TYB, again
July full moon 2024: Full Buck Moon puts on dramatic show for skywatchers around the world
July 22, 2024
July's full moon captivated skywatchers worldwide as it shone brightly over the weekend.
A full moon occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the sun. It officially reached full illumination at 6:17 a.m. EDT (1017 GMT) on July 21 but still appears relatively full for a few days around the peak.
The July full moon is also known as the Buck Moon or the Thunder Moon, the former because it coincides with the time of year when male deer antlers are in full growth and the latter because it is also when thunderstorms are common in many parts of the world.
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https://www.space.com/july-full-buck-moon-2024-photos
Goodyear blimp birthplace honored as part Ohio aviation history. Here's what that means
Updated 10:56 AM E.T. July 22, 2024
The historic Goodyear blimp has been a part of Ohio since the first iterations were manufactured for the U.S. Navy during World War I.
Now, the site the blimp calls home is being honored as part of the Buckeye State's aviation and space history.
Wingfoot Lake State Park is the latest member of the Ohio Air & Space Trail, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources recently announced.
“Ohio is the heart of aviation, and our long and distinctive heritage in aerospace will be a highlight of Ohio’s celebration for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement.
“Linking Wingfoot Lake State Park as part of the Ohio Air & Space Trail will give outdoor enthusiasts a place to learn more about Ohio’s aviation history while enjoying the park’s natural beauty.”
What is the Ohio Air & Space Trail?
The Ohio Air & Space Trail, unveiled by America 250-Ohio, pays homage to Ohio's contribution to air and space travel, aligning with the state's celebrations around America’s 250-year history in 2026.
It consists of 34 places of interest across the state that visitors can explore.
"Ohio's pivotal role in aviation and space exploration is a testament to our state's enduring spirit of innovation and discovery," ODNR Director Mary Mertz said in a statement.
"We are thrilled to see Wingfoot Lake State Park recognized as part of the Ohio Air and Space Trail, showcasing the remarkable achievements and contributions of Ohioans to the field of aerospace."
The trail will honor several famous flyers throughout Ohio, including Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, Orville and Wilbur Wright, and Ohio’s Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) who served during World War II.
Locations for the trail also include the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the International Women’s Air & Space Museum, the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, the Great Lakes Science Center/NASA Glenn Visitor Center, WACO Air Museum, and the John & Annie Glenn Museum, among others.
How long have blimps been manufactured at Wingfoot Lake?
In 1916, Goodyear purchased 720 acres in southwest Portage County, near its headquarters in Akron, to begin manufacturing its own blimps.
The 444-acre lake at the site, named Wingfoot Lake, provided the needed water for the operation. During World War I, Wingfoot Lake was instrumental for reconnaissance missions, with nine blimps built at the site for the U.S. Navy.
After the war, the Goodyear blimp fleet was used for advertising and promotional campaigns, including telecasts of college football games. In the 1960s, recreational facilities were developed on the north shore of Wingfoot Lake for Goodyear employees and corporate retreats.
However, in 2006, Goodyear closed Wingfoot Lake Park.
When did Wingfoot Lake become a state park?
The ODNR Division of Wildlife purchased 690 acres of the Wingfoot Lake property in 2009, including Wingfoot Lake.
On a clear day, visitors can spot the Goodyear blimp parked in its hangar on the lake's south shore.
In 2018, the blimp base was designated a state historic landmark, complete with an Ohio Historical Marker at the facility.
The blimp base has operated since 1917, making it the oldest airship hangar in the United States, according to a previous Beacon Journal article.
https://www.the-review.com/story/news/2024/07/22/goodyear-blimp-wingfoot-lake-ohio-air-space-trail/74472658007/
Buttigieg and so many others
Before plunging to its death, NASA's Cassini spacecraft saw secrets in the seas of Saturn's moon Titan
July 22, 2024
NASA's Cassini-Huygens spacecraft may have dramatically ended its 20-year mission to explore Saturn's neighborhood seven years ago, when it plunged to into the gas giant, but it is still delivering the scientific goods.
Using radar data collected by Cassini, astronomers from Cornell University have gathered fresh information about the liquid ocean of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, which is comprised of hydrocarbons, a class of organic chemicals made up of carbon and hydrogen.
For instance, that class includes chemicals like methane and ethane.
The team was able to analyze the composition and the "roughness" of Titan's sea, which is located near the world's north pole.
The researchers found calm seas of methane with a gentle tidal current.
Not only is this something that prior examinations of Titan's seas have failed to reveal, but it also lays down a foundation for future investigations into the solar system's ocean moons.
The Cassini data used to make these new findings was collected using "ballistic radar," which involved the spacecraft aiming a radio beam at Titan that was then reflected toward Earth.
The effect of this is the polarization of the surface reflection from Titan, which offered views from two different perspectives.
Standard radar that saw the signal reflected back to Cassini only offered a single perspective.
"The main difference is that the bistatic information is a more complete dataset and is sensitive to both the composition of the reflecting surface and to its roughness," Valerio Poggiali, team member and a Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science (CCAPS) researcher, said in a statement.
Cassini launched on Oct. 15, 1997, then took seven years to voyage to the Saturnian system.
NASA collided Cassini with Saturn in 2017 to prevent the spacecraft from ultimately slamming into one of the gas giant's 146 known moons.
The ballistic radar data used by Poggiali and colleagues was collected by Cassini during four flybys on May 17, June 18 and Oct. 24, 2014, and then again on Nov. 14, 2016.
For each of these ballistic radar datasets, the surface reflections were seen as Cassini made its closest approach to Titan, then once again as it moved away from the moon.
The researchers examined observations of three of Titan's polar seas: Kraken Mare, Ligeia Mare, and Punga Mare.
They found that the composition of the hydrocarbon seas' surface layers depended on location and latitude.
In particular, material at the surface of the southernmost portion of Kraken Mare was the most efficient at reflecting radar signals.
All three of Titan's seas seemed to be calm when Cassini observed them, with the spacecraft seeing waves of around 3.3 millimeters.
Where the hydrocarbon seas met the coast, the height of the waves climbed to just 5.2 millimeters, indicating the existence of weak tidal currents.
"We also have indications that the rivers feeding the seas are pure methane until they flow into the open liquid seas, which are more ethane-rich," Poggiali added.
"It's like on Earth when fresh-water rivers flow into and mix with the salty water of the oceans."
The team said that this discovery fits with meteorological models of the Saturnian moon, which have predicted that the rain that falls on Titan is mostly methane, with small amounts of ethane and other hydrocarbons.
Poggiali added that the team is continuing to work with data generated by Cassini during its 13 years studying Titan.
"There is a mine of data that still waits to be fully analyzed in ways that should yield more discoveries," he concluded. "This is only the first step."
The team's research was published on Tuesday (July 16) in the journal Nature Communications.
https://www.space.com/cassini-titan-methane-seas
£33 million boost for national space programme
22 July 2024
The projects, worth £33 million, come from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme – designed to invest in high-potential technologies, drive innovation and unlock growth across the UK.
Eight major projects will receive £24 million of the total amount.
These include funding for a sub-orbital rocket test by HyImpulse (Glasgow) from SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland, support for Rolls Royce (Derby) to develop micro reactors to support space exploration, and backing for Cambridge University spin-out SuperSharp to develop and launch a heat-detecting telescope to gather data that can be used to help tackle the climate crisis.
The funding will also support Lunasa (Harwell) to build and test technology to help satellites safely dock with one another, Orbit Fab (Harwell) to develop a solution for satellite refuelling, and Wayland Additive (Huddersfield) to develop an electronic propulsion system.
A project led by Spire Global (Glasgow) will further develop technology to supply unique weather forecasting data to global weather prediction centres, while ETL Systems (Hereford) will advance revolutionary ground equipment that links satellites to 5G and 6G mobile networks, improving connectivity.
DSIT Secretary of State Peter Kyle said:
From combatting climate change to staying connected with loved ones, space technologies play an important role in many aspects of our day to day lives.
But backing the growth of UK space companies is also essential for driving economic growth, boosting productivity, and creating wealth in every community.
Our £33m investment in these projects highlights the huge potential of the UK’s space industry, especially as we collaborate with international partners.
An additional 15 ‘Kick Starter’ projects will receive £9 million between them. These will support technologies and applications that are in an earlier stage of development and increase their readiness for use in commercial and scientific endeavours. The projects cover a wide range of space-related capabilities, from in-orbit servicing and manufacturing, as well as advanced material development and the use of satellite imagery.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:
These new projects will help kickstart growth, create more high-quality jobs, protect our planet and preserve the space environment for future generations. They go to the heart of what we want to achieve as a national space agency that supports cutting-edge innovation, spreads opportunity across the UK and delivers the benefits of space back to citizens on Earth.
Chair of the UKspace trade association, John Hanley, said:
This investment into the space industry demonstrates the importance of funding through a national programme to unlock innovative collaborations in all parts of the UK. We hope this will further strengthen the sector, and build upon the growth we have seen in recent years.
Project Summaries
Major Projects
SHARP (Sustainable Hybrid: Accelerated Rocket Programme): £5 million
An in-orbit demonstration of an unfolding TIR space telescope for climate change mitigation: £5 million
Space Nuclear Power Micro-Reactor Technology Development and Demonstration: £4.8 million
OHMS-Sat (Operational Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder-Satellite): £3.5 million
Electric Propulsion Innovations for Space and Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing: £2.7 million
SPITFIRE (Servicing Propellant Interface Technology For In-orbit Refuelling Effectiveness): £1.3 million
Proximus Prime: Autonomous vision-based Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) demonstration mission in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using Small Satellites: £1 million
IF Lite project - Digital IF for Satellite mobile ground terminals and antennas: £690,000
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https://www.gov.uk/government/news/33-million-boost-for-national-space-programme