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Subject: SPACE Digest V13 #663

SPACE Digest                                     Volume 13 : Issue 663

Today's Topics:
    Asteroid strike on moon:  Effects here? (was Re: The Un-Plan)
         Re: Moonbase movie *Plymouth* to air Sunday?
         Re: Info on spacecraft power storage wanted
               MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT
              Re: Good for the Japanese
           MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT - 30 MAY
         Re: INFO: Clandestine Mars Observer Launch??
       Space Science Postdoc positions available at UC Berkeley

Administrivia:

    Submissions to the SPACE Digest/sci.space should be mailed to
  [e-mail].  Other mail, esp. [un]subscription requests,
  should be sent to [e-mail], or, if urgent, to
             [e-mail]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 29 May 91 19:27:18 GMT
From: ogicse!emory!ox.com!fmsrl7![e-mail]  (Ron Carter)
Subject: Asteroid strike on moon:  Effects here? (was Re: The Un-Plan)

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (James Davis Nicoll) writes:
>    How large a rock do you need (and moving at what velocity) to
>generate enough heat to light fires at 380,000 km? Is it reasonable to
>assume that's the size & velocity of the rocks Mr Szabo is talking about?

Let's try some reasonable assumptions here:

1.)    We have a 100 m body of density 3.5 (probably the largest
    we're likely to be moving around soon) hitting the near side
    of Luna.
2.)    It strikes at 10 km/sec.
3.)    50% of the energy of impact is converted into isotropic
    radiation in 5 seconds.

The body's mass is 1.83e9 kg, and its kinetic energy is 9.16e16 J.
The rate of radiation is 9.16e15 watts.

At 3.8e8 meters distance, that radiation is spread across a
half-sphere of area 9.07e17 square meters, for a total power
incident upon the earth of .01 watts/m^2.

A 1 kilometer body of the same density moving at the same
speed would give us 10 W/m^2, using the same assumptions.

I think it is safe to assume that the radiation from such an
impact will not be igniting any fires dirtside.  You'd need a
rock at least 10 km in size to give the multiples of solar
irradiance needed to ignite fires.

------------------------------

Date: 29 May 91 21:24:41 GMT
From: yamuna.cs.umd.edu![e-mail]  (Yuan Liu)
Subject: Re: Moonbase movie *Plymouth* to air Sunday?

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (hermann) writes:

#More technical problems:
#
#- an airlock door in the moonrover garage that consisted mostly of glass.
#There is no need to put glass in an airlock door, and it complicates the
#engineering enormously. Put a viewport in the bulkhead next to it.
#
Maybe they are transparent aluminum. Remember Star Trek IV?  :-)

Yuan Liu
[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: 30 May 91 14:36:55 GMT
From: cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!umich!ox.com!fmsrl7![e-mail]  (Ron Carter)
Subject: Re: Info on spacecraft power storage wanted

Add nickel-hydrogen batteries to the list Frank Crary
posted.  They are widely used in some applications and
apparently have superior characteristics for spacecraft
purposes.

I have no information on performance, but it should
not be too difficult to find in the proper trade rags.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 30 May 91 02:09:01 MDT
From: oler <@BITNET.CC.CMU.EDU:[e-mail]> (CARY OLER)
Subject: MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT
X-St-Vmsmail-To: st%"[e-mail]"

                        --  MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT  --

                                 MAY 29, 1991

                              Flare Event Summary
                          Potential Impact Assessment


                                    --------



MAJOR ENERGETIC EVENT SUMMARY

     Region 6654 managed to spawn a very impulsive class X1.0/2B Tenflare
located at N05E38.  The flare began at 23:39 UT, peaked at 23:45 UT and ended
shortly thereafter at 23:51 UT.  The 2695 MHz radio burst was measured at 460
s.f.u., while the 245 MHz burst registered 3,200 s.f.u..  No sweeps were
observed from this event.

     Region 6654 has maintained its structure and characteristics.  It has
continued to produce minor M-class flares.  Aside from todays major event,
M-class flaring was observed four separate times from Region 6654: M1.3/2B
at 03:04 UT, M1.7/1N at 04:50 UT, M4.3/SF at 12:11 UT, and an M2.7/1B at
16:02 UT.  Region 6652 also managed to produce a long-duration (118 minutes)
class M2.7/1B flare at 16:02 UT.

     The probability for further major flaring from Region 6654 is high.
This region is not yet showing signs of weakening.  There is a possibility
for another isolated major X-class flare from this region, although we still
maintain X-class flare production to be rather unlikely (30% probability).
Most of the major flaring should remain within the M-class category.

     The probability for proton activity from major flaring in Region 6654 is
not yet very high (approximately 10-20%).  Most of the major flaring from
this region has not been energetic enough to eject protons.  However, as this
region approaches the central solar meridian, the risk for proton activity
from any particularly intense solar flaring will increase.  Region 6654 will
cross the central meridian on 02 June and will be in a sensitive position for
terrestrial proton impacts by 04 June.


POTENTIAL TERRESTRIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

     This latest X-class flare is not expected to have a terrestrial impact.
Within the next 48 hours, the threat for potential terrestrial impacts from a
major flare will increase.  Proton flaring and possible PCA activity could
become a concern later this week and early next week (early June).

     Major flaring is expected to continue from Region 6654.  Minor M-class
flares are a definite certainty for the short-term (72 hours).  Region 6652
could also contribute to the M-class flaring.

     HF radio propagation conditions have suffered due to the frequent
M-class flaring.  The daylit hemisphere of the Earth will continue to
experience fading associated with flare-induced SIDs (Sudden Ionospheric
Disturbances).  Night-time propagation should continue to improve as the
recent coronal-induced geomagnetic activity gradually subsides.  Expect
relatively frequent periods of fading and absorption over the next 2 to 3
days at least over the sunlit hemisphere while the night-time hemisphere can
expect gradual improvements in conditions, particularly over the polar and
high latitudes.  A return to more normal conditions over these latitudes is
not expected until 03 or 04 June.

     VHF operators may experience some periods of SID-enhancements during the
sunlit hours of the day.  Enhancements may be rather unstable and sporadic.
They should remain confined mostly to the middle and low latitudes.


**  End of Alert  **

------------------------------

Date: 30 May 91 17:36:52 GMT
From: cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato![e-mail]  (Van Snyder)
Subject: Re: Good for the Japanese

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (will) writes:
>
>    Nick, you missed the point.  The fact is that America and it's
>    businesses cannot be trusted any longer....
        ^^^^^^^^^^
The rest of the piece was about how the President and Congress have jerked
NASA, ESA and the Japanese space agency around.  Where's the argument that
business is at fault?  I agree that business is shortsighted, but part of
the reason for that is the expense of capital.  There was a very nice piece
in the "Analytical Economist" column in the May Scientific American about
how American business has no problem with innovation, but seems unable to
make an investment.  One of the examples used was the fact that the flat
display screens used in all the *Japanese* laptop computers use technology
invented by Westinghouse and RCA in about 1970.  Another example: RCA
invented video cassette recorders, but couldn't build them in the US for
a salable price.  So they had their subsidiary, Japanese Victor Corporation
(JVC) build them.  My own opinion is that the current business climate is
largely the fault of congress.  To paraphrase another's signature line:

"The people said 'balance the budget!'  The president thought this meant
'soak the poor;'  Congress thought this meant 'soak the rich.'  What
the people wanted was less spending."

Actually, Nixon tried to cut spending unilaterally (remember "impounding?").
Congress got the supreme court to declare he HAD to spend ALL the money
Congress had allocated.
--
[e-mail]
ames!elroy!jato!vsnyder
[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 31 May 91 05:23:36 MDT
From: oler <@BITNET.CC.CMU.EDU:[e-mail]> (CARY OLER)
Subject: MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT - 30 MAY
X-St-Vmsmail-To: st%"[e-mail]"

                        --  MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT  --

                                 MAY 30, 1991

                              Flare Event Summary
                          Potential Impact Assessment


                                    --------



MAJOR ENERGETIC EVENT SUMMARY

     Another major flare erupted from Region 6654 on 30 May.  The event began
at 09:35 UT, peaked at 09:41 UT and ended at 09:57 UT on 30 May.  The flare
was rated a class M8.2/1F event, and was located at N07E30.  No significant
radio bursts or sweeps were observed with this event.

     The structure and characteristics of Region 6654 have not changed
significantly over the last several days.  For this reason, major flaring is
expected to continue, intermixed with lower-level M-class flares.  Region
6652 (which is just west of Region 6654) could also contribute an isolated
major flare and/or occassional minor M-class events.


POTENTIAL TERRESTRIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

     Todays class M8.2/1F flare is not expected to have a terrestrial
impact.  Additional major flaring will become a greater threat within the
next 48 to 72 hours.

     Polar and high latitude communicators, navigators, and satellite
operators should be aware that a risk does exist for possible future proton
related activity over the next week.  At the present time, the risk is only
minor.  But as Region 6654 crosses into the western solar hemisphere, the
probability for proton activity will increase.  Region 6654 may be capable
of spawning a proton flare sometime within the next week.


**  End of Alert  **

------------------------------

Date: 31 May 91 21:48:24 GMT
From: jarthur!nntp-server.caltech.edu!hamlet.caltech.edu![e-mail]  (Lydick, Carl)
Subject: Re: INFO: Clandestine Mars Observer Launch??

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Don Allen) writes...
>     ParaNet  has received information that Richard C.  Hoagland,
>the  noted author of The Monuments of Mars - a book  detailing  a
>possible  surface anomaly on the planet,

Hoagland is noted mainly for being a zealot who's rediscovered the fact that if
you take enough random data, you'll be able to find a correlation with
something in it.  I've been able to spot SEVERAL humanoid faces in the
acoustical tile on my ceiling.

>that NASA  has  covertly
>launched  the Mars observer spacecraft to speed to Mars  to  find
>out  what  is  going on up there.  Below is  a  reprint  of  that
>article.   Our members are encouraged to provide any  information
>that would substantiate or disavow these claims.

Hmmm.  Maybe somebody ought to tell those people just upstairs from me who are
working on the Mars Observer Camera about this?  Boy will they be pissed that
their payload didn't get off the ground!  Oh, and without the camera, what's
the Mars Observer going to observe with?

>Observers  reported seeing Atlantis and its satellite  deployment
>during  mission  STS-38.   Some observers  reported  seeing  both
>objects  illuminated  by  a reddish glow, which  has  yet  to  be
>explained.

Perhaps sunlight filtered through (or reflected off of clouds)?

>On later orbits, the deployed satellite appeared  to have vanished.

Unless the satellite was to remain in the shuttle's orbit, this is to be
expected.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl J Lydick    HEPnet/NSI: SOL1::CARL    Internet: [e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: 31 May 91 23:08:16 GMT
From: csus.edu!wuarchive!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!agate![e-mail]  (EUVE jobs)
Subject: Space Science Postdoc positions available at UC Berkeley


                   Map the Unseen Universe

The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) Project  is looking for
talented  and  enthusiastic  professionals  to join our team in
exploring and documenting stars and galaxies as they have never
been seen before.

EUVE is a NASA satellite scheduled for launch in December 1991.
Its  four  telescopes  were  designed  and  built  at the Space
Sciences Laboratory of the University of California, Berkeley.
These high-tech instruments will scan the sky in the first-ever
study of  the extreme ultraviolet,  a band of the spectrum that
cannot  be  seen  from  Earth.   Discoveries  await  us in this
previously unexplored region of space.

Among the challenges of the EUVE mission  is the development of
software to interpret the data gathered by the satellite.  This
software  will be used to study  the entire sky, creating a map
of the locations and intensities of stars and other astronomical
sources  emitting EUV radiation,  and to  convert photon  events
into meaningful data for in-depth scientific study.

                       ACADEMIC POSITIONS

All  of  the jobs require a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Physics, or a
related  field.   Experience  in  satellite  or  ground-based
astronomical  data  analysis  and/or research in the field of
EUV astronomy are  desirable.   Skills should be demonstrated
by an active and current publication record.


POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER: Guest Observer Program

Develop   innovative   analysis   methods   for    scientific
observations with EUVE. Collaborate with other scientists and
programmers   to   develop   custom   packages  in  IRAF  for
calibrating and reducing Guest Observer data. Responsible for
understanding satellite instruments and performance. Organize
instruction of  Guest  Observers  in  analysis  routines  and
assist in technical evaluation of proposals.

DESIRABLE:  Experience with IRAF.


POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER: Data Reduction and Analysis

Assist in  the  acquisition,  reduction, and analysis of the
All-Sky Survey data. Supervise data processing and assist in
the production of  multi-bandpass skymaps,  source catalogs,
time-tagged  photon  files  and  spectra.   Detect  new  EUV
sources, model skymap background, and analyze EUV spectra.

REQUIRED:  Demonstrated ability to carry out research in the
           field of EUV astronomy.


All jobs are located  at the  Center for EUV Astrophysics on
the  UC  Berkeley  campus.  To apply, send a  resume
and  cover  letter  with  three  references to Cathie Jones,
Space   Sciences   Laboratory,   University  of  California,
Berkeley, CA 94720.  You may also  send  copies of resumes
and cover  letters by email  to  [e-mail].



               THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IS AN
          EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

------------------------------

End of SPACE Digest V13 #663
*******************