Is anyone else excited about the New Horizons spacecraft arriving at Pluto next week. It seems as if I have been waiting for this forever. It launched in 2006. It flies by Pluto on Tuesday July 14th. There is a small part of me that hopes that there is a sign on Pluto that says “Yes, we are a planet!”. It has been a remarkable mission. It also fits in with the space theme of the August book club’s book “Seveneves”.
^ Me!!!
I have never forgiven astronomers and the likes of Mike Brown “How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming”. I’m totally with you on the sign…
Me! I can’t wait.
I’m very excited! Can’t wait to see the close-up photos.
Yes, have been following it daily since the July 4th short-term mishap.
BTW, and off topic: A few weeks ago while walking our dog I saw the crescent moon, Venus and Jupiter make that beautiful, dramatic triangle in the western sky as V & J were moving toward conjunction. It was such an awesome sight that I brought W & D outside to see it as well! We were in awe.
I know I’ll never actually “see” Pluto, but I can’t wait for the pictures tomorrow!!!
Mike Brown was saying in one of his YouTube talks that New Horizons may confirm that Pluto is not a planet (like the 8 other planets)
Is anyone in school training to be an Astrogator?
Don’t be shy!!! Stand up and take a bow!!
Check out the today’s Google doodle.
We are excited !!!
One of my son’s favorite t-shirts: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bxvsq6rIIAA5b-J.jpg
JPL posted this list of Facebook today:
For those who didn’t know, a small amount of Clyde Tombaugh’s ashes are on the space craft. It really was incredible for him to find it in 1930. I hope that the pictures exceed what NASA is hoping for.
Crossing my fingers for life on Pluto. >-)
Long trip and no restroom at the end.
Count me out.
I’ve had dinner a few times with one of the NASA folks involved in the science side of this. The complexity of the planning is mind-boggling, especially across so many different organizations and for such a long time. Since one of the research groups involved is headquartered nearby, we’re getting lots and lots of local interest and updates. I’m going to try and go see the session tomorrow.
No future Astrogators? What does it take to become one?
The astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson had a fun explanation why Pluto is only a “dwarf” planet: “It crosses into Neptune’s orbit for 26 years… It’s embarrassing! No self respecting planet crosses into another planet’s orbit!”
A really exciting news briefing from Johns Hopkins APL on NASA TV right now. Incredible photos, amazing discoveries. Deep canyons on Charon. 11,000 foot mountains south of the heart on Pluto. The heart area has been named Tombaugh Reggio (sp?) to honor the discoverer of Pluto.
Yes. Those pics are incredible. I’ll be sure to tune in again on Friday.
News conference starting now.