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Apogee October 2010
Science Funfest
Sunday, October 17, 2010 - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Booth Street Complex, Ottawa (Corner of Booth and Carling)(Image: Government of Canada/science.gc.ca)
AuroraMAX, a new web portal dedicated to the science and the splendour of the aurora borealis, is a collaborative public engagement initiative between the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the University of Calgary, the City of Yellowknife and Astronomy North.
(Image: Astronomy North/Canadian Space Agency)
Events of Interest
Science Funfest
Sunday, October 17, 2010 - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Booth Street Complex, Ottawa (Corner of Booth and Carling)
This year again, as part of the National Science and Technology Week—October 15-24, 2010—the Canadian Space Agency will take part to the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) science event held at NRCan's headquarters in Ottawa.
The Canadian Space Agency will showcase the AuroraMAX online observatory-- a new web portal dedicated to the science and the splendour of the aurora borealis-- a collaborative public engagement initiative between the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the University of Calgary, the City of Yellowknife and Astronomy North.
The launch of AuroraMAX coincides with the beginning of aurora season in northern Canada, which generally begins in late August or early September and ends in May.
Aurora enthusiasts will be able to follow AuroraMAX through solar maximum, the most active period of the Sun's 11-year cycle, which should produce more frequent and intense auroras on Earth. Solar maximum is currently expected in 2013.
Science Funfest is an open house event—part of Canada's National Science and Technology Week (NSTW)--that takes place at Natural Resources Canada's Booth Street Complex, at the corner of Carling Avenue and Booth Street in Ottawa.
It's a wonderful opportunity for children and anyone interested in science to engage in presentations and gain hands on science experience by participating in activities that will showcase the importance of science in a fun and interactive way.
Web links:
AuroraMAX
Science Funfest
Science Funfest Poster 2010 (PDF)
National Science and Technology Week
The Conquest of Space in Images
(Photo: Canadian Space Agency)
The Conquest of Space in Images
Until October 24, 2010
At Canada South Science City, Windsor, Ontario
The space age began with the launch of Sputnik. Since then, man has walked on the Moon, robots have stirred the soil on Mars, and probes have scanned the farthest reaches of the Universe. Russia, America, Europe, and Canada embarked on an amazing space adventure. The milestone events on this journey are eloquently presented in stunning photographs in this exhibit, adapted from an original created by France's space agency, the Centre national d'études spatiales.
Website: Canada South Science City
Canada's Stellar Space Achievements. October 2010 – January 2011 At Science North, Sudbury, Ontario. (Photo: Canadian Space Agency)
Canada's Stellar Space Achievements
Until January 2011
At Science North
Sudbury, Ontario
Voyage through Canadian space history, from the Black Brant rocket to the mobile servicing system on the International Space Station. Breathtaking footage in these vignettes will launch your exploration of Canada's greatest space successes. Orbit with the astronauts. Watch Canadian know-how at work in space missions, cutting-edge science, and advanced space hardware design. Let Canada's space adventure accomplishments inspire you!
Website: Science North
Cosmomania: The Incredible Space Adventure: October 2 - December 2010 at the Discovery Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Photo: CSA)
Discovery Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia.
(Photo: CSA)
Cosmomania: The Incredible Space Adventure
October 2 - December 2010
Discovery Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Climb aboard this marvellous machine and go back in time! Begin your journey in the USSR at the end of the 1950s.
From Sputnik – the first satellite to orbit Earth – to Mars in 2057, relive the space exploration odyssey.
The wonderful stories and spectacular images in this original show will delight visitors of all ages.
Step out into space history and imagine the future of humanity in space.Cosmomania is brought to you by the Canadian Space Agency and the Cité de l'espace, from Toulouse, France.
Websites:
Halifax Discovery Centre
Cosmomania
61st International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Congress
September 27 - October 1, 2010, Prague, Czech Republic. (Image: IAC 2010 Prague Website)
A Canadian Space Agency representative greets a visitor at the CSA kiosk in Prague, IAC 2010. (Photo: CSA)
Throughout the Congress, students have had the opportunity to interact with professionals, learn from their expertise and listen to their views on the future of space. (Photo: CSA)
Previous Events
61st International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Congress
September 27 - October 1, 2010
Prague, Czech Republic
The Canadian Space Agency participated to the 61st International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Congress in Prague, Czech Republic.
The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is an international non-governmental and non-profit organisation, founded in 1951.
The Federation encourages the advancement of knowledge about space and the development and application of space assets for the benefit of humanity.
It plays an important role in disseminating information, and in providing a significant worldwide network of experts in the development and utilisation of space.
Canada's Student Participation Program
Canada also supported the participation of students in the 61st International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Congress.
Canada's Student Participation Program at the International Astronautical Congress is an annual initiative that began in 2004.
The Congress is an excellent meeting point for all space experts, providing students the opportunity to create many valuable contacts with professionals and like-minded students, both from within Canada and from the entire world.
Throughout the Congress, students have had the opportunity to interact with professionals, learn from their expertise and listen to their views on the future of space.
Students are incorporated into the congress, bringing an appreciated element of youthful insight and energy into workshop and plenary sessions.
This year 25 Canadian students joined approximately 60 additional students from around the world to participate in this international learning opportunity.
WebSites:
IAC 2010 (Canadian Space Agency)
IAC 2010 Prague
The ice island that calved from the Petermann glacier is breaking apart
In early August, the Petermann glacier produced an enormous iceberg that moved slowly toward the Nares Strait.
On September 9, 2010, Canada's RADARSAT-2 obtained a radar image shortly after the huge iceberg was passing a small rocky island to enter the Nares Strait (fig. 1).
On September 11, a new image (fig. 2) shows that the situation changed rather drastically as the currents and the pressure of the ice floes have broken the main iceberg. A 13 km long fragment is now floating away in the Nares Strait.
On the image, the fragment is located just left of Hans Island. As for the main iceberg, it is still stuck on the small rocky island at the outlet of the Petermann fjord.
A third image acquired by RADARSAT-2 on September 13 (fig. 3) shows that the smaller fragment floated more than 100 km to the South-West and it is now entering the Kane Basin.
Between September 11th and 13th, the average speed is evaluated at 1.9 km/h. As for the larger iceberg, it is still stuck by the small rocky island at the outpour of the Petermann fjord but it has rotated and is about to enter the Nares Strait.
(fig. 1) On September 9, 2010, RADARSAT-2 obtained a radar image shortly after the huge iceberg was passing a small rocky island to enter the Nares Strait.
(fig. 2) On September 11, a new imageshows that the situation changed rather drastically as the currents and the pressure of the ice floes have broken the main iceberg.
(fig. 3) A third image acquired by RADARSAT-2 on September 13 shows that the smaller fragment floated more than 100 km to the South-West and it is now entering the Kane Basin. (Images: © MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., 2010 – All rights reserved. RADARSAT is a mark of the Canadian Space Agency)
