospheric layers -- the
chromosphere and corona -- and eventually spewed out, along with
numerous other constituents, in the solar wind.
"The sun is constantly shedding pieces of itself,"
Caffee said.
The Earth and other planets are shielded from the solar winds by
their
atmospheric envelopes and magnetic fields that surround some
planetary
bodies.
"The moon has no atmosphere and no magnetic field, so the
solar wind is
not kept in any way, shape or form from hitting the surface of
the
moon," he said.
The researchers extracted beryllium-10 from the lunar soil by
treating
the soil with nitric and hydrofluoric acids. Then, the precise
quantity
of beryllium-10 contained in the soil was determined by using a
piece of
equipment called an accelerator mass spectrometer.
The findings provided strong evidence that the beryllium, and
therefore
other constituents produced in the sun's atmosphere, are ejected
shortly
after they are produced in the atmosphere. Some researchers have
suggested that materials produced in the sun's atmosphere are
pulled into the sun's interior, where they circulate in
convection
currents for millions of years before making their way back to
the sun's
outer atmospheric layers.
The new findings contradict that theory, Caffee said.
Such findings will not only reveal details about the sun's
workings, but
they also will provide new insights into how the sun and the
solar
system were formed 4.5 billion years ago.
"Surprisingly, there are a lot of things we still don't know
about the
sun," Caffee said.
He and Nishiizumi are working on a new NASA mission called
Genesis, a
spacecraft launched this summer that will collect particles from
the
solar wind.
The spacecraft is expected to complete its mission within two
years and
return to Earth.
ABSTRACT
Beryllium-10 from the Sun
K. Nishiizumi and M.W. Caffee
Beryllium-10 (10Be) in excess of that expected from in situ
cosmic ray
spallation reactions is present in lunar surface soil 78481; its
presence was revealed with a sequential leaching technique. This
excess
10Be, representing only 0.7 to 1.1 percent of the total 10Be
inventory,
is associated with surface layers (<micrometer) of the mineral
grains
composing 78481. This excess 10Be and its association with
surficial
layers corresponds to (1.9 +/- 0.8) X 10^8 atoms per square
centimeter,
requiring a 10Be implantation rate of (2.9 +/- 1.2) X 10^-6 atoms
per
square centimeter per second on the surface of the Moon. The most
likely
site for the production of this excess 10Be is the Sun's
atmosphere. The
10Be is entrained into the solar wind and transported to the
lunar
surface.
==============
(4) THE FUZZY FACE OF CERES
>From Ron Baalke <baalke@jpl.nasa.gov>
=====================================================================
SKY &
TELESCOPE'S NEWS BULLETIN - OCTOBER 12, 2001
=====================================================================
For images and Web links for these items, visit http://www.skypub.com
=====================================================================
THE FUZZY FACE OF CERES
When Guiseppe Piazzi discovered Ceres on January 1, 1801, he
believed
he'd found the planet hypothesized to orbit between Mars and
Jupiter.
Although Ceres is no planet, it turned out to be the largest body
in
the asteroid belt. And now, two centuries later, astronomers
finally
have a crude idea of what its surface looks like.
Thanks to the optical prowess of the Hubble Space Telescope, a
team of
observers led by Joel W. Parker (Southwest Research Institute)
captured several images of Ceres on June 25, 1995, in ultraviolet
light (at which HST affords the best resolution). Previous
ground-based observations had resolved Ceres' disk, but only
crudely,
using adaptive optics; by contrast, Hubble's images reveal
details as
small as 50 kilometers across. Apparently the side of Ceres
recorded
by HST is rather bland, except for one dusky dark marking about
250 km
across. As Parker and his colleagues describe in the forthcoming
January 2002 issue of the Astronomical Journal, it's unclear
whether
this spot is a crater, a dark area, or something else. But they
believe it's a real feature, enough so to propose that it be
named
Piazzi.
The 5-hour HST run was not long enough to follow Ceres through an
entire 9.1-hour rotation, but the pictorial coverage suggests a
mean
diameter of 950 ± 8 km. From that, as well as previous mass
estimates,
the team determined that Ceres' mean density is roughly 2.6
g/cm^3 --
a reasonable match to the rocky, carbon-enriched composition
suggested
by the asteroid's spectrum. Ceres occupies a roughly circular
orbit
that averages 2.8 astronomical units (414 million km) from the
Sun.
[snip]
=====================================================================
Copyright 2001 Sky Publishing Corporation. S&T's Weekly News
Bulletin
and Sky at a Glance stargazing calendar are provided as a service
to
the astronomical community by the editors of SKY & TELESCOPE
magazine.
Widespread electronic distribution is encouraged as long as these
paragraphs are included. But the text of the bulletin and
calendar may
not be published in any other form without permission from Sky
Publishing (contact permissions@skypub.com
or phone 617-864-7360).
Updates of astronomical news, including active links to related
Internet resources, are available via SKY & TELESCOPE's site
on the
World Wide Web at http://www.skypub.com/.
===========
(5) METEOROID AND ORBITAL DEBRIS IMPACT ANALYSIS OF RETURNED ISS
HARDWARE
>From Andrew Yee <ayee@nova.astro.utoronto.ca>
[From July 2001 issue of ORBITAL DEBRIS QUARTERLY NEWS, NASA JSC]
Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Impact Analysis of Returned
International
Space Station Hardware
By J. Hyde, E. Christiansen, & R. Bernhard
Three hypervelocity impacts were observed on the cylinder region
of the
MPLM 1 after STS-102/5A.1. The impacts caused only superficial
damage to
the outer bumper. The most significant of the three was a 1.44 mm
diameter hole in the 0.8 mm thick aluminum bumper of the
Meteoroid
Debris Protection System (MDPS). It was determined from Scanning
Electron
Microscope (SEM) analysis that the hole was caused by orbital
debris, a
fragment of spacecraft paint approximately 0.5 mm in diameter.
The other
two impacts produced craters in the MDPS bumper. There was no
observed
damage to the MLI thermal blanket underneath or to the MPLM1
pressure
wall.
A BUMPER code analysis was performed with post-flight attitude
data to
determine the regions of the MPLM1 cylinder that were most likely
to be
hit by meteoroid and orbital debris particles in the general size
ranges
of the observed impacts. All three impacts were near the region
with the
highest risk. The analysis indicated that the bumper had a 1 in 5
chance
of being perforated during the 6 days of exposure and that
orbital
debris was most likely to cause the penetration.
Five hypervelocity impacts were detected on the aluminum housing
of an
EVA Safety Tether returned on STS-97/4A after nearly two years on
orbit.
The largest impact, a 0.83 mm diameter by 0.45 mm deep crater,
was
caused by an estimated 0.3 mm diameter orbital debris particle.
SEM
analysis of crater residue revealed an abundance of silicon,
indicating
that the impactor may have originated from a glass window or a
solar
panel. The craters did not effect the on-orbit operation of the
tether
or prevent its reuse.
Probability calculations using post-flight data indicated a 1 in
114
chance that the tether housing would be impacted by a 0.3 mm
diameter
projectile during the two-year exposure period, an impact risk of
less
than 1%.
IMAGE CAPTIONS:
[Figure 1:
http://www.orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/newsletter/v6i3/Meteoroid-Fig1.jpg
]
MPLM bumper perforation risk plot, with impact locations noted.
[Figure 2:
http://www.orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/newsletter/v6i3/Meteoroid-Fig2.jpg
]
Inspection of 21.2 cm (8.4 inch) long tether housing.
===========
(6) COSMIC TRIBUTE TO TERROR VICTIMS
>From the BBC News Online, 12 October 2001
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1596000/1596146.stm
By BBC News Online science editor Dr David Whitehouse
Astronomers have named three asteroids in honour of the victims
of the
11 September hijack attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center
and
damaged the Pentagon.
The names given are Compassion, Solidarity and Magnanimity.
They were chosen "to represent some of the most basic and
universal
human values," say officials.
According to astronomers, it is a way for the international
scientific
community to mark their sorrow and place a symbol of the best
aspects of
humanity in the sky.
'Abhorring the tragedy'
The decision to name the asteroids was made unanimously by the 13
members of the International Astronomical Union's Committee (IAU)
for
Small Body Nomenclature.
"The sentiments reflect the feelings of all the members of
the
committee, representing many different countries," Brian
Marsden, the
body's secretary, told BBC News Online.
The three asteroids were discovered by observatories on different
continents and "are intended as a positive statement
abhorring the
tragedy that occurred on a fourth," according to the IAU.
Compassion, also known as asteroid 1980 DN, was discovered in
1980, at
the Klet Observatory in the Czech Republic.
'Deep sympathy'
Its director, Jana Ticha, told us: "This minor planet,
discovered at
Klet, belongs to the main-belt asteroids, orbits the Sun once per
5.61
years and has a diameter about 7-15 kilometres (4.3-9.3
miles)."
It is about the size of Manhattan Island.
She added: "For me, as a Czech astronomer, it is a special
astronomical
opportunity to say that we are against such terrorist attacks, to
express my deep sympathy to all people who have been hit directly
or
indirectly by this barbarism, and that it is necessary to
eliminate
terrorism from the world."
Solidarity, also known as asteroid 1980 PV1, was discovered in
1980 at
the European Southern Observatory in South America.
'Justice for all'
Magnanimity, also known as asteroid 1980 TE7, was discovered by
the
Purple Mountain Observatory in 1980. The IAU's citation said:
"To honor
the magnanimity of people around the world in dealing with
terrorist
attacks like those on New York and Washington, in the hope that
terrorism will be countered with justice for all, not with
revenge."
Marsden said the IAU took care to find three asteroids that had
been
discovered and numbered consecutively and that were found by
researchers
outside the United States.
It was IAU committee member Richard West, of the European
Southern
Observatory, who proposed the idea of naming the asteroids just
three
days after the attacks. West also put forward the names - on
which the
committee has now agreed.
There are 29,074 known asteroids, of which only 8,830 have been
named.
On average, a hundred a month are given names.
Copyright 2001, BBC
============
(7) NASA ADMINISTRATOR LAUNCHES "FLAGS FOR HEROES AND
FAMILIES" CAMPAIGN
>From NASA News <NASANews@hq.nasa.gov>
Bob Jacobs/Kirsten Larson
Headquarters,
Washington
Oct. 11, 2001
(Phone: 202/358-1600/0243)
RELEASE: 01-195
NASA ADMINISTRATOR LAUNCHES "FLAGS FOR HEROES AND
FAMILIES" CAMPAIGN
In a unique extension of a tradition that dates back to the
beginning of
human space flight, NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin today
announced
that the next mission of Space Shuttle Endeavour will honor the
victims
of last month's terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and
Pennsylvania.
In announcing the "Flags for Heroes and Families"
campaign,
Administrator Goldin said thousands of American flags will be
carried
into space by Endeavor and its seven member crew and
will be distributed to the victims' families and survivors of the
September attacks.
"The 'Flags for Heroes and Families' campaign is a way for
us to honor
and show our support for the thousands of brave men and women who
have
selflessly contributed to the relief and recovery efforts,"
said
Administrator Goldin. "The American flags are a patriotic
symbol of our
strength and solidarity, and our Nation's resolve to
prevail."
As part of this NASA-sponsored effort, nearly 6,000 American
flags will
be carried into orbit aboard Endeavour. The mission, known as
STS-108,
is currently scheduled for lift-off from NASA's Kennedy Space
Center in
Florida Nov. 29.
"NASA wanted to come up with an appropriate tribute to the
people who
lost their lives in the tragic events of September 11,"
added
Administrator Goldin. "America's space program has
a long history of carrying items into space to commemorate
historic
events, acts of courage and dramatic achievements. 'Flags for
Heroes and
Families' is a natural extension of this ongoing outreach
project."
The legacy of flying American flags to space started in 1961 with
the
flight of the first American astronaut, Alan Shepard. Students
from
Cocoa Beach Elementary School in Florida purchased a flag from a
local
department store, which was later was rolled up and placed
between
cables behind Shepard's head inside his Freedom 7 Mercury
spacecraft.
The flags carried into orbit as part of the "Flags for
Heroes and
Families" effort will be returned to Earth at the end of
STS-108,
mounted on specially designed memorial certificates,
and presented to the survivors and families of the victims in New
York
and the Pentagon, and to the families of the heroes killed aboard
United
Airlines flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania.
Wednesday afternoon, Administrator Goldin presented the city of
New York
and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani with an American flag carried into
space on a
previous space shuttle flight. The Administrator announced plans
to present
new flags to each New York fire house and police precinct that
has played
a role in the rescue and recovery efforts.
"We feel 'Flags for Heroes and Families' is a fitting
tribute from our
Nation's space program to honor those affected by this American
tragedy," concluded Administrator Goldin. "The entire
NASA family has
come together with a historic display of unity on a project
designed to
comfort of all who have been touched by these horrific
events."
STS-108 will be the 12th space shuttle mission to visit the
International Space Station. Endeavour will deliver the
Expedition Four
Crew -- Commander Yuri Onufrienko of
Rosaviakosmos and American Flight Engineers Carl Walz and Dan
Bursch --
and return the Expedition Three crew home to Earth. Dominic Gorie
will
command STS-108, and Mark Kelly will serve
as pilot. Astronauts Linda Godwin and Daniel Tani are mission
specialists for this flight.
Additional information about STS-108 and the International Space
Station
is available on the Internet at:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov
============
(8) THE SPREAD OF DREAD
>From Christian Science Monitor, 15 October 2001
http://www.csmonitor.com/2001/1015/p10s1-comv.html
If a war on terrorism is really an attempt to stop people from
spreading
fear across the land, what is the role of the news media?
Journalists see a need to warn people about threats and dangers.
But at
what point does such information do more than just alert people
and
actually alarm them - perhaps even harm them?
That's a fine line too easily crossed, one that needs to be drawn
ever
so carefully. A whole new way of thinking may be required of the
media
during this conflict.
In recent conventional wars, the US knew where the enemy was -
not on
American soil. The first rule for journalists was not to
jeopardize US
soldiers by releasing war secrets. But with terrorists hiding
among the
population with the sole purpose to evoke fear, journalists are
much
more involved - like it or not. They can either prepare people,
or panic
them.
Even the media itself can be a target of terrorism, specifically
a
bioterror attack with anthrax, as happened last week to NBC News
and
American Media Inc.
And TV news shows are complying with a Bush administration
request not
to air video statements from Al Qaeda terrorists that promise new
attacks on Americans. Such measures not only help prevent such
videos
from being used to send signals to hidden terrorists, but also
show
journalists can take responsibility for the effects of
information on
people's emotions.
Much of the media is also offering solutions to potential threats
as
well as just reporting them.
Reason and accurate information are the best antidote to fear and
to
regaining a sense of security. Both government leaders and
journalists
need to be on high alert against doing the terrorists' dirty work
for
them.
Copyright 2001, Christian Science Monitor
============================
* LETTERS TO THE MODERATOR *
============================
(9) LEONID LINKS
>From Michael Paine <mpaine@tpgi.com.au>
Dear Benny
I have created a new web page to cover the forthcoming Leonids
meteor
shower:
http://www4.tpg.com.au/users/tps-seti/leonids.html
Suggestions for extra links and news items are welcome.
Australians
should be ideally located for viewing the predicted peak of the
shower
before dawn on 19th November. I have to take a flight from Sydney
to
Melbourne later that day to attend a conference. Although (I
understand)
there is virtually no direct risk to aircraft there is an
increased risk
of damage to GPS and communications satellites. I am therefore
leaving
my departure at late as possible to let things settle down!
regards
Michael Paine
==============
(10) BALONEY DETECTION
>From Michael Paine <mpaine@tpgi.com.au>
Dear Benny
The November issue of Scientific American has an excellent
article on
baloney detection:
http://www.sciam.com/2001/1101issue/1101skeptic.html
See also Carl Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit:
http://www4.tpg.com.au/users/tps-seti/baloney.html
regards
Michael Paine
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