posted 05-19-2010 02:40 PM               

Astronauts who've lived on the International Space Station and "walked" in space tell all: what it's like to ride on a space ship, and to eat, sleep, exercise, and even do science - in space. Come hear firsthand from the world's most intrepid explorers about what it's like to soar upward and leave our home, planet Earth, behind.

posted 05-20-2010 03:48 PM               

NASA And World Science Festival Host Special Tweetup

NASA and the World Science Festival are inviting Twitter followers to a unique behind-the-scenes Tweetup at 2 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 5, in New York City. The event will bring together 100 Twitter users with some of the world's best and brightest scientific minds.

Tweetup attendees will have the opportunity to speak with festival co-founder Brian Greene, Nobel-prize winning NASA astrophysicist John C. Mather, and astronaut Leland Melvin.

Registration is open from 10 a.m. EDT, Friday, May 21, to 10 a.m., Monday, May 24. NASA and the World Science Festival will randomly select 100 participants from Web registrants. Additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

The Tweetup is just one of 40 special programs scheduled during the third annual World Science Festival, which runs from June 2-6. The Tweetup also will include a social session for participants to mingle with fellow tweeps and the staff behind the tweets on @NASA and @WorldSciFest.

posted 05-20-2010 04:33 PM               

8 to 9 p.m. June 4, Battery Park, "From the City to the Stars: Star-gazing with the Webb Telescope": John Grunsfeld (STS-67, -81, -103, -109, and -125), moderated by Journalist-in-Space candidate Miles O'Brien. This is a free event.

posted 06-03-2010 09:22 AM               

The Moth: Grey Matter
Thursday, June 3, 2010, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
The Moth (Webster Hall)

Presented with New York's innovative storytelling organization, The Moth, scientists, writers and esteemed artists tell on-stage stories about their personal relationship with science. In keeping with Moth tradition, each story must be true, and told without notes in ten minutes. The result is a poignant, hilarious and always unpredictable evening of storytelling and science.

posted 06-06-2010 05:10 PM               

We picked up our tickets (free!) for the Astronaut Diary presentation and then spent some time at the many exhibits and demonstrations. My daughter made a plastic straw rocket, some slime and a lava lamp. NASA had a very nice outdoor exhibit. We had our pictures taken in the space suit and chatted with some of the personnel staffing the exhibit.

Saw an Apollo era Hasselblad (I assume), shuttle tiles, a pair of EVA gloves from "suit 26," and some packaged space food. I was surprised to see the food labeled in both English and Cyrillic. They were nice enough too give us NASA meatball pins (this will save me from buying one on ebay!).

Looked at the time an then went to the show. Room was packed. There was a large group of people hoping to get in "standby," the event "sold-out." Good showing of a strong public interest in the space program (in my opinion).

Very nice captivating presentations from Sandra Magnus, Leland Melvin, Dava Newman and Miles O'Brien. I have to give them credit they really know how to engage an audience (both adults and children). They are great ambassadors for the space program and space exploration in general. Their "stupid astronaut tricks" really got the crowd's attention.

My daughter was lucky enough to be selected by Miles to ask a question. She asked "What's the funnest thing that you can do in space?"

One young girl asked Dava Newman a question that displayed a remarkable degree of insight and study. She could probably get a intern position in her lab if she wanted!

After the presentation they were kind enough to pose for photos and sign autographs. They both signed my daughter's copy of "If You Were an Astronaut" which she recently received from astronomer Dinah Moche who spoke at her school.

For me they signed "Space Shuttle, The First Twenty Years." They also signed some of my shuttle artifacts: an Arrowhead "Flexible Sleeve Coupling," and Glenair "Connector Adapter, Shield Termination."

Had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Hart Sastrowardoyo as well. I made an easy guess that he was a cS member when I saw the impressive number of signatures in his shuttle book!

We then picked up our NASA "signed" lithos and were on our way. The line for face-painting was too long so we headed into Washington Square Park and got some ice cream. My daughter also took the opportunity to take a dip in the fountain to cool off!

posted 06-07-2010 07:39 AM               

It was a good time. I had gotten there early to scope out the place. In addition to unflown tiles and the space food, there was what I understood to be a flown Shuttle tire which was covered in white paint (!), which the public was allowed to sign.

I too got a NASA lapel pin because I was a "space groupie" (their words.) Though John Grunsfeld had been in NY since at least Tuesday, I didn't see him Sunday and presumed he headed home. It would have been nice to see him, but still had a good time seeing and hearing Sandra Magnus (for the first time) and seeing and hearing Leland Melvin (for the second time - the first was seven years ago!)

Miles O'Brien disappeared after emceeing the talk. I would have liked to ask him a few questions, but there's always next time.

posted 06-07-2010 08:19 PM               

Having seen this picture my 6 year old is convinced that Lovell is "my friend." When I told her that we were going to see some astronauts she wanted to know if Lovell was going to be there. Broke her little heart that he wasn't there!

When they gave me the pin I said something like 'oh wow it's a meatball pin!' Incredibly they asked with me if I had worked for NASA. I guess this is considered "insider" information!

posted 06-07-2010 08:34 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
Does anyone have the NASA number of Melvin in his pumpkin suit, with the two dogs?

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posted 06-08-2010 10:27 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by dfox:
When they gave me the pin I said something like 'oh wow it's a meatball pin!' Incredibly they asked with me if I had worked for NASA. I guess this is considered "insider" information!

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Because I was hanging out for a long time at the site of the NASA table, one of the volunteers actually thought I worked for NASA... and I wasn't wearing anything space-related. Next time I'll have to wear my Snoopy on the moon cap and see what happens.