Trajectory of 2011 MD from the general direction of the Sun. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
An asteroid designated 2011 MD will safely pass Earth in the early morning hour of June 27, 2011..
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Asteroid to come within 8,000 miles of earth on Monday - Catholic Online
In the Bruce Willis Action-Adventure science fiction film "Armageddon," the world was given 12 days in which to deal with an asteroid on a collision course with earth. The brave crew was able to fly aboard on said asteroid and blow it up with a bomb. Now, an asteroid will come precariously close to the earth - 8,000 miles - and the world was only given four days notice. Why?
The asteroid will be such a narrow miss that astronomers in the Southern Hemisphere should be able to spot the flyby with fairly modest telescopes.
The asteroid will be such a narrow miss that astronomers in the Southern Hemisphere should be able to spot the flyby with fairly modest telescopes.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Astronomer Mark Thompson says that the Near-Earth asteroid, called 2011 MD will pass so close to Earth on Monday that its orbital path will be altered by the gravitational pull of our planet.
The asteroid will be such a narrow miss that astronomers in the Southern Hemisphere should be able to spot the flyby with fairly modest telescopes.
Working from their base in New Mexico, the Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research project, or LINEAR team uses automated one-meter ground based telescopes to probe the skies for so-called near-Earth object threats. "The discovery of 2011 MD this past Wednesday goes to show that we need to get better at identifying potential asteroid threats, investing more money and time into projects like LINEAR. The more time we have, the greater chance there is of us being able to do something about it," Thompson says.
Thompson points out that near-Earth objects, or NEOs are more common than you think with around 8,000 reported. "This newly discovered interplanetary interloper is thought to measure no more than 20 meters wide, making it no real threat -- but it's a warning all the same."
Thompson theorizes that if "2011 MD did hit us, then it would more than likely break up in the atmosphere and give us an amazing display of fireballs and meteors. As it turns out, it will sail harmlessly by at a . close distance of only 7,500 miles, 32 times closer than the moon, and closer than some geosynchronous satellites.
"It will get so close to the Earth that the asteroid's trajectory will be altered by our planet's gravitational field."
"We are certain that it will miss us, but if it did enter the atmosphere, an asteroid this size would mostly burn up in a brilliant fireball, possibly scattering a few meteorites," UK asteroid expert Emily Baldwin says.
MD 2011's closest approach will occur on Monday, June 27 at 13:30 UTC somewhere over the South Atlantic Ocean. Its visibility will be severely limited, but amateur astronomers in Australia and New Zealand should be able to track 2011 MD in the night sky just before closest approach.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
NOT TOO LATE TO KNOW...
UAE's newest satellite launched successfully
The 5.9-tonne UAE satellite Yahsat Y1A will supply high definition television to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South West Asia
- By Himendra Mohan Kumar, Staff Reporter
- Published: 13:39 April 23, 2011
- Image Credit: AFP
- Ariane 5 rocket takes off from its lauch site in Kourou, in the French overseas department of Guiana. The rocket placed the United Arab Emirates satellite Yahsat Y1A into geostationary orbit.
Abu Dhabi: Yahsat, a UAE-based satellite communications company, said it had successfully launched its first satellite into orbit Saturday. The launch puts the UAE among a select group of nations that have done so.
"Yahsat's Y1A was successfully launched from the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guyana. The Ariane 5 rocket carrying the spacecraft lifted off at 1.37am Abu Dhabi time," Yahsat said in a statement.
Speaking to Gulf News from French Guyana, Jasem Mohammad Al Za'abi, chief executive officer of Yahsat said: "Technically, everything has gone great. The launch was on time. The satellite will reach the right orbit within the next nine days.
"Then we will start doing the testing to determine whether the satellite is fully functional. The testing will be done over six to eight weeks."
"The satellite will be there for 15 years. It will transmit data and voice to more than 80 countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa," said Al Za'abi.
Expanding requirements
Yahsat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company.
Yahsat has commissioned two satellites to create regionally-focused capacity to manage the expanding requirements for government, commercial and consumer satellite communication services.
"Our next satellite should go by the end of this year, or early next year," Al Za'abi added.
In the statement, Al Za'abi said the satellite's successful launch was the direct result of the unwavering vision, dedication and hard work of the UAE leadership, Mubadala, the UAE Armed Forces and the entire Yahsat team.
"As a result of this work, we have not only stepped into space, but taken a significant stride in driving economic diversification and progress with our partners across the UAE."
Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, chairman of Yahsat and chief operating officer of Mubadala development company, said in the statement: "The launch of Y1A is hugely important for Mubadala and Abu Dhabi.
Satellite communications are an integral component in establishing the world-class information and communication infrastructure that will support the continued economic diversification of the emirate.
The successful launch of Y1A is a tremendous step forward in delivering an advanced technology and communications offering based here in Abu Dhabi."
Above UAE
Over the next few days, Y1A will undertake a series of manoeuvres before arriving at its final point of operation, 52.5 degrees east, above the UAE.
After arriving in position, control of the satellite will be managed by a team of UAE-national satellite engineers located in the Yahsat control station in Al Falah, Abu Dhabi, said Yahsat.
Yahsat provides multi-purpose satellite communications services to commercial and governmental clients in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South-West Asia.
With a wide portfolio of voice, data, video and internet connectivity solutions, Yahsat satellites are designed based on market requirements and future applications.
Series of manoeuvres
Over the next few days, Y1A will undertake a series of manoeuvres before arriving at its final point of operation, 52.5 degrees east, above the UAE. After arriving in position, control of the satellite will be managed by a team of UAE-national satellite engineers based out of the Yahsat control station in Al Falah, Abu Dhabi.
Yahsat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company. Yahsat has commissioned two satellites to create regionally-focused capacity to manage the expanding requirements for government, commercial and consumer satellite communication services.
Originally scheduled for liftoff on March 30, this dual-payload mission was delayed following an interruption of the final countdown when an incorrect displacement of one of the engine's actuators was detected, Arianespace said in a statement. The launching center planned to have six liftoffs of Ariane 5 through this year.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
THE ENCHANTED ECLIPSE....
As I got excited last night to witness the total lunar eclipse and reading messages from people showing their interest to have me join them watching the event. I turn down those invitations because I need to go for living. I made a plan, I don't want to missed the opportunity to capture this special history. I bring my camera with me and prepare for watching. Few minutes before the time I was so excited to see the glowing moon and quietly observed the slow changing of moon's illumination from burning color into gray as the shadow of the earth engulfing the beauty of the glowing moon.
My mood changed. My excitement turn to sadness. I don't know why... I can't control my emotions. I asked my colleague to come with me and trying to bring back the excitement but still there's the hollow inside me. While we are taking pictures and she start telling sad stories and even the quality of pictures we took can not be perfected after many attempts.
It might be co-incidence or there is really an effect of eclipse to somebody else emotions. How about you? What did you experience? Does the moon changed your emotions orjust make no changed. After I woke up from sleep after sleepless night duty. I start to do my home work and this what i got.
Does lunar eclipse affect your behavior or health?As far as physical dangers, a lunar eclipse is safe to watch with the naked eye. Where as, a solar eclipse requires protective eyewear.
There is no medical data that eclipses have a physical effect on people. But, many believe eclipses are capable of producing psychological effects. There are beliefs that the moon can alter people’s behavior, their health, wealth or even their luck.
Many believe a good moon position will bring you fortunes such as, honor, fame, spiritual energy, financial fortune, charming personality, good health and balanced physique.
Others believe a moon in poor position could cause heart related disease, breathing trouble, coughs, colds, insomnia, stress, impatience, insecurity, indecisiveness, fear and mood swings, even leading to mental imbalance and “lunacy.”
And lastly some feel the moon’s position can help or hurt hormones, a woman's monthly cycle and fertility.
Whether you believe these theories or not, this lunar eclipse is something you might want to see for the pure nature of it
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