A Japanese space observatory will
depart Earth this month bound for Venus as it begins a multi-year
mission to study the planet's mysterious atmosphere.
I am an ex-Air Force officer and now spend my evenings with my telescope observing and photographing the cosmos. During the day, I am currently a photographer, but spend most of my time home raising my 11-month old baby girl.
My photographic website, which has both regular and astrophotography is: www.eprisephoto.com
I began interest in astronomy and space in later grade school. In 8th grade I took an "Adult Education Course in Astronomy along with my mother (who was my "ticket" to be allowed to take an adult ed course. I remember spotting the Echo balloon satellite in 1960 as the 100' mylar balloon passive communucation reflector lofted across the night sky. In junior high school I built my own reflector telescope with the help of my father to explore the near and far reaches of space that my 4.25" mirror and barlow lens could find.
From HAM the space chimp to STS-131 missions (and ones to follow) I have tracked or tried to track most of the space missions. One night on the way to a night class in college I remember hearing on WJR-AM Detroit the unfolding of Apollo 13's episode.
Thankfully, my daughter @janellewilson has taken my interest further and now teachers middle school earth and space science in Georgia and has attended the JSC tweetup earlier in 2010, and her second for STS-132 at KSC.
I'm a lifelong amateur astronomer and space enthusiast, living in Kendal in the UK. I have been doing Outreach in schools, and to local community groups, for over 30 years, and I am also an astronomy / space author, with 12 childten's books published to date and many articles and features published in local magazines and newspapers. I run my town's astronomical society, broadcast about astronomy and space on my local radio stations, and am particularly passionate about the exploration of Mars. I am a very actrive member of the popular unmannedspaceflight.com forum, and write several blogs of my own, including one which features "astropoetry" - poetry I write that is inspired by astronomy and space exploration.
I'm Justin, i'm 17 years old. I love space and everything related to it. I hopefully want to work for NASA someday or any company that is related to space.
I have a ETX-90EC telescope that I try and use every chance I can, and if I can't I recently found MyTelescope.com and use that instead.
My Uncle lives in Florida about 30 min from KSC, which is why I think im so interested in space and NASA.
My interest in NASA really accelerated last year when I was in Florida and saw the Shuttle go up from my uncles back yard, and I wasn't 8, so I could remember it :)
I also play Orbiter Space Flight Simulator more than any other game, even on Xbox.
I never know what to say so I'm Jay and I live and work in Tampa Florida. I'm a huge space fanatic and a big supporter of the shuttle program. (Which means 2010 is just breaking my heart!)
My goal is to make every launch in 2010 and to spend as much time at the Kennedy Space Center as humanly imaginable! I love science, astronomy, physics, history, philosophy and religion.
I'm open-minded, extroverted and I love living here in Florida (except for the drivers, hah!). I really enjoy meeting new people and hanging out and having a good time.
I've been following NASA on twitter since I first got an account and now I follow as many of their feeds as I can get my hands on.
I was born a science geek. I was one of those kids in grade school who would always ask "When are we going to learn about the stars and the planets?" We finally learned about astronomy in 6th grade. I didn't do too well in the class at first so it never really hit me how much I love astronomy. 7th grade science went by just like that because I had mono and missed about 10 weeks of school. However, I realized at the end of 7th grade that I love science! I took the 8th grade science book home over the summer and read it almost every day. I learned more over the summer than what my teacher actually taught that year. I even got to teach the lesson on Newton's laws. Also during the summer before my 8th grade year I went to my local science center frequently. So frequent that I actually started to volunteer there at the planetarium and observatory. My science teacher awarded me the "Science Award" for my 8th grade year. He said that he really couldn't think of anyone else to give it to because I was clearly the one.
Robotic exploration, big science telescopes, SETI, dark matter/energy, space elevators, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, exotic propulsion systems, private human LEO transport
April 2010 has been selected as the Global Month of Astronomy.
Following the unprecedented success of IYA's 100 Hours of Astronomy,
astronomers around the World are gathering together to share with the
public the wonders of our Universe during a whole month devoted to it.
Come join us in the largest astronomical event of the year. Plan activities or join our live events: from remote telescope sessions to live interviews via web with Astronomy Legends.
Remember: sharing the sky with everyone will increase not only the knowledge but will open the mind's eye in those that will become our future!
Advertising /Online media industry. F1 fanatic and space program enthusiast. Love running, boxing, traveling, photography and dogs. Also a dessert addict =)
I have been an engineer at NASA (JSC) for twenty years. I have worked Shuttle (Payload Ops), NASA Mir (continuous rotation to Russia supporting NASA astronaut and payloads on-board Mir for three years), and now write procedures to build and operate the ISS. Most recently the procedures are mod kits which retro fit the station and its modules for newly desired capabilities.
My analytical/geek side often fights to coexist with my artistic side. An artist all my life, I write lyrics and poetry, create art by recycling old items (crosses, birdhouses, furniture), do graphic design on the side as well and also love construction and building things... big things, like massive decks! That engineering comes back into play with my construction projects and while building custom cabinets and renovating my kitchen or knocking a hole in the wall under the stairs for a wine cellar... best of both worlds?
I was born in the middle of the Apollo era, which means although men walked on the moon whilst I was alive, I was too young to remember it! I have had a fascination with space for as long as I can remember. The desire to understand our place in the universe, why are we here, where did we come from, are we alone?
My childhood desire to learn more about space was partly driven by my uncle who was also interested in Astronomy and space. I remember sitting out on warm summer evenings whilst he would point out the constellations to me. He bought me my first set of Binoculars which I still have and use to this day!
I am a space and astronomy journalist for newspapers and magazines, working and living in the UK. I am also author of two books, the more recent being Where Did Pluto Go? published by Reader's Digest of New York. I also produce the astronomy news blog Skymania News.
I am interested in astronomy, space exploration and planetary science. I am a chartered accountant and am also trained as a counsellor. I am currently studying with the Open University for a degree in Physical Science, focusing on the astrophsyics side. I would love to follow this up with a PHD. In the meantime I am still working as an accountant with a local firm.
I also like cycling, yoga, science fiction, eating out, walking and playing games on facebook.
Well to keep it short and simple I'm someone that programs for the web, is bit of a cartoonist, photographer and amateur videographer. Bit of a jack of all trades I guess.
Absolute nut about space and all the great and amazing secrets hidden within this great big expanse called the universe.
I love the universe: it's where I live. I am skeptical, but easily awed by wondrous things. I want to learn many points of view so I can evaluate them and learn how others view the universe. I try hard not to make offensive remarks, but I also don't let egregious statements pass unchallenged.
My favorite activity on social networks is interacting with professionals in their fields: it makes me feel more connected to the world of science and technology and exploration. It's nice to know they're just ordinary people like me, but doing extraordinary things with their lives and work.
April 2010 has been selected as the 
