June 2010 - A Quarterly Publication SOFIA successfully completes its ‘first light’ flight b y Ca t h y We s e l b y The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, achieved a major milestone May 26, with its first in-flight night observations. Astronomers call this event for a new observatory “first light.” The highly modified Boeing 747SP jetliner fitted with a 100-inch diameter reflecting telescope took off from its home base at the Aircraft Operations Anthony Wesley photo by NASA Facility in Palmdale, Calif., of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. The in-flight personnel consisted of an international crew from NASA, the Universities Space Research Associa- tion in Columbia, Md., Cornell Univer- sity and the German SOFIA Institute (DSI) in Stuttgart. During the six-hour This composite infrared image of Jupiter was made by Cornell University’s FORCAST camera flight, at altitudes up to 35,000 feet, during the SOFIA observatory’s "first light" flight. A recent visual-wavelength picture of approxi- the crew of 10 scientists, astronomers, mately the same side of Jupiter is shown for comparison. engineers and technicians gathered

We’re back! By popular demand, the Astro- gram is resuming publication this month as a quarterly newsletter. It will be available online and in hard-

NASA photo by Jim Ross NASA copy format and mailed to onsite mailstops and Ames retirees. The Astrogram will be published every three months. The Astrogram will be available online at http://www.nasa. gov/centers/ames/news/astrogram/ index.html Ames Public Affairs is soliciting Its primary mirror covered by a protective sun shade, the German-built infrared telescope short articles (600 word maximum) nestled in the rear fuselage of NASA's SOFIA flying observatory is easily visible in this close- up image taken during a recent test flight. with photos and captions for the Astrogram, which need to be sub- mitted to Astrid Olson at A.Olson@ telescope performance data at con- The stability and precise point- nasa.gov. Articles should be Ames soles in the aircraft's main cabin. ing of the German-built telescope met related and also may include hu- "Wind tunnel tests and supercom- or exceeded the expectations of the man interest stories. Photos may puter calculations made at the start engineers and astronomers who put it be submitted and will be evaluated of the SOFIA program predicted we through its paces during the flight. based on quality and suitability for would have sharp enough images for "The crowning accomplishment publication. front-line astronomical research," said of the night came when scientists on Obituaries and ongoing club SOFIA project scientist Pam Marcum board SOFIA recorded images of Jupi- announcements also will be ac- of Ames. "A preliminary look at the first ter," said USRA SOFIA senior science cepted. Classifieds will continue to light data indicates we indeed accom- advisor Eric Becklin. "The compos- be posted on InsideAmes at: http:// plished that." ite image from SOFIA shows heat, insideames.arc.nasa.gov/life.php continued on page 14

www.nasa.gov NASA scientist confirms water ice on asteroid b y Ru t h Da s s o Ma r l a i r e an asteroid so close to the sun was Scientists, using NASA's Infrared a completely surprising result. We Telescope Facility (IRTF) at the obser- expect ice to evaporate quickly into vatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, have space from the surfaces of asteroids," detected water-ice and carbon-based said Pinilla-Alonso. organic compounds on the surface of Other scientists have been scour- an asteroid. The discovery of the fro- ing the solar system for other worlds zen water on one of the asteroid belt's where ice and organic materials occur, largest occupants, called Asteroid 24 including the moons of Saturn and Themis, suggests that some asteroids, Jupiter. Dale Cruikshank, a research as well as comets, were the water car- scientist at NASA Ames experienced riers for a primordial Earth. in these studies, and a colleague of

“Artist conception of asteroid 24 Themis and two small fragments of this dynami- cal family, which resulted from a large impact more than one billion years ago. Note that one of the small fragments is inert (as most asteroids are) and the other has a comet-like tail, produced by the sublimation of water ice from its surface.” Figure credit: “Gabriel Pérez, Servicio MultiMedia, Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain.”

Although conditions in asteroids are not favorable for life, primitive asteroids may have small objects are of growing impor- been “fertilizers,” creating conditions for early life on Earth, and possibly other planets tance in our understanding of the cur- (artist conception, NASA). rent state of all the planets, including our own planet Earth.” The research paper titled, "Water Pinilla-Alonso, noted that "Dr. Pinilla- Pinilla-Alonso is featured in this ice and organics on the surface of the Alonso is one of a small band of issue of the Astrogram’s Science Q&A asteroid 24 Themis," was published planetary scientists pushing the limits section, appearing on page 3. April 29, 2010 in the journal Nature. of our knowledge of the tiny rocks and For the first time, infrared mea- icy lumps in the solar system. These surements showed characteristics of frozen water on Themis. "We calculated a synthetic spec- SETI Institute Science Series offers trum using water ice and other materi- als we thought could be present on the opportunity to learn about space asteroid," said Noemi Pinilla-Alonso, b y Adr i a n Br o w n a research scientist at NASA Ames Have you ever wished you could Telescope Array, the Kepler Mis- and co-author on the Nature paper. "Through a process of elimination and find out more about the work of sci- sion, climate change and a variety of repeated calculations, we confirmed entists at NASA Ames and the SETI Mars, moon and outer planets. the presence not only of frozen water, Institute? Well now you can. The Videos are available at: but of complex organic materials as SETI (Search for Extraterrestial Intel- http://youtube.com/setiinstitute. The well." ligence) Institute runs a weekly talk SETI archives of the talks are avail- While scientists generally agree that asteroids and comets probably series of cutting edge scientists from able at: http://seti.org/colloquium brought some water to Earth, and around the Bay Area and films the If you are in the Bay Area and even the carbon-based materials talks and puts them up on YouTube. want to hear to the talks in person, thought to be necessary for the origin Speakers are from NASA Ames, they are presented at noon at the of life on our planet, finding clear SETI Institute, Stanford, University SETI offices at 515 N. Whisman examples has proven difficult. When these materials and water arrive on of California Berkeley, University of Road, Mountain View. Visit the Web the warm Earth, the conditions for the California Santa Cruz and other Bay site at http://www.seti.org/csc/lec- formation of living organisms some Area institutions. Topics include the tures for more information. four billion years ago were met. LCROSS Mission, SETI, the Allen "Finding widespread water ice on 2 Astrogram June 2010 Science Q&A with Noemi Pinilla-Alonso, NASA astrophysics researcher

In t e r v i e w b y Ru t h Da s s o Ma r l a i r e It’s a match! It really is water ice on that asteroid! Noemi Pinilla-Alonso grew up in a city called Oviedo, in northern Spain, and specialized in astronomy and as- trophysics at the University of La La- guna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. photo by Eric James NASA As a graduate student, she worked at El Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias and the International Observatory of El Roque de los Muchachos also in the Canary Islands. In 2009, she won a NASA post doctoral fellowship.

Question: You are the co-author of a research paper titled, "Water ice and organics on the surface of asteroid 24 Themis," recently published in the British-American scientific journal Nature. What was the discovery, and why was it so Noemi Pinilla-Alonso, NASA astrophysics researcher at NASA Ames. important?

This was an amazing discovery. Question: Since water and organics observed spectra matched the spectra We thought asteroid 24 Themis was were found on the asteroid, could it for water ice, and even more surprised orbiting the sun too closely (~3.1 AU) support simple life-forms? to find our spectra matched a residue to keep ice on the surface. We really that could be complex organic mate- expected ice to evaporate quickly into Possibly. It is widely accepted rial: this is an amazing result! space from the surfaces of asteroids. that asteroids and comets may have We were looking for traces of water, brought the building blocks of life to Question: What inspired you to such as hydrated silicates, which have Earth. The conditions in asteroids work for NASA? been found on other asteroids. are not favorable for life; however, What we found was a paper-thin studying primitive asteroids as "fertil- I received a NASA postdoctoral layer of water ice, covering the entire izers" for life, may become an area of fellowship to study the nature of or- asteroid. This discovery means there greater interest to astrobiologists. ganic materials in the solar system. must be a mechanism replenishing the At NASA, I work with a small group of water. Question: What type of laboratory planetary scientists who study minor experiment did you perform to bodies in the solar system, such as Question: Is it possible to estimate make your discovery? asteroids, trans-neptunian objects, how much water is in the asteroid? dwarf planets and icy satellites. These My doctoral thesis was on icy objects are growing in importance It is not possible from our obser- objects in the solar system. I used to our understanding of the origin vations to estimate the size of the models containing mixtures of icy and evolutionary history of the solar reservoir. We can only see the coating materials to study their surface com- system. on the surface, which is microns thick. positions. My contribution to this paper From Spain, working for NASA We are not sure of the mechanism that was modeling and interpretation; I am was a dream too big to think it could is replenishing it, although we make the group’s modeling expert. come true. NASA is known all across suggestions in the paper. This will be a In the case of 24 Themis, we the world as a reference for astro- goal of future studies. produced a synthetic spectrum with physical research. I was inspired by a band around 3.1, which was similar NASA’s high-level scientists, and the to the observed spectrum. We were opportunity to broaden my knowledge surprised to find our synthetic and by talking and working with them.

3 Astrogram June 2010 Jeff Cuzzi wins prestigious 2010 Gerard P. Kuiper Prize b y Ru t h Da s s o Ma r l a i r e a rare combination indeed. Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) research Cuzzi works in NASA Ames’ using Mark I Very Long Baseline Inter- Jeff Cuzzi, a planetary scientist at Planetary Systems Branch. “He is ferometer (VLBI) technology. Invited NASA Ames, is the winner of the 2010 one of the most respected, admired, to join the Voyager Imaging team in Gerard P. Kuiper Prize, the most pres- and sought after individuals in our 1978, he led the team’s rings sub- tigious individual award in planetary field. And, of course, Jeff’s long list group through planning of all Saturn, sciences. of awards, clearly signify exceptional Uranus, and Neptune ring encounter The Kuiper Prize is presented by scientific achievement,” said Robert observations. In 1989, he was se- the American Astronomical Society’s Haberle, Planetary Systems Branch lected as Interdisciplinary Scientist for Division of Planetary Sciences (DPS). chief at NASA Ames. Rings on the NASA-European Space The annual award honors outstand- After receiving a bachelor of sci- Agency (ESA) Cassini-Huygens mis- ing lifetime contributions to planetary ence degree in engineering physics sion. His current ring focus is on the sciences, regardless of nationality or from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., composition of the rings and their evo- DPS membership. lution with time, and Previous winners the possibly chaotic include Carl Sagan, dynamics of the F Eugene Shoemak- ring region. er and James van Recognized Allen. for his outstand- “In the 27- ing achievements year history of the on planetary rings, Kuiper Prize, the Cuzzi received the award has been American Institute won by three NASA of Aeronautics and Ames researchers: Astronautics’ Law- Jim Pollack (1989), rence Sperry Award, Dale Cruikshank and two NASA (2006) and Jeff Exceptional Scien- Cuzzi (2010). No tific Achievement institution, within medals. government or aca- In the early demia, has more 1990s, Cuzzi Kuiper Prize win- started studying ners,” said S. Pete fluid dynamics and Worden, director of turbulence in the NASA Ames. NASA photo by Dominic Hart early protoplan- Cuzzi is being Jeff Cuzzi, recent winner of the 2010 Gerard P. Kuiper Prize, the most prestigious individual etary nebula, using honored because award in planetary sciences. three dimensional of his many pio- turbulence models neering contribu- on NASA’s largest tions to our understanding of the he studied planetary science at Cali- computers. For this early nebula re- formation and evolution of planetary fornia Institute of Technology, Pasade- search, Cuzzi received another NASA rings and small planets. Spanning na, Calif., receiving his Ph.D. in1972. Exceptional Scientific Achievement four decades, his work includes early Trained as a radio astronomer, with medal, and was elected Fellow of the observational and theoretical work on an initial focus on thermal emissions American Geophysical Union in 2002. rings, participation in NASA’s Voyager from Mars and Mercury, he observed He served as chief of the Planetary and Cassini missions, and his most Saturn from the U.S. National Radio Systems Branch of Ames’ Space Sci- recent state-of-the art fluid dynamic- Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), us- ence Division from 1992-1996. modeling efforts that will help solve the ing its radar interferometer in 1973. “His election as a Kuiper Prize mysteries of planet formation. During Inspired by the excitement of new winner is a richly deserved external this long search, he has mastered discovery, he became increasingly mo- acknowledgement of this legacy of several disciplines, including (but not tivated to learn all aspects of Saturn’s groundbreaking contributions -- a limited to) radiative transfer, nebu- mysterious rings, and ultimately rings legacy, which continues today,” said lar dynamics, and cosmochemistry, around other planets as well. Haberle. and often crossed into other fields of During his early years at Ames, research, such as astrophysics and Cuzzi served as study scientist for the meteoritics. Cuzzi also is an expert first engineering studies of a Titan en- observational astronomer, planetary try probe, and also worked on the first theoretician, and planetary modeler – ultra-narrowband Search for Extra-

4 Astrogram June 2010 NASA ‘Smart Skies’ software sparks students’ interest in science, math b y Ka r e n Je n v e y The Silicon Valley Education Foundation and the Hispanic Founda- tion of Silicon Valley have embarked on a journey to collaborate with NASA that is a perfect marriage between the three organizations. All three organizations are striving to achieve the same thing – stimulat- photo by Eric James NASA ing students with an interest in Sci- ence, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). To celebrate this collaboration, a group of young 20 Hispanic students from ACE Charter School, San José, Calif. attended an event in the Ames Exploration Encounter on June 1, 2010. This school is uniquely quali- fied to participate in the collaboration because its mission is to help middle school students with a history of poor grades change their academic path towards success. At the event, Ron Gonzales, Ames Deputy Center Director Lewis Braxton lll (far right) and Jonas Dino of the Ames Education chief executive officer of the Hispanic Office (second from right) assist students from the ACE Academy, San José, Calif. to solve air Foundation of Silicon Valley, talked traffic management problems using NASA’s Smart Skies software. about his parents driving by NASA Ames every day and how he always visit this center,” smiled Gonzales. product and by collaborating with was fascinated by NASA. “Today is the Lew Braxton, Ames deputy center these two wonderful foundations we first day that I have been able to visit director, marveled at the “Smart Skies” are getting it into the hands of the Ames. The students here today are software, which is at the core of this students who will benefit from it,” said very lucky to have the opportunity to collaboration. “This is a great NASA continued on page 11

Future space explorers attend Masters Forum in Florida A 13 year-old student from St. participants could tell NASA what they Andrews School in Saratoga was thought the space agency should do invited by NASA to be a panel mem- in the future. They spoke to a group of ber of a Masters Invitational Technical senior NASA managers before viewing Forum with four other teenagers. the space shuttle launch. Later they Zachary Hovey, grandson of Mr. toured Kennedy Space Center.

and Mrs. John Boyd of Saratoga, and “I had a great time and learned a photo by Lewis Peach son of Carol and Gary Hovey of San lot about NASA,” said Zachary Hovey. Jose, participated in a forum in Florida “It was fun talking to the NASA offi- at the same time as the space shuttle cials. The shuttle launch was seriously Atlantis’ last launch on May 14, 2010. cool.” The panel was held so that the young photo by Jack Boyd Zachary Hovey at the space shuttle Atlantis launch site, May 14, 2010. He attended the Masters Invitational Technical Forum which Masters Invitational Technical Forum Panel members, with Zachary Hovey, second from left. was held the same time as the launch.

5 Astrogram June 2010 Spaceward Bound scientists study fog in African Desert b y Ch r i s McKa y the Namib, the lands slopes gradu- shared cabins, a common dining and The Spaceward Bound Expedi- ally from the coast up to 1,800 meters kitchen area, and science labs. Each tion to the Namib Desert in April 2010 elevation near the capital, Windhoek, morning and evening the team would brought together scientists from the 300 km inland. The fog rolls up this assemble to go over plans and results. United States, Australia, South Africa, slope, diminishing gradually with dis- Our primary task was to cross Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom tance and elevation. the desert and inspect the translucent as well as teachers from the United As a result of the different ge- stones to determine colonization rate. States, Australia, South Africa, and ographies between the two deserts, To do this, we had a team of about 10 Namibia. fog is absent from the interior of the people – both scientists and teachers fan out in groups of three and find, charaterize, and count the translucent quartz stones and the colonization of organisms beneath the stone. A typical colonized stone is shown in the photo above. In addition to mapping out the colonization of quartz stone, the team also investigated salt deposits associated with groundwater flows, moisture gradients in the subsurface, and clays in the sand sea to the south of the Station. Michael Wing, a high school teacher from the United States brought some artificial quartz stones which he placed on the desert floor. The team of Spaceward Bound scientists and teachers who investigated the role of fog in sup- Over the next few years, we will moni- porting microbial ecosystems in extreme deserts in the Namib Desert in April 2010. tor these stones to see if they become colonized. Wing has a website that shows his experiments, http://drake. The scientific goal of the expedi- Atacama, but is present in the interior marin.k12.ca.us/staff/wing/index.htm tion was to investigate the role of fog of the Namib. Our scientific goal is During the week, several of the in supporting microbial ecosystems in to compare the resulting potential for scientists traveled to a school in Wind- extreme deserts. In most places on life. The organisms of primary interest hoek and to a school in Walvis Bay to Earth, life on land lives on water from to us are simple one-celled photosyn- present lectures about the work being rain. Previous Spaceward Bound thetic organisms that are found living conducted and the relevance to Mars expeditions in the Atacama Desert under translucent of Chile investigated life in the driest stones in arid des- desert on Earth – where the rain aver- erts. The stone ages, less than 1 mm a year and of- holds moisture ten there are many consecutive years and if translucent, with no rain. For comparison, the rain allows some light in the dry core of the Atacama is 50 to penetrate. times less than in Death Valley, Calif. In the Ata- – another site studied by Spaceward cama, we found Bound expeditions. that the coloniza- While Earth is a planet of rain, tion of stones Mars is not. On Mars, life may survive dropped off to on non-rain sources of water such as essentially zero melting ice, fog, and dew. The Namib in the arid core. Desert is possibly the best location in We expected that the world to study the relative effects in the Namib the NASA photos by Matthew Reyes of fog versus rain in supporting desert stones would be Populated quartz rock, a typical colonized stone. life. colonized near the Our study site in the Namib Desert coast as a result is located about 23ºS on the west- of the fog and far inland as a result of exploration. One of the teachers from ern coast of Africa. This is similar to the rain but there would be a zone of the school in Walvis Bay was with the the arid core of the Atacama, which no colonization in between. expedition during the entire week and is at this same latitude on the west- To our surprise, we found that the his students were particularly inter- ern coast of South America. In both colonization remained high across the ested in what we were doing and why coastal areas there is little rain, but desert. we had come to Namibia. a marine fog comes in from the cold Our team of scientists and teach- More information on Spaceward ocean. However, in the Atacama high ers stayed at the Gobebeb Desert Re- Bound can be found at http://quest. coastal mountains block the fog within search station. This was our base of nasa.gov/projects/spacewardbound/ a few kilometers from the coast. In operations for the entire trip. We had

6 Astrogram June 2010 Ames’ Bike to Work Day pedals its way to success b y Jo h n Sc a r b o r o The Ames Bicycle Club hosted an energizer station during the morning of Bike to Work Day, May 13, 2010. During the morning, 115 people photo NASA joined thousands of other bike com- muters around the Bay Area. In Santa Clara County, participation was up by 12.5 percent since last year. Most of the bike commuters at Ames stopped by to chat and pick up some refresh- ments and prizes. People rode in from all over. swarms of insects on the Bay Trail- and Maureen Cruzen of ISSi and Luke Vince Chan and Richard Kolyer each had a good time. Metz and Armando Jimenez of SAIC. rode 30 miles. James Snow had the This is the fifth year that the Ames If you would like more informa- shortest ride at two miles. The aver- Bike Club has hosted a Bike to Work tion on biking at Ames, see the Ames age bike commute was 13 miles. The station and the ninth year that Julie Bicycle Club page at http://ames. mental and physical health benefits Nottage has coordinated or helped clubexpress.com/. For more informa- of biking to work were evident in the with the event. This year, she was tion about biking to work and Bike to riders. People talked about their rides- assisted by her husband, Richard Work Day, see http://www.youcan- even the bikers who plowed through Nottage, John Scarboro, Crystal Lee, bikethere.com/. Thousands turn out for Yuri’s Night celebration b y Ca t h y We s e l b y NASA Ames hosted a mega sary of the first human space launch Education Specialists and the Astro- Yuri’s Night celebration April 9 and by Yuri Gagarin in 1961 and the first nomical Society of the Pacific. April 10, 2010. A 40-foot futuristic space shuttle mission in 1981. Please see the following two rocket ship, air show and top mu- Musical acts performed on large pages for additional Yuri event sic acts, including Common and two stages, including N.E.R.D, The photo coverage. N.E.R.D. were among the highlights. Black Keys, Les Claypool, Common, On Friday, April 9, 2010, an esti- The Glitch Mob, Hamsa Lila and DJ mated 6,000 students from all over Qbert. the Bay Area gathered for Education The celebration had more than Day. (See photos this page.) During 120 exhibits, including groups as this free event, students between diverse as Google Earth, Zero Gravity grades 4-12 engaged in hands- Arts Consortium, California Academy on learning activities that included of Sciences, the Russian Consulate, interactive exhibits, workshops and Loco Bloco, Wonderfest, Aerospace presentations by leading scientists, engineers and technology experts. photo by Eric James NASA Students made and launched rockets, drove a Mars Rover replica, learned how an infrared camera works and created music with vari- ous sound effects in an immersive environment. Guest speakers in- cluded musician DJ Q-Bert, who led a workshop on vinyl record scratch- es and science, video game artist Android Jones demonstrated digital painting, and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who talked about the se- crets to his success. On Saturday, April 10, 2010, an estimated 6,000 space enthusiasts came to celebrate Yuri’s Night at NASA’s Ames. The celebration – one NASA photo by Eric james of the largest of 210 held around the world – commemorated the anniver- NASA photo by Paul Langston NASA

7 Astrogram June 2010 Yuri’s Night 2010 draws thousands to NASA Ames NASA photo by John Schultz NASA NASA photo by John Schultz NASA NASA photo by John Schultz NASA

NASA photo by John Schultz

NASA photo by Kyle Cavallaro NASA photo by Eric James

8 Astrogram June 2010 NASA photo by Eric James NASA

NASA photo by Jon-Pierre Wiens

NASA photo by Jon-Pierre Wiens

NASA photo by Kyle Cavallaro NASA photo by John Schultz NASA

NASA photo by John Schultz

9 Astrogram June 2010 Ames holds annual Hispanic Heritage Golf Tournament b y He rm a n Sa n t o s , Ge r a l d DePe r i o , and contributors that supported this please visit the HACE Web page at: a n d Je a n e t t e Za m o r a event. http://eo.arc.nasa.gov/hace/hace.htm. “The NASA Ames 8th Annual His- For additional information relat- panic Heritage Golf Tournament was a ing to the HACE’s mission statement, Great Success!” That was the expression of Eric Kristich, chairperson of the Ames Hispanic Advisory Committee for Employees (HACE), which hosted the event at the Ames Golf Course May 7, 2010. Kristich said this event is part of HACE’s continuing goals of formally recognizing the Hispanic youths for achieving academic excellence in their schools. The students’ recognition com- prised of presenting them with five awards in the form of stipends, four of which went to students from the Na- tional Hispanic University (NHU). Every year, HACE, in collabora- tion with NHU, selects students who continued to demonstrate academic excellence from the Computer Science or Mathematics and Science depart- ments. The prerequisite for the awards was to be enrolled in the aforemen- tioned departments, with a minimum GPA of over 3.0, and be selected for the best essay addressing the topic on “Latinos in Science and Mathematics.” From left to right: Miguel Ortega, Dr. Yazmin Rosa-Bauza (Chairperson of the NHU Mathemat- This year’s award recipients were ics and Science Department), Beatriz Ayala, Ruth Castro, and Diego Candia. The students Ruth Castro, Beatriz Ayala, Miguel were recognized for achieving academic excellence in their schools. Ortega, and Diego Candia. The fifth stipend was awarded to Principal An- NASA photos by Dominic Hart tonio Fuentes on behalf of the Latino College Preparatory Academy (LCPA). Fuentes accepted this award, which will assist in purchasing much-needed math books for the students. Kristich also conveyed how proud he felt to be able to contribute towards the education of the future leaders of the world. His contribution paral- lels HACE’s vision to reach out to the younger generation of Hispanics and to raise awareness about the value of Science, Technology, and Mathemat- ics. Overall, the event drew more than 100 golf players and a good public turnout who enjoyed a variety of foods and snacks. Music was performed and dancing was accompanied by profes- sional DJs. The event was made pos- sible by significant efforts by members Eric Kristich (left) and Lewis Braxton III (second from left) congratulate the award recipients. of HACE, Ames management led by Lew Braxton III., Ames staff volunteers

10 Astrogram June 2010 Aeronautics Associate Administrator visits Ames

Dr. Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, held

NASA photo by Dominic Hart NASA an all-hands address on Tuesday, June 8, in the Ames Main Auditorium. Shin discussed the exciting developments within NASA’s Aeronautics programs.

Ames Director’s Colloquium 2010 Summer Series begins NASA Ames has launched the • Tuesday, July 6, Ramakrishna • Tuesday, July 27, Tori Hoehler Director’s Colloquium 2010 Summer Nemani will discuss, “Earth Science will discuss, “A ‘Follow the Energy’ Series. Collaborative for Ecological Forcast- Approach in Astrobiology” All colloquiums will be from 2 - 3 ing” p.m. in the Main Auditorium (N201). • Tuesday, July 13, Ames Center • Tuesday, Aug. 3, Andrew A punch and cookies reception will Director S. Pete Worden will discuss, Watson will discuss,” Vision Science immediately follow each colloquium. “Protecting the Earth from Asteroids” and Visual Technology Each colloquium lasts 60 minutes including a question-and-answer ses- • Tuesday, July 20, Laura Kush- • Tuesday, Aug. 10, Stuart sion. ner will discuss, “Experimentation in Rogers will discuss, “Aerodynamics Aerodynamics” and Debris Transport for the Space Shuttle Launch Vehicle

NASA ‘Smart Skies’ software sparks students’ interest in science, math continued from page 5 Braxton. who attended the event. “I want to play ping Up to Algebra program, is an ex- Braxton isn’t the only fan of Smart that game again,” she said enthusiasti- cellent example of how to get students Skies. cally peering towards the computers. excited about science, technology, “NASA’s ‘Smart Skies’ software is The software will be featured engineering and math,” said Muham- a fun and challenging way to get kids in SVEF’s “Stepping Up to Algebra” maed Chaudhry, chief executive officer to learn how math and science can program. of the Silicon Valley Education Foun- help them pursue their dreams,” said “The Silicon Valley Education dation. Gonzales. Foundation strives to prepare students Is it fun for the students? You bet. for high school algebra. Software Just ask Teodolinda Aguirre, one of such as NASA’s Smart Skies, which the students from ACE Charter School we are proud to include in our ‘Step-

11 Astrogram June 2010 2010 Presidental Rank awards presented at Ames The 2010 Presidential Rank and Exceptional Public Service Medal CEV TPS Advanced Development NASA Honor Awards Ceremony for William G. Bousman Project Ames was held June 9, 2010, in Christopher Youngquist ESMD HEC Prioritization Team the Main Auditorium (N201). Ames Human Vibration Team management presented Presidential Exceptional Scientific Achievement International Space University Rank and NASA Honor Awards to 48 Medal Project Team employees who were selected for indi- David W. Schwenke Jules Verne Team vidual awards, and to 31 groups which Aaron Zent Kepler Launch and Commissioning were selected for the NASA Group Team Achievement Award. The names of the Exceptional Service Medal Kepler Science Office honorees are listed below. Bryan A. Biegel Kepler Science Operations Center Kenneth R. Hamm Kepler Science Team 2010 PRESIDENTIAL RANK AND Ronald M. Hovland LAX North Airfield Safety Study NASA HONOR AWARDEES Michael R. Landis Simulation Team Marjorie J. Pierre LCROSS Science and Payload Presidential Rank of Distinguished Terrence K. Rager Team Senior Professional Vivian Torres Lunar Regolith Excavation Mark B. Tischler Challenge Exceptional Technology Achieve- OCAMS Design, Develop, Test, Presidential Rank of Meritorious ment Medal and Eval Team Senior Professional Jon Jenkins Orion Re-entry Handling Qualities David Morrison Wayne R. Johnson Simulation Team PharmaSat Team Presidential Rank of Meritorious Outstanding Leadership Medal Pleiades Supercomputer Team Senior Executive Daniel R. Andrews Robotic Recon Experiment Team Eugene L. Tu William J. Borucki Scheduling, Training Admin and Daniel M. Bufton Records (STAR) Team Equal Employment Opportunity Anthony Colaprete Simulation Assisted Risk Medal James P. Connolly Assessment (SARA) Team Eric A. Kristich Charles W. Duff Solar Array Constraint Engine Roger Hunter (SACE) Team Exceptional Achievement Medal Kelly J. James TPS Model Processing and Khaled Galal Francis J. Kmak Fabrication Team Michael R. Haas Parimal H. Kopardekar UH-60A Individual Blade Control David R. Hunt Mary E. Livingston Project Team David G. Koch B. D. McNally VMS Space Shuttle Visual Benton H. Lau Piyush Mehrotra Database Development Team Natalie R. Lemar Ethiraj Venkatapathy XSearch Design, Development, Millie G. Lo William G. Warmbrodt Test & Eval Team Patti P. Powell Steven F. Zornetzer Cheryl M. Quinn The Astrogram will John E. Robinson Group Achievement Award Michael M. Rogers Advanced Aircraft Hardware return in September The Astrogram staff hopes you Yvonne Simonsen Development Team all enjoy this issue of the current George C. Tung Ames Environmental Sustainability newsletter in its new quarterly Report 2009 publication format. Our next issue Exceptional Administrative Achieve- Ames Facility Study Team will be published in September ment Medal Ames HSPD-12 Team 2010. If you want to submit a story Susan C. Nelson Ames Negotiation Team for UA and/or photo for consideration, Lease please email them to Astrid Olson Exceptional Engineering Achieve- CASIE Team at [email protected] by Aug. 15, ment Medal CEV Orion Launch Abort Motor 2010. In the meantime, have a Robin A. Beck Test Measurement Team great summer! 12 Astrogram June 2010 Ames Ongoing Monthly Events Calendar Exchange Information Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. African American Advisory Group (AAAG) Information about products, services and opportuni- Mtg., every fourth Wednesday of each month, - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-269/Rm.179. POC: Estelle ties provided to the employee and contractor com- 12 - 1 p.m., Bldg. N255 Rm 101C. POC: Chair Dodson, ext. 4-4145, estelle.dodson@nasa. munity by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit the - Jim Busby, ext. 4-2792. gov. Web: http://jetstream.freetoasthost.com web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov

Ames Mac Support Group Mtg., third Tuesday Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thurs., of Beyond Galileo Gift Shop N-235 in the of each month, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m., Bldg. ea. month, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from cafeteria , 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., ext. 4-6873 N-255). POC: Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at N-262, Rm 180. POC: Tony ext. 4-0340. ext. 4-6262. Don’t forget to purchase your baby shower, birth- Ames Model Aircraft Club, flying radio-con- day, holiday gifts at Ames’ two gift shops! Ames Ballroom Dance Club, Classes on trolled aircraft at the north end of Parsons Ave. on weekend mornings. POC: Mark Sumich, Tuesdays. Beginning classes meet at 5:15 Visitor Center Gift Shop N-943 ext. 4-6193. p.m. Higher-level class meets at 5:50 p.m. M-F, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ext. 4-5412 Held in Bldg. 944, the Rec. Center. POC: Helen Hwang at [email protected], ext. Moffett Aikido Club, Monday and Wednesday NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts and 4-1368. evenings, 6:30 p.m., Bldg. 944, across from educational items. former McDonalds. Aikido is a non-competi- tive, defensive martial art known as the “Way Ames Bicycling Club, every third Wednesday Tickets, etc... N-943 outside the main gate, of Harmony.” POC: Diane Pereda (650) 575- of each month, 12 noon - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-245 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., ext. 4-5412 and Beyond 9070 or Robert Dean (650) 787-1007, email: Auditorium. For information on the club go Galileo, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ext. 4-6873 to the website https://ames.clubexpress.com. [email protected] POC: Julie Nottage at [email protected]. nasa.gov, ext. 4-3711. Native American Advisory Committee Mtg., fourth Tuesday each month, 12 noon - 1 Mega Bites Cafeteria N-235, 6 a.m. to 2 Ames Bowling League, Homestead Lanes p.m., Bldg. 19, Rm 1096. POC: Mike Liu, ext. p.m., ext. 4-5969/Catering ext. 4-2161 Thursdays at 6:20 p.m. Need substitute 4-1132. See daily menu at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov bowlers. Sign up questions: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132. Ames Nimble Knitters Club, every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., Bldg. N-241/Rm 237. POC: Moffett Field Golf Club with ‘Tee minus 1’ Ames Child Care Center Board of Direc- Rosalyn Jung, [email protected] or Diane Grill and Sports Bar. Call (650) 603-8026. tors Mtg., every other Monday, 1 - 2:30 p.m., Alexander at ext. 4-3140. URL: http://knit.arc. nasa.gov Bldg. N-262/Rm 180. POC: Sally Miller, ext. RV Lots Available Call to reserve a space 4-5411. at (650) 603-7100/01. Ames Safety Committee, third Thursday of Ames Contractor Council Mtg., first Weds. of each month, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., Bldg. N-237, Civilian/Contractors, $50/mo; military $25/mo ea. month, 11 a.m., Bldg. N-200, Committee Rm. 201. POC: John Livacich, jlivacich@ Room. POC: Elisa Taube (408) 541-2838. mail.arc.nasa.gov, ext. 4-3243 or Terry Reich- ert, [email protected], ext.-4-0375. NASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100 Environmental Forum, first Thursday every Where to stay when you’re too tired to drive home? other month, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m., T20-G confer- Ames Sailing Club Mtg., second Thursday of What about the lodge?! Two types of rooms: Bldg. ence Rm. 129. URL: http://q/qe/events/EHS- each month (March through November), from 19 (43 rooms), rate: $55/night ($5 ea add’l adult); series/ POC: Stacy St. Louis, ext. 4-6810. 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-260, Rm. 113. URL: Bldg. 583 (150 rooms), rate: $45/night ($5 ea. add’l http://sail.arc.nasa.gov/. POC: Clif Horne, ext. adult) Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) 4-4571. Mtg, third Wednesday ea. month, noon. Bldg. Ames Swim Center (N-109) 603-8025 N-247, Rm. 109.. Guests welcome. Info at: http://www.afeu.org. POC: Paul K. Davis, ext. The pool is heated year round! The pool is currently 4-5916. available for lap swim, pool parties and special events. POC -Chana Langley, Pool Manager The Hispanic Advisory Committee for (650) 603-8025. Memberships: single member- ships: $40/yr. Family memberships: $60/yr. After Excellence (HACE) Mtg., first Thursday of purchasing a membership, there is an entrance fee: each month, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Bldg. daily entrance fee - $3/day or lap pass fee - $40 for N-255, Rm. 101C. POC: Eric Kristich, ext. 20 uses. Platinum membership - $360/yr. (no daily 4-5137 and Mark Leon, ext. 4-6498. fee). Special events: include military training, swim team events, kayak role practice, etc. The cost for special events is $50/hr. Ames emergency announcements Ames Cat Network To hear the centerwide status record- The Ames Cat Network needs help finding ing, call (650) 604-9999 for informa- homes for cats trapped at Moffett. They tion announcements and emergency range from feral to abandoned/lost pets. Tested, altered and inoculated. Call Iris at instructions for Ames employees. You ext. 4-5824 if you or someone you know are can also listen to 1700 KHz AM radio interested in fostering or adopting a cat. for the same information.

13 Astrogram June 2010 Protective Services monthly activity SOFIA ‘first light’ flight continued from front page A statistical summary of activities of the Protective Services Division’s Security/Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Services units for the month trapped since the formation of the of May 2010 is show below. planet, pouring out of Jupiter's interior through holes in its clouds." Security/Law Enforcement Activity The highly sensitive Faint Ob- ject infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) captures in minutes images that would require many hour-long exposures by ground- based observatories blocked from a clear infrared view by water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere. SOFIA's operational altitude, which is above more than 99 percent of that water vapor, allows it to receive 80 percent or more of the infrared light accessible to space observatories. SOFIA is a joint program by NASA and the German Aerospace Center. Fire Protection Activity The SOFIA program is managed at Dryden and Ames manages the SO- FIA science and mission operations in cooperation with USRA and DSI.

FIRST-CLASS U.S. POSTAGE National Aeronautics and Space PAID PERMIT NO. 85 Administration MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

The Ames Astrogram is an official publication of Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Managing Editor...... Michael Mewhinney Editor, Layout and Design...... Astrid Olson

You can reach the Astrogram Office at: astrogram@ mail.arc.nasa.gov or by phone at (650) 604-3347. Astrogram Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/ PLEASE RECYCLE ames/astrogram. Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink. 14 Astrogram June 2010