Archive for May, 2007

Visit to Byron Bay

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

Dolphins off Byron Bay

The weekend before last I joined Christina and some of friends from her church for a weekend at Broken Head just south of Byron Bay. We stayed in the caravan park there, right on the beach and had a great time. The weather was amazing - sunny, clear and warm (~27 deg C). We went up to Byron Bay on the Saturday for breakfast and checked out the lighthouse later. While we were there we spotted several pods of dolphins playing out amongst the breakers. I managed to get some good photos as well. It was good to hang out with some of Christina’s friends from Brisbane and get to know them a bit better. Going somewhere warm and sunny was exactly what I needed after several long and busy weeks (hence the absence of posts here). Getting off the plane on the Monday morning was a bit of a shock to the system though. It was 5 deg C in Canberra when I arrived!

The Gang at Byron Bay Lighthouse Dolphins off Byron Bay #2 Dolphins off Byron Bay #3

Posted in Travel - Australia | No Comments »

We’ve Set A Date

Monday, May 28th, 2007

Christina and I are pleased to annouce that we have set a date for our wedding. It will be in Sydney on Saturday 19th April next year. We still haven’t determined at which church but the reception venue is booked. Now there is much other planning to do!

Posted in News - Personal | No Comments »

PRIME: Phobos Reconnaissance & International Mars Exploration Mission

Monday, May 14th, 2007
PRIME Concept

Recently, the Canadian Space Agency announced the funding of five teams to develop concept and feasibility studies for Mars mission proposals. One of the selected proposals was for a robotic mission to Mars’ moon, Phobos and was put forward by Canadian aerospace company Optech with the science side of the mission being led by the Mars Institute (of which I am a member of the Board of Advisors). The proposed Phobos Reconnaissance & International Mars Exploration (PRIME) mission would rendezvous, study and land on Phobos, one of the solar system’s most mysterious objects. Such a mission would aim to answer many questions about the origin, composition and structure of Phobos and also provide insights into the origin and evolution of Mars and the solar system.

Back in 2005 I worked with Dr Pascal Lee (who is the Principal Invesitgator for PRIME) at the SETI Institute in California. While there I conducted a review of proposals for human and robotic exploration of Phobos. Subsequently I am particpating in the PRIME study as a member of the Science Support Team which is pretty exciting. This role is a great opportunity for me to interact with planetary scientists and aerospace engineers from all over the world and experience how real space mission proposals work first hand.

More information can be found at the following places…

Canadian Mission Concept to Mysterious Mars moon Phobos to Feature Unique Rock-Dock Maneuver - Optech Press Release
Canadians Teaming Up to Develop Mars Mission Concepts - CSA Press Release

Mars Mission Concept Proposals Receive Funding - CSA Background Information

PRIME Mission Poster - Mars Institute (PDF ~ 70KB) - You may spot my name on there amongst the authors.
I also get a mention on the front of Mars Society Australia’s website.

Posted in News - Space & Aeronautics, News - Personal | 2 Comments »

Deciphering Journal Articles

Wednesday, May 9th, 2007

Many thanks to Jared B for alerting me to ‘A Guide to Understanding Journal Phraseology‘. At last I can now understand what the authors of the papers I am reading really mean! The Guide includes such gems as…

The author writes: It has long been known.
REALLY means: I haven’t bothered to look it up.
The author writes: The 4 hour sample was not studied.
REALLY means: I dropped it on the floor.
The author writes: The 4 hour determination may not be significant.
REALLY means: I dropped it on the floor, but scooped most of it up.
This will also be useful when I come to write my thesis :)

Posted in The Lighter Side | 2 Comments »