CENAP Infoline - no 155

Magazine Overview

Title: MORGEN
Issue Date: March 18, 2002 (with other articles dated March 20-30, 2002)
Publisher: CENAP-INFOLINE
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of MORGEN, a publication from CENAP-INFOLINE, focuses on significant scientific and astronomical developments, including space missions, planetary discoveries, and astronomical phenomena.

GRACE Mission: Twin Satellites Orbit Earth

The lead story details the successful launch of two research satellites, GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment), from the Plessezk spaceport in northern Russia. The mission, a joint effort between Germany and the USA, aims to precisely measure Earth's gravity field. The satellites, nicknamed "Tom" and "Jerry," will orbit at an altitude of approximately 500 kilometers and transmit data for the next five years. The Geo-Forschungszentrum (GFZ) in Potsdam will analyze the data in cooperation with US colleagues to address key climate and environmental questions, such as melting ice caps and rising sea levels. The project, costing around 100 million dollars, also aims to enhance Plessezk's reputation as a commercial launch site. The DLR spokesperson Andreas Schütz described the launch as a "picture-book start."

Solar System Catastrophe: The Sun Swallowed Planet V

A brief report from Houston discusses a NASA theory suggesting that 3.8 billion years ago, the Sun swallowed a fifth planet, "Planet V." This event is hypothesized to have caused the chaotic orbit of the asteroid belt and potentially led to the Moon splitting off from Earth.

Asteroid Near Miss

Another brief report notes that an asteroid passed 480,000 kilometers from Earth on March 8th.

The Inventor of the Mercury Car: The Planet Gets a Visitor

This article introduces the "Nanokhod," a miniature robot developed by the company "Von Hoerner & Sulger" in Schwetzingen. The robot, measuring 6.5 cm in length and weighing 3 kg, is designed for planetary exploration. It has a range of 100 meters and a top speed of five meters per hour. Its capabilities include transporting 50% of its own weight, conducting chemical analyses, and self-righting to climb obstacles up to 11 cm. Originally planned for a Mars mission in 2003, the project was canceled due to cost. A new project aims to send the "Nanokhod" to Mercury in 2009, with an estimated flight time of 1.5 years.

Mitteilungen: Astronomical Events

This section, from the "Mitteilungen" publication of astronomical associations in the Rhein-Main-Nahe region, details astronomical observations. It includes a graphic of planetary positions on April 17, 2002, described as a "string of pearls" in the western sky, featuring Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, the Moon, and Jupiter. It also provides a detailed guide to observing planetary movements and conjunctions between mid-April and June 2002, noting Mercury's optimal visibility during its greatest elongation.

From Day to Day: Warm Periods with Tradition

A short piece discusses research by American and Swiss scientists who found that unusual warm periods have occurred naturally over the last 1200 years, independent of human influence, based on studies of tree growth rings.

Record-Breaking Stay on the ISS

Updates from the International Space Station (ISS) report that long-term residents will stay in orbit longer due to a technical problem with the Canadian robotic arm. The planned launch of the Endeavour space shuttle for crew rotation has been postponed to May 31st. This will result in a new US record for the longest stay in space, with astronauts Carl Walz and Daniel Bursch spending at least 189 days aboard the ISS.

UFO Alarm Over the Kurpfalz

This article addresses potential UFO sightings around Easter, attributing them to the planet Venus appearing low on the western horizon at sunset, which can be mistaken for a flying object.

Ancient Stars Discovered

NASA's Chandra satellite has detected three quasars from the early universe, dating back to when the universe was only one billion years old.

Comet Ikeya-Zhang Returns

Amateur astronomers Kaora Ikeya and Daqing Zhang discovered a comet that will be visible in the evening sky from late March to late April. This comet, potentially a return of one first described in 1683, has the longest recorded return period. It is expected to be visible to the naked eye and through binoculars, with its closest approach to the Sun on March 18th.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around space exploration, astronomical discoveries, and the scientific investigation of celestial phenomena. The magazine presents a mix of factual reporting on space missions (GRACE, ISS), theoretical science (Planet V), technological advancements (Nanokhod robot), and astronomical observations (comets, planetary alignments). The editorial stance appears to be one of informing the public about current scientific endeavors and intriguing astronomical events, while also addressing more speculative topics like UFOs with a rational, scientific explanation.