Map-a-Planet, Discovery of Sirius B, First space sandwich

[Nostromics Newsletter]

Nostromics Newsletter

Nostromics science gifts product news, educational resources & science tidbits

Nostromics Newsletter, 23 March 2011 - You are welcome to share this mail, see newsletter back issues

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Map-a-Planet

Map-a-Planet is an online mapping interface for viewing images of Solar System objects taken by scientific spacecrafts. It lets you explore images of planets and moons and download customized maps. Map-a-Planet is developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Program.

Visit the site and click the planet or moon you are interested in. You are then shown a list of image sets taken by different imaging systems and spacecrafts. Click one to show a map of the planet or moon based on the selected images. The "Navigation Toolbar" lets you zoom in or out ("+" and "-" magnifying glass icons) or move around (arrow icons). Click the "Image" link at the bottom right of the map next to "View and Save:" to view and download the currently displayed map.

The discovery of Sirius B

The first member of a new important class of astrophysical objects, white dwarf Sirius B, was discovered by chance. On January 31, 1862 American telescope maker Alvan Clark first saw Sirius B while observing star Sirius for testing the 47 cm lens he was making for the Dearborn Observatory refracting telescope, then the largest in the world. Clarke observed Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, because he needed a bright, point-like light source for optical testing. A white dwarf is a small, dense star originating from the final evolutionary state of stars like the Sun.

Our Sirius Names White T-Shirt is inspired by star Sirius in the constellation Canis Major. See also Sirius Names apparel in the Astronomy section of Nostromics Store and our Canis Major gifts. More science gifts and products at Nostromics Store.

The first space sandwich

46 years ago today, on March 23, 1965, the Gemini 3 manned NASA space mission tested the new Gemini spacecraft in its maiden successful flight. But the mission will also be remembered for a prank pulled by the crew, astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young.

Young managed to snuck on board a contraband corned beef sandwich reportedly purchased at Wolfie's Restaurant in Cocoa Beach. Young and Grissom each took a few bites during the mission, but the sandwich soon had to be stowed back because crumbs were floating all over the capsule in the zero-g environment of space. The crew was reprimanded by NASA, which took steps to forbid such stunts in future missions.

-- Paolo Amoroso & Mauro Arpino (Nostromics), science educators - Milan, Italy

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Copyright (C) 2011 by Paolo Amoroso and Mauro Arpino