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Methodology
ISRO — Indian Space Research Organisation logo.
May 22, 2019
India’s PSLV-C46 successfully launched RISAT-2B satellite from of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
PSLV-C46 lifted-off at 05:30 Hrs (IST) on May 22, 2019 from the First Launch Pad of SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. PSLV-C46 was the 72nd launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. In this mission, the ‘Core-Alone’ configuration of PSLV was flown (without the use of solid strap-on motors).
About 15 minutes and 30 seconds after lift-off, RISAT-2B was injected into an orbit of 555 km at an inclination of 37 degree to the equator.
RISAT-2B with a lift-off mass of 615 kg, is a radar imaging earth observation satellite. The satellite is intended to provide services to Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster Management domains.
For more information about Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): https://www.isro.gov.in/
Images, Video, Text, Credits: ISRO/Günter Space Page/SciNews.
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Primordial Contact Binary 2014 MU69
Image Credit: NASA, Johns Hopkins University APL, Southwest Research Institute, Roman Tkachenko
Explanation: Primordial contact binary 2014 MU69, also known as Ultima Thule, really is very red. In fact, it’s the reddest outer solar system object ever visited by a spacecraft from Earth. Its reddish hue is believed to be due to organic materials on its surface. Ruddy color and tantalizing surface details seen in this composite image are based on data from the New Horizons spacecraft recorded during the January 1 flyby of the farthest world yet explored. Embedded in the smaller lobe Thule (top), the 8 kilometer wide feature nick named Maryland crater is the largest depression known on the surface of Ultima Thule. Transmission of data collected from the flyby continues, and will go on until the late summer 2020 as New Horizons speeds deeper into the dim and distant Kuiper Belt.
∞ Source: apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap190522.html
ISS — Expedition 59 Mission patch.
May 21, 2019
The members of Expedition 59 continued work on dozens of science experiments aboard the International Space Station. Many of these experiments contribute knowledge and technology needed for sustained presence on the moon as well as future longer-term space exploration, as outlined in NASA’s Moon to Mars program.
Here are details on some of the scientific investigations conducted in the orbiting lab the week of May 13:
Protecting kidney health
Image above: NASA astronaut Christina Koch conducts research inside the Life Sciences Glovebox for the Kidney Cells investigation, which seeks better treatments for kidney-related diseases on Earth and on future long-duration space missions. Image Credit: NASA.
Serious medical conditions caused by poor kidney health, including protein in the urine (proteinuria), osteoporosis, and kidney stones, occur more often and more quickly in space. This represents a threat to astronaut health on future missions deeper into space. Kidney Cells examines how microgravity and other factors of space travel affect kidney health. Knowledge gained can contribute to better treatments to protect the health of astronauts on longer duration missions to the moon and Mars and for kidney-related conditions on Earth as well. The crew performed Kidney Cell fixation inside the Life Science Glovebox (LSG) and prepared the hardware for return.
The challenges of gardening in space
On future long-duration space missions and to maintain a sustained presence on the moon, crew members need to grow their own food. Understanding how plants respond to microgravity and demonstrating reliable vegetable production on orbit are important steps toward that goal. The crew took photos of the Veggie PONDS modules in order to examine water distribution in the units and determine why the plants do not appear to be growing as expected. The investigation uses a newly developed passive nutrient delivery system and the Veggie plant growth facility to cultivate lettuce and greens on the space station for on-orbit consumption and analysis on Earth.
Overcoming oxidative stress
Image above: Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques installs experiment containers for the Nano Antioxidants investigation, which researches innovative approaches to counteract the negative effects of long-term microgravity exposure on the musculoskeletal system. Image Credit: NASA.
The crew completed an automated run with twelve experiment containers for Nano Antioxidants. This investigation studies innovative approaches to counteract the negative effects of long-term space travel on the musculoskeletal system. This research has numerous potential applications on Earth as well, including new therapies for the elderly and people with muscle atrophy disorders and other diseases involving oxidative stress.
Examining pathogen adaptation to microgravity
Image above: NASA astronaut Nick Hague conducts operations in the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox for the Micro-14 investigation. This study evaluates changes in the yeast Candida albicans in microgravity and characterizes its virulence factors. A better understanding of microbial adaption to environmental stresses contributes to maintenance of crew member health during long-duration spaceflight. Image Credit: NASA.
Micro-14 extends previous studies on the yeast Candida albicans, seeking to define mechanisms behind its cellular adaptation to spaceflight. This investigation evaluates changes at the physiological, cellular, and molecular level and characterizes virulence factors of the yeast. A better understanding of microbial adaption to environmental stresses contributes to maintenance of crew member health during long-duration spaceflight. On Earth, C. albicans can cause severe, life-threatening illness in people with compromised immune systems. The crew used the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) to inoculate the investigation culture bag with the yeast.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
— Rodent Research-12 (RR-12) examines the effects of spaceflight on the function of antibody production and immune memory using a mouse model: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7868
— Food Acceptability examines changes in the appeal of food aboard the space station during long-duration missions. “Menu fatigue” from repeatedly consuming the limited foods available in a closed system may contribute to the loss of body mass often experienced by crew members, potentially affecting astronaut health, especially as mission length increases.: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7562
— Circadian Rhythms investigates the role of the biological clock and how it changes during long-duration spaceflight in order to help address the effects of spaceflight, including reduced physical activity and microgravity, and protect crew performance and health on future longer missions: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=869
— Genes in Space-6 evaluates the process of DNA repair in space by inducing DNA damage in cells and assessing mutation and repair at the molecular level using the miniPCR and the Biomolecule Sequencer tools aboard the ISS: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7893
— MicroAlgae studies the effects of microgravity on Haematococcus pluvialis, a tiny freshwater algae capable of producing astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that could be useful as a food supplement on long space missions: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7689
— MVP Cell-01 studies a disease called Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis, in which a traumatic joint injury may lead to arthritis after loss of cartilage and bone: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7663
Related links:
Expedition 59: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition59/index.html
Kidney Cells: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7819
Veggie PONDS: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7581
Nano Antioxidants: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7744
Micro-14: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7642
Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=341
Spot the Station: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
Space Station Research and Technology: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/index.html
International Space Station (ISS): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
Images (mentioned), Animation (mentioned), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/Jorge Sotomayor, Lead Increment Scientist Expeditions 59/60.
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ISS — Expedition 59 Mission patch.
May 21, 2019
The Expedition 59 crew is spending all day Tuesday exploring how astronauts adjust with Earth’s gravity no longer bearing down on them. Spacewalk preparations and lab maintenance are also ongoing aboard the International Space Station.
Station crewmembers and future astronauts going to the Moon in 2024 have to adjust to the lack of a sunrise/sunset cycle humans experience everyday on Earth. As a result, time perception is impacted and may affect sleep and work patterns. Astronauts Anne McClain, Nick Hague and David Saint-Jacques started the day on a study, going on since July 2017, exploring subjective changes in time that can alter physical and cognitive performance.
Image above: The full moon is pictured from the International Space Station as the orbiting complex orbited 263 miles above the South Atlantic Ocean. Image Credit: NASA.
Hague later sequenced DNA samples for a study exploring how increased exposure to space radiation impacts crew health. He used the Biomolecule Sequencer for the investigation to demonstrate DNA sequencing in space. The Genes In Space-6 experiment is researching how space radiation damages DNA and how the cell repair mechanism works in microgravity.
Immune system studies continued full speed ahead today to test the hypothesis the immune response decreases in space. Astronaut Christina Koch teamed up with McClain and Saint-Jacques throughout the day observing mice for the study. Observations may help scientists develop advanced vaccines and therapies benefiting both astronauts and Earthlings.
Image above: NASA astronaut Christina Hammock Koch posted this image of Earth taken from aboard the International Space Station. She said: «A couple times a year, theInternational Space Stationorbit happens to align over the day/night shadow line on Earth. We are continuously in sunlight, never passing into Earth’s shadow from the Sun, and the Earth below us is always in dawn or dusk. Beautiful time to cloud watch. #nofilter». Image Credit: NASA.
Commander Oleg Kononenko continues to set up a pair of Russian Orlan spacesuits and outfit the Pirs airlock as the May 29 spacewalk approaches. Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin worked on space cardiology research before switching to space plumbing and pumping urine into the Progress 71 cargo craft.
Related links:
Expedition 59: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition59/index.html
Time perception: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7504
Biomolecule Sequencer: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1917
Genes In Space-6: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7893
Immune system studies: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7868
Space cardiology research: https://www.energia.ru/en/iss/researches/human/11.html
Pirs airlock: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/pirs-docking-compartment
Moon in 2024: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/moon2mars/
Space Station Research and Technology: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/index.html
International Space Station (ISS): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
Images (mentioned), Text, Credits: NASA/Mark Garcia.
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CERN — European Organization for Nuclear Research logo.
21 May, 2019
Since yesterday, all SI base units will be defined based on natural constants, with the kilogram the last to join the ranks
Image above: The Kibble balance built by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology to measure the Planck constant with ultra-high precision (Image: METAS).
Until yesterday, a kilogram was defined as the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram (IPK), a platinum–iridium cylinder located in Paris, France. While all the other base units of the International System of Units (SI) had been redefined over the years based on fundamental constants of nature or atomic properties, the kilogram had remained since the late 19th century the only one to rely on a human-made artefact.
This changes yesterday, and metrologists – those who study measurement – are excited. On the occasion of World Metrology Day, which commemorates the signing of the Metre Convention back in 1875, the kilogram has been given a new definition. From now on, it will be defined based on the most precise measurement ever made of the Planck constant, which can be expressed in terms of the SI units kilogram, metre and second. Since the latter two units are already defined by constants of nature, the value of a kilogram can be obtained without relying on comparing it with a physical reference block.
But measuring the Planck constant to a suitably high precision of ten parts per billion required decades of work by international teams across continents, and CERN played a small part in the endeavour.
In 1975, British physicist Bryan Kibble proposed a device, then known as a watt balance and now called the Kibble balance in his honour, which would allow the Planck constant to be measured precisely based on the IPK. Once the precision was achieved, the Planck constant’s value could be fixed and the definitions inverted, removing the kilogram’s dependence on the IPK. Several Kibble balances around the world were constructed to compare measurements, including one in Switzerland. METAS, the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology, has been working on their Kibble balance project for almost two decades, the activity being led by Ali Eichenberger and Henri Baumann. Knowing CERN’s expertise in magnet systems, Eichenberger and Baumann reached out to the Laboratory to help prepare the required magnets.
“I am extremely proud to have participated in this adventure,” says Davide Tommasini from CERN’s Magnets, Superconductors and Cryostats group, who was directly involved in the project. “I do not know if the redefinition of the kilogram has a direct impact on the experiments at CERN, but the past teaches us that there are many new advancements which, at their initial moment, may not appear in their whole potential.”
In 2018, the Kibble balance in Canada measured the Planck constant with necessary ultrahigh precision, allowing a combination of measurements from around the world to help fix its value. But does it affect the value of the kilogram itself? Not really. “The Plank constant has been fixed at 6.626070150 × 10−34 kg⋅m2/s using the IPK as standard,” explains Eichenberger. “So from today, one kilogram will stay the same. If the IPK drifts further with time then its value will change, but any mass calibration will have an uncertainty of the order of 20 parts per billion.”
So while it is a momentous occasion worthy of celebration, you won’t have to recalibrate your bathroom scales just yet.
Note:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific research. Its business is fundamental physics, finding out what the Universe is made of and how it works. At CERN, the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments are used to study the basic constituents of matter — the fundamental particles. By studying what happens when these particles collide, physicists learn about the laws of Nature.
The instruments used at CERN are particle accelerators and detectors. Accelerators boost beams of particles to high energies before they are made to collide with each other or with stationary targets. Detectors observe and record the results of these collisions.
Founded in 1954, the CERN Laboratory sits astride the Franco–Swiss border near Geneva. It was one of Europe’s first joint ventures and now has 23 Member States.
Related links:
International System of Units (SI): https://www.bipm.org/en/measurement-units/
CERN’s Magnets, Superconductors and Cryostats group: http://te-dep.web.cern.ch/content/magnets-superconductors-and-cryostats-msc
For more information about European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Visit: https://home.cern/
Image (mentioned), Text, Credits: CERN/Achintya Rao.
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Protecting our body from the myriad threats of the world is a complex job. So our immune system employs cells of all shapes and sizes to stave off danger. For a long time we didn’t know how the various elements functioned or were produced, until Robert A. Good – born on this day in 1922 – did pioneering work to reveal this hidden defence system. In 1962 he showed the thymus [in the upper chest] produces much of the system, and later discovered that tonsils – previously thought to be largely redundant – are key to early immune development. He performed the first successful bone marrow transplant between people that weren’t identical twins, and prompted the discovery that two major players in the immune system are the B cells – from bone marrow – and T cells – from the thymus. In founding the field of immunology he initiated research that has saved countless lives, and revealed the immune system’s role in almost every disease we face.
Written by Anthony Lewis
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Соединение Юпитера ♃ и Сатурна ♄ 21 декабря 2020 16 : 30 по Гринвичу, 21 декабря 2020 года, состоится условное соединение Юпитера ♃ ...