Welcome to Astronotes
Hello, IòÀÙm Colin, welcoming you to Astronotes, the PlanetariumòÀÙs official blog. Here you will find the latest news and views 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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Space Flight Archive
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![In December 2014, a Delta IV Heavy rocket will thunder skywards from Florida, launching NASA’s first Orion spacecraft to an altitude that has not been achieved by a human spacecraft […]](http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/image-of-ORION-MPCV-115x115.jpg "Orion Shall Rise!")
Orion Shall Rise!
Posted on March 23, 2012 | 4 CommentsIn December 2014, a Delta IV Heavy rocket will thunder skywards from Florida, launching NASA’s first Orion spacecraft to an altitude that has not been achieved by a human spacecraft […] -
![Once upon a time rockets were exciting symbols of a glorious and exciting future when everyone would get their chance to have a holiday on the Moon. ˆàWell the future […]](http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/image-of-US-rockets-115x115.jpg "Image of the Month: Rockets Then and Now")
Image of the Month: Rockets Then and Now
Posted on March 9, 2012 | 3 CommentsOnce upon a time rockets were exciting symbols of a glorious and exciting future when everyone would get their chance to have a holiday on the Moon. ˆàWell the future […] -
![On 20 February 1962, John Glenn (b1921) became the fifth human to enter space. For his spaceflight Glenn, a US Marine Corps aviator was strapped into a tiny Mercury capsule […]](http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/image-of-friendship7-launch-115x115.jpg "John Glenn’s First Spaceflight")
John Glenn’s First Spaceflight
Posted on February 20, 2012 | No CommentsOn 20 February 1962, John Glenn (b1921) became the fifth human to enter space. For his spaceflight Glenn, a US Marine Corps aviator was strapped into a tiny Mercury capsule […] -
![According to legend, centuries ago a Chinese official named Wan Hu attempted to visit the Moon. ˆàHis spacecraft was a large wicker chair to which were fastened 47 large rockets […]](http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/image-of-Wan-Hu-taking-off-115x115.jpg "Wan Who?")
Wan Who?
Posted on February 10, 2012 | 5 CommentsAccording to legend, centuries ago a Chinese official named Wan Hu attempted to visit the Moon. ˆàHis spacecraft was a large wicker chair to which were fastened 47 large rockets […] -
![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 […]](http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Image-of-Tracy-Caldwell-Dyson-115x115.jpg "Hello Earth!")
Hello Earth!
Posted on January 19, 2012 | No CommentsFewer 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 […] -
![Space will never be conquered! Sad, but true. Let me explain how I’ve reached this conclusion. Planet Earth is big! The furthest you can travel from home across the […]](http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Image-of-Earth-from-Apollo-15-115x115.jpg "Why We Will Never Conquer Space")
Why We Will Never Conquer Space
Posted on December 1, 2011 | 20 CommentsSpace will never be conquered! Sad, but true. Let me explain how I’ve reached this conclusion. Planet Earth is big! The furthest you can travel from home across the […] -
![St Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon is hosting a fantastic public event for stargazers this Saturday evening. This local school has its own observatory and astronomy club for the students […]](http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/image-of-rho-Oph-115x115.jpg "Saturday’s a Starry Night in Dungannon")
Saturday’s a Starry Night in Dungannon
Posted on December 1, 2011 | No CommentsSt Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon is hosting a fantastic public event for stargazers this Saturday evening. This local school has its own observatory and astronomy club for the students […] -
![A few years ago there was a vogue among historians to write about òÀØcounterfactualsòÀÙ.A counterfactual examines the importance of an event for subsequent history by asking what if that event […]](http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/image-of-N1-on-pad-115x115.gif "Russia’s Rival to Apollo")
Russia’s Rival to Apollo
Posted on November 25, 2011 | 6 CommentsA few years ago there was a vogue among historians to write about òÀØcounterfactualsòÀÙ.A counterfactual examines the importance of an event for subsequent history by asking what if that event […] -
![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 […]](http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/image-of-laika-115x115.jpg "10 Animal Space Travellers")
10 Animal Space Travellers
Posted on October 14, 2011 | 1 CommentBefore 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 […] -
![Back in December 2009, with great fanfare, space tourism company Virgin Galactic unveiled the vehicles their fare-paying passengers will ride in as they ascend into space. Built by the Spaceship […]](http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Image-of-x15-crash-115x115.jpg "Space Tourism: the Frightening Truth")
Space Tourism: the Frightening Truth
Posted on October 6, 2011 | 30 CommentsBack in December 2009, with great fanfare, space tourism company Virgin Galactic unveiled the vehicles their fare-paying passengers will ride in as they ascend into space. Built by the Spaceship […]