Tag: astronauts

How To Explore The Universe ( Space ) From Computer

Microsoft launches a free tool that allows amateur star-gazers to explore the universe / spave from their computers.

Microsoft launches a free tool that allows amateur star-gazers to explore the universe from their computers. The WorldWide Telescope (WWT) is a Web 2.0 visualization software environment that enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope—bringing together imagery from the best ground and space-based telescopes in the world for a seamless exploration of the universe.

This is a virtual telescope for you and me. You can now view galaxies, exotic nebulae and exploding stars from your own computer Want to see the same images that scientists use for their research or perform your own research with those images? Do you want to see the Earth from the same perspective that astronauts see as they descend to Earth? Try this software.

System requirements to run WWT

  • 2GHz or faster processor
  • 2GB of RAM
  • 1-10GB of free disk space
  • Graphics card with 128 MB RAM or 256 VRAM
  • Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista
  • Net connection
  • Macs must run Windows OS

=> Download software here
=> More information available here and here

Discovery – Spaced out

Ok the safe return of Discovery and its crew gives a sigh of relief to everyone. But one question remained unanswered was it necessary to risk the astronauts in the first place? Ok space technology is essential but sending human in space… I don’t think so it was necessary. We have lots of remote devices/tool such as robots that can be used.
Getting knowledge of universe it essential (especially when you are considered as advanced and successful if you are leader in space technology) in long term and one can surly use the technology to replace human in danger places like this.

I’m also against president kalam view to send an Indian on the moon. C’mon Mr. President, we have more to fix than this *stupid* idea of sending an Indian out there. Please fix or create new technology that can forecast earth quakes, tsunamis and floods warning. Please don’t waste money of honest tax payers on this and if you really would like to send an Indian there then start with robots!

I will be interested to get more views from others.