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Russian Space Programme

Earth Satellites

Polyus: the Real Death Star?

While suspicion, fear, and fantasy, at times were closely associated with the Cold War period in terms of how the USA and the USSR viewed one another’s respective actions, it became clear that space projects were not exempt from this mutual scrutiny either. One such project which did little to Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 8 yearsNovember 5, 2015 ago
Planets

The Many Faces of the Solar System

New Horizon’s arrival at Pluto this year, after a nine year-long traverse through the Solar System has revealed many new things about this little icy planet. Pluto used to be the ninth planet but was demoted in 2006 to the status of dwarf planet. Until the New Horizons mission started Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 8 yearsOctober 20, 2015 ago
The Future

Space Guns!

Have you ever stopped and really thought about the possibility of finding life in the universe or maybe that extra-terrestrial life finding us! And then, when they find us, what if they aren’t exactly friendly and they want our planet for some super evil plan so they decide to have Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 8 yearsAugust 11, 2015 ago
Human Exploration

Shaking Hands in Orbit: the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

The space programmes of the USA and USSR began in a spirit of bitter Cold War rivalry but by the early 1970s internation tensions had eased a little into a détente and what had been unthinkable ten years earlier was possible. In 1975 the world saw the historic meeting in Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 8 yearsJune 22, 2015 ago
Human Exploration

The One Year Crew

One year or 365.25 days, the length of time it takes the Earth to complete one orbital path around the Sun and the length of time American astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko will spend out of this world. Launching on 27 March 2015, these two men will Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 9 yearsMarch 25, 2015 ago
Human Exploration

Women in Space

When asked about famous astronauts, children can usually name the big hitters such as the humble Neil Armstrong and his co-lunar lander Buzz Aldrin. Some can even throw in for good measure the third member of Apollo 11, Michael Collins and some can even surprise me by mentioning the awe Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 9 yearsJune 20, 2014 ago
Universe

Space and Astronomy Around the World

Astronomy is a science that knows no borders. Everyone around the world can look up to the sky and see the Universe in front of them, providing the glare from city pollution doesn’t spoil the view. In the past scholars from around the world have theorised and pondered about our Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 years ago
Armagh Planetarium

Chris Hadfield: a Legend Comes to Armagh

Chris Hadfield needs no introduction. The Canadian astronaut is one of the most famous people in the world, and during his time commanding the International Space Station was undoubtedly the most famous person off-world. On 12 January 2014 Armagh Planetarium was honoured by a visit from this legendary space traveller, Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 yearsJanuary 17, 2014 ago
The Future

2014′s Space Odysseys

The year 2014 could see the first 3D printer brought into space, the first fare-paying passengers leave Planet Earth on the Virgin Galactic and the first test mission of a new vehicle called Orion that might one day take humans to Mars. Exciting stuff, bring on 2014! But what else Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 yearsJanuary 8, 2014 ago
Earth Satellites

The Real Mystery Satellites

There are thought be thousands of satellites in working order in orbit around the Earth. If the count was to include all Earth satellites including broken parts and discarded pieces, there are thought to be 21,000 pieces of space junk greater than 10cm across up there. If we include fragments Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 years ago
Image of z1 microgravity test
Concept Spacecraft

Spacesuits of the Future

As we further consider spacesuits we may find a question arising in many of our minds: Why build any new spacesuits at all? Why not just reuse previous designs, especially when the expense of space technology manufacture is considered? The answer is that with man’s space exploration program being in Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 11 yearsFebruary 19, 2013 ago
IMAGE of Gemin spacesuit
Human Exploration

Spacesuits: Fashion of the Future!

Ever fancied yourself in a spacesuit? Whether in fact you believe that a spacesuit makes desirable fancy dress, it is undoubtedly, more so than any other profession in which a high-profile uniform is worn, iconic. However compared to those occupations in which uniforms are primarily worn to draw attention, spacesuits Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 11 years ago
The Future

2013’s Space Odysseys

This year has started off with perhaps a little more promise than the last, not only did the world not end but a new Mayan calendar has started, mysterious planet Nibiru did not crash into the Earth and nor did we get wiped out with any comets/ aliens/ or stellar Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 11 yearsJanuary 8, 2013 ago
Image of ISS star trails
Colin Johnston

Getting back up to speed

Perhaps you haven’t noticed but new Astronotes posts have been a little short on the ground of late.I’d love to be able to say that this was because I was offworld on the International Space Station, but sadly the real reason was I’ve been ill (indeed I did spend some Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 11 yearsJuly 17, 2012 ago
Human Exploration

Hello Earth!

Fewer than 600 people have ever seen our world from space and only a couple of dozen have travelled far enough away to seen the Earth as a planet against the infinity of space. All have found viewing their homeworld from beyond to be a profound experience.   Russian cosmonaut Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsJanuary 19, 2012 ago
Planets

Venus: Earth’s Sister Planet

Venus has always been regarded as Earth’s Sister Planet. After all, it can be the closest planet to us and it is nearly the same size as Earth. But how similar is it really to Earth?   Astronomers get asked this question very often:  “I saw this really bright light Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsJanuary 17, 2012 ago
Human Exploration

Russia’s Rival to Apollo

A few years ago there was a vogue among historians to write about ‘counterfactuals’.A counterfactual examines the importance of an event for subsequent history by asking what if that event had taken a radically different course.What if the Nazis had invaded the UK in 1940? What if Napoleon had won Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsNovember 25, 2011 ago
image of laika
Human Exploration

10 Animal Space Travellers

Before Yuri Gagarin made the historic first orbit around the Earth in 1961, animals had already visited the unknown. They were used to collect medical data and to test the spacecraft’s durability before sending manned missions. Once the survivability of spaceflight was confirmed, humans then began to travel where previously Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsOctober 14, 2011 ago
Image of Soyuz 11 Crew
Human Exploration

Soyuz 11: The Truth About the Salyut 1 Space Disaster

It is June 30 1971, and a ground crew in Kazakhstan are waiting to recover three cosmonauts from the Soyuz 11 spacecraft. The trio, the first space station crew, are expected to be unused to terrestrial gravity after their weeks in micro-gravity. The recovery team are expecting to help the Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsJune 22, 2011 ago
Image of C-1057 concept
Concept Spacecraft

10 Space Shuttles which never flew

NASA’s Space Shuttles have become a familar sight in their thirty years of service, but there have been other shuttle designs which never left the ground.Some were ingenious alternative concepts to the vehicle which is shortly to be retired, some were potential replacements and there was even a couple of Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsMay 12, 2011 ago
Human Exploration

Vostok 1: Secrets of the first spaceflight

Yuri Gagarin made history fifty years ago, in the midst of the Cold War, the USSR succeeded in putting him in space. Aspects of his mission were kept secret at the time, but Martina Redpath has pushed aside the veil of secrecy. When pondering the successes of the space programs Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsApril 11, 2011 ago
Human Exploration

Yuri Gagarin: First Man in Space

Yuri Gagarin, Soviet cosmonaut, paved the way for space exploration and truly went where no man had been before. He was the first human in space, Sinead McNicholl tells his story. Gagarin’s triumphant 108 minute flight into space is one of the pivotal events of the 20th Century. It opened Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsApril 11, 2011 ago
Science Fiction

Apollo 18: the truth about the lost Moon missions

Apollo 18 is a SF/Horror movie presented as newly-found film footage taken by the fictional crew of a lost 1970s lunar landing mission.  The Apollo 18 film uses real NASA movie footage from the Moon (some of it doctored with CGI) and new studio-shot footage with actors and special effects Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 13 yearsFebruary 22, 2011 ago
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RSS Intergalactic Craic
  • S3Ep5 - Craic with all these moons?
    Heather and her new co-host Dr Rok are back! Taking time out of their busy schedules they have recorded an episode all about the dramatic increase to the number of moons of the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn! They also delve into their own busy schedules and explain everything there is to know about AOP's […]
  • S3Ep4 - Wee Bitta Craic: Bout Ye Alice?
    This month is the final 'getting to know you' episode of Intergalactic Craic: Wee Bitta Craic. Ethan and Zuri interview Alice and ask her all about how she came to be doing her PhD at AOP. Find out this and more in this info packed episode!
  • S3Ep3 - Wee Bitta Craic: Bout Ye Ethan?
    In Wee Bitta Craic this month, Zuri and Alice ask Ethan all about his PhD and how he came to be at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium. Find out more about his research and laugh along as the guys have some more quality craic. If you love listening to our students, then you can help […]
Welcome to Astronotes

Hello and welcome to Astronotes, the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium’s official blog. Here you will find the latest news and views from all those who work in our organisation, from the fascinating worlds of astronomy and space exploration. We hope you will come here to learn what is hot and exciting, profound or even weird from worlds beyond ours . So that's the introduction out of the way, now on with the Universe!

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