Public: Help Name Pluto & Charon Surface Features, New U.S. Rocket

(Image Source: NASA)

             Help Pick Name of Surface Features of Pluto & Charon

On July 14, 2015, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft will fly past Pluto, snapping the first-ever high resolution pictures of that small, distant world and its largest moon, Charon. As the surface features of these two worlds are revealed – craters, rifts, valleys – they’ll need names.

You can help decide what labels will go on the images and maps coming from the flyby. In cooperation with the International Astronomical Union, the SETI Institute has launched its “Our Pluto” campaign, which is soliciting input from the public on how to name features on the surfaces of Pluto and Charon.
You can vote for your favorites from a list of names, or suggest names not on the list. The names must be associated with a set of broad themes related to mythology and the literature and history of exploration. The Internet web site also includes a simple ballot to allow young children to participate.

                                                     VOTING DEADLINE: APRIL 7

More - Link >>> http://earthsky.org/space/want-to-help-name-features-on-pluto-and-charon

More on "Our Pluto" campaign to name surface features of Pluto & Charon:
Link >>> http://www.ourpluto.org/

Vote to name surface features of Pluto & Charon ---
Full Ballot: Link >>> http://www.ourpluto.org/vote
Ballot for Children: Link >>> http://www.ourpluto.org/kids

Sources: SETI Institute, EarthSky.org .

                    Help Pick Name of New U.S. Rocket

By Stephen Clark

Eagle? Freedom? GalaxyOne? United Launch Alliance wants public input in the naming of a next-generation launcher designed to replace the historic Atlas and Delta rocket lines in the 2020s.

The top three finalists were selected from more than 400 names submitted by ULA’s 3,400 employees and space enthusiasts, the company said in a statement.

“ULA’s new rocket represents the future of space — innovative, affordable and reliable,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO. “More possibilities in space means more possibilities here on earth. This is such a critical time for space travel and exploration and we’re excited to bring all of America with us on this journey into the future.”

ULA’s new rocket — called the Next Generation Launch System for now — is scheduled for its first flight in 2019. It will replace the Atlas 5 and Delta 4 rocket families in the early 2020s.

                       VOTING DEADLINE: APRIL 6, 9:00 a.m. EDT / 13:00 UTC

More - Link >>> http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/03/23/ula-wants-you-to-help-pick-name-of-new-rocket/

More on the ULA Rocket Naming Poll: Link >>> http://www.ulalaunch.com/rocketvote.aspx

On-Line Poll:Link >>> https://www.polleverywhere.com/voteula

Voters can also text 22333 to submit a vote for their favorite name. The following key can be used to text a vote:

• ULA1 for “Eagle”
• ULA2 for “Freedom”
• ULA3 for “GalaxyOne”
• ULA4 for "Vulcan"
• ULA5 for "Zeus"

Sources: United Launch Alliance, SpaceFlightNow.com .

Want to receive SpaceWatchtower blog posts in your inbox ?
Send request to < spacewatchtower@planetarium.cc >..

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh, Project Director,
Friends of the Zeiss < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/fotz/ >
Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
SpaceWatchtower Blog: < http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/ >
Also see: South Hills Backyard Astronomers Blog: < http://shbastronomers.blogspot.com/ >
Barnestormin: Writing, Essays, Pgh. News, & More: < http://www.barnestormin.blogspot.com/ >
About the SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: < http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/ >
SPACE & SCIENCE NEWS, ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR:
< http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#news >
Twitter: < https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower >
Facebook: < http://www.facebook.com/pages/SpaceWatchtower/238017839577841?sk=wall >
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh:
  < http://www.planetarium.cc >
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago:
  < http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com >
* Astronomer, Educator, Optician John A. Brashear:
  < http://johnbrashear.tripod.com >
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries:
  < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc >
* Civil War Museum of Andrew Carnegie Free Library:
  < http://garespypost.tripod.com >
* Duquesne Incline cable-car railway, Pittsburgh:
  < http://inclinedplane.tripod.com >
* Public Transit:
  < http://andrewcarnegie2.tripod.com/transit >