1. Mission STS-131 - Shuttle Launch Successful
The Space Shuttle Discovery was
successfully launched into space yesterday, April 5th, from Cape Canaveral in
Florida at 06:21EDT. The primary payload is a Multi-Purpose
Logistics Module loaded with supplies and equipment for the
International
Space Station (ISS). The mission will
also remove and replace an ammonia tank assembly outside the station and return
a Lightweight Adapter Plate Assembly (LWAPA) plate, located on the Columbus
module. STS-131 is
the 33rd shuttle mission to the International Space Station and marks the 4th
last mission of the Space Shuttle before the fleet is decommissioned later this
year. For more information about Mission STS-131 click HERE.
2. Women Take Over Outer Space.
Of the 7 astronauts on board
the Discovery Shuttle 3 are women; former high school teacher
Dorothy "Dottie" Metcalf-Lindenburger, robotic arm expert Stephanie Wilson and
the second Japanese woman ever to reach space Naoko Yamazaki. These three
female crew members, along with Space Flight
Engineer Tracy Caldwell Dyson who is already at the International
Space Station (ISS) now hold the record of the first time that four women have been in space at one
time! The four female space flyers will meet up on
Wednesday when Discovery docks with the Space Station, to form the largest
gathering of women
in space
in history. For more information about these remarkable women click HERE.
3. Astronomy Tips
-
Mercury is well placed for viewing in the evening
skies. On April 7 Venus will be placed just 3degrees
from Mercury, visible in the West just after sunset.
Join the 1% club and be a part of the small percentage of the
world's population that have observed the planet
Mercury!
-
The
planet Saturn continues to be visible reasonably high in the
South-East, well placed near the galaxy clusters in Virgo.
-
Mars
is visible also high in the South.
-
For more information on what to see in the night sky this week
check out the Sky Diary section in the March issue
of 'Astronomy &
Space' magazine.
Don't forget to email what you see
to observe@astronomy.ie and we will try to publish
your pictures and observations in forthcoming issues of the
magazine.
4. Events