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The article presents the author's observation on the development of space program in the U.S. He observes that development of space capabilities during the past decade has opened altogether new vistas to science and to new and powerful technologies. He states that the case for the conquest of space can be classified under three major headings in order of their ultimate contribution to the growth of man's welfare and to the rise of his stature as a civilized being which include science in space, technology in space for advancement of man's civil pursuits and military technologies.

The article discusses the space projects of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Project Apollo of President John F. Kennedy to land an astronaut on the moon and returning to Earth is the first plan which is expected in 1969. Another plan is to extend the national capability in space technology to the degree that Apollo to explore in Mars. However, the projects have been delaying due to voluble excuses and assurances which NASA officials pour out on the record. NASA also proposes for the development of manned orbital workshops and sending manned expeditions to the moon every year for ten years.

The article focuses on the efforts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the U.S. that are largely concentrated on its manned space flight program, projects Mercury, Gemini and Apollo which hopes to land American explorers on the moon by 1970. Project Mercury is to culminate in a one-day multi-orbital flight in spring 1963, while project Gemini is being developed for two-man earth-orbital missions lasting as long as two weeks and project Apollo's objective is the actual moon flight, landing men on the moon, and returning them safely to earth.

The article analyzes the economic effect of expending resources for space programs in the U.S. Economists are asking what specific nonmilitary benefits they can expect from the resources they are expending on the space program. There were at least four areas to be considered in before expending resources on the space program which include individual consumption, international effects, future salable output from space systems and future production resulting from new technology developed for space systems research.

The research landscape in many areas of science has migrated toward increasingly large collaborations with the work done over long time periods, making it ever more challenging to involve undergraduates in cutting-edge projects. We describe our 19-institution collaboration founded to promote undergraduate research and faculty development within the context of an astronomical-survey project, discuss its efficacy, and summarize how this model may be applied to other large-scale research projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zooniverse projects turn everyday people into "citizen scientists" who work online with real data to assist scientists in conducting research on a variety of topics related to galaxies, exoplanets, lunar craters, and solar flares, among others. This paper describes our initial study to assess the conceptual knowledge and reasoning abilities of citizen scientists participating in two Zooniverse projects: Galaxy Zoo and Moon Zoo. In order to measure their knowledge and abilities, we developed two new assessment instruments, the Zooniverse Astronomical Concept Survey (ZACS) and the Lunar Cratering Concept Inventory (LCCI). We found that citizen scientists with the highest level of participation in the Galaxy Zoo and Moon Zoo projects also have the highest average correct scores on the items of the ZACS and LCCI. However, the limited nature of the data provided by Zooniverse participants prevents us from being able to evaluate the statistical significance of this finding, and we make no claim about whether there is a causal relationship between one's participation in Galaxy Zoo or Moon Zoo and one's level of conceptual understanding or reasoning ability on the astrophysical topics assessed by the ZACS or the LCCI. Overall, both the ZACS and the LCCI provide Zooniverse's citizen scientists with items that offer a wide range of difficulties. Using the data from the small subset of participants who responded to all items of the ZACS, we found evidence suggesting the ZACS is a reliable instrument (α=0.78), although twenty-one of its forty items appear to have point biserials less than 0.3. The work reported here provides significant insight into the strengths and limitations of various methods for administering assessments to citizen scientists. Researchers who wish to study the knowledge and abilities of citizen scientists in the future should be sure to design their research methods to avoid the pitfalls identified by our initial findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizen science, in which volunteers work with professional scientists to conduct research, is expanding due to large online datasets. To plan projects, it is important to understand volunteers' motivations for participating. This paper analyzes results from an online survey of nearly 11 000 volunteers in Galaxy Zoo, an astronomy citizen science project. Results show that volunteers' primary motivation is a desire to contribute to scientific research. We encourage other citizen science projects to study the motivations of their volunteers, to see whether and how these results may be generalized to inform the field of citizen science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trope of space exploration that attracted so many writers during the "golden age" of the genre remains an SF hallmark. We may, however, question its contemporary centrality after the waning of the intellectual climate that De Witt Douglas Kilgore labeled as "astrofuturism." Perhaps, just like David Hartwell argues in Age of Wonders, "When it comes true," meaning the Moon landing and other achievements from the American space program, "it's no fun anymore." This paper looks at the peculiar way Philip K. Dick embraced space exploration, anticipating its exhaustion and substituting in its place a more inner (perhaps "virtual") approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The unexpected rising flux of early-type galaxies at decreasing ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths is a long-standing mystery. One important observational constraint is the correlation between UV-optical colours and Mg2 line strengths found by Burstein et al. The simplest interpretation of this phenomenon is that the UV strength is related to the Mg line strength. Under this assumption, we expect galaxies with larger Mg gradients to have larger UV colour gradients. By combining UV imaging from GALEX, optical imaging from MDM and SAURON integral-field spectroscopy, we investigate the spatially resolved relationships between UV colours and stellar population properties of 34 early-type galaxies from the SAURON survey sample. We find that galaxies with old stellar populations show tight correlations between the far-UV (FUV) colours (FUV − V and FUV − NUV) and the Mg b index, Hβ index and metallicity [ Z/H]. The equivalent correlations for the Fe5015 index, α-enhancement [α/Fe] and age are present but weaker. We have also derived logarithmic internal radial colour, measured line strength and derived stellar population gradients for each galaxy and again found a strong dependence of the FUV − V and FUV − NUV colour gradients on both the Mg b line strength and the metallicity gradients for galaxies with old stellar populations. In particular, global gradients of Mg b and [ Z/H] with respect to the UV colour [e.g. Δ(Mg b)/Δ(FUV − NUV) and Δ[ Z/H]/Δ(FUV − NUV)] across galaxies are consistent with their local gradients within galaxies, suggesting that the global correlations also hold locally. From a simple model based on multiband colour fits of UV upturn and UV-weak galaxies, we have identified a plausible range of parameters that reproduces the observed radial colour profiles. In these models, the centres of elliptical galaxies, where the UV flux is strong, are enhanced in metals by roughly 60 per cent compared to UV-weak regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We present ground-based MDM Observatory V-band and Spitzer/InfraRed Array Camera 3.6-m-band photometric observations of the 72 representative galaxies of the SAURON survey. Galaxies in our sample probe the elliptical E, lenticular S0 and spiral Sa populations in the nearby Universe, both in field and cluster environments. We perform aperture photometry to derive homogeneous structural quantities. In combination with the SAURON stellar velocity dispersion measured within an effective radius (σe), this allows us to explore the location of our galaxies in the colour-magnitude, colour-σe, Kormendy, Faber-Jackson and Fundamental Plane scaling relations. We investigate the dependence of these relations on our recent kinematical classification of early-type galaxies (i.e. slow/fast rotators) and the stellar populations. Slow rotator and fast rotator E/S0 galaxies do not populate distinct locations in the scaling relations, although slow rotators display a smaller intrinsic scatter. We find that Sa galaxies deviate from the colour-magnitude and colour-σe relations due to the presence of dust, while the E/S0 galaxies define tight relations. Surprisingly, extremely young objects do not display the bluest ( V−[3.6]) colours in our sample, as is usually the case in optical colours. This can be understood in the context of the large contribution of thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch stars to the infrared, even for young populations, resulting in a very tight ( V−[3.6])-σe relation that in turn allows us to define a strong correlation between metallicity and σe. Many Sa galaxies appear to follow the Fundamental Plane defined by E/S0 galaxies. Galaxies that appear offset from the relations correspond mostly to objects with extremely young populations, with signs of ongoing, extended star formation. We correct for this effect in the Fundamental Plane, by replacing luminosity with stellar mass using an estimate of the stellar mass-to-light ratio, so that all galaxies are part of a tight, single relation. The new estimated coefficients are consistent in both photometric bands and suggest that differences in stellar populations account for about half of the observed tilt with respect to the virial prediction. After these corrections, the slow rotator family shows almost no intrinsic scatter around the best-fitting Fundamental Plane. The use of a velocity dispersion within a small aperture (e.g. Re/8) in the Fundamental Plane results in an increase of around 15 per cent in the intrinsic scatter and an average 10 per cent decrease in the tilt away from the virial relation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China's first lunar exploration project, Chang-E 1, the multi-channel (3.0, 7.8, 19.35, 37 GHz) microwave radiometers were aboard the satellite, with the purpose of measuring microwave brightness temperature from lunar surface and surveying the global 3 distribution of lunar regolith layer thickness, and global evaluation of He content. To analyze the modeling of microwave radiative transfer from three-layered media of lunar surface, some factors, such as the cratered lunar surface roughness, scattering of regolith particulate medium with temperature profile, are discussed. Based on the statistics of the lunar cratered terrain and using Monte Carlo (MC) method, the cratered lunar surfaces are numerically generated. The triangulated network is utilized to divide the undulated lunar surface into discrete triangle meshes with the size 10 m as a digital surface topography. The reflectivities of each plane mesh are calculated, and the average reflectivity for all MC-realized lunar surfaces is obtained. It is found that under the spatial resolution of 30 kmx30 km of Chang-E 1 radiometer observation, the lunar surface can be well modeled as a flat surface. It makes the predominance of the parameters, such as the regolith layer thickness and stratified structures, to be studied. Using the radiative transfer equation of stratified media with dense scatterers, the scattering coefficient of the regolith particulate medium is found negligible, and the emission is mainly governed by the absorptive property of the medium. Brightness temperature of multi-layered media, i.e. lunar soil, regolith layer with temperature profile and underlying rock media, are derived and calculated, and relevant main factors to affect the modeling and emission simulation are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present status and results of AstroGrid-D, a joint effort of astrophysicists and computer scientists to employ grid technology for scientific applications. AstroGrid-D provides access to a network of distributed machines with a set of commands as well as software interfaces. It allows simple use of computer and storage facilities and to schedule or monitor compute tasks and data management. It is based on the Globus Toolkit middleware (GT4). Chapter 1 describes the context which led to the demand for advanced software solutions in Astrophysics, and we state the goals of the project. We then present characteristic astrophysical applications that have been implemented on AstroGrid-D in chapter 2. We describe simulations of different complexity, compute-intensive calculations running on multiple sites (Section ), and advanced applications for specific scientific purposes (Section ), such as a connection to robotic telescopes (Section ). We can show from these examples how grid execution improves e.g. the scientific workflow. Chapter 3 explains the software tools and services that we adapted or newly developed. Section is focused on the administrative aspects of the infrastructure, to manage users and monitor activity. Section characterises the central components of our architecture: The AstroGrid-D information service to collect and store metadata, a file management system, the data management system, and a job manager for automatic submission of compute tasks. We summarise the successfully established infrastructure in chapter 4, concluding with our future plans to establish AstroGrid-D as a platform of modern e-Astronomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Indian space programme, whose objectives involve acceleration of economic and social development through applications of space technology, has been engaged in the development of state-of-the-art satellite systems, launch vehicles and equipment necessary for applications. Even during the early phase of evolution of this Programme, deliberate policies have been adopted by the national space agency, namely, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to promote spin-off benefit from the technologies developed for the use of space projects. Consistently adhering to this policy, ISRO has transferred over 280 technologies till date, spanning a wide spectrum of disciplines. This has resulted in a fruitful two-way cooperation between a number of SMEs and the ISRO. In order to make the technology transfer process effective, ISRO has adopted a variety of functional and organizational policies that included awareness building measures, licensee selection methods, innovative contract systems, diverse transfer processes, post licencing services and feedback mechanisms. Besides analyzing these policies and their evolution, the paper discusses various models adopted for technology transfer and their impact on assessment. It also touches upon relevant issues relating to creating interface between public funded R&D and the private commercial enterprises. It suggests few models in which international cooperation could be pursued in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the tracking observations of radio ranges and VLBI delays of Chang'E-1 (CE-1) satellite during the controlled landing on the Moon on March 1, 2009, the landing trajectory and the coordinates of the landing point are determined by positioning analysis. It is shown that the landing epoch (the emission epoch of the last signal) of CE-1 satellite on the Moon was at UTC8h13m6.51s. The lunar longitude, latitude and surface height of the landing point in the lunar primary axes frame are respectively 52.2732°, 1.6440° and --3.56 km (the reference lunar radius is 1738 km). The uncertainties are 0.0040°, 0.0168° and 0.18 km. The corresponding uncertainty in the tangential direction of the lunar surface is 0.52 km and the three-dimensional (3D) positioning uncertainty is 0.55 km. It is accordingly deduced that even with the present technical specifications of the radio ranges and VLBI delays, the 1 km 3D positioning precision could be guaranteed for the lander in the second stage of China's Lunar Exploration Project. Concerning the trace determination of the rover on the lunar surface, because only telemetry signal will be emitted, VLBI would be the sole tracking technique from the Earth. The application of the constraint of geocentric distance is shown to be helpful to improving the positioning precision. It is worthy to pay close attention to the applications of the same beam VLBI technique, the lunar topographic model and the on-board observations of the lander and rover to the position/trace determination of the rover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The MEAP (Mars Environment Analogue Platform) mission was to fly a stratospheric balloon on a semicircular trajectory around the North Pole in summer 2008. The balloon platform carried the high-resolution neutral gas mass spectrometer P-BACE (Polar Balloon Atmospheric Composition Experiment) as scientific payload. MEAP/P-BACE is a joint project between the Esrange Space Center, Sweden, the University of Bern, Switzerland and the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), Kiruna, Sweden. Mission objectives were to validate the platform for future long duration flights around the North pole, to validate the P-BACE instrument design for planetary mission applications (conditions in the Earth stratosphere are similar to the conditions at the Mars surface), to study variation of the stratospheric composition during the flight and to gain experience in balloon based mass spectrometry. All objectives were fulfilled. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Herschel Satellite and the Acacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) are two very large sub-millimeter and Far Infra Red (FIR) astronomy projects that will come into operation in this decade. This report contains descriptions of the ALMA instrument only, since other papers in this volume contain discussions of the Herschel instrument. The emphasis here is on synergies and complementarities between ALMA and Herschel. A collection of projects designed to test the capabilites of ALMA is contained in the Design Reference Science Plan, DSRP, at http://www.str.leidenuniv.nl/∼alma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the project initiated by the Arizona State University researchers in Tempe, Arizona called the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Mars Student Imaging Project. A study reveals that the project, which is established in accordance with the National Science Education Standards, includes curricula on terrestrial planet characteristics, design and proposal writing. The Thermal Emission Imaging System is the camera used by the Mars orbiter in studying about the planet. It comprised of ten teams with a total of 47 students. The findings and images about the finished research are available through the project Web site.

The article presents information on a learning project called the "Moon Project" for developing students' writing, technology and inquiry skills. The central element of the project is daily Moon observations for several weeks and analyzing the data related to this. In the beginning the students made and recorded daily Moon observations on lunar observation worksheets and answered writing prompts once a week on the basis of their observations. Then they would compare these observations with the observations of the students around the world through the Internet. According to the writing prompts the students had to describe their most recent Moon observations and to compare this with what students were seeing in other parts of the world. This kind of online collaboration promotes cultural understanding among students while developing their writing, technology and inquiry skills. Step by step the level and quality of observation would change by the instruction of the educators in the next stage.

Presents information High School Project on Astrophysics Research With Cosmics (HiSPARC). Benefits in participating in the project; Goals of HiSPARC; Experiment on the detection of cosmic showers.

Discusses the role of Alexander Herschel in the instrumentation of the stellar universe. Contributions in the instrumentation, observation, and interpretation of the stellar universe; Mechanical inventions; Simplification and redesign of constructed astronomical devices.

The problem of multicrteria estimation of the effectiveness of scientific space projects by the method of expert judgement is considered. The notion of embedded scalar convolutions of a vector criterion is considered. The method of obtaining analytical and qualitative estimations is described. The visualization method is given ("the project profile"). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the More Observations of Nature Project which is related to long-term investigation of the Moon. The aim of the project is to develop scientific observations in middle school students. Under the project, students are required to collect information on Moon's shape, the compass direction, and the angle above the nearest horizon. Students are allowed to take the help of pre-service teachers. Students can share, via the Internet, their observations with other students around the world. The basic technology used to implement this project is Blackboard CourseInfo. Before beginning the online discussion phase of the project, students are instructed in observational science. During the implementation of the project, the teachers administer the student groups by asking questions to start the discussion and making comments.

Outlines the methods used and resources found in building an observational astronomy program. Information on the curriculum of the program; Discussion on the student research experience; Private support on the program. INSET: Tips for Building an Astronomy Program.

The article presents a summative evaluation of the Star Games, a participatory astronomy exhibit designed for public and school group visitors from age 13 to adult, developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science in California. The evaluation provides information about the effect of the exhibit on visitors and the attainment of its goal in education. It also provides information about the effect of Star Games on visitors of various ages and sexes. It is concluded that the exhibit experience should be an effective learning tool even if on a less comprehensive level, particularly at a science center with a large population of school groups such as Lawrence Hall.

The article discusses the history of the development of astronomy in Toronto, Ontario. The author recounts the latest happenings in Canadian astronomy projects and his own projects as well as of April 2014. He outlines the growth of astronomy in Toronto by dividing each development into phases such as the come of age of Toronto and Canada, the 20th century, and the years after the war.

The article discusses astro-geography as a subject for study in grade school. The author suggests that children should be taught astronomy and be provided with a short procedure on carrying it out. Although he knows that many teachers will object to his idea, he explains that it is important that emphasis must be given to children to draw their own inferences from their observations. He suggests that since it is difficult to teach imaginary astronomical bodies in the classroom, evening observations of the moon, planets and star constellations must be given as a homework. The notes of the pupils on their observations are then discussed on the following day. He also recommended the use of the book "Astronomy by Observation," by Eliza A. Bowen as a guide.

The article offers information related to the celebration event of Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, a science project of the Department of Science and Technology of South Africa to build world's largest telescope. It informs that the South Africa's President Jacob Zuma joined the event. It also informs about the views presented by the presented on the occasion of celebration.