All new astronauts had to undergo a turn in the NASA Spank-O-Tronic 5000. Later they turned it into a satellite.

(Source: nasagifs)

astrotastic:

distant-traveller:

A large tsunami shock wave on the Sun

Tsunamis this large don’t happen on Earth. A large solar flare from an Earth-sized sunspot produced a tsunami-type shock wave that was spectacular even for the Sun. Pictured above, the tsunami wave was captured moving out from active region AR 10930 by the Optical Solar Patrol Network (OSPAN) telescope in New Mexico, USA. The resulting shock wave, known technically as a Moreton wave, compressed and heated up gasses including hydrogen in the photosphere of the Sun, causing a momentarily brighter glow. The above image was taken in a very specific red color emitted exclusively by hydrogen gas. The rampaging tsunami took out some active filaments on the Sun, although many re-established themselves later. The solar tsunami spread at nearly one million kilometers per hour, and circled the entire Sun in a matter of minutes.

Image credit: NSO/AURA/NSF and USAF Research Laboratory

If the animation doesn’t load, please click here.

HOLY SPACE

Woah. This why I’m not a scientist. Because were I one of the people studying the sun and I was the one who saw this first I would have screamed, “THAT WAS AWESOME!” I don’t think you’re supposed to be like that. More like, “Gene, I do believe I have discovered an interesting anomaly….HOLY CRAP THAT WAS AWESOME!”

lightthiscandle:

A NASA diagram, circa Apollo 14, explaining how moonwalkers could share an oxygen supply in the event of an emergency.

I like how it looks like he’s waving. “Hey. We’re having an emergency. How are you?”

(via bunnybundy)

bunnybundy:

lightthiscandle:

We’re on a ramp.

John looks like he’s concerned that something’s about to fall on his head.

I wonder if Wally and John ever had a handsome contest.

bunnybundy:

odditiesoflife:

The Haunted Launch Pad

In Florida, Cape Canaveral’s Launch Pad 34 is said to be haunted by the ghosts of three astronauts who died there after a tragic accident. Spacemen Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee were killed almost instantly on January 27, 1967, when a fire engulfed their Apollo I capsule as it was being tested for launch. Many witnesses, including NASA employees, say a weird feeling comes over all who approach the now-abandoned launch pad. More disturbing, the astronauts’ dying screams can be heard at times. Though at one point NASA allowed visitors to tour the facility, due to what the agency calls “strange occurrences,” the haunted launch pad is no longer open to the public.

I don’t know about “haunting,” but they should really maintain C34 as a memorial instead of letting it rust away.

Not surprisingly, I agree. It should be maintained as a memorial.

Also, this is the first I’ve heard of “haunting.” That’s just silly. As far as I know it was closed because it had become dangerous for visitors.

VAB Construction (by NASA on The Commons)

Early 1965. You can see two launch umbilical towers on the right as well.

Apollo 11 Launch Spectators (by NASA on The Commons)

I love the spectator photos of Apollo 11. I can’t imagine the excitement of waiting there to watch that launch. Plus, those beaches are beautiful.