All things Science related. λν = c

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by RedskinRat

A particularly interesting article regarding my neck of the woods:

The Center for Land Use Interpretation



THERE ARE DOZENS of aerial photo calibration targets across the USA, curious land-based two-dimensional optical artifacts used for the development of aerial photography and aircraft. They were made mostly in the 1950s and 1960s, though some apparently later than that, and many are still in use, though their history is obscure.

Most of them follow the same general form established by the Air Force and NASA (and prior to 1958, its precursor agency, NACA): a concrete or asphalt pad constructed flat on the ground, 78 feet by 53 feet, coated in a heavy black and white paint. The pattern painted on the targets is sets of parallel and perpendicular bars duplicated at 15 or so different sizes, and, sometimes, a large white square. The configuration is sometimes referred to as a 5:1 aspect Tri-bar Array, and follows a similar relative scale as a common resolution test chart known as the 1951 USAF Resolving Power Test Target, conforming to milspec MIL-STD-150A. This test pattern is still widely used to determine the resolving power of microscopes, telescopes, cameras, and scanners.

Possibly just of interest to me

This is how the aliens will calibrate their targeting systems. Thanks Air Force.

:cheeky-sm

[BigHairedAristocrat]

This would be incredible if it actually happens:

http://http://www.space.com/19981-pr...ried-2018.html

A new nonprofit led by the world's first space tourist is mounting an ambitious plan to launch the first manned mission to Mars in 2018, a voyage that could include an adventurous married crew.