Patrick, (or anyone in the know) is the Phoenix lander a single craft, or is NASA sending a pair of them to hedge their bet? I must admit that a parachute/retrorocket soft landing makes me nervous, based on past history. The airbag method seems to have a much better track record. Also I have questions on the retros possibly affecting some of the chemical/biological test results. Let's hope everyone is using the same units of measure this time, and all sensors have been installed correctly...
I was reading in Astronomy Magazine this morning about this lander. It made me even more nervous. They built this lander out of backup parts from the polar lander. The person that wrote the article stated that it will be a very nervous landing since they think that they fixed all the problems but they could have missed something. One other thing that was in the same edition of Astronomy. Two of our friends were mentioned in Glenn Chaple's column. He was talking about Chaple's Arc, which he described in detail last year. He mentioned that he had done research and had found that several people had independently discovered the same asterism. According to the article, Kim Hiatt discovered it as a ring of stars. The other side of the ring was not visible using the small telescope that Glenn used. Kim had Brent Watson look at it and Brent included the Fairy Ring in his book. He also passed on Brent's web page so that people can get his book. I always enjoy seeing someone I know recognized in the magazines. Dave -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+david.dunn=albertsons.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+david.dunn=albertsons.com@mailman.xmissio n.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 1:30 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Phoenix Mars lander Patrick, (or anyone in the know) is the Phoenix lander a single craft, or is NASA sending a pair of them to hedge their bet? I must admit that a parachute/retrorocket soft landing makes me nervous, based on past history. The airbag method seems to have a much better track record. Also I have questions on the retros possibly affecting some of the chemical/biological test results. Let's hope everyone is using the same units of measure this time, and all sensors have been installed correctly... _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Dave, thanks for mentioning the Astronomy article about the "Fairy Ring." I just saw it myself last night. If anyone noticed, Sue French in her September S&T column also mentions the asterism and gives me credit for the Fairy Ring moniker. Both Sue and Glenn did some sleuthing to track down Brent Watson who then told them that I had been calling the asterism by that name when I showed it to him 'way back in 1990 or so. I gave it my own name because I couldn't find any reference to it in any or the literature that I researched. Both Glenn and Sue contacted me - we had some enjoyable discussions via email regarding the matter. Glenn informed me that the asterism was even featured in a UK publication, using the Fairy Ring name. I was (am) flattered that each wanted to mention me in their respective articles. I've shown the asterism to many folks at star parties, and most are truly delighted. So, if I'm cited in two publications, does that give me 30 minutes of fame instead of 15? Oh, my surname is spelled with a "Y" not an "I" - the correct spelling, of course. Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Dunn, David Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 1:52 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Phoenix Mars lander I was reading in Astronomy Magazine this morning about this lander. It made me even more nervous. They built this lander out of backup parts from the polar lander. The person that wrote the article stated that it will be a very nervous landing since they think that they fixed all the problems but they could have missed something. One other thing that was in the same edition of Astronomy. Two of our friends were mentioned in Glenn Chaple's column. He was talking about Chaple's Arc, which he described in detail last year. He mentioned that he had done research and had found that several people had independently discovered the same asterism. According to the article, Kim Hiatt discovered it as a ring of stars. The other side of the ring was not visible using the small telescope that Glenn used. Kim had Brent Watson look at it and Brent included the Fairy Ring in his book. He also passed on Brent's web page so that people can get his book. I always enjoy seeing someone I know recognized in the magazines. Dave No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 8/1/2007 4:53 PM
I hope Glenn spelled your name right. It was really early and I don't have the magazine with me know. I hope I just am remembering it wrong. Dave -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+david.dunn=albertsons.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+david.dunn=albertsons.com@mailman.xmissio n.com] On Behalf Of Kim Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 2:55 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Phoenix Mars lander Dave, thanks for mentioning the Astronomy article about the "Fairy Ring." I just saw it myself last night. If anyone noticed, Sue French in her September S&T column also mentions the asterism and gives me credit for the Fairy Ring moniker. Both Sue and Glenn did some sleuthing to track down Brent Watson who then told them that I had been calling the asterism by that name when I showed it to him 'way back in 1990 or so. I gave it my own name because I couldn't find any reference to it in any or the literature that I researched. Both Glenn and Sue contacted me - we had some enjoyable discussions via email regarding the matter. Glenn informed me that the asterism was even featured in a UK publication, using the Fairy Ring name. I was (am) flattered that each wanted to mention me in their respective articles. I've shown the asterism to many folks at star parties, and most are truly delighted. So, if I'm cited in two publications, does that give me 30 minutes of fame instead of 15? Oh, my surname is spelled with a "Y" not an "I" - the correct spelling, of course. Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Dunn, David Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 1:52 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Phoenix Mars lander I was reading in Astronomy Magazine this morning about this lander. It made me even more nervous. They built this lander out of backup parts from the polar lander. The person that wrote the article stated that it will be a very nervous landing since they think that they fixed all the problems but they could have missed something. One other thing that was in the same edition of Astronomy. Two of our friends were mentioned in Glenn Chaple's column. He was talking about Chaple's Arc, which he described in detail last year. He mentioned that he had done research and had found that several people had independently discovered the same asterism. According to the article, Kim Hiatt discovered it as a ring of stars. The other side of the ring was not visible using the small telescope that Glenn used. Kim had Brent Watson look at it and Brent included the Fairy Ring in his book. He also passed on Brent's web page so that people can get his book. I always enjoy seeing someone I know recognized in the magazines. Dave No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 8/1/2007 4:53 PM _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Chapple got the spelling right. Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Dunn, David Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:00 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Phoenix Mars lander I hope Glenn spelled your name right. It was really early and I don't have the magazine with me know. I hope I just am remembering it wrong. Dave -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+david.dunn=albertsons.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+david.dunn=albertsons.com@mailman.xmissio n.com] On Behalf Of Kim Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 2:55 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Phoenix Mars lander Dave, thanks for mentioning the Astronomy article about the "Fairy Ring." I just saw it myself last night. If anyone noticed, Sue French in her September S&T column also mentions the asterism and gives me credit for the Fairy Ring moniker. Both Sue and Glenn did some sleuthing to track down Brent Watson who then told them that I had been calling the asterism by that name when I showed it to him 'way back in 1990 or so. I gave it my own name because I couldn't find any reference to it in any or the literature that I researched. Both Glenn and Sue contacted me - we had some enjoyable discussions via email regarding the matter. Glenn informed me that the asterism was even featured in a UK publication, using the Fairy Ring name. I was (am) flattered that each wanted to mention me in their respective articles. I've shown the asterism to many folks at star parties, and most are truly delighted. So, if I'm cited in two publications, does that give me 30 minutes of fame instead of 15? Oh, my surname is spelled with a "Y" not an "I" - the correct spelling, of course. Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Dunn, David Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 1:52 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Phoenix Mars lander I was reading in Astronomy Magazine this morning about this lander. It made me even more nervous. They built this lander out of backup parts from the polar lander. The person that wrote the article stated that it will be a very nervous landing since they think that they fixed all the problems but they could have missed something. One other thing that was in the same edition of Astronomy. Two of our friends were mentioned in Glenn Chaple's column. He was talking about Chaple's Arc, which he described in detail last year. He mentioned that he had done research and had found that several people had independently discovered the same asterism. According to the article, Kim Hiatt discovered it as a ring of stars. The other side of the ring was not visible using the small telescope that Glenn used. Kim had Brent Watson look at it and Brent included the Fairy Ring in his book. He also passed on Brent's web page so that people can get his book. I always enjoy seeing someone I know recognized in the magazines. Dave No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 8/1/2007 4:53 PM _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned by Cut.Net Managed Email Content Service, using Skeptic(tm) technology powered by MessageLabs. For more information on Cut.Nets Content Service, visit http://www.cut.net ______________________________________________________________________ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 8/1/2007 4:53 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 8/1/2007 4:53 PM
Kim
If its in print that would be imortal fame. Better than infamy anyway. Erik Dave, thanks for mentioning the Astronomy article about the "Fairy Ring."
I just saw it myself last night. If anyone noticed, Sue French in her September S&T column also mentions the asterism and gives me credit for the Fairy Ring moniker. Both Sue and Glenn did some sleuthing to track down Brent Watson who then told them that I had been calling the asterism by that name when I showed it to him 'way back in 1990 or so. I gave it my own name because I couldn't find any reference to it in any or the literature that I researched. Both Glenn and Sue contacted me - we had some enjoyable discussions via email regarding the matter. Glenn informed me that the asterism was even featured in a UK publication, using the Fairy Ring name. I was (am) flattered that each wanted to mention me in their respective articles. I've shown the asterism to many folks at star parties, and most are truly delighted.
So, if I'm cited in two publications, does that give me 30 minutes of fame instead of 15?
Oh, my surname is spelled with a "Y" not an "I" - the correct spelling, of course.
Kim
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Dunn, David Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 1:52 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Phoenix Mars lander
I was reading in Astronomy Magazine this morning about this lander. It made me even more nervous. They built this lander out of backup parts from the polar lander. The person that wrote the article stated that it will be a very nervous landing since they think that they fixed all the problems but they could have missed something.
One other thing that was in the same edition of Astronomy. Two of our friends were mentioned in Glenn Chaple's column. He was talking about Chaple's Arc, which he described in detail last year. He mentioned that he had done research and had found that several people had independently discovered the same asterism. According to the article, Kim Hiatt discovered it as a ring of stars. The other side of the ring was not visible using the small telescope that Glenn used. Kim had Brent Watson look at it and Brent included the Fairy Ring in his book. He also passed on Brent's web page so that people can get his book.
I always enjoy seeing someone I know recognized in the magazines.
Dave
No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 8/1/2007 4:53 PM
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
So if had 3 full articles and one letter to the editor, did I have an hour? ;o) On 8/2/07, erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
Kim
If its in print that would be imortal fame. Better than infamy anyway.
Erik
Dave, thanks for mentioning the Astronomy article about the "Fairy Ring."
So, if I'm cited in two publications, does that give me 30 minutes of fame instead of 15?
Evening, On 02 Aug 2007, at 13:30, Chuck Hards wrote:
Patrick, (or anyone in the know) is the Phoenix lander a single craft, or is NASA sending a pair of them to hedge their bet?
It's a single mission. I guess the government can't afford to "hedge their bets" anymore (at least not where NASA is concerned). Speaking of dual missions, does anyone here remember Mariner _8_ (not 9)?
The airbag method seems to have a much better track record.
That got asked about in one of my NASA training sessions. Basically the spacecraft are getting too massive to land with airbags.
Also I have questions on the retros possibly affecting some of the chemical/biological test results.
One of the mission scientists blogged about that. See here: http://foreleast.lpl.arizona.edu/blogsPost.php?bID=102
Let's hope everyone is using the same units of measure this time, and all sensors have been installed correctly...
Go metric! :)
On 8/2/07, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:
Also I have questions on the retros possibly affecting some of the chemical/biological test results.
One of the mission scientists blogged about that. See here: http://foreleast.lpl.arizona.edu/blogsPost.php?bID=102
That's pretty much what I was afraid of. I hope the ammonia issue doesn't hinder the chem/bio tests.
Let's hope everyone is using the same units of measure this time,
and all sensors have been installed correctly...
Go metric! :)
Which reminds me that I recently came-across a tape measure with dual graduations. One side was conventional inch/feet, the other was tenths of a foot! I wonder what the heck is measured in tenths of a foot? "Metric" inches, go figure. Guy, any idea? I also noted that on my new sports car, the digital speedometer and odometer are user switchable to either kilometers or miles. Makes it possible to sell the car in all metric countries driving on the right side of the road with no modifications (such as Canada). Countries driving on the left side still require a right-hand drive model- I can't imagine shiftng with my left hand. I like to flip it on metric so it seems like I"m going a LOT faster! ;o) Thanks for the info, Mr. Ambassador!
participants (5)
-
Chuck Hards -
Dunn, David -
erikhansen＠TheBlueZone.net -
Kim -
Patrick Wiggins