In less than a week, July 14 dawns with New Horizons orbiting Pluto at 12,500 kilometers. One of New Horizons niftiest capabilities comes from LORRI – Long Range Reconnaissance Imager, a remarkable high definition camera.
Take a few minutes to watch this video from the National Space Society.
Image taken on July 7 at a distance of 8 million kilometers by LORRI. When New Horizons reaches closest orbit on July 14, resolution will be 500 times clearer. Of interest are the elongated dark spot (dubbed – the whale) and heart shaped bright spot. This is the same view New Horizons will concentrate efforts on July 14. The “whale” measures 3000 kilometers, the “bright spot”, roughly 1,200 kilometers across.
From earthsky.org –
“The elongated dark area informally known as “the whale,” along the equator on the left side of the map, is one of the darkest regions visible to New Horizons. It measures some 1,860 miles (3,000 kilometers) in length.
Directly to the right of the whale’s “head” is the brightest region visible on the planet, which is roughly 990 miles (1,600 kilometers) across. This may be a region where relatively fresh deposits of frost—perhaps including frozen methane, nitrogen and/or carbon monoxide—form a bright coating.
Continuing to the right, along the equator, we see the four mysterious dark spots that have so intrigued the world, each of which is hundreds of miles across. Meanwhile, the whale’s “tail,” at the left end of the dark feature, cradles a bright donut-shaped feature about 200 miles (350 kilometers) across. At first glance it resembles circular features seen elsewhere in the solar system, from impact craters to volcanoes. But scientists are holding off on making any interpretation of this and other features on Pluto until more detailed images are in hand.”
Ponder New Horizons, a little probe nine years and five billion kilometers from Earth, traveling at 49,600 Kph., about to settle into orbit 12,500 kilometers above Pluto. If that doesn’t raise your holy crap meter, nothing will.
As a Scorpio, I was always attracted by Pluto. No pun intended Notes.
I take astronomy seriously.
I really enjoy these posts.
Thank you, it makes my day knowing others I admire share my cosmic wonder 🙂
We are not alone…
I found a few interested people…
Question – where would I begin if I wanted to find out about my grandmother’s brother, Flight Sergeant Edward Drummond Chapman from Brandon Manitoba. Reported missing in action 1917, presumed dead in a letter received 1919?
Almost forgot – the letter said he went missing in action at Lens, France.
This can’t be him?
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/1084273
Was about to send reply with a “no” when I saw your second comment. 🙂 Please don’t find my next query stupid – is there a site I can search that details missions or documents where specific soldiers were stationed?
If he was a soldier, he could not be a Flight Sergeant.
My bad for calling a Flight Sergeant soldier. I have a grainy photograph of him standing in front of an airplane in uniform (not the original) It’s impossible to make out details. I’ll email it to you, then it’s bedtime for me:)
Sweet dreams…
Thank you 🙂
Search no more. I had the right pilot. Not world war one.
I’m confused, must be the fact it’s 4 am.
https://no23squadron.wordpress.com/2015/07/12/remembering-drummond-edward-chapman/
To be continued…
He is in front of a Harvard trainer
I’m embarrassed to say that means nothing in my frame of reference. Sigh. Another stupid question before forcing myself to go to sleep – do you think this photo was taken in Canada or overseas? (Please don’t groan – women pay attention to stories not equipment) 🙂
Taken at Camp Borden in 1940.
This Chapman…
F/Sgt Drummond Edward CHAPMAN – R/57927 (from Vancouver, B.C.), as the pilot of Havoc BD 124 and (on page 738) Sgt John Raymond SULLIVAN – R/72531 (from Vernon, P.E.I.) as the observer.
I’ve as crew member Nr. 3 F/Sgt Douglas J. PARR – 751383; all three on the Runnymede Memorial.
Globe and Mail, 1941/11/12
Royal Canadian Air Force’s 108th casualty list
MISSING AFTER AIR OPERATIONS.
Chapman, Drummond, Sergeant,
Can. R57927, missing. Mrs. E. Chapman
(mother), 65 West 20th Avenue,
Vancouver.
Sullivan, John Raymond, Sergeant,
Can, R72531, missing. Mrs. A,
Sullivan (mother), Verdun, P.E .I.
However, The Times, Tuesday, Dec 16, 1941; pg. 7; Issue 49110; col D
Lists all these 3 names on same List..
Roll of Honour
RAF
Missing Believed Killed on Active Service
Sgt D.J. Parr
RCAF
Missing Believed Killed on Active Service
Sgt D Chapman Sgt J.R. Sullivan
I can’t wait to see the close ups and notestoponder is where I expect to see it!
Archives Canada could have something, but I doubt it.
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/canadian-expeditionary-force.aspx
Fantastic, thank you 🙂 I’ll let you know if I find him – none of the Chapmans in your last list fit the bill.
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/search.aspx
No one with that name listed
His name should be listed…
Coffee time
You can delete superfluous comments. People will think we’re crazy…
Will do 🙂
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