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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on December 07, 2009, 00:49

Title: NASA to launch sky-mapping spacecraft
Post by: sam on December 07, 2009, 00:49
http://www.physorg.com/news179331745.html

Quote
NASA's latest space telescope will scan the sky in search of never-before-seen asteroids, comets, stars and galaxies, with one of its main tasks to catalog objects posing a danger to Earth. The sky-mapping WISE, or Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer, is scheduled to launch no earlier than before dawn Friday from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the central California coast aboard a Delta 2 rocket.
Title: Re: NASA to launch sky-mapping spacecraft
Post by: Simon on December 07, 2009, 01:02
We can sleep soundly in our beds again, in the knowledge that we will be told when the planet is about to be destroyed.  :)
Title: Re: NASA to launch sky-mapping spacecraft
Post by: sam on December 07, 2009, 02:33
Quote from: Simon on December 07, 2009, 01:02
We can sleep soundly in our beds again, in the knowledge that we will be told when the planet is about to be destroyed.  :)

:-D

That's one thing Arecibo does - its quite cool as they fire off radar pulses to asteroids to figure out stuff about them. Just don't be a bird in the 2deg beam at that time - trust me instant cooked bird. Quite scary really.
Title: Re: NASA to launch sky-mapping spacecraft
Post by: Clive on December 07, 2009, 07:51
Three cheers for WISE.   :D
Title: Re: NASA to launch sky-mapping spacecraft
Post by: Rik on December 07, 2009, 08:12
Quote from: sam on December 07, 2009, 02:33
That's one thing Arecibo does - its quite cool as they fire off radar pulses to asteroids to figure out stuff about them. Just don't be a bird in the 2deg beam at that time - trust me instant cooked bird. Quite scary really.

The death ray has arrived... ;)
Title: Re: NASA to launch sky-mapping spacecraft
Post by: sam on December 07, 2009, 14:17
Quote from: Rik on December 07, 2009, 08:12
The death ray has arrived... ;)

will just look at the one feed.. (I think Star Wars copied it): http://www.flickr.com/photos/starrydude/4129840405/in/set-72157622834417708/