U.S. Space Program: Views of Presidential Candidates

This NASA photograph shows Pittsburgh native James Irwin, the eighth man to walk on
the Moon, placing Moon rocks in the electric Lunar Roving Vehicle, during the Apollo 15
mission in July of 1971. More information on James Irwin:
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/bio/Pghastronauts.html#irwin

By Glenn A. Walsh

Reporting for SpaceWatchtower

Well, during this year's U.S. Presidential campaign there has been a great deal of discussion about many things, and occasionally even some discussion of public policy! However, there has been very little public discussion of space exploration policy.

The following are brief summaries of the views of the major political candidates for the U.S. Presidency regarding NASA and space exploration. The most recent information found is provided here.

Where available, links to Internet web sites with further information are provided at the end of this blog-post.

Nominee of the Democratic Party: Hillary Rodham Clinton - Former U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Senator (D-New York) ---

Written response to questions posed by SpaceNewsMag.com - 2016 October 10:

"If elected, I will support NASA’s efforts to drive innovation and advance the technology that expands our understanding of the Earth, the solar system and the universe, and provides global leadership that enables humanity to explore beyond our home planet. NASA’s missions must both bring scientific, economic and educational value to our country and capture our imaginations."

"Since the success of Apollo, NASA has not focused on a singular goal,  but has involved instead to serve a wide range of national functions. We must increase investments in science, technology and infrastructure, in STEM education, and in public outreach to ensure that NASA continues to capture our imaginations, contribute to our economy, and drive human understanding forward."

"I have always been an enthusiastic supporter of human space flight. My administration will continue to invest in this worthwhile endeavor. Mars is a consensus horizon goal, though to send humans safely, we still need to advance the technologies required to mitigate the effects of long-duration, deep-space flight."

Nominee of the Republican Party: Donald J. Trump - Businessman and real estate tycoon ---

Written response to questions posed by SpaceNewsMag.com - 2016 October 10:

"My administration will examine spending priorities and will make adjustments as necessary. However, as a businessman, I am mindful of the many benefits, inventions and scientific breakthroughs that would not have been possible without the space program, and that has to be thrown into the calculus, as well."

"Our civilian space program should reflect the scientific priorities and aspirations of our society. Congress will be a full partner in shaping those priorities as the people’s representatives."
On the Mars goal for human spaceflight: "After taking office, we will have a comprehensive review of our plans for space, and will work with Congress to set both priorities and mission."

Nominee of the Libertarian Party: Gary Johnson - Former New Mexico Governor ---

For questions posed by ScienceDebate.org (released September 21), Gary Johnson responded:

Private corporations are increasingly interested in space travel, and the private sector has access to far more resources than the public, so we welcome private participation and even dominance in space exploration.

According to a June 17 post on the Internet Web Site, aplus.com:

In order to decrease the federal budget, Johnson said he would cut NASA spending by 43 percent. He hopes that private companies would be able to make up for that difference. 

On September 25 on the ABC-TV News program, This Week, Gary Johnson said:

“We do have to inhabit other planets. The future of the human race is space exploration.” He made this statement to program host George Stephanopoulos, in response to a question regarding how to address Climate Change.

Former Governor Johnson has been derided for a 2011 comment about Climate Change, which he now says was simply a joke, that “in billions of years the sun is going to actually grow and encompass the earth.” Although scientists do think this may be one possible long-term fate of our planet, it certainly is not an answer to Climate Change problems of today.

Nominee of the Green Party: Jill Stein – Physician ---

For questions posed by ScienceDebate.org (released September 13), Jill Stein responded:

We recognize the inspiration provided by space exploration and so we support:

1. the peaceful exploration of space

2. space-based systems to monitor environmental conditions on Earth

3. measures to ensure that space technology benefits all the people of Earth

Space exploration and science are international scientific endeavours requiring cooperation between many nations and peoples across borders. The peaceful exploration of space provides inspiration, education, and valuable scientific knowledge. Cooperation on space science and exploration is a promising path to peace. The US has an opportunity to continue leading in space science while ending space militarization. The US can lead international collaboration in space science and exploration without privatizing outer space or turning over space science and exploration efforts to corporations.

Climate science, including the study of other planets in our solar system and beyond, is essential for understanding how to address climate change on Earth. Space science, exploration, and Earth observation provide tools, technologies, and science to help address not only climate change but flooding, drought, storms, famine, and other crises. By focusing US space efforts away from corporate and military interests, we can work to create peace here on Earth and in space, prevent the deployment of space weapons and instead focus on technologies to solve problems on Earth, not create new ones.

Here are steps we will take to advance space exploration and science:

- Funding STEM education and forgiving student debt of STEM scholars so they can focus on science and research.

- signing of the International Treaty for the Demilitarization of Space.

- Ensuring scientists, not corporate or military interests, are driving the space exploration and science agenda

- Ensure funding of pure research, for the benefit of all humanity and our planet.

- Work closely with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) on ensuring the peaceful exploration of space.

From a Wikipedia article on Jill Stein and her political positions:

In 2012 (when Jill Stein also ran for the U.S. Presidency on the Green Party ticket), Vote Smart reported that Stein wanted to "slightly decrease" spending on space exploration. She favored maintaining current levels of spending on scientific and medical research. In 2016, Stein said NASA funding should be increased, arguing that by halving the military budget, more money could be directed towards "exploring space instead of destroying planet Earth."

Independent Candidate Evan McMullin - Former Republican Policy Director & Intelligence Officer ---

Very little is known about Evan McMullin's position on the Space Program. According to the Internet Web Site, ISideWith.com, when asked, “Should the government fund space travel?”, Mr. McMullin's response was simply, “Yes.”

Internet Links to Additional Information ---

Science Debate Science Questions to Presidential Candidates:
Link >>> http://sciencedebate.org/20answers

Space Policy Questions to Presidential Candidates ---

 "Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump weigh in on U.S. space policy."
SpaceNews Magazine 2016 Oct. 10.
Link >>> http://www.spacenewsmag.com/feature/u-s-election-2016-hillary-clinton-and-donald-trump-weigh-in-on-u-s-space-policy/

Former U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Nominee):
Link (Planetary Society)  >>> http://www.planetary.org/get-involved/be-a-space-advocate/election2016/clinton.html

Businessman and real estate tycoon Donald J. Trump (Republican Party Nominee):
Link (Planetary Society) >>> http://www.planetary.org/get-involved/be-a-space-advocate/election2016/trump.html

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party Nominee):
Link (SpaceRef.com) >>> http://nasawatch.com/archives/2016/09/gary-johnsons-s.html

Physician Dr. Jill Stein (Green Party Nominee):
Link (ISideWith.com) >>> https://www.isidewith.com/candidate-guide/jill-stein/science/space-exploration-2

Former Republican Policy Director & Intelligence Officer Evan McMullin (Independent Candidate):
Link (ISideWith.com) >>> https://www.isidewith.com/candidate-guide/evan-mcmullin/science/space-exploration-2

Related Blog Post ---

"U.S. Presidential Candidates Answer Science Questions." 2016 Sept. 18.

Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/09/us-presidential-candidates-answer.html

Source: Glenn A. Walsh Reporting for SpaceWatchtower, a project of Friends of the Zeiss.

             2016 Nov. 6.


                                                               
        2016: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory
     Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/01/astronomical-calendar-2016-january.html

                             Like This Post? - Please Share!

            More Astronomy & Science News - SpaceWatchtower Twitter Feed:
            Link >>> https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower

        Astronomy & Science Links: Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks

                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/ >
& SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: < http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/ >
Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Astronomy Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#astrolinks >
Science Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks >
SpaceWatchtower Twitter News Feed: < https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower >
SpaceWatchtower Blog: < http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/ >
LibraryWatchtower Blog: < http://librarywatchtower.blogspot.com >
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Blog: < http://shbastronomers.blogspot.com/ >
Barnestormin Blog: Writing, Essays, Pgh. News, etc.: < http://www.barnestormin.blogspot.com/ >
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 >

Astronomical Calendar: 2016 November

2016 November 19: 75th Anniversary of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory


The People's Observatory (shown in photograph) of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center:
10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope - 1941 November 19 to 1991 August 31

Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory at The Carnegie Science Center:
16-inch Meade LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope - 1991 October 5 to Present 

 

2016 November 19 marks the 75th anniversary of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory. This photograph, from the late 1970s, shows former Buhl Planetarium Director Paul Oles looking through the historic 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope. When observing the Sun, the solar image would be projected from the telescope onto a large projection screen (not shown in this photograph).

 

More information on The People's Observatory: Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/
(Image Source: Francis G. Graham, Professor Emeritus of Physics, Kent State University)

 

Astronomical Calendar for 2016 November: 
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium4.tripod.com/astrocalendar/2016.html#nov

Source: Friends of the Zeiss.
             2016 November 1.


                                                               
        2016: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory
     Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/01/astronomical-calendar-2016-january.html

                             Like This Post? - Please Share!

            More Astronomy & Science News - SpaceWatchtower Twitter Feed:
            Link >>> https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower

        Astronomy & Science Links: Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks

                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/ >
& SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: < http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/ >
Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Astronomy Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#astrolinks >
Science Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks >
SpaceWatchtower Twitter News Feed: < https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower >
SpaceWatchtower Blog: < http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/ >
LibraryWatchtower Blog: < http://librarywatchtower.blogspot.com >
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Blog: < http://shbastronomers.blogspot.com/ >
Barnestormin Blog: Writing, Essays, Pgh. News, etc.: < http://www.barnestormin.blogspot.com/ >
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 >

Undiscovered 'Planet Nine' May Be Cause of Tilt of Our Solar System

The hypothesized existence of a large "Planet Nine" is expected to be 2-to-4 times the diameter of the Earth, similar to the ice giants of the Outer Solar System such as Neptune.
(Image Sources: Wikipedia.org , By PlanetUser - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50527705 )

By Glenn A. Walsh

Reporting for SpaceWatchtower

Although all eight planets seem to orbit the Sun in a common plane of our Solar System, a long-standing astronomical puzzle has been why the Sun seems tilted 6 degrees from that common plane. Now, scientists hypothesize that the Sun is not tilted away from the plane of the Solar System, but the plane of the Solar System is tilting away from the Sun. And, the cause may be a gravitational effect from the yet-to-be found “Planet Nine.”

For centuries, scientists have speculated that one or more planets exist further out in the Solar System from the 6 planets (including the Earth) known since antiquity. The search for additional planets resulted in the discovery of Uranus (1781), Neptune (1846), Pluto (1930), and, more recently, several Kuiper Belt asteroids. About a decade ago, Pluto was reclassified as a Dwarf Planet, due to its similarities to other objects in the Kuiper Belt.

However, astronomers have continued to propose that one or more large planets, at extreme distances from our Sun, may still exist. More recently, in 2014, the existence of a Planet Nine has been inferred from similarities in the orbits of two Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs: Sedna and 2012 VP) by astronomers Chad Trujillo of the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii and Scott S. Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution of Washington.

On January 20, California Institute of Technology (Cal-Tech) researchers Konstantin Balygin and Michael E. Brown used computer simulations and mathematical modeling to propose that a massive planetary body exists beyond the orbit of Neptune. Based on these calculations, they suggest that the orbit of Planet Nine could be tilted as much as 30 degrees away from the plane of the Solar System. And of course, what could have caused such a large tilt in the orbit of Planet Nine is another great mystery.

Cal-Tech graduate student Elizabeth Bailey led a follow-up study which looked at the age-old question: Why is the Solar System tilted from the Sun? “Because Planet Nine is so massive and has an orbit tilted compared to the other planets, the Solar System has no choice but to slowly twist out of alignment,” said Ms. Bailey.

This-past Wednesday (October 19), during a joint meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Division of Planetary Sciences and the European Planetary Science Congress in Pasadena, California, Dr. Brown suggested that such a massive body, as the hypothesized Planet Nine, could actually “tilt the Solar System.”

This proposed Planet Nine would likely have 2-to-4 times the diameter of, and 10 times the mass of, the Earth; it could be as large as Neptune. At its aphelion, or farthest point from the Sun, it could be as far as 155 billion miles / 249 billion kilometers away from the Sun (20 times further from the Sun than Neptune); the planet's perihelion, or closest point to the Sun, could be 19 billion miles / 30 billion kilometers. At aphelion, only our largest telescopes might have a chance of finding it. However, if it is closer (as a planet is only at aphelion once during its orbital period), smaller telescopes might have a chance to see it. It is estimated that Planet Nine may take around 17,117 years to make one orbit around the Sun!

In explaining how Planet Nine's gravity could affect the orbits of the other planets of the Solar System, Dr. Brown said at the October 19 meeting, “It’s so far away that it essentially gets this huge lever arm on the Solar System, and it slowly tilts the planets in its direction.”

“It’s really hard for me to think that the Solar System could be doing all that it’s doing without there being a massive planet out there,” he added.

Dr. Renu Malhotra, a University of Arizona planetary scientist, agrees with the Cal-Tech findings. She cited four objects, deep in the Kuiper Belt which have a synchronized orbital pattern, which may be affected by Planet Nine. In fact, she says that the only way these four objects could orbit in such a pattern is if “they are in resonance with an unseen massive planet.”

The search is now on for Planet Nine. With several large telescopes looking for the massive planet, Dr. Brown believes, “By the end of next winter, there will be enough people looking at it that I think somebody will track this down.” He certainly thinks it will be found within three years.

Once found, Dr. Brown thinks that a space probe would take about 20 years to reach Planet Nine, if the probe was sent on a powered, sling-shot fly-by around the Sun.

Internet Links to Additional Information ---

2016 October 21 Radio Interview (5:23) on "Science Friday" with Caltech researcher Konstantin Batygin Regarding Planet Nine:
Link >>> http://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/it-was-totally-planet-nine/

Planet Nine: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_Nine

Trans-Neptunian Object (TNO): Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Neptunian_object

Kuiper Belt: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuiper_belt

Oort Cloud: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oort_cloud

Powered, Sling-shot Fly-by: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberth_effect

Related Blog Post ---

"Another Odd Object Found Beyond Neptune!" 2016 Aug. 16.

Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/08/another-odd-object-found-beyond-neptune.html

Source: Glenn A. Walsh Reporting for SpaceWatchtower, a project of Friends of the Zeiss.

             2016 Oct. 22.


                                                               
        2016: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory
     Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/01/astronomical-calendar-2016-january.html

                             Like This Post? - Please Share!

            More Astronomy & Science News - SpaceWatchtower Twitter Feed:
            Link >>> https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower

        Astronomy & Science Links: Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks

                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/ >
& SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: < http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/ >
Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Astronomy Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#astrolinks >
Science Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks >
SpaceWatchtower Twitter News Feed: < https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower >
SpaceWatchtower Blog: < http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/ >
LibraryWatchtower Blog: < http://librarywatchtower.blogspot.com >
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Blog: < http://shbastronomers.blogspot.com/ >
Barnestormin Blog: Writing, Essays, Pgh. News, etc.: < http://www.barnestormin.blogspot.com/ >
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 >

White House Science Frontiers Conference & Astronomy Night in Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh's historic Allegheny Observatory, location of the
eighth annual White House Astronomy Night. (Image Source: Friends of the Zeiss)

By Glenn A. Walsh

Reporting for SpaceWatchtower

The first U.S. White House Science Frontiers Conference, co-hosted by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, occurred Thursday (October 13) on the two university campuses in Pittsburgh. This included the annual White House Astronomy Night at the University of Pittsburgh's historic Allegheny Observatory.

The one-day conference, attended by President Barack Obama, explored several scientific frontiers including health care innovation, precision medicine, artificial intelligence, data science, automation, robotics, and the tools to accelerate a clean energy revolution.

Another important scientific topic included in the Conference, which may be the President's favorite, is space exploration. Just on Tuesday (October 11), in a CNN.com Op-Ed commentary, the President strongly endorsed a mission to send American astronauts to explore the Planet Mars.

In the commentary he wrote, “The next step is to reach beyond the bounds of Earth's orbit. I'm excited to announce that we are working with our commercial partners to build new habitats that can sustain and transport astronauts on long-duration missions in deep space. These missions will teach us how humans can live far from Earth -- something we'll need for the long journey to Mars.”

An admitted science nerd, the President issued an “Impact Report” on 100 examples of putting science in its rightful place, on June 21, the first full day of Summer. He addressed the Conference saying, "I confess. I'm a science geek. I'm a nerd. I don't make any apologies for it. It's cool stuff."

The President toured a hall of science exhibits at the University of Pittsburgh. Then he went to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), a half-mile away, where he spoke to the Conference and then joined a panel discussion on medical innovations.

While at the Conference, President Obama used the controls of a spaceship simulator, simulating a successful docking with the International Space Station. He also inspected a model of the SpaceX Dragon space capsule and launched an autonomous drone, used to inspect bridges and other hard-to-get-to places. And, the President fist-bumped a robotic hand, controlled by the mind of quadriplegic Nathan Copeland, a 30-year-old from suburban Fayette County who broke his neck at age 18 during an automobile crash.

Also at CMU, the President and Stephen Colbert recorded a skit, which will air on Mr. Colbert's “Late Show” on CBS-TV Monday night (October 17) at 11:35 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDT) / Tuesday (October 18) at 3:35 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Later on Thursday evening, the annual White House Astronomy Night was hosted at Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory, the first time the eight-year event has been held outside of Washington DC. A limited number of tickets were available to the public (via a special Internet web site) for two one-hour Observatory tours (at 7:15 and at 8:30 p.m. EDT / at 23:15 UTC and Friday at 0:30 UTC), which included seeing two historic telescopes: 30-inch Thaw Refractor Telescope and 13-inch Fitz-Clark Refractor Telescope.

For people who could not attend one of the tours, there were about 20 portable telescopes, staffed by amateur astronomers, available for public viewing in front of the Observatory in Riverview Park. Nearby there was also a tent with professional astronomers and displays, where the public could ask questions on current topics regarding astronomy and the space sciences. Refreshments were also provided.

Internet Links to Additional Information ---

The White House Frontiers Conference: Link >>> http://www.frontiersconference.org/

White House Astronomy Night:Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Astronomy_Night

Aupperlee, Aaron. "Obama embraces his inner 'science geek' at Pitt, Carnegie Mellon campuses."
Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2016 Oct. 13.
Link >>> http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/11302479-74/obama-president-pittsburgh

Obama, Barack. "Barack Obama: America will take the giant leap to Mars." Op-Ed Commentary.
CNN.com 2016 October 11.
Link >>> http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/11/opinions/america-will-take-giant-leap-to-mars-barack-obama/index.html

White House: 100 Examples of Putting Science in its Rightful Place:
Link >>> https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/06/21/100-examples-putting-science-its-rightful-place

Related Blog Post ---

"Centennial: New Allegheny Observatory Dedication." 2012 Aug. 28.

Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2012/08/centennial-new-allegheny-observatory.html

Source: Glenn A. Walsh Reporting for SpaceWatchtower, a project of Friends of the Zeiss.

             2016 Oct. 14.


                                                               
        2016: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory
     Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/01/astronomical-calendar-2016-january.html

                             Like This Post? - Please Share!

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/ >
& SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: < http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/ >
Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Astronomy Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#astrolinks >
Science Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks >
SpaceWatchtower Twitter News Feed: < https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower >
SpaceWatchtower Blog: < http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/ >
LibraryWatchtower Blog: < http://librarywatchtower.blogspot.com >
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Blog: < http://shbastronomers.blogspot.com/ >
Barnestormin Blog: Writing, Essays, Pgh. News, etc.: < http://www.barnestormin.blogspot.com/ >
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 >

Advanced Interplanetary Laser Altimeter to Map Surface of Mercury

The BepiColombo Laser Altimeter which will help map the surface of Mercury.
(Image Source: University of Bern / Ramon Lehmann)

By Glenn A. Walsh

Reporting for SpaceWatchtower

To truly map the surface of Mercury, you need a Laser Altimeter to add the third dimension, to the two dimensions of photography. An advanced Laser Altimeter, to be launched to Mercury on an European space probe in 2018, has just been delivered to the European Space Agency (ESA).

Known as the BepiColombo Laser Altimeter (BELA), it is for a joint European / Japanese space mission to Mercury called BepiColombo. It is the first space-bound laser altimeter built in Europe, developed by a Swiss-German-Spanish team led by the University of Bern.

The BELA will add to the information gathered a few years ago by the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) on-board NASA's Mercury Messenger space probe. As the first spacecraft to enter Mercury orbit in 2011, at the end of its mission it de-orbited and impacted Mercury last year.

The BepiColombo mission is scheduled to launch in April of 2018 and is expected enter orbit around Mercury in 2024.

The close proximity of Mercury to the Sun made it more difficult to construct a laser altimeter that is reliable. Temperatures on the surface of a satellite orbiting Mercury can reach as high as +290 degrees Fahrenheit / +200 degrees Celsius. Hence, a sophisticated detection system must be included that can handle such high temperatures, because the returning laser pulse from the planet will consist of only a few hundred photons.

The huge power consumption of the laser, in a very short time, was the largest technical hurdle they had to resolve. Such huge power produces noise on the electrical signals. They had to develop new technical solutions, exceeding the requirements normally used for space instruments for grounding the electronics.

The interest in the Planet Mercury, by the University of Bern, is inspired by Albert Einstein, who was appointed as a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University in 1909. Dr. Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, which observed its centennial last year, demonstrated the true reason for the wobble in Mercury's orbit, making an unseen Planet Vulcan tugging on Mercury unnecessary.

Internet Links to Additional Information ---

"Bern-made laser altimeter taking off to Mercury.":
Link >>> http://www.unibe.ch/news/media_news/media_relations_e/media_releases/2016_e/media_releases_2016/bern_made_laser_altimeter_taking_off_to_mercury/index_eng.html

BepiColombo Space Mission: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BepiColombo

Mercury Messenger Space Mission: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MESSENGER

Related Blog Post ---

"Centennial: Einstein's General Theory of Relativity." 2015 Nov. 25.

Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2015/11/centennial-einsteins-general-theory-of.html

Source: Glenn A. Walsh Reporting for SpaceWatchtower, a project of Friends of the Zeiss.

             2016 Oct. 7.


                                                               
        2016: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory
     Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/01/astronomical-calendar-2016-january.html

                             Like This Post? - Please Share!

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Send request to < spacewatchtower@planetarium.cc >.

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh, Project Director, Friends of the Zeiss: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/fotz/ >
& SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: < http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/ >
Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Astronomy Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#astrolinks >
Science Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks >
SpaceWatchtower Twitter News Feed: < https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower >
SpaceWatchtower Blog: < http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/ >
LibraryWatchtower Blog: < http://librarywatchtower.blogspot.com >
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Blog: < http://shbastronomers.blogspot.com/ >
Barnestormin Blog: Writing, Essays, Pgh. News, etc.: < http://www.barnestormin.blogspot.com/ >
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 >

Proposed Carnegie Science Center Addition Omits Historic Telescope

Pictured is the 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope in operation at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center) in the 1980s. While the telescope tube is permanently mounted on a concrete pier (telescope tube does not move, except for the movements of the Earth), a flat first-surface mirror (which does move by an electric motor, with a clock-drive mechanism), behind the telescope, reflects images of the sky into the telescope. And, while the telescope remains out in the cooler air, people can look through the telescope while remaining in a heated room (i.e. a glass wall separates the eyepiece from the rest of the telescope). (Image Source: Francis G. Graham, Professor Emeritus of Physics, Kent State University)

By Glenn A. Walsh

Reporting for SpaceWatchtower

A proposed addition to Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Center does not include re-installation of a historic telescope, as promised to the City of Pittsburgh in 2002. According to a 2002 legal Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Science Center, the Science Center had agreed to include re-installation of the city-owned telescope with the construction of an addition to the The Carnegie Science Center.

The telescope is a rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope, which was installed in Pittsburgh’s original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in 1941. The 75^th anniversary of this telescope will be on November 19^th. This type of specialized telescope, which is specifically designed for use by the public, is rather rare. Upon re-installation of this telescope, it would be the largest Siderostat-Type Telescope in the world, as two larger such telescopes have both been dismantled.

A huge 49-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope was built for a special exhibition in Paris in 1900. After the exhibition, when the telescope could not be sold, it was dismantled. The University of Paris still possesses the telescope's 49-inch objective lens, but the rest of the telescope is gone.

Around 1929, a Philadelphia businessman, Gustavas Wynne Cook, built a 15-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope (with the lens and mounting coming from John Brashear's company in Pittsburgh) for his suburban estate. At Mr. Cook's death in 1940, the telescope and observatory were donated to the University of Pennsylvania. After disposing of the suburban property in 2007, the telescope was given to amateur astronomers in Jacksonville, Florida; to this day, they have not been able to raise the funds to build a new observatory for this telescope.

The Carnegie Science Center dismantled and placed the Buhl Planetarium Siderostat-Type Telescope in storage in 2002, to make-way for expansion of The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. At that time, a legal Memorandum of Understanding was enacted, between the City and the Science Center, indicating that the Science Center would include the telescope in an expansion of the Science Center building. However, the height, location, and configuration of the proposed Science Center expansion makes installation of any telescope not feasible. Hence, it is questionable whether Science Center officials seriously considered including the Siderostat-Type Telescope in this building addition.

Friends of the Zeiss Project Director Glenn A. Walsh, who served as Astronomical Observatory Coordinator of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center) in Allegheny Center from 1986 to 1991, addressed the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission regarding this project on October 4. The following is the prepared text of his comments to the Commission (blog-post continues following the text of this public statement):

Friends of the Zeiss                                      Public Statement Before

P.O. Box 1041                                                                        Planning Commission of

Pittsburgh, PA 15230-1041 U.S.A.                                      the City of Pittsburgh

Telephone: 412-561-7876                                                      By Glenn A. Walsh --

E-Mail: < fotz@planetarium.cc >                                      Science Center Master Plan:

Web Site: < http://www.friendsofthezeiss.org >                Siderostat Observatory

Blog: < http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com >                Missing

2016 October 4

Good afternoon, I am Glenn Walsh, 633 Royce Avenue, Mt. Lebanon, Project Director of Friends of the Zeiss. From 1986 to 1991, I was Astronomical Observatory Coordinator of the original Buhl Planetarium in Allegheny Center.

We have reviewed The Carnegie Science Center MDP and find something missing: an observatory for a historic, city-owned telescope that the Science Center promised the City, by legal memorandum of understanding, would be included in the Science Center expansion. However, the height, location, and configuration of the proposed expansion makes installation of any telescope not feasible. Hence, we question if installation of this telescope was seriously considered.

                                         

Called a Siderostat-Type Telescope, it has a unique design, specifically for public use. It allows the public to remain in a heated room, while the telescope stays out in the cooler air. Built at Buhl Planetarium in 1941, it will mark its 75^th anniversary on November 19^th. With a 10-inch lens, upon re-installation it would be the largest Siderostat-Type Telescope in the world, as two larger such telescopes have both been dismantled.

In 2002, when this historic telescope was dismantled, the City allowed the Science Center to store the telescope until a building addition is built. At a 2008 Planning Commission Hearing, Science Center Co-Director Ron Baillie said he would provide the Commission with a copy of the legal memorandum of understanding, between the City and the Science Center, regarding reuse of the telescope.

According to a 2013 Pursuant Ketchum Fundraising Analysis, funding any Science Center expansion would be difficult. So, it seems unlikely another expansion could occur in the foreseeable future.

We ask that the Planning Commission seek clarification of this issue before approving the MDP. Our question is simple: With this city-owned telescope removed from Buhl Planetarium, and, currently, no feasible way to install it at the Science Center, how will the Science Center now keep its legal commitment to the City, and when will city residents, again, be able to use this historic telescope?

gaw

PHOTO OF BUHL’S SIDEROSTAT-TYPE TELESCOPE ON PAGE 2:
Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/01/astronomical-calendar-2016-january.html

Following the Public Comment Period, the Planning Commission asked the Science Center representatives to address Mr. Walsh's concerns. Ron Baillie, Henry Buhl, Jr. Co-Director of The Carnegie Science Center, said that the legal Memorandum of Understanding had no time limit; the Science Center was, hence, not required to install the telescope at this time.

He also said that the telescope was too large and obsolete for installation in the Science Center. He said that the Science Center's current telescope was computerized and easier to use. Following Mr. Baillie's comments, the City Planning Commission approved the Science Center's expansion plans by a unanimous vote.

It is odd that Mr. Baillie would call the Siderostat-Type Telescope obsolete. When is any telescope, that can continue to serve its main purpose, obsolete? Would he also say that The Carnegie Museum's famous dinosaur skeletons are obsolete, and we can learn no more from them, simply because they are old?

Indeed, for use by the public, a Siderostat-Type Telescope is still quite advanced, particularly considering Buhl's telescope was built in 1941! With the Siderostat-Type Telescope, the public can use the telescope year-round, while standing in a heated observing room. With most other telescopes, including the Science Center's current telescope, during the colder weather the public has to be outside with the telescope, if it is used at all in the cold weather (the Science Center closes their observatory during the cold weather).

Of course, telescopic images can now be brought indoors to computer or television screens. But, telescopic view by video can be viewed just as easily at home as it can be in a planetarium or science center! When people visit a planetarium or science center, they want to look through a telescope; a Siderostat-Type Telescope can make such an experience much more comfortable during the colder weather.

If The Carnegie Science Center had no intentions of using the Siderostat-Type Telescope, why did they apply to the City to move the telescope? Yes, they specifically applied to the City, to move the telescope out of the Buhl Planetarium building. Friends of the Zeiss also applied to the City Request for Proposals (RFP), to use the telescope in the Buhl Planetarium building. However, the City agreed to allow the Science Center to move the telescope out of the Buhl Planetarium building into storage.

Could it be that the Science Center wanted to make sure that neither Friends of the Zeiss, nor the Children’s Museum, used the Siderostat-Type Telescope in “competition” with the Science Center's then-new telescope? Now, I think the evidence is pretty clear that this was the Science Center's primary motivation.

And, how is the Science Center using their current domed-observatory? Up until this year, it was open to the public twice-a-week (Friday and Saturday evenings), weather-permitting, except during the cold-weather months. Beginning this year, the Science Center observatory is only open once or twice each month!

So, now that the Science Center has decided not to reassemble the Siderostat-Type Telescope, it seems the Siderostat-Type Telescope will continue unable to educate city residents in Astronomy, as the telescope collects dust. Even if the Children’s Museum decided to reuse the Siderostat-Type Telescope, it would cost them money to convert, what is now a Board Room, back into an observatory. There would have been no capital cost to reuse the Siderostat-Type Telescope, had it stayed in the Buhl Planetarium building, as Friends of the Zeiss had recommended!

Internet Links to Additional Information ---

Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Addition Omits Historic Telescope."
Public Statement Before Allegheny County Council.
Friends of the Zeiss 2016 Nov. 22.
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/archivenews/statements/ST-CountyCouncil-Siderostat75.htm 

Berger, Larry.
Radio Interview Regarding 75th Anniversary of Buhl Planetarium Observatory. Audio: Radio Interview.
Saturday Light Brigade Radio Program: NeighborhoodVoices.org 2016 November 19.
Larry Berger, host of the Saturday Light Brigade children's / family radio program, interviewed Glenn A. Walsh on the 75th anniversary of the Astronomical Observatory of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, which was dedicated on 1941 November 19.
Link >>> http://neighborhoodvoices.org/interview-buhl-planetarium-observatory-anniversary

Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Addition Omits Historic Telescope."
Public Statement Before Pittsburgh City Council.
Friends of the Zeiss 2016 Nov. 14.
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/archivenews/statements/ST-CityCouncil-Siderostat75.htm

Walsh, Glenn A. "Science Center Addition Omits Historic Telescope."
Public Statement Before Special Board Meeting of the Allegheny Regional Asset District Board of Directors.
Friends of the Zeiss 2016 Nov. 9.
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/archivenews/statements/ST-ARAD-Siderostat75.htm

Behrman, Elizabeth. "Buhl Planetarium telescope excluded from science center's expansion plans."
Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh 2016 Oct. 6.
Link >>> http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/11259571-74/telescope-center-science

Nelson Jones, Diana. "Planning Commission OKs plan to expand Carnegie Science Center."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2016 October 5.
The end of the article discusses Mr. Walsh's public statement before the City Planning Commission.
Link >>> http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2016/10/05/Planning-Commission-OKs-plan-to-expand-Carnegie-Science-Center/stories/201610050111

(Additional radio news coverage of this issue, including short interview with Glenn A. Walsh by reporter Elaine Effort, on KQV-AM 1410 NewsRadio on Friday Afternoon, 2016 October 7.)

Buhl Planetarium's 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope:
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/

Brief History of Siderostat-Type Telescopes:
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/#historysiderostat

2008 City Planning Commission Statement  of Glenn A. Walsh on same subject:

Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/archivenews/statements/ST-plancommis-siderostat.htm

News Release Regarding 2016 October 4 Public Statement Before City Planning Commission:
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/archivenews/releases/NR-PLCOMMIS-siderostat2c.htm

Related Blog Post ---

Walsh, Glenn A. "75th Anniversary: America's 5th Public Observatory." Blog-Post.
SpaceWatchtower 2016 Nov. 19.
75th anniversary of The People's Observatory of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, including the rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-Type Refractor Telescope.
Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/11/75th-anniversary-americas-5th-public.html

Source: Glenn A. Walsh Reporting for SpaceWatchtower, a project of Friends of the Zeiss.

             2016 Oct. 6.


                                                               
        2016: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory
     Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/01/astronomical-calendar-2016-january.html

                             Like This Post? - Please Share!

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/ >
& SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: < http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/ >
Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Astronomy Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#astrolinks >
Science Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks >
Twitter Feed: < https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower >
SpaceWatchtower Blog: < http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/ >
LibraryWatchtower Blog: < http://librarywatchtower.blogspot.com >
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Blog: < http://shbastronomers.blogspot.com/ >
Barnestormin Blog: Writing, Essays, Pgh. News, etc.: < http://www.barnestormin.blogspot.com/ >
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 >

Astronomical Calendar: 2016 October

If you have a very good eastern horizon, you may want to look for
the close conjunction of the planets Mercury and Jupiter early Tuesday
Morning 2016 October 11, visible to Northern Hemisphere viewers
about an hour before sunrise. The actual conjunction occurs while the
planets are below the horizon, at 12:00 Midnight Eastern Daylight
Saving Time (EDT) / 4:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), when
Mercury will be only 0.9 degree north of Jupiter.
(Graphic Source: EarthSky.org )

Astronomical Calendar for 2016 October: 
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium4.tripod.com/astrocalendar/2016.html#oct

Source: Friends of the Zeiss.

             2016 October 1.


                                                              
        2016: 75th Year of Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium Observatory
     Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/01/astronomical-calendar-2016-january.html

                             Like This Post? - Please Share!

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/ >
& SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: < http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/ >
Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Astronomy Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#astrolinks >
Science Links: < http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks >
Twitter Feed: < https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower >
SpaceWatchtower Blog: < http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/ >
LibraryWatchtower Blog: < http://librarywatchtower.blogspot.com >
South Hills Backyard Astronomers Blog: < http://shbastronomers.blogspot.com/ >
Barnestormin Blog: Writing, Essays, Pgh. News, etc.: < http://www.barnestormin.blogspot.com/ >
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 >