Category Archives: Space participation

Activism, Space participation, Space Settlement

NSS Space Forum: Sustainable Space Development – Doug Plata

Check out the upcoming National Space Society Space Forum with Dr. Doug Plata, President and founder of the Space Development Network. He will talk about the  Network’s plan for sustainable space development and focus in particular on The Space Fair and Instabase projects. The presentation on Zoom is set for Thursday, July 13, 2023, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EDT.

[ Update July.17.2023: Here is a video of the event:

]

From the NSS announcement:

The Plan for Sustainable Space Development is the plan proposed by the Space Development Network for the initial development of space. It has similarities to the NSS Roadmap, but it is focused on the near term, what is probable, and a specific timetable. Doug’s presentation will focus on two aspects, The Space Fair and Instabase.

The Space Fair is made from the exhibits which were displayed at ISDC 2023 in Frisco, Texas and which filled a conference room, much to the delight and enjoyment of the attendees. The Space Fair is divided into 15 categories and Doug will review the sections as they provide an interesting summary of the plan.

Following that introduction to the plan, Doug will explore their proposed concept for the Initial Permanent Bases on the moon and Mars. This Instabase would be designed to house the very historic, Initial Permanent Crew of eight. Doug will explain why they  believe that inflatables make the best sense not only for the Initial Permanent Base but for the initial phase of the International Bases on the Moon and Mars. They could use very large, 100 ton inflatables delivered via Starship. Doug will systematically go through the various modules of the InstaBase and then describe the scenario for the Initial Permanent Crew.

Don’t miss this informative space forum that will feature the innovative concepts for habitation on the Moon proposed by the Space Development Network.  Doug will also share more about the Space Development Network and answer all of your questions. …

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Doug Plata is a physician in Redlands, CA.  He is the President and Founder of the Space Development Network, a free-to-join organization of space advocates networked to advance space development projects. Doug has served on multiple committees of different space advocacy organizations. He has made dozens of appearances and presentations at conferences and on the radio.  He recently oversaw the completion of a full-scale Moon-Mars base mock-up named the InstaBase which is to be displayed during major Starship launches. His primary interest is the establishment of large, inflatable, and sustainable bases as the initial permanent bases on both the Moon and Mars.

Register for the event here.

Hear also Doug discuss Space Development Network initiatives in interviews on The Space Show.

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The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach

Astronomy, Education, Space participation

Night sky highlights for July 2023

** What’s Up: July 2023 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL

What are some skywatching highlights in July 2023?

Mars and Venus start the month close together, but part ways and head lower as July goes on. Mars appears very near Regulus in Leo on the 9th and 10th. Saturn and Jupiter rule the night, along with bright star Fomalhaut. And July is prime time for viewing the Milky Way core from dark sky locations.

0:00 Intro
0:12 Mars & Venus in the evening
0:31 Mars close to Regulus
1:07 Saturn & Jupiter in the morning
1:49 Fomalhaut’s debris disk
2:38 Viewing the Milky Way
3:17 July Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatch….

** Tonight’s Sky: July 2023 – Space Telescope Science Institute – Tonight’s Sky

In July, find the Scorpius constellation to identify the reddish supergiant Antares, which will lead you to discover a trio of globular star clusters. Keep watching for space-based views of these densely packed, spherical collections of ancient stars, as well as three nebulas: the Swan Nebula, the Lagoon Nebula, and the Trifid Nebula.

** What to see in the night sky: July 2023 – BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal what’s visible in the night sky this month, including Mercury and Venus, a (somewhat) brightening Jupiter, the Perseid meteor shower, minor planet Vesta, and Comet C/2020 V2 (ZTF).

** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – July 2023 – Sky & Telescope Youtube

Our monthly Sky Tour #astronomy #podcast provides an informative and entertaining 10-minute guided tour of the nighttime sky. Listen to the July episode and take the measure of #Earth’s orbit; track down #mars, #mercury, and #venus, and take a poke at the celestial scorpion, #scorpious.

Listen and subscribe to this podcast at https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/ and don’t forget to subscribe to S&T’s YouTube channel to get alerts about new videos, including this monthly podcast.

See also

** What’s in the Night Sky July 2023 🌌 Venus Mars Conjunction | Noctilucent Clouds | Milky Way – Alyn Wallace

** Night Sky Notebook July 2023 – Peter Detterline

** See also:

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Stellaris: People of the Stars

Astronomy, Education, Space participation

Night sky highlights for June 2023

** What’s Up: June 2023 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL

What are some skywatching highlights in June 2023?
Mars and Venus draw closer throughout the month, while Saturn leads Jupiter into the morning sky. Bright stars Spica and Arcturus shine brightly overhead on June evenings, along with the Summer Triangle. And the June solstice, on the 21st, has a special claim to fame.

0:00 Intro
0:13 Mars & Venus in the evening
1:00 Saturn & Jupiter in the morning
1:19 Bright stars of June
2:22 June solstice
3:42 June Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatch….

** Tonight’s Sky: June 2023 – Space Telescope Science Institute – Tonight’s Sky

Though the nights are shorter in June, they are filled with fine sights. Look for the Hercules constellation, which will lead you to a globular star cluster with hundreds of thousands of densely packed stars. You can also spot Draco the dragon, which will point you to the Cat’s Eye Nebula. Keep watching for space-based views of globular star clusters and the nebula.

** What to see in the night sky: June 2023 – BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal what you can see in the night sky this month, including Mars, Venus and the Beehive Cluster, the Summer Solstice and the Summer Triangle.

** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – June 2023 – Sky & Telescope Youtube

Our monthly Sky Tour #astronomy #podcast provides an informative and entertaining 10-minute guided tour of the nighttime sky. Listen to the June episode and mark the Sun’s #solstice; follow the #Moon through its phases; watch #Venus and #Mars dance in the evening sky; track down a couple of faint #constellations; and shine a spotlight on the #star #Arcturus.

See also

** What’s in the Night Sky June 2023 🌌 Venus Mars Conjunction | Noctilucent Clouds | Milky Way – Alyn Wallace

00:00 Intro
00:40 June Solstice
01:02 Twilight
02:00 Noctilucent Clouds
03:35 Milky Way
05:26 Moon
05:49 Moon and Planets
07:31 WITNS Winners

** Night Sky Notebook June 2023 – Peter Detterline

** See also:

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Stellaris: People of the Stars

Astronomy, Education, Space participation

Night sky highlights for May 2023

** What’s Up: May 2023 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL

What are some skywatching highlights in May 2023?

Venus reaches its highest point in the evening sky for the year, while Jupiter disappears behind the Moon for some U.S. observers. Plus, some key differences in the Southern Hemisphere’s skies compared to those of the North.

0:00 Intro
0:12 Moon & planet pairings
1:16 Venus at its highest
1:38 Skies of the Southern Hemisphere
3:48 May Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatch….

** Tonight’s Sky: May 2023 – Space Telescope Science Institute – Tonight’s Sky

In May, we are looking away from the crowded, dusty plane of our own galaxy toward a region where the sky is brimming with distant galaxies. Locate Virgo to find a concentration of roughly 2,000 galaxies and search for Coma Berenices to identify many more. Keep watching for space-based views of galaxies like the Sombrero Galaxy, M87, and M64.

** What to see in the night sky: May 2023 – BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Astronomers Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal the best things to see in the night sky this month, including catching Venus before it disappears, the daytime lunar occultation of Jupiter, the Moon and the tongue-twisting stars of Libra!

** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – May 2023 – Sky & Telescope Youtube

Our monthly Sky Tour #astronomy #podcast provides an informative and entertaining 10-minute guided tour of the nighttime sky. Listen to the May episode and look for tiny bits of #halleyscomet; watch the #Moon cover up #Jupiter; track down a couple of evening #planets; and take stock of bright #stars in the late-spring sky.

See also

** Night Sky Notebook May 2023 – Peter Detterline

Find out what’s happening in the sky when you look up in May 2023.

** What’s in the Night Sky May 2023 #WITNS Lunar Eclipse | Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower | Manhattanhenge  – Alyn Wallace

00:00 Intro
00:32 Lunar Eclipse
02:39 Eta Aquariids
03:41 Noctilucent Clouds
04:40 Milky Way
06:07 Moon and Planets
07:45 Manhattanhenge
08:38 WITNS Winners

** See also:

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Stellaris: People of the Stars

Astronomy, Education, Space participation

Night sky highlights for April 2023

** What’s Up: April 2023 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL

Mercury reaches its highest in the evening sky for the year for Northern Hemisphere observers. The Moon makes its monthly rounds to pair up beautifully with several planets. And viewing conditions may be ideal for the annual Lyrid meteor shower, thanks to no interference from the Moon.

0:00 Intro
0:11 Mercury
1:11 Moon & planet highlights
2:43 Lyrid meteor shower
4:08 April Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatch….

** Tonight’s Sky: April 2023 – Space Telescope Science Institute – Tonight’s Sky

Clear April nights are filled with starry creatures. Near the Big Dipper, you will find several interesting binary stars. You can also spot galaxies like the Pinwheel Galaxy, M82, and M96—the last of which is an asymmetric galaxy that may have been gravitationally disrupted by encounters with its neighbors. Keep watching for space-based views of these celestial objects.

… “Tonight’s Sky” is a monthly video of constellations you can observe in the night sky. The series is produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute, home of science operations for the Hubble Space Telescope, in partnership with NASA’s Universe of Learning. This is a recurring show, and you can find more episodes—and other astronomy videos—at https://hubblesite.org/resource-galle….

** What to see in the night sky: April 2023 – BBC Sky at Night Magazine

What’s in the night sky tonight? Astronomers Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel guide us through April’s night-sky highlights, including Mercury’s favourable position in the evening sky, a wonderful encounter between Venus and the Pleiades, Mars in Gemini and the Lyrid meteor shower.

** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – April 2023 – Sky & Telescope Youtube

Our monthly Sky Tour #astronomy #podcast provides an informative and entertaining 10-minute guided tour of the nighttime sky. Listen to the April episode and follow the #Moon around the sky; spot #Venus and #Mercury soon after #sunset; track down a hunter, a lion, a bear, a snake, and a crow; and watch for the #Lyrids, a modest meteor shower toward month’s end.

See also

** What’s in the Night Sky April 2023 – Hybrid Solar Eclipse | Lyrid Meteor Shower – Alyn Wallace

00:00 Intro
00:24 Pink Paschal Moon
01:14 Milky Way
02:26 Mercury Elongation
03:33 Venus and Pleiades
04:12 Mars
04:29 Saturn
04:40 Hybrid Solar Eclipse
05:45 Lyrid Meteor Shower
07:03 Summary
07:14 WITNS Winners

** Night Sky Notebook April 2023 – Peter Detterline

Find out what’s happening in the sky when you look up in April 2023.

** See also:

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Celestron
70mm Travel Scope
Portable Refractor Telescope
Fully-Coated Glass Optics
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Stellaris: People of the Stars