Comments on: Rename a NASA satellite http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/ 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. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:23:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jim Harmon http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-159980 Jim Harmon Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:03:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-159980 COLBERT. There is no other choice. COLBERT. There is no other choice.

]]> By: Will http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69848 Will Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:57:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69848 The Bible!!??? LOL!!! That's right up there with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. But you go on and keep kidding yourselves if that's what makes you sleep at night.... The Bible!!??? LOL!!! That’s right up there with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. But you go on and keep kidding yourselves if that’s what makes you sleep at night….

]]> By: Will http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69847 Will Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:31:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69847 We already have telescopes - they're nothing new. But this one is basically a new set of "eyes" for us. So what about:? 'IRIS' Intergalactic Radiation Infrared Satellite We already have telescopes – they’re nothing new. But this one is basically a new set of “eyes” for us. So what about:?

‘IRIS’

Intergalactic
Radiation
Infrared
Satellite

]]> By: Mike Langford http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69846 Mike Langford Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:01:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69846 I have two suggestions for the re-naming of GLAST, the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope: Quixote -- because GLAST, much like Don Quixote, will boldly live each day as a quest for seemingly impossible visions. - or - The Sir Arthur C. Clarke Observatory -- or The Clarke Telescope -- to honor Clarke, perhaps the greatest science-fiction writer of our time, who warned of the danger to human survival from gamma-ray bursts. In a strange coincidence, the brightest gamma-ray burst ever observed -- also the most intrinsically bright object ever seen and the furthest object ever observable with the unaided eye -- was detected by the Swift satellite just hours after Clarke's passing on March 18. See the complete NASA story: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/mar/HQ_08086_Swift_Detects_GRB.html I have two suggestions for the re-naming of GLAST, the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope:

Quixote — because GLAST, much like Don Quixote, will boldly live each day as a quest for seemingly impossible visions.

- or -

The Sir Arthur C. Clarke Observatory — or The Clarke Telescope — to honor Clarke, perhaps the greatest science-fiction writer of our time, who warned of the danger to human survival from gamma-ray bursts. In a strange coincidence, the brightest gamma-ray burst ever observed — also the most intrinsically bright object ever seen and the furthest object ever observable with the unaided eye — was detected by the Swift satellite just hours after Clarke’s passing on March 18.
See the complete NASA story: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/mar/HQ_08086_Swift_Detects_GRB.html

]]> By: MaribuS http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69845 MaribuS Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:40:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69845 Hot Universe Looking Kit = HULK. Hot Universe Looking Kit = HULK.

]]> By: Paul Parkinson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69844 Paul Parkinson Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:00:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69844 I second SAGAN. If that doesn't cut it, how about SCHRODINGER? I second SAGAN.

If that doesn’t cut it, how about SCHRODINGER?

]]> By: ABR http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69843 ABR Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:04:38 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69843 “DOC Bruce Banner,/BELTED by gamma rays,/TURNS into the Hulk…” Naaa, he was BELTED because of the decency laws! “DOC Bruce Banner,/BELTED by gamma rays,/TURNS into the Hulk…”

Naaa, he was BELTED because of the decency laws!

]]> By: Barton Paul Levenson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69842 Barton Paul Levenson Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:04:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69842 As for the example of Marvel Comics gamma-irradiated folks -- isn't that a prime example of popular pseudoscience? The old (1960s) limited-animation cartoon theme ran: "DOC Bruce Banner,/BELTED by gamma rays,/TURNS into the Hulk..." A realistic version would be more like "DOC Bruce Banner,/BELTED by gamma rays,/GETS leukemia..." As for the example of Marvel Comics gamma-irradiated folks — isn’t that a prime example of popular pseudoscience?

The old (1960s) limited-animation cartoon theme ran:

“DOC Bruce Banner,/BELTED by gamma rays,/TURNS into the Hulk…”

A realistic version would be more like

“DOC Bruce Banner,/BELTED by gamma rays,/GETS leukemia…”

]]> By: Gypsy_Jim http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69841 Gypsy_Jim Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:09:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69841 "Cubix" Plain, simple, and it kind of is..... Though if I had to pick any of the above, then my vote would have to be "HERO" too. “Cubix”

Plain, simple, and it kind of is…..

Though if I had to pick any of the above, then my vote would have to be “HERO” too.

]]> By: Doc http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69840 Doc Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:57:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69840 ... square ... orange-yellow ... "Sponge Bob Space Pants" ? … square … orange-yellow …

“Sponge Bob Space Pants” ?

]]> By: Svlad Cjelli http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69839 Svlad Cjelli Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:54:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69839 Orbital Gamma-Ray Examiner Orbital Gamma-Ray Examiner

]]> By: Rules For http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69835 Rules For Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:36:28 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69835 Gamow, after George Gamow of the famous Alpher-Bethe-Gamow paper. Gamow, after George Gamow of the famous Alpher-Bethe-Gamow paper.

]]> By: Will http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69838 Will Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:27:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69838 How about The DUDE? It doesn't stand for anything, but it will help energize the stoner crowd to throw its support, cheetos, and political clout into astronomy. How about The DUDE? It doesn’t stand for anything, but it will help energize the stoner crowd to throw its support, cheetos, and political clout into astronomy.

]]> By: Brian Hart http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69834 Brian Hart Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:17:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69834 A chronology of all Marvel Comic known gamma irradiated beings. I'm sure we can find a suitable name here: http://www.leaderslair.com/gammapeople/chronology.html A chronology of all Marvel Comic known gamma irradiated beings. I’m sure we can find a suitable name here:

http://www.leaderslair.com/gammapeople/chronology.html

]]> By: Factoid http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69837 Factoid Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:06:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69837 I swear, I thought of "Mr. Spaceypants" even before I got all the way to the bottom of the article. If I'd been drinking coffee it would have been all over my keyboard. I swear, I thought of “Mr. Spaceypants” even before I got all the way to the bottom of the article. If I’d been drinking coffee it would have been all over my keyboard.

]]> By: KaiYeves http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69836 KaiYeves Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:16:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69836 Darn, Eric beat me to it. I was going to suggest HULK. Darn, Eric beat me to it. I was going to suggest HULK.

]]> By: Christopher http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69833 Christopher Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:05:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69833 Ceiling Sat. Ceiling Sat.

]]> By: BovineSupreme http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-2/#comment-69832 BovineSupreme Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:53:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69832 I totally submitted Incredible Hulk. No acronym. NASA has enough acronyms flying around. I totally submitted Incredible Hulk. No acronym. NASA has enough acronyms flying around.

]]> By: Quiet_Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-1/#comment-69831 Quiet_Desperation Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:20:49 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69831 <i>Yep. GLADOS.</i> Will there be cake to celebrate the launch? Did you hear the rumors of Portal 2? Woot! Yep. GLADOS.

Will there be cake to celebrate the launch?

Did you hear the rumors of Portal 2? Woot!

]]> By: RAM http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-1/#comment-69830 RAM Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:09:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69830 I said Mxyzpltlk backwords and I disappeared and then reappeared here dang you superman oh, sorry I mean Phil I said Mxyzpltlk backwords and I disappeared and then reappeared here
dang you superman oh, sorry I mean Phil

]]> By: flynjack http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-1/#comment-69829 flynjack Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:06:45 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69829 I too like HERO......but how about HEART High Energy and Radiation Telescope? I too like HERO……but how about HEART High Energy and Radiation Telescope?

]]> By: Wallace http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-1/#comment-69828 Wallace Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:00:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69828 The block of cheese references catch my imagination... perhaps Winsleydale? The block of cheese references catch my imagination… perhaps Winsleydale?

]]> By: Wildride http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-1/#comment-69827 Wildride Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:49:49 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69827 Gamma Puff, Jr. Gamma Puff, Jr.

]]> By: Just Al http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-1/#comment-69826 Just Al Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:38:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69826 It's a Gamma Ray Observatory that looks like cheese and no one has tricked out the last three letters for "GROMIT"? It’s a Gamma Ray Observatory that looks like cheese and no one has tricked out the last three letters for “GROMIT”?

]]> By: Richard Smith http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/comment-page-1/#comment-69825 Richard Smith Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:36:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/02/10/rename-a-nasa-satellite/#comment-69825 <b>@ The Supreme Canuck:</b> <i>Gamma-ray Large Area Detection and Observation Satellite Yep. GLADOS.</i> I second this one. After all, the satellite <i>is</i> an orange box... @ The Supreme Canuck: Gamma-ray Large Area Detection and Observation Satellite

Yep. GLADOS.

I second this one. After all, the satellite is an orange box…

]]>