Click here to view the embedded video.

Wow, the WISE spacecraft launched from Vandenberg AFB this morning.  I posted the video in case anybody who wanted to see it could.  I was busy trying to solve some stupid “crises” at work and missed it completely – the so called “crises” was some billing error that turned out to be nothing to do with me.

The launch was just the first mile stone for WISE, the second occurred  shortly after the spacecraft separated from rocket, it oriented itself so the solar panels could soak up the sunlight it will need for power.  Once that was complete, another 17 minutes passed and valves on the cryostat opened so the WISE instrument can cool down.

The WISE instrument must be colder than the objects it is observing and some of them can be very cold.  So they use….get this…hydrogen ICE (!!!) for the cooling.  Oh dear, we are looking at – 447 ^oF.  WOW!

On another note, did anybody get to see the meteor shower?  I am hearing it was very good.  It was raining here, yeah rain.  When the rain started the thermometer read 32 ^oF, not good, however we climbed to near 40 and right here so I am glad about that.  I am going to try and watch tonight, but I’m not real hopeful.

Those hoping to read Marian’s response to the riddle, you need only to wait a bit longer.  Don’t worry, it’s coming.

Video source