Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/mac/TEXT/SPACEDIG/V13_3/V13_323.TXT

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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
  [e-mail].  Other mail, esp. [un]subscription requests,
  should be sent to [e-mail], or, if urgent, to
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----------------------------------------------------------------------

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![e-mail]  (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
[e-mail]        Department of Computer Science
_______________________________________________________________________________

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

Date: 25 Mar 91 19:10:48 GMT
From: usc!rpi!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!utzoo![e-mail]  (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Observation report (or, "Is The Nuke Plant That Way?")

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] 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|  [e-mail]  utzoo!henry

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

Date: Mon, 25 Mar 91 15:15 GMT
From: [e-mail]
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: [e-mail] (CARY OLER)
Subject: MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM UPDATE #2 - 25 MARCH - ALERT UPDATES
X-St-Vmsmail-To: st%"[e-mail]"

                       /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

                            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" <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: SPACE Digest V13 #295
To: "space+" <[e-mail]>





please take me off this mailing list

thank you!!!

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

Date: 25 Mar 91 17:29:05 GMT
From: amdahl!dgcad!dg-rtp!groupw![e-mail]  (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   [e-mail]   [phone]
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
*******************