As the date of the possible new May Camelopardalid meteor shower looms, we wanted to offer some answers to frequently asked questions. We hope this question and answer post will be helpful as you observe the shower. Frequently Asked Questions Q: How do you pronounce the name of this meteor shower? A: Ask a different …
Resist Tubule: Commander (CDR) Swanson retrieved the Resist Tubule Measurement Experiment Unit B from inside the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) micro-gravity Incubator Unit (IU) and inserted the samples into the Clean Bench (CB) microscope for observation. Resist Tubule clarifies the mechanisms of gravity resistance. Gravity resistance is a principal gravity response in plants, and …
When the Minute 319 “pulse flow” began in March 2014, it was not clear whether the effort would be enough to reconnect the Colorado River with the Sea of Cortez. Some hydrologists thought there might be just enough water; others were less optimistic. It turns out the optimists were right, though just barely. For […]
Advanced Colloids Experiment (ACE)-M-2 Sample Mixing: Commander (CDR) Swanson mixed ACE-M-2 samples in preparation for sample analysis which will take place in the Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR) at a later date. In the ACE-M-2 investigation, a model colloidal system is used to observe the microscopic behavior of liquids and gases separating from each other, near …
Resist Tubule: Yesterday, Commander (CDR) Swanson removed the Resist Tubule samples from the +2 Celsius Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI), inserted the samples into Measurement Experiment Unit B and attached the unit inside the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) micro-gravity Incubator Unit (IU). Today, Swanson inserted more samples from the MELFI …
Step outside and take a look at the skies on the evening of May 23 into the early morning of May 24. Scientists are anticipating a new meteor shower, the May Camelopardalids. No one has seen it before, but the shower could put on a show that would rival the prolific Perseid meteor shower in …
Every month we offer a puzzling satellite image here on Earth Matters. The April 2014 puzzler is above. Your challenge is to use the comments section to tell us what the image shows, what part of the world we are looking at, when the image was acquired, and why the scene is interesting. How to answer. Your answer […]
SpaceX-3 Release: Today ISS CDR Swanson completed closeout of the Node 2 nadir vestibule, removed the final power jumpers and closed the Node 2 nadir hatch. He then depressed the vestibule and demated the Common Berthing Mechanism (CMB) bolts and latches. Using the Space Station Robotic Manipulator System (SSRMS) robotics ground controllers performed the SpaceX …
Double Cold Bag (DCB) Packing: ISS CDR Swanson and FE-1 Skvortsov packed six DCBs with conditioned science samples for return on SpaceX-3. SpaceX-3 Departure Preparations: Swanson completed the final SpaceX-3 cargo loading. He then completed the SpaceX-3 egress and vestibule closeout procedures, including installation of the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) Controller Panel Assemblies (CPAs). Finally, …
