Pete's 'Today In History' Quiz: NASA

Showing posts with label NASA. Show all posts

Saturday, 1 August 2009

Hacker Loses Extradition Appeal

In 2001 and 2002 Gary McKinnon gained access to the Pentagon and NASA computers looking for evidence of UFO's! There were no firewalls nor any password protection. Each time he gained access he left messages telling people that he had been there! Now the USA has gained the right to extradite him to stand trial with the chance of 70 years in jail. This is justice gone mad! He admits to his wrongdoing and is prepared to stand trial here in Britain where the offences took place. It is very wrong that British citizens can quite easily be extradited to the USA, but the reverse is almost impossible!

Saturday's questions are: -

Which French fashion designer was born today in 1936 in Algeria?
What derogatory nickname has been acquired by England goalkeeper David James (right), who was born today in 1970?
What was the first video shown on MTV today in 1981?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. JK Rowling; 2. Superman ; 3. Tokyo

Sunday, 19 July 2009

Images of Moon Landings - 40 Years On

Images from the Apollo 14 landing sites have been sent back to Earth by Nasa's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) showing the lunar module and trail of footprints. Forty years after the original moon landings these are the first images to show the original sites. NASA are using this mission to scout out new landing sites for future exploration and possible colonisation.

Your Sunday questions are: -

The first line of which city's underground railway system opened today in 1900?
Brunel's SS Great Britain (right) was launched from which city today in 1843?
Which former US Open and French Open men's singles tennis champion was born today in 1946 in Bucharest?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. William Makepeace Thackeray; 2. Bobby Brown ; 3. Germany (Messerschmitt Me-262)

Wednesday, 1 July 2009

Most Complete Map of Earth Published

The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has been published. The data, comprising 1.3 million images, come from a collaboration between the US space agency NASA and the Japanese Trade Ministry. The images were taken by Japan's Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) aboard the Terra satellite. Information on how to access it can be found here. (I haven't got it to work yet, you might have more luck!!)

Your Wednesday posers are: -

Which political group was officially dissolved at a meeting in Prague today in 1991?
Pamela Anderson (right) was born today in 1967 (Canada Day) and starred in which TV series as Vallery Irons?
Who was born today in 1961 at 6:45pm at Park House, Sandringham?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Belgium; 2. Tweedy; 3. Glasgow

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Carbon Dioxide Satellite Fails

Nasa's first dedicated mission to measure carbon dioxide from space has failed following a rocket malfunction. Was this just an unfortunate accident...or was it sabotage?

It would be very useful for many people if the actual sources of Carbon Dioxide emissions were not accurately known. It could be very costly for those organisations that pump out vast amounts of the so-called greenhouse gas that it might just be worthwhile engaging in a bit of sabotage...or have I read too many conspiracy theories?

Wednesday's questions are: -

Which famous tennis player beat Bobby Riggs, who was born today in 1918, in the so-called “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973?

Jean Todt (right) was born today in 1947 in France and was the team principal for which Formula 1 Racing team from 1993 - 2007?

Which actress, who was born today in 1966, starred in “Jurassic Park III” and “The Family Man” and is the wife of David Duchovny?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party); 2. "Black Books"; 3. 2 (US Open 2001; Wimbledon 2002)