Comments on: The return of Stardust http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:36:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Moonage SpaceDream » Blog Archive » Stardust is Home http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9789 Moonage SpaceDream » Blog Archive » Stardust is Home Sun, 22 Apr 2007 02:58:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9789 [...] University of Alabama even has a pic of Genesis as it approached re-entry.  Pretty cool stuff.  Bad Astronomy does an even better job explaining what Genesis is exactly and more details of its lan.... [...] [...] University of Alabama even has a pic of Genesis as it approached re-entry.  Pretty cool stuff.  Bad Astronomy does an even better job explaining what Genesis is exactly and more details of its lan…. [...]

]]> By: Antipodean http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9777 Antipodean Mon, 16 Jan 2006 08:21:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9777 I'm from Australia, SHOW ME! I’m from Australia, SHOW ME!

]]> By: Leonard L. Butts http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9765 Leonard L. Butts Sun, 15 Jan 2006 21:45:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9765 I'm from Missouri.... SHOW ME! I’m from Missouri…. SHOW ME!

]]> By: Tom OReilly http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9778 Tom OReilly Sun, 15 Jan 2006 18:22:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9778 We attempted to view the Stardust reentry from Santa Cruz California, from a site with unobstructed view of the northern horizon. Weather conditions were excellent; a few scattered clouds, but the northern horizon appeared to be cloud-free, major stars in circumpolar constellations were readily visible to the naked eye (limiting magnitude from about 3.5 to 4). We watched the northern sky from about 01:50 to 02:10 PST, however did not see any sign of the reentry. We attempted to view the Stardust reentry from Santa Cruz California,
from a site with unobstructed view of the northern horizon. Weather
conditions were excellent; a few scattered clouds, but the northern
horizon appeared to be cloud-free, major stars in circumpolar
constellations were readily visible to the naked eye (limiting
magnitude from about 3.5 to 4). We watched the northern sky from about
01:50 to 02:10 PST, however did not see any sign of the reentry.

]]> By: Robert Ingersoll http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9768 Robert Ingersoll Sun, 15 Jan 2006 17:33:40 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9768 BA, I just reread my post and realized that I got Richard Hoagland and Bart Sibrel mixed up over the moon hoax thing. Sorry about that. Birds of a feather, though, in my opinion. Keep up the good work! BA, I just reread my post and realized that I got Richard Hoagland and Bart Sibrel mixed up over the moon hoax thing. Sorry about that. Birds of a feather, though, in my opinion. Keep up the good work!

]]> By: bigjohn756 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9767 bigjohn756 Sun, 15 Jan 2006 16:44:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9767 I have one word for Stardust: Hip, hip, hooooray!! Oh, wait that's three words. I got a little emotional for a minute there. Now, I can hardly wait to see what they caught. I have one word for Stardust:

Hip, hip, hooooray!!

Oh, wait that’s three words. I got a little emotional for a minute there. Now, I can hardly wait to see what they caught.

]]> By: Kevin from NYC http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9766 Kevin from NYC Sun, 15 Jan 2006 16:43:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9766 "Folks, please don’t respond to trolls. I will simply delete those posts, and then your responses won’t make sense. " AW can't we have a troll post graveyard so we can go see them? and your right. Hawaii made no sense until I saw your post. Great Job BTW I always find out cool stuff on your site. “Folks, please don’t respond to trolls. I will simply delete those posts, and then your responses won’t make sense. ”

AW can’t we have a troll post graveyard so we can go see them? and your right. Hawaii made no sense until I saw your post.

Great Job BTW I always find out cool stuff on your site.

]]> By: Moonage Spacedream http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9784 Moonage Spacedream Sun, 15 Jan 2006 14:41:45 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9784 <strong>Stardust is Home</strong> Stardust landed last night. Unlike Genesis, Stardust landed perfectly in the desert. It was a little off course, but that was the worst of it apparently. Stardust@home is now a reality. This is very cool considering especially the bizarre path Stardust is Home

Stardust landed last night. Unlike Genesis, Stardust landed perfectly in the desert. It was a little off course, but that was the worst of it apparently. Stardust@home is now a reality. This is very cool considering especially the bizarre path

]]> By: George http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9770 George Sun, 15 Jan 2006 13:11:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9770 When I saw Ray Gray's reference to watching the Echo satellite go over, it really brought back memories. My dad took me outside as a little boy and we watched for Echo. He bought me a 4" Newtonian reflector telescope too, and I remember using it. Thinking about it now though, I cannot imagine it having a wide enough field of view to actually watch the satellite pass by in the telescope; but I do seem to remember that happening. (40+ years ago!). There is a lot more "stuff" orbiting these days than then, but it is still fun to me to watch and identify a moving point of light as something that humans put into space. Especially when it is something as cool as watching a fiery re-entry like Stardust. Too bad that TX (my location) was too far away to see that. When I saw Ray Gray’s reference to watching the Echo satellite go over, it really brought back memories. My dad took me outside as a little boy and we watched for Echo. He bought me a 4″ Newtonian reflector telescope too, and I remember using it. Thinking about it now though, I cannot imagine it having a wide enough field of view to actually watch the satellite pass by in the telescope; but I do seem to remember that happening. (40+ years ago!).

There is a lot more “stuff” orbiting these days than then, but it is still fun to me to watch and identify a moving point of light as something that humans put into space. Especially when it is something as cool as watching a fiery re-entry like Stardust. Too bad that TX (my location) was too far away to see that.

]]> By: MikeC http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9782 MikeC Sun, 15 Jan 2006 11:29:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9782 I just want to say that Don Brownlee, the Stardust PI, is one of the best people you'll ever find in science. When I was an undegrad, he was willing to spend hours with me talking about planetary astronomy. He's one of those rare scientists who can find time for anyone who wants to learn. I sent him an email a few weeks ago, telling him he was one of my main inspirations to become a science teacher (a completely honest statement, btw). He sent me this week a bunch of Stardust parapernelia and a nice note. He's the kind of scientist we need right now; honest, decent, caring about education, and free of egomaniacal tendencies. Congratulations to Dr. Brownlee and everyone involved in the Stardust project. I hope you are very proud of yourselves. For whatever little it's worth, I am proud and very impressed! That we humans have the ingenutity to send a probe into the tail of a comet to gather flecks of comet-stuff, then bring it safely back to earth is really astonishing! I just want to say that Don Brownlee, the Stardust PI, is one of the best people you’ll ever find in science. When I was an undegrad, he was willing to spend hours with me talking about planetary astronomy. He’s one of those rare scientists who can find time for anyone who wants to learn. I sent him an email a few weeks ago, telling him he was one of my main inspirations to become a science teacher (a completely honest statement, btw). He sent me this week a bunch of Stardust parapernelia and a nice note. He’s the kind of scientist we need right now; honest, decent, caring about education, and free of egomaniacal tendencies.

Congratulations to Dr. Brownlee and everyone involved in the Stardust project. I hope you are very proud of yourselves. For whatever little it’s worth, I am proud and very impressed! That we humans have the ingenutity to send a probe into the tail of a comet to gather flecks of comet-stuff, then bring it safely back to earth is really astonishing!

]]> By: Troy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9772 Troy Sun, 15 Jan 2006 10:00:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9772 Welcome back stardust! I hope all astro-nuts on the west coast get to see it. I don't think the samples will be interesting to anyone except academics though. Now that a handful of comets have been imaged I'm astonished how vastly different each one has been. Welcome back stardust! I hope all astro-nuts on the west coast get to see it. I don’t think the samples will be interesting to anyone except academics though.
Now that a handful of comets have been imaged I’m astonished how vastly different each one has been.

]]> By: Mickal555 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9786 Mickal555 Sun, 15 Jan 2006 09:55:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9786 Join the paltalk room for stardust :D http://www.bautforum.com/showthread.php?p=654439#post654439 Join the paltalk room for stardust :D
http://www.bautforum.com/showthread.php?p=654439#post654439

]]> By: Thomas Siefert http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9785 Thomas Siefert Sun, 15 Jan 2006 09:29:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9785 BA, you should have a "spam quiz" where people have to answer a random question to leave a comment. You could then ask: "Do you believe humans have landed on the moon?" or: "How was the universe created?". But then again trolls are a lying bunch :-) BA, you should have a “spam quiz” where people have to answer a random question to leave a comment. You could then ask: “Do you believe humans have landed on the moon?” or: “How was the universe created?”.

But then again trolls are a lying bunch :-)

]]> By: RAF http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9788 RAF Sun, 15 Jan 2006 09:16:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9788 Weather update for California... Completely clear!!! Weather update for California…

Completely clear!!!

]]> By: Zeb Rice http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9787 Zeb Rice Sun, 15 Jan 2006 08:57:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9787 Aw man, I live in LA and can't see it. Why did they have to build Utah so far away? :) Aw man, I live in LA and can’t see it. Why did they have to build Utah so far away? :)

]]> By: Bob Allee http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9780 Bob Allee Sun, 15 Jan 2006 05:23:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9780 Thanks for whacking the trolls ba. Thanks for whacking the trolls ba.

]]> By: Ray Gray http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9779 Ray Gray Sun, 15 Jan 2006 02:26:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9779 This talk about going outside to try to see or photograph the returning Stardust Craft is very good for our SpaceProgram. I still recall in the early 1960s standing outside waiting for the Echo Satellite (Balloon) to pass over while gazing up at the night sky. Yes, I know, my age is showing. Yet, missions like Stardust rekindle a sense of awe in those of us who remember the early days of the program. Thanks BA for blogging on this ongoing historical event. This talk about going outside to try to see or photograph the returning
Stardust Craft is very good for our SpaceProgram.

I still recall in the early 1960s standing outside waiting for the Echo Satellite (Balloon) to pass over while gazing up at the night sky. Yes, I know, my age is showing. Yet, missions like Stardust rekindle a sense of awe in those of us who remember the early days of the program.

Thanks BA for blogging on this ongoing historical event.

]]> By: Aerin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9776 Aerin Sun, 15 Jan 2006 01:45:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9776 BA, at least it's warm enough where you are to get rain. Yesterday (January 13) the weather was sunny and in the sixties. Today it snowed and blowed alllllllll day. What was supposed to be a dusting has turned into two and a half inches, six or more in the drifts. BA, at least it’s warm enough where you are to get rain. Yesterday (January 13) the weather was sunny and in the sixties. Today it snowed and blowed alllllllll day. What was supposed to be a dusting has turned into two and a half inches, six or more in the drifts.

]]> By: The Bad Astronomer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9781 The Bad Astronomer Sun, 15 Jan 2006 00:24:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9781 Folks, please don't respond to trolls. I will simply delete those posts, and then your responses won't make sense. :-) Folks, please don’t respond to trolls. I will simply delete those posts, and then your responses won’t make sense. :-)

]]> By: HawaiiArmenian http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9769 HawaiiArmenian Sun, 15 Jan 2006 00:08:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9769 Whatever grievance that you're attempting to rationalize, can be thrown out the window, when instead of a thoughtful constructive discussion, you're using hostile language, and an accusatory tone. If this was truly a valid discussion, then there would be no justification for the hysterical nonsense that you're billowing. If your views and opinions disagree with those that you're so hostile towards, then create your own website, and send us the link. I'm sure we're all dying to read what you have to say. Whatever grievance that you’re attempting to rationalize, can be thrown out the window, when instead of a thoughtful constructive discussion, you’re using hostile language, and an accusatory tone. If this was truly a valid discussion, then there would be no justification for the hysterical nonsense that you’re billowing. If your views and opinions disagree with those that you’re so hostile towards, then create your own website, and send us the link. I’m sure we’re all dying to read what you have to say.

]]> By: HawaiiArmenian http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9771 HawaiiArmenian Sat, 14 Jan 2006 23:52:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9771 Nevermind, I found a website that pretty well explains it. I guess if you substitute the Earth as the camera, and the moon as the object being viewed (whether it be the comet Wild2, or Iapetus, Rhea, etc), then the diagram makes some sense. The following link should clarify matters http://www.astronomynotes.com/nakedeye/s13.htm Nevermind, I found a website that pretty well explains it. I guess if you substitute the Earth as the camera, and the moon as the object being viewed (whether it be the comet Wild2, or Iapetus, Rhea, etc), then the diagram makes some sense. The following link should clarify matters http://www.astronomynotes.com/nakedeye/s13.htm

]]> By: HawaiiArmenian http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9773 HawaiiArmenian Sat, 14 Jan 2006 23:42:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9773 I'm not even going justify the last response with an answer. Giving attention to morons like that (probably a creationist), will only make them feel better about themselves. And now, for something completely different. I was wondering, when you click on the link to the Wild2 pic, the caption talks about the phase angle between the camera, the sun, and the comet. I'd like to know more about it. How does the phase angle effect the shadows and view of an object? Is the object viewed with sharper shadows if the phase angle is larger (pardon my astro-geometric ignorance, but I'm only a molecular biologist)? I haven't found a proper diagram online to explain the phase angle. Perhaps BA can one day, incorporate a nifty diagram showing the differences. Till then, I'll appreciate any further illumination on this subject. I’m not even going justify the last response with an answer. Giving attention to morons like that (probably a creationist), will only make them feel better about themselves.

And now, for something completely different. I was wondering, when you click on the link to the Wild2 pic, the caption talks about the phase angle between the camera, the sun, and the comet. I’d like to know more about it. How does the phase angle effect the shadows and view of an object? Is the object viewed with sharper shadows if the phase angle is larger (pardon my astro-geometric ignorance, but I’m only a molecular biologist)? I haven’t found a proper diagram online to explain the phase angle. Perhaps BA can one day, incorporate a nifty diagram showing the differences. Till then, I’ll appreciate any further illumination on this subject.

]]> By: RAF http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9775 RAF Sat, 14 Jan 2006 22:01:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9775 I'll be up looking...rain or (star) shine...hopefully the weather will cooperate... I’ll be up looking…rain or (star) shine…hopefully the weather will cooperate…

]]> By: The Bad Astronomer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9774 The Bad Astronomer Sat, 14 Jan 2006 21:11:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9774 Just a point: Hoagland's sole touchpoint with reality is that he does think the Moon landings were real. However, he then claims astronauts saw giant crystal structures on the Moon. :-) Just a point: Hoagland’s sole touchpoint with reality is that he does think the Moon landings were real. However, he then claims astronauts saw giant crystal structures on the Moon. :-)

]]> By: Robert Ingersoll http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/comment-page-1/#comment-9783 Robert Ingersoll Sat, 14 Jan 2006 21:05:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/14/the-return-of-stardust/#comment-9783 I caught part of a "Coast to Coast AM" broadcast last night (1-13-06) with Richard Hoagland and George Noory talking about the Stardust probe. Hoagland was saying something about an Andromeda Strain type of situation which made me laugh. I guess since he thinks we didn't go to the moon we didn't take extraordinary care with the moon rocks and the astronauts to prevent such an occurrence. Hoagland went on to say something about if all comets came from the same general source as astronomers claim, then shouldn't they all look fairly similar? He then added that they don't which makes him wonder whether they do come from the same source. Noory made the comment that they are as different as snowflakes and Hoagland agreed. I think that defines both men's misunderstanding of basic science. Don't these two understand that even though snowflakes are different, they come from the same source, i.e. cloud? At this point I had to change the station as this kind of idiocy just frustrates me. I caught part of a “Coast to Coast AM” broadcast last night (1-13-06) with Richard Hoagland and George Noory talking about the Stardust probe. Hoagland was saying something about an Andromeda Strain type of situation which made me laugh. I guess since he thinks we didn’t go to the moon we didn’t take extraordinary care with the moon rocks and the astronauts to prevent such an occurrence. Hoagland went on to say something about if all comets came from the same general source as astronomers claim, then shouldn’t they all look fairly similar? He then added that they don’t which makes him wonder whether they do come from the same source. Noory made the comment that they are as different as snowflakes and Hoagland agreed. I think that defines both men’s misunderstanding of basic science. Don’t these two understand that even though snowflakes are different, they come from the same source, i.e. cloud? At this point I had to change the station as this kind of idiocy just frustrates me.

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