This is a scrapbook of ideas. One can hardly call it a blog, but I maintain it to file away things I find interesting, like shiny pebbles.

NASA captures atmospheric shock-wave during an eruption

A fortuitous orbit of the International Space Station allowed the astronauts this striking view of Sarychev Volcano (Kuril Islands, northeast of Japan) in an early stage of eruption on June 12, 2009.

…

This detailed astronaut photograph is exciting to volcanologists because it captures several phenomena that occur during the earliest stages of an explosive volcanic eruption. The main column is one of a series of plumes that rose above Matua Island on June 12. The plume appears to be a combination of brown ash and white steam. The vigorously rising plume gives the steam a bubble-like appearance. The eruption cleared a circle in the cloud deck. The clearing may result from the shockwave from the eruption or from sinking air around the eruption plume: as the plume rises, air flows down around the sides like water flowing off the back of a surfacing dolphin. As air sinks, it tends to warm and expand; clouds in the air evaporate.

Via Nasa Earth Observatory

June 2009

Take a ride on the Space Shuttle Atlantis

Video shot from cameras mounted on the SRBs (Solid Rocket Boosters) on the Space Shuttle Atlantis, from takeoff to detachment to splashdown. Multiple angles, some with sound. Simply amazing. Takeoff at 5:05, 5:15, 5:22. A truly beautiful view of the Earth at 24:53.

May 2009

Russian and American satellites collide in space

The crash of two satellites has generated an estimated tens of thousands of pieces of space junk that could circle Earth and threaten other satellites for the next 10,000 years, space experts said Friday…

Russian Mission Control chief Vladimir Solovyov said Tuesday’s smashup of a derelict Russian military satellite and a working U.S. Iridium commercial satellite occurred in the busiest part of near-Earth space — some 500 miles (800 kilometers) above Earth.

AP: Space crash called “catastrophic,” lots of debris.

Space debris & satellite map:

Image by ESO: Space debris: evolution in pictures

February 2009

Britain From Above

More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/britainfromabove/

Via Bruce Mau

February 2009