Cool image of Mars Phoenix Lander

For the first time, a spacecraft has been photographed on its descent onto another planetary body.  Check out these pictures of the Mars Phoenix Lander on its final descent taken from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's HiRISE camera some 310 km above the planet's surface. In the scene, the parachute is deployed to slow the craft's decent to the surface. (NASA press release)



Just to prove it landed, here is a photo from the surface. More great images of the Phoenix are on the its website. One small step for Phoenix, one giant leap for robot kind!

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Completed my PADI diver training

As the Mars Phoenix Lander was successfully touching down on Mars, I was completing the PADI Open Water Diver certification course.  During the week prior to the dives, I had to study the PADI Open Water Manual, watch the videos with the class, and take quizzes plus a final exam.  Then, the class spent Saturday and Sunday doing 5 closed water and 4 open water dives.

Diving was a lot of fun.  I got to see a white-tipped reef shark, swim with a large sea turtle, watch a sea horse, as well as the usual reef wildlife (fish, urchins, starfish, etc.).  I logged nearly 2 hours during my 4 open water dives, and the deepest I went was 27 ft (8.2 m).  I was originally worried about equalizing the pressure in my ears, but it wasn't hard at all.  The thing that surprised me the most was how heavy the scuba equipment is out of the water.  In fact, just gearing up and walking between the staging area and beach really wore me out.  I feel like I've been on a strenuous backpacking trip.

I wanted to take my camera with me on the last dive, but I didn't since I wasn't 100% certain that my new waterproof case would work.  It's too bad because I could have photographed the shark.  Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of myself diving, so I'll have to go again and make sure to bring a camera next time. (I swiped the photo shown above from the internet.)

The next level of diving certification is the PADA Advanced Open Water Diver, which consists of five adventure dives that you choose from these options: altitude diving, AWARE-fish identification, boat diving, deep diving, diver propulsion vehicle use, drift diving, dry suit diving, multilevel and computer diving, night diving, peak performance buoyancy, search and recovery, underwater nature study, underwater navigation, underwater photography, underwater videography and wreck diving.  It costs only slightly more than the Open Water course and can be completed over one weekend.  I'm tempted to do it while I'm in Alaska later this summer since I can gain some experience with cold water diving, but it costs more there compared to Hawaii.  We'll see.

I'll have to get at least 25 dives under my belt before I can become a NOAA Scientific Diver.  The main limitation for me is the high cost of buying diving equipment (at least $1-2k).  If I get serious about this, I'll definitely need to buy my own equipment, but I don't think I can afford it yet.

PS: This is the first time I've uploaded a blog post using the really nice flock browser.

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A child's laughter...

Check out this video of my son laughing really hard. I'm also testing out the link to my video-hosting service.

Better than a jet pack

Forget jet packs and their severe fuel/distance/speed limitations. Swiss pilot Yvess Rossy (aka: "fusion man" or "jet man") has developed the world's first jet turbine-powered wings that allow him to fly at speeds ranging from 130 to 300 km/h (81 to 186 mph). He controls his movement simply by shifting his body weight, similar to hang gliding. This is the ultimate in personal powered flight. You can read a press release, see a short video (no audio), and 34 great photos from his flight here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080514/ap_on_re_eu/switzerland_rocket_man

A slideshow set to cheesy but appropriate music is below:



This video is longer and shows a lot more detail (not much English spoken, though):

Navy restricts astronaut applicants

Blog reader Kris, pointed out this article from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/us/27astro.html

Navy Limits Applications for Its Nominations to Space Program

By JOHN SCHWARTZ
Published: April 27, 2008

The cutback comes as the service tries to retain the expertise it needs to fulfill its wartime obligations while experiencing an overall decline in its numbers.

One one hand, it's a troubling sign that our military is over-extended in its Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. On the other hand, this means fewer Navy applicants to the astronaut program. That's less competition for mere civilians like me!

If the Navy's policy continues, the statistics I reported a few weeks ago will certainly change.

NASA Intern hopes to fly in space (funny)

The Onion is on target once again with its witty humor. Click the link below to read the article.

NASA Intern Hoping To Go On Space Walk Before He Leaves In June

End Fossil Fuel Eco-mmunity

A former PSSS classmate tipped me off to this social network on a Facebook post. I joined End Fossil Fuel and discovered that it is managed by the same group as Space Democrats. It deals with sustainable living, especially energy conservation and clean energy alternatives. It's just getting off the ground, but so far the discussions are interesting, and the people seem very friendly. Check it out:

http://www.endfossilfuel.com

Add this to the list of my other profiles.