If you have been curious about the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis there is no time better than now to check out more about this awesome natural phenomenon.  The aurora borealis is essentially the result of protons and electrons from the sun colliding and mixing with the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic fields.  When this happens there is an awesome display of color that occurs at both the North and South Poles, though the north is better known for it in my experiences.  The Northern Lights are absolutely remarkable and this website predicts how good they will be.  The Geophysical Institute is sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks and their website puts up predictions for how well and when the Lights will be able to be seen.  The website also talks about interpreting the forecast and tips for how to plan to see the Aurora Borealis when it is at its best.  I suggest checking this website out if you would like to know more about the Northern Lights.

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/2011/04/27

(GE’s first HPC free model)

Scientists continue to discover gases more damaging to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. GE just announced Tuesday it will be the first refrigerator producer to eliminate a gas called HFC (Hydroflorocarbon) 134a from its frig insulation materials. HFCs have 1,430 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide.

Before using HFCs, frig manufacturers used CFCs as a blowing agent and refrigerant. But then CFCs were banned because of their effect on the ozone. Were HFCs that great of a replacement?

GE is the first frig manufacturer to propose eliminating HFCs from their processing. One potential replacement gas is cyclopentane, a hydrocarbon molecule with a global warming potential of 3 to 10. GE has already converted one factory to cyclopentane, which will eliminate 400,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year (equivalent to 78,000 cars taken off the road).

Frig companies are also working to recapture some of the harmful gases still locked in the insulation of trashed refrigerators.

The question(s) is(are) then, (a) why didn’t they replace CFC with cyclopentane back in the 1970s?, (b) are scientists going to discover some environmentally damaging impact of cyclopentane 20 years from now?, and (c) is anyone designing a carbon neutral refrigerator?

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/when-refrigerators-warm-the-planet/#more-100107

Many astronaut corps are now asking themselves what do to next, especially considering that NASA’s space program has been shut down. According to the New York Times article titled “With ‘Coolest Job Ever’ Ending, Astronauts Seek Next Frontier,” shuttle missions such as The Endeavour and the Atlantis are going to be the last launches that we see.

The end of active space shuttles could be foreseen back in 2009, which was the case for John M. Grunsfeld. After his last flight in May of 2009 he asked Dr. Peggy Whitson, head of NASA’s astronaut office, what his chances were of going on another mission. Her response was “Slim to none.”

Grunsfeld has since left NASA, and he is currently the deputy director of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. Many other NASA employees have since left to seek employment in other areas. Last year alone 20 astronauts left the active-duty roster and 61 remain; this is down from a peak of close to 150 astronauts in 2000.

Despite the disappointment with NASA ending its space shuttle program, there are other options to get into space! For instance, former NASA astronaut Garrett E. Reisman now works for SpaceX, which was founded by Internet entrepreneur Elon Musk. Reisman has since logged in more than three months in space and has conducted work on the space station’s robotic arm. He is now working on a rocket called Falcon 9 and a spacecraft called the Dragon.

Many of the former NASA astronauts are still “wistful” about the lost opportunity of flying on one of the few remaining flights, but it is nice to know that there is still opportunity for current and aspiring astronauts and engineers within other areas.

New York Times, 4/23/2011