The February digest of astronomy and space events. This month sees the launch of the Columbus lab to the International Space Station, the annual Astrofest conference and the AGM of the British Geophysical Association.
ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PRESS INFORMATION NOTE
Date: 1 February 2008
For Immediate Release
Ref.: PN 08/05
Issued by:
Dr Robert Massey
RAS Press Officer
Royal Astronomical Society
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1J 0BQ
Tel: +44 (0)794 124 8035, +44 (0)20 7734 4582
E-mail:
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RAS SPACE AND ASTRONOMY DIGEST: FEBRUARY 2008
This release contains a summary of some astronomical and space events that will be taking place during February. It has been written to assist the media in planning and researching future stories related to space science and astronomy, particularly those with UK involvement. It is not intended to be fully comprehensive. Dates and times may be subject to change.
7 FEBRUARY: LAUNCH OF ATLANTIS SPACE SHUTTLE AND COLUMBUS LAB
At 1945 GMT on 7 February, the space shuttle Atlantis is set to launch on a 10-day mission to deliver the Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station (ISS). The Columbus laboratory is a European Space Agency module for the ISS and will be used by astronauts to carry out experiments in a weightless environment.
ESA astronauts Leopold Eyharts from France and Hans Schlegel from Germany will be aboard Atlantis and will help commission the laboratory. Former fighter pilot Eyharts will then live on the ISS for the next three months.
FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACTS
European Space Agency (ESA) Media Relations, Paris
Tel: +33 1 5369 7155
E-mail:
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Katherine Trinidad, NASA
Tel: +1 202 358 3749
E-mail:
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7-8 FEBRUARY: AGM OF THE BRITISH GEOPHYSICAL ASSOCIATION, BURLINGTON HOUSE, LONDON: GEOPHYSICS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
On 7 and 8 February leading geophysicists will meet at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London to discuss the latest research in the science of climate change. Topics under discussion include the causes and effects of glaciation and deglaciation; changes in sea level, evidence of past and future weather patterns, the interplay between tectonics and climate and ocean circulation; the effects of volcanism and seafloor gas emission and extraterrestrial effects on climate.
The meeting runs from 0945 to 1745 on 7 February and 0920 to 1530 on 8 February and is open to accredited media representatives.
CONTACT
Robert Massey (details above)
Ted Nield
The Geological Society
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1J 0BG
Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 9944
E-mail:
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8-9 FEBRUARY: ASTROFEST, KENSINGTON CONFERENCE AND EVENTS CENTRE, LONDON
More than 5000 people are expected to attend the 2008 Astrofest, one of the world’s largest amateur astronomy conferences. The meeting is hosted by Astronomy Now magazine, runs from 8 to 9 February and takes place in the Kensington Conference and Events Centre in west London. Attendees will hear leading figures in astronomy and space science speaking on topics ranging from extrasolar planets to the MESSENGER spacecraft encounter with Mercury. Veteran astronomer and television presenter Sir Patrick Moore will close the conference with a look back at the last 80 years of advances in astronomy.
12 FEBRUARY: RAS LUNCHTIME LECTURE: COSMOLOGY MEETS THE CHALLENGE: BURLINGTON HOUSE, LONDON
Dr Roberto Trotta, Norman Lockyer Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Oxford University scientist, will give the second RAS lunchtime lecture. He will discuss the 96% of the Universe that remains largely unknown to modern science and the cutting-edge techniques that scientists are using to reveal its nature.
The lunchtime lectures are open to everyone and take place in the newly-refurbished Burlington House, the headquarters of the RAS off Piccadilly in central London. The lectures take place at 1pm on the first Tuesday of each month and the audience can take their seats from 12.45.
CONTACT
Robert Massey (details above)
18 FEBRUARY: E-PETITION ON STFC CUTS CLOSES
More than 15000 people have signed the e-petition to the UK Prime Minister, initiated by physics postgraduate student William Panduro Vazquez of Imperial College London, which calls on Government to reverse the £80m of cuts in the budget of the Science and Technology Facilities Council. The petition closes on 18 February 2008.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. The RAS organizes scientific meetings, publishes international research and review journals, recognizes outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes, maintains an extensive library, supports education through grants and outreach activities and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 3000 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others.
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