CENAP Infoline - no 138

Magazine Overview

CENAP-INFOLINE, issue NR.138, dated July 23, 2001, is a science and technology magazine covering a range of topics from art and astronomy to space exploration and aviation.

Articles

Students Prepare Europe's Ground

On a harvested grain field near the Kyffhäuser Monument in Thuringia, Germany, students from the Bauhaus University Weimar have created the largest crop circle in Europe, measuring 450 by 450 meters. Titled 'The Abduction of Europa,' the artwork, inspired by classical mythology, depicts Europa on the back of a bull and will remain visible until autumn. The Kyffhäuser Monument's 60-meter high tower offers an excellent vantage point for viewing the creation.

Storms Stress Mercury

In the Spanish exclave of Melilla in North Africa, heat storms caused temperatures to soar by up to 18 degrees Celsius within five minutes, from 23 to 41 degrees. A strong southerly wind with gusts up to 70 km/h accompanied this rare weather phenomenon, which lasted for 15 minutes before temperatures dropped back to 23 degrees.

The Ikarus Project: NASA Aims to Catch a Piece of the Sun

This article by Stefan Blatt details NASA's 'Project Ikarus,' scheduled to launch on July 30th. The mission involves the 'Genesis' space probe, described as a 'solar angler,' which will travel 1.6 million kilometers through the solar wind. Equipped with five specialized collectors made of silicon, diamonds, sapphires, and gold, the probe aims to capture about ten particles of solar wind, each the size of a grain of salt. In 2004, a parachute will bring the capsule containing this precious material back to Earth, where it will be secured by combat jets and ground troops. Project leader Chet Sasaki highlights the potential for discovering unknown substances that could reveal insights into the origin of the universe. The article also includes a brief mythological reference to Icarus.

Saturn Sets a Record: Twelve New Moons Discovered

An international team of astronomers has discovered twelve new moons orbiting Saturn, bringing the planet's total number of known satellites to 30. This discovery makes Saturn the ringed planet with the most moons in our solar system, surpassing Jupiter by two. The newly found moons range from six to 30 kilometers in diameter. Brett Gladman of the Côte d'Azur Observatory in France, along with colleagues from Canada, Norway, and the USA, made the discovery during a systematic search. US astronomer Douglas Hamilton suggests that a similar search around Jupiter could reveal many more such mini-moons. Researchers believe these 'irregular moons' are likely the result of cosmic collisions involving larger moons, providing clues about the formation and early history of planets.

No Fear of Friday the 13th

Sociologist Edgar Wunder from the 'Forum Parawissenschaften' reassures readers that Friday the 13th is no more dangerous than any other day, citing a statistical analysis of 146,877 Friday accidents that found no increased risk.

Did NASA Discover Life in Space?

A satellite has detected vast amounts of water vapor in a distant solar system located 500 light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo. Project leader Gary Melnick notes that the presence of water, where it was not expected, raises the possibility of life. The satellite, built with German assistance, was launched three years ago by NASA to detect oxygen and water vapor in the universe.

ISS Gets a 'Front Door': Astronauts Can Now Leave the Station Anytime

The space shuttle Atlantis is en route to the International Space Station (ISS) carrying a much-needed airlock. This 'front door' will allow astronauts to perform external tasks at any time, approximately nine months after the first long-term residents moved in. The airlock, weighing over six tons, was installed by astronauts Mike Gernhardt and Jim Reilly during a spacewalk. The article details the challenges of the spacewalk, comparing it to wrestling an alligator. The installation of the airlock marks the completion of the second phase of the ISS construction, providing the three resident astronauts with a living space of 425 cubic meters.

Satellite in Orbit – But on the Wrong Track

A launch failure of an Ariane-5 rocket has put the European Space Agency's (ESA) Artemis telecommunications satellite into a much lower orbit than intended. The satellite, costing 821 million Euros and uninsured, was designed for an orbit of 36,000 kilometers but ended up in a much lower one due to a failure in the upper stage of the rocket. Project manager Gotthard Oppenhäuser expressed confidence in finding a technical solution to correct the orbit, but experts warn that this could shorten the satellite's ten-year operational lifespan. The failure of the upper stage is the second incident for the Ariane-5 since its introduction in 1996. The launch of the Japanese BSAT-2b satellite was also affected.

'Ring Wrestling' in Space Goes as Planned

Astronauts James Reilly and Michael Gernhardt successfully installed a new airlock on the International Space Station (ISS) during a nearly six-hour spacewalk. This 'door' provides the ISS residents with greater freedom to conduct external missions. The spacewalk was notable for its efficiency, taking just under six hours instead of the planned seven. The article also mentions a minor issue with a reserve spacesuit that showed traces of a toxic substance, possibly from a leaked battery. The installation of the six-ton airlock is the primary objective of the eleven-day mission, with further spacewalks planned to attach oxygen and gas tanks.

Solar Glider Passes Test

A solar-powered experimental aircraft named 'Helios' successfully reached an altitude of 23,183 meters during its first test flight. The unmanned aircraft, with a wingspan of 75 meters and a length of 2.40 meters, is propelled by 14 propellers powered by electric motors that utilize solar energy.

Shuttle Mission Extended

NASA has extended the Atlantis shuttle mission to the ISS by one day, until July 24th, to allow astronauts more time to resolve technical issues with the new airlock.

The Priest Who Discovered 100 Stars

This article tells the story of Jesuit priest Christian Mayer (1719-1783), who served as an astronomer and confessed to the Elector of the Palatinate in Mannheim. After studying in Heidelberg and St. Petersburg, Mayer established an observatory at Mannheim Castle. He is credited with discovering over 100 double stars by 1783. Tragically, he died during surgery to remove polyps in 1783. The article mentions a commemorative medal minted in his honor in 1783.

Astronauts Get Their 'Front Door'

Following a successful mission, the space shuttle Atlantis has undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) and is returning to Earth. The crew installed a new airlock, giving the ISS its first 'front door' for external operations. The spacewalk by astronauts Michael Gernhardt and James Reilly marked two significant anniversaries: the moon landing on July 20, 1969, and the first Mars landing by the Viking probe 25 years ago. The new airlock provides greater freedom for the three ISS residents, as they can now exit the station without a shuttle being docked, overcoming previous limitations with connecting hoses.

Zeppelin Captures TV Images

A Commerzbank Zeppelin, a 45-meter long electronically controlled airship, is being used to capture aerial footage for television and the internet. The airship, which recently underwent repairs after a storm, has been used for events like the Football League Cup and is scheduled for future appearances at the Love Parade and Oktoberfest. Its sensitive camera can capture details from up to 1000 meters altitude and transmit images wirelessly up to 60 kilometers.

Largest Airship Cannot Start

The world's largest airship, a 60-meter long 'Prall-Luftschiff' filled with 7200 cubic meters of helium and air, is grounded at the Lachen-Speyerdorf airfield due to high winds. The airship, named 'Nummer 1' and christened by football coach Otto Rehhagel, cannot take off because wind speeds exceed 60 km/h, making it too dangerous. The organizers are hoping to move the airship to Karlsruhe if conditions do not improve.

Shuttle Mission Extended (again)

NASA has extended the Atlantis mission to the ISS by another day, until July 24th, to address ongoing technical issues with the new airlock.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers advancements in space exploration, astronomy, and aerospace technology, with a focus on international collaboration and scientific discovery. There is a clear interest in reporting on significant milestones, such as the ISS construction and new astronomical findings. The publication also touches upon historical aspects of science and technology, as seen in the article about Christian Mayer. The editorial stance appears to be informative and enthusiastic about technological progress and the exploration of the unknown. The inclusion of diverse topics, from crop circles to satellite failures, suggests a broad scope within the science and technology domain.