Return-path: X-Andrew-Authenticated-as: 7997;andrew.cmu.edu;Ted Anderson Received: from hogtown.andrew.cmu.edu via trymail for +dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/space.dl@andrew.cmu.edu (->+dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/space.dl) (->ota+space.digests) ID ; Sat, 30 Mar 91 01:39:01 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: Precedence: junk Reply-To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU From: space-request+@Andrew.CMU.EDU To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU Date: Sat, 30 Mar 91 01:38:56 -0500 (EST) Subject: SPACE Digest V13 #323 SPACE Digest Volume 13 : Issue 323 Today's Topics: sci.space Personal Ambition Survey Results Re: Observation report (or, "Is The Nuke Plant That Way?") Space Junk MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM UPDATE #2 - 25 MARCH - ALERT UPDATES RE: SPACE Digest V13 #295 Observation report (or, "Is The Nuke Plant That Way?") Administrivia: Submissions to the SPACE Digest/sci.space should be mailed to space+@andrew.cmu.edu. Other mail, esp. [un]subscription requests, should be sent to space-request+@andrew.cmu.edu, or, if urgent, to tm2b+@andrew.cmu.edu ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 25 Mar 91 06:45:39 GMT From: zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ub!uhura.cc.rochester.edu!rochester!sol!yamauchi@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu (Brian Yamauchi) Subject: sci.space Personal Ambition Survey Results Thanks to everyone who participated in this survey. I received 75 replies from people in 10 different countries. The results were fascinating, at least to me. A brief summary is below, and the complete results are at the end of this article. I suppose I should start with a note that this is a straw poll, and since the respondents were self-selected and not randomly sampled this isn't a scientific poll, etc., etc., but with that disclaimer out of the way... The most significant tidbits, in my opinion: 81% of sci.space readers wanted to be astronauts as children, 93% would like to go into space someday, and 75% would be willing to accept a position as a shuttle astronaut -- and "willing" is probably an understatement (see below). One interesting observation is that students are more than twice as likely to work (or plan to work) in a position directly related to space exploration than professionals. For students, 50% answered yes and 36% answered no. For professionals, 23% answered yes and 77% answered no. However, even the latter figure, which represents 15% of the overall total, indicates a fairly large number of space professionals (engineers, scientists, etc.) reading this newsgroup. Assuming this figure is accurate to within an order of magnitude (admittedly a *big* assumption) and also assuming the Arbitron ratings for this group are accurate to within an order of magnitude (in the tens of thousands, I believe), this would represent thousands of sci.space readers directly involved with space exploration -- through NASA, aerospace companies, academic research, etc. Reasons why people who were interested in space didn't pursue those interests professionally were widely varied, from family responsibilities to washing out of flight school, but the most common answers were limited opportunities in the space field, being born in the wrong country (i.e. not the U.S.), having no chance of becoming an astronaut, and being more interested in other fields. Brian -------------------- sci.space Personal Ambition Survey Number of replies: 75 Nationality (of sending machine): United States: 57 (76%) Canada: 4 (5%) Australia: 3 (4%) New Zealand: 3 (4%) Sweden: 2 (3%) United Kingdom: 2 (3%) Denmark: 1 (1%) Finland: 1 (1%) France: 1 (1%) Germany: 1 (1%) 1) As a child, did you want to become an astronaut? Yes: 61 (81%) No: 14 (19%) 2) Would you still like to travel into space someday? Yes: 70 (93%) No: 5 (7%) 3) If you were offered a position as a space shuttle astronaut tomorrow, would you take it? Yes: 56 (75%) No: 19 (25%) Yes votes include: Absolutely: 3 Without hesitation: 3 In a heartbeat: 2 Definitely!: 1 In a New York minute: 1 In a second: 1 In an instant: 1 Oh Yeah!: 1 Try and stop me: 1 YES!: 1 YES!!!!!: 1 YES YES YES YES!: 1 Yes, but don't tell my wife: 1 4) What is your current profession/field? (For students: what is your major field of study?) Computer Professional: 24 (32%) Software Engineering: 13 Systems Analysis/Engr: 8 Systems Administration: 1 Technical Consultant: 1 Computer Science (Research): 12 (16%) Undergrad: 2 Grad Student: 6 Research Scientist: 3 Also Physics: 1 Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering: 9 (12%) Undergrad: 4 Grad Student: 1 Engineer: 3 Engineering Manager: 1 Astronomy/Astrophysics/Space Science: 9 (12%) Undergrad: 2 Grad Student: 3 Astronomer: 2 Electrical/Computer Engineering: 5 (7%) Undergrad: 2 Engineer: 1 Mathematics: 3 (4%) Undergrad: 1 Grad Student: 1 Professor: 1 Physics: 3 (4%) Undergrad: 1 Grad Student: 1 Also Computer Science: 1 Administrator: 1 (1%) Agricultural Engineering: (grad student) 1 (1%) Atmospheric Sciences: 1 (1%) Biomedical Engineering: 1 (1%) Cognitive Science: 1 (1%) Engineering: (undeclared student) 1 (1%) Library/Information Science: 1 (1%) Materials Science/Engineering: 1 (1%) Philosophy: 1 (1%) Plant Science: (professor) 1 (1%) Telecommunications Research: 1 (1%) 5) Is your current position directly related to space exploration? (For students: do you plan to work in a position directly related to space exploration?) Students: 28 (37%) Yes: 14 (50%) Maybe: 4 (14%) No: 10 (36%) Professionals: 47 (63%) Yes: 11 (23%) No: 36 (77%) Total: 75 (100%) Yes: 25 (33%) Maybe: 4 (5%) No: 46 (61%) 6) If the answer to #5 is no, and the answer to #1, #2, or #3 is yes, what made you decide not to get directly involved with space exploration? Limited Opportunities: 8 (17%) New Zealand/Korea/Australia/Sweden/Canada/UK Doesn't Have Much of a Space Program: 6 (13%) No Chance of Becoming an Astronaut 6 (13%) Due to Non-US/USSR Citizenship: 3 Due to Physical Requirements: 3 Low Chance in General: 1 Other Interests: 6 (13%) Disenchantment with NASA Bureaucracy: 3 (6%) Low Pay: 3 (6%) Didn't Really Decide: 2 (4%) Guidance Counselor: 1 (2%) Involved in Volunteer Space Activities: 1 (2%) Limited Non-Defense Opportunities: 1 (2%) Mathematical Aptitude: 1 (2%) Mathematical Aptitude, Lack Thereof: 1 (2%) Mission Specialist Application Rejected: 1 (2%) NASA Incapable of Doing Space Exploration: 1 (2%) Not an Engineer: 1 (2%) Parental Pressure: 1 (2%) Personal Constraints: 1 (2%) Previous Lack of Interest: 1 (2%) Slim Chance of Getting Into Space and Doing Real Science: 1 (2%) Washed Out of Air Force Flight School: 1 (2%) Wife/Family/Home: 1 (2%) TOTAL: 48 (100%) Note: Some people gave multiple answers for question 6. -- _______________________________________________________________________________ Brian Yamauchi University of Rochester yamauchi@cs.rochester.edu Department of Computer Science _______________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: 25 Mar 91 19:10:48 GMT From: usc!rpi!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!utzoo!henry@apple.com (Henry Spencer) Subject: Re: Observation report (or, "Is The Nuke Plant That Way?") In article <1991Mar25.172905.3009@dg-rtp.dg.com> rice@dg-rtp.dg.com writes: >So does anyone know any details? Other observations? >Was it NASA, NOAA, or Elvis? Might have been just your friendly neighborhood sunspots. :-) There was a major solar storm over the weekend -- still in progress, last I heard, in fact -- due to a massive solar flare Friday. You may just have been seeing aurora borealis. (Yes, in North Carolina.) (Lucky bastards; Toronto has been under solid cloud cover the whole damned weekend.) -- "[Some people] positively *wish* to | Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology believe ill of the modern world."-R.Peto| henry@zoo.toronto.edu utzoo!henry ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 91 15:15 GMT From: SOCKIELY%vax1.ucg.ie@BITNET.CC.CMU.EDU Subject: Space Junk I am interested in obtain information on a project based at the University of Arizona named the 'Space Janitor' (a spacecraft designed to trash unwanted satellites in LEO). Any references to space junk in general would also be appreciated (particularly references to any discussions that took place on this list in the past). Kieran Coughlan, Mech. Eng. UCG. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 91 16:02:40 MST From: oler%HG.ULeth.CA@BITNET.CC.CMU.EDU (CARY OLER) Subject: MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM UPDATE #2 - 25 MARCH - ALERT UPDATES X-St-Vmsmail-To: st%"space+@andrew.cmu.edu" /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ GEOMAGNETIC STORM UPDATE /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ 22:30 UT, 25 March ------------- STORM UPDATE INFORMATION: Minor to major geomagnetic storming is continuing in progress as of 22:30 UT on 25 March. However, activity appears to be declining over most latitudes. A period of reduced activity (unsettled to very active levels) was observed between 15:30 UT and 21:30 UT. A major storm level fluctuation is in progress locally as of 22:12 UT. Storming will likely continue (but at reduced intensities). Magnetic K-indices could still reach 5 and 6. Geomagnetically induced currents will remain possible throughout the coming UT day, particularly after the flare shock from the class X5.3 major flare arrives later on 26 March (if it arrives as predicted). The Geomagnetic Storm Alert will remain in effect for the next 24 to 48 hours. Todays major class X5.3/3B flare could produce another minor (to possibly major) geomagnetic storm near mid-UT-day to late-UT-day on 26 March. The duration of this predicted activity should be about 12 to 24 hours, although the intensity of the activity shouldn't be as intense as this last major storm was. The probability for magnetic impacts from this latest flare is lower than it was for the class X9.4/3B flare which produced the most recent major geomagnetic storm. Any impacts will likely be less intense. Currently, a warning has been issued for a potential magnetic A-index of 50 for 26/27 March. Magnetic K-indices of 5 and 6 are most likely to be observed with a slight risk for severe storming associated with K-indices of 7 over middle latitudes. The consensus at the present time is for middle latitude K-indices of 5 and 6 with an associated A-index of near 50 (it could be lower, or higher - an error of uncertainty exists). Auroral activity will be visible again tonight from middle and high latitudes. Southerly middle and low latitudes probably won't be able to spot as much (if any) auroral activity tonight, although a possibility does exist for yet another night of low-latitude auroral activity. An enhancement in geomagnetic and auroral activity should accompany the flare shock on 26/27 March, if this shock arrives. Renewed low-latitude auroral activity could possibly be observed again from that flare on 26-27 March, although the probabilities are somewhat lower. It may be of interest to note that this latest major geomagnetic storm is the most intense geomagnetic and auroral storm that has been observed since the large storm of March, 1989. That storm was larger and more intense than this most recent storm. However, the interplanetary shock which was observed with this most recent major storm was more intense than the March 1989 shock. In fact, the last shock was the most intense shock observed this solar cycle. This storm will be remembered as one of the most significant storms of this solar cycle. An additional update will be posted at 06:00 UT on 26 March. The potential impacts of this last major flare will also be revised at that time, after more detailed proton data is analyzed. The following alerts remain IN PROGRESS until at least 06:00 UT, 26 March: - MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM ALERT - GEOMAGNETICALLY INDUCED CURRENT (GIC) ALERT - LOW LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY ALERT - SATELLITE PROTON EVENT ALERT - POLAR CAP ABSORPTION EVENT ALERT - POLAR AND HIGH LATITUDE RADIO SIGNAL BLACKOUT ALERT The following warnings are IN PROGRESS: - POTENTIAL GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING (valid 26/27 March) - POTENTIAL MAJOR SOLAR FLARE WARNING - POTENTIAL PROTON FLARE WARNING /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ------------------------------ Date: 26 Mar 91 07:45:00 GMT+109:13 From: "O STEVEN" Subject: RE: SPACE Digest V13 #295 To: "space+" please take me off this mailing list thank you!!! ------------------------------ Date: 25 Mar 91 17:29:05 GMT From: amdahl!dgcad!dg-rtp!groupw!rice@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Brian Rice) Subject: Observation report (or, "Is The Nuke Plant That Way?") At around 11 p.m. EST yesterday (March 24) a group of friends and I were outside of my Chapel Hill, N.C., apartment. Since this posting is being made to sci.space, you have probably surmised that someone looked at the sky and said, "Jeezis, look at that," and you are quite right. We observed, in the north-east region of a clear, star-filled sky (the moon was high in the south-west), a wine-red glow covering a large fraction of the sky. (One person estimated that it covered a fifth of the sky; I think this was an over-estimate, but the glow was definitely substantially larger than any of the big constellations.) A band of clear night sky was visible between the horizon and the glow. Stars were obscured by the glow. The glow grew in size and intensity as we watched, then faded out (though we did not watch much of its fade). As I observed this phenomenon, two thoughts competed for center stage in my brain. One, no doubt influenced by my recent pleasurable experiences observing CRAF releases, was "Hmmm, must be somebody's atmospheric science experiment." The other, which clearly welled up from deep within my brain, was "That is the most terrifying thing I've ever seen." Fear was a common reaction among the observers, doubtless primed by the fact that we had just seen the film "The Doors." In any case, we called the Chapel Hill police department to see if there had been any official notification of an atmospheric release. There had not been until just as we spoke with them; they received a garbled report, attributed to the National Weather Service, that the event was "a planned 'barrow' release from Virginia." We figured out that "barrow" was probably a mishearing by a law enforcement professional of "barium," but apparently no further information was available, such as the exact location, composition, and purpose of the release, as well as who performed it. (We chuckled about the "Virginia" part; we could imagine the entire state belching forth a cloud of gas.) So does anyone know any details? Other observations? Was it NASA, NOAA, or Elvis? -- Brian Rice rice@dg-rtp.dg.com +1 919 248-6328 DG/UX Product Assurance Engineering Data General Corp., Research Triangle Park, N.C. "Boy, I hope those dogs eat that cat." --Tula, age 3 ------------------------------ End of SPACE Digest V13 #323 *******************