FIRST ISSUE

M A N

M U S T

R I S E

A B O V E

T H E

E A R T H

Sir Arthur C Clarke

Satellite Pioneer and Space Visionary

A microbial perspective on
possibilities of alien life in
Solar system
New Horizons for Pluto

With much debate about Pluto and its

status, planetary scientists and
astronomers alike are curious as to what
will be revealed by New Horizons.

SPACECRAFT TYPES

Spacecraft are vehicles, vessels or

machines designed for travelling in outer
space.

ORION

The Orion constellation is one of the most

prominent star patterns in the night sky.

Mystic Mountain

is a term for a region in the Carina Nebula

No. 62, R.G.Senanayake Road, Colombo 07 | (+94)11 2698251 / (+94)11 2698252 | dsassa@mail.com | www.dsassa.gq | fb.com/assa.dssc

2 - ORBIT15

6-9 - SIR ARTHUR C CLARKE

12-13 - MICROBIAL ALIEN LIFE
16-19 - NEW HORIZONS FOR PLUTO
20-21 - SPACECRAFT TYPES

3 - ASSA
4-5 - MESSAGES

24-27 - ASTRONOMY FACTS

28 - ORION : THE HUNTER

CONTENTS

Project Chairman

Ramitha Sanjaya Perera

Project Secretary
Lavan Perera

Project Treasurers
Lushan Ranju
Diyath Deesara

The ORBIT15 - The Pinnacle Of all the events in the Astronomy

& Space Science Association and the expected legendary event
for the year 2015 presented by the committee of 2014/2015.
Committee has taken measure to deliver the most
breathtaking and elegant event for each every person whos
present to witness this glorious event.

Day Organizers

Ashan Lakshitha
Isuru Anjana
Janith Pramuddha Madhushan
Madhuka Adithya
Chandula Krishan Perera
Oshan Deshapriya Ramadhasa
Pasindu Madhawa Nambuheva
Disnaka Muthukalum
Thisura Bhanuka Hewawasam

PAST EVENTS

Quiz Organizers

Kalpa Sandharuwan
Malith Ranawakaarachchi
Sajana Vindula
Senith Deelaka Ranchagoda
Wishwa Wijewardhana

Terra De Solo
Sun Observation Camp 2013

Terra De Solo
Sun Observation Camp 2013

Magazine Editors

Binura Deelaka
D.C.Shehan Marasinghe

Acedemic Support
ORBIT13
Mathematical and
Astronomical Society
University of Colombo

Publisher
Frequency
Editors
MAN MUST RISE ABOVE THE EARTH

:- ASSA of DSSC
:- Yearly
:- Binura Deelaka
D.C.Shehan Marasinghe

Artwork

Digital Download :- www.dsassa.gq/library

Nerdynaut
(www.nerdynaut.ga)

FIRST ISSUE

Astronomy & Space

Study Center

At Goldex14 Sicence Exhibition

Astronomy and Space Science Association of D.S.Senanayake College, Colombo

Established
Address
Telephone
E mail
Vision
Mission

- In 2002
- No. 62, R.G.Senanayake Road, Colombo 07.
- (+94)11 2698251 / (+94)11 2698252
- dsassa@mail.com
- In Orbita Universo
- Motivate and guide senanayakians to be the next Sri Lankan
generation to explore the universe as professionals.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2014-2015

Patron President

Mr.D.M.D. Dissanayake D.C.Shehan Marasinghe

Master in Charge Secretary

Mr.Janaka Abeywansa Binura Deelaka

Ms.Prathapi Jayasinghe Lavan Perera

Treasurer Cheif Organizer

Janith Pramuddha Diyath Deesara

Wishwa Wijerathne

Vice President Assistant Secretary

Ramitha Sanjaya Perera Chandula Krishan Perera

Pasindhu Nambuheva

Assistant Treasurer Assistant Chief Organizer

Lushan Ranju Sathyajith Saliya
Senith Ranchagoda Thisura Hewawasam

Media Co-ordinator Senior Organizer

Vibeethaka Silva Kalpa Sandharuwan

Oshan Deshapriya
Isuru Anjana
Yasas Warnakulasuriya
Madhuka Adhithya
Disnaka Muthukalum

THE MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

ORBIT15 the annual Astronomy day organized by the Astronomy & Space Science
Association of our school, is an emerging event among Sri Lankan schools that has
been initiated as a novel approach to generalize scientific minded citizens. The effort
they have made in organizing this event shows their passing for excellence and
bringing positive influence in the society with your knowledge and skills.
I wish that event like ORBIT15 will cater to the needs of improving, interacting and
organizing abilities of children, paving the way to strengthen the relationship with
other schools in Sri Lanka.
This innovative approach of the Astronomy Association will be an important milestone in the path of D.S.Senanayake
College and believe these young energetic sons of D.S. will became brilliant stars to lead tomorrow gathering
necessary expiries through this type of event.
I congratulate the organizing committee of ORBIT15 for making this years ORBIT15, a grand event.
Hope these young minds will collaborate here and create the future for them and to the world. I wish you all the
best and Good Luck!
Mr. D.M.D. Dissanayake
The Principal
D.S.Senanayake College
Colombo 7

THE MESSAGE FROM THE MASTERS IN CHARGE

It is quite certain that ORBIT15 of D.S.Senanayake College presence,
a clear path to students who are in the path of the research study of
the universe and its particles. ORBIT15 is a new milestone to younger
generation who are interested in the study of universe to widen their
knowledge than old syllabus system.
Today we are quite privileged of this opportunity to address these present students who are gathered here.
Astronomy and Space Science Association is known to be another popular and active association of D.S.Senanayake
College. In the past, the great role played by the members of sun observation camp in this association is highly
appreciated. The classes conducted to the beginners by the senior students of the school are also great matter
of appreciation.
We sincerely wish that D.S.Senanayake College would be a great asset and help to spread its roots all directions,
to improve the knowledge of all students who are in the study of Astronomy.
Mr.Janaka Abeywanse
Mr.Kapila Gunawardene
Mrs. Prathapi Jayasinghe

THE MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

First of all I would like to take this opportunity to express my considerable

appreciation to all authors of the article in the first issue of the ORBIT magazine. Their
generous contribution and dedication made this work complete successfully.

I think ORBIT15 is a milestone of the history of Astronomy and Space Science

Association of D.S.Senanayake College, because at this movement our organization
committee could be able to publish the first issue of ORBIT magazine and host first
night camp of our association.
Specially, I want to thank all academic professionals who contribute their precious
and valuable support to conduct successful astronomy class series to get knowledge
about the greatest science Astronomy to our junior members.
I would like to wholeheartedly thank our principal Mr. D.M.D. Dissanayake, vice Principal Mrs. L.M. Wikramadhara and
our masters in charge Mr. Janaka Abeywanse, Mr. Kapila Gunawardene and Mrs. Prathapi Jayasinghe for guiding and
motivating us to complete this effort successfully. I honestly offer my heartiest to all senior and junior fellows of our
association.
Finally, I have a big hope in the bottom of my heart that One day, a man from DS ASSA will rise above the earth
atmosphere.
D.C.Shehan Marasinghe
President
Astronomy and Space Science Association
D.S.Senanayake College
Colombo

THE MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY

I take great pleasure in issuing this message for the magazine published to
commerate ORBIT15.
Astronomy and Space Science Association has come a long way towards its peak.
Day by day and year by year we have been growing in strength and in numbers. Im
proud to say that our society is now steadily established.
If not for the support and guidance given by our teachers, seniors and our fellow
brothers, we would not have achieved all of this.
I therefore take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our members specially our principal Mr. D.M.D. Dissanayake
and our masters in charge Mr.Janaka Abeywanse, Mr. Kapila Gunawardene and Mrs. Prathapi Jayasinghe for
guiding through the obstacles and hardships we have faced.
I wish great success for the Astronomy and Space Science Association in years to come by.
Binura Deelaka
Secretary
Astronomy and Space Science Association
D.S.Senanayake College
Colombo 7

Sir Arthur C Clarke:

Satellite Pioneer and Space Visionary

Sir Arthur C Clarke was the worlds best known writer

of science fiction at the time of his death in March

2008, aged 90.
In a career spanning over six decades, he wrote
around 100 books and more than 1,000 short
stories and essays. Among his best-selling novels
were Childhoods End, 2001: A Space Odyssey and
Rendezvous with Rama.
However, Clarke was much more than an imaginative
writer of science fiction. Trained in physics and
mathematics, he also wrote many books and essays
of non-fiction related to space travel,
communication technologies, underwater
exploration and future studies.
For decades, he was one of the worlds leading
promoters of space exploration. He advocated the
peaceful use of space technologies and the wise use
of information technologies for the benefit of all
humans.

Born in Minehead, Somerset, England, in 1917,

Arthur Charles Clarke was educated at Huishs
Grammar School, Taunton, and later at Kings
College, London. In the late 1930s, Clarke worked
in the British Exchequer and Audit Department, and
then served as a radio instructor in the Royal Air
Force during World War II. He became a full time
author in 1950.

His interest in astronomy and space started early in

life. As a schoolboy growing up in rural England, he
was an avid observer of the night sky using his own
home-made telescopes. In 1934, while still 16, he
became a member of the British Interplanetary
Society (BIS) an advocacy group of starry-eyed
youth who believed that one day, humans would
send spacecraft to outer space.
Years later, he became one of the most active
members of BIS, and served as its chairman from
1947 to 1950, and again in 1953. The BIS is credited
as a pioneering citizen group that encouraged
governments to support space related research and
applications.

Communication Satellites

One of Clarkes most important ideas was expressed in

a scientific paper in the October 1945 issue of Wireless
World, a technical journal. In that paper -- titled
Extra-terrestrial Relays: Can Rocket Stations Give
World-wide Radio Coverage? -- He was the first to
outline the principles of global broadcasting via
communication satellites (comsats) placed in
geosynchronous orbit.
He later described how war experiences had
influenced his thinking.
During World War II, which lasted from 1939 to 1945,
Germany used rocket technology to bomb Britain from
afar. Those attacks created a bad image for rockets,
but Clarke showed how the same technology can be
used for peaceful purposes -- such as launching
artificial satellites into orbit.
Focussing on their use for telecommunications and
broadcasting, he looked for the most efficient way to
provide planetary coverage with the fewest number of
satellites.
Satellites in lower orbits circle the earth several times
a day, but the higher a satellite is placed, the longer it
takes to complete a full circle or orbit. Clarke
calculated that at a certain point -- about 42,000 km or
about 26,100 miles from the center of the
Earth a satellites orbit would take exactly 24 hours.
This is the same as the Earths rotation (which we call a
day). A satellite placed in such an orbit would appear
to be fixed or stationary above the same point on the
planet. Such a vantage position is ideal for
broadcasting purposes: Clarke found that three
satellites placed there over the equator could cover
the entire world.
At the time, space travel was still a speculation among
enthusiasts even Clarke did not expect comsats to
become a reality during his life time. But the dawn of
the Space Age lay only a dozen years in the future
(Soviet Union sent up Sputnik 1 in 1957). The first
commercial comsat, named Early Bird, was launched
in 1965 and many more followed.

Clarke never patented his idea, and earned no money

from the concept that soon led to a multi-billion dollar
satellite industry. He preferred to be called the
Godfather of comsats, giving credit to the many
engineers and technicians who actually built and
launched them. In his honour, the geostationary orbit
is now known as the Clarke Orbit.

Space travel

In the late 1960s, Clarke was closely associated with

the Apollo programme that landed a dozen American
astronauts on the Moon. He joined CBS network in
providing live TV coverage of Apollo missions in
1969-70. He also wrote a substantial epilogue for First
on the Moon (1970), the official memoir of the first
humans to land on the Moon (Neil Armstrong, Edwin
Aldrin and Michael Collins).
Early on, however, Clarke realised that the true future
of space travel lay in developing affordable
alternatives to the extremely high cost rockets used for
early launches of manned and unmanned spacecraft.
For example, the Apollo programme cost a total of US
Dollars 25.4 billion (at the time).
In October 2007, he wrote: As the Space Age completes
half a century, commercial space flight is beginning to
be technologically feasible -- and will soon become
economically viable. Before the current decade is out,
fee-paying passengers will be experiencing sub-orbital
flights aboard privately funded space-planes, built by a
new generation of astropreneurs with an unstoppable
passion for space. And over the next 50 years,
thousands will gain access to the orbital realm and
then, to the Moon and beyond.
In Clarkes view, one grand idea that could make space
transport cheap and affordable was the Space
Elevator. First developed by the Russian engineer Yuri
Artsutanov in the early 1960s, it is a daring yet simple
concept.
Comsats demonstrate how an object can remain poised
over a fixed spot on the equator by matching its speed
to the turning earth. If a cable can link such a
satellite to the ground, payloads could be hoisted up
it by purely mechanical means, reaching orbit without
any use of rocket power. Like all elevators, it would run
on electricity.

Clarke noted: What makes the Space Elevator such

an attractive option is its cost-effectiveness. The
actual electrical energy required to go to space,
if you purchase it from your friendly local utility,
would cost around a hundred dollars. And a
round-trip would cost only about one tenth of that,
as most of the energy could be recovered on the
way back!
Clarke popularised the Space Elevator in his 1978
novel The Fountains of Paradise, which takes place
in the 22nd century in the equatorial island of
Taprobane -- a thinly disguised version of Sri Lanka.
Clarkes strength was that he wrote both plausible
science fiction stories as well as accessible science
fact. Through these, he appealed to different types
of readers. Many astronauts, space scientists and
engineers from around the world have acknowledged that they were inspired to pursue their
careers by reading Arthur C Clarke books early in
life.
Perhaps Clarkes greatest single contribution to
popularisation of space was the movie 2001: A
Space Odyssey, which he co-wrote with acclaimed
film director Stanley Kubrick. From 1964 to 1968,
the duo collaborated on this extraordinary
cinematic venture which was expanded from
Clarkes 1950 short story called The Sentinel.
The futuristic film, whose story takes place in the
opening year of the new millennium (2001), was
released in April 1968 and went on to become
one of the finest science fiction movies ever made.
The movie played a key role in placing space
exploration in the wider context of human
evolution.
When cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, who in March
1965 became the first man to walk in space, saw
the movie, he exclaimed: Now I feel like Ive been
in space twice.

Terrestrial uses

Clarkes advice was sought and valued by space

agencies in the US, Russia and India. During
1975-76, he advised the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) on the worlds first use of
comsats for direct television broadcasting aimed at
rural audiences. Known as the Satellite Instructional
Television Experiment (SITE) Project, the pioneering
exercise beamed TV programmes on health,
agriculture and other development topics to
millions of people in 2,400 villages across India.
During this time, he also spent sometime at the
Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad,
India, as a visiting professor. Grateful for advice, the
Indian government gifted Clarke with a large
satellite dish antenna in 1975. Using it, he was able
to capture satellite TV transmissions over the Indian
Ocean. His home thus became the first household
in Sri Lanka to have a working television set (before
TV broadcasting started in 1979).
Clarke cheered when ICT tools empowered ordinary
people and activists, enabling the free flow of
information, artistic creativity and defending of
human rights. He watched how government censors
were undermined first by comsats and then by the
web.
Clarke was intrigued by the CNN Effect the
impact that CNN and other global news channels
have on how states conduct their foreign policy
relations in todays globalised world.
In his 1992 book How the World Was One, he
described a dream: one day in the near future, CNN
founder (and then owner) Ted Turner is offered
the post of World President, but he politely turns
it down because he did not want to give up real
power!
While strongly believing in the problem solving
potential of science and technology, Clarke was well
aware of the socio-economic disparities that
prevented many people from accessing or
benefiting from ICTs.

Legacy continues

For 23 years (1979 2002), Clarke was chancellor of Sri Lankas University of Moratuwa which trains most of the
countrys engineers and architects. This ceremonial position entailed presiding over the annual convocation, but
in his own right, Clarke was a designer of the future and a builder of bridges between hardcore science fact
and credible science fiction, and between knowledge and imagination.
During his illustrious career spanning over 60 years, Sir Arthur C Clarke received a large number of honours,
awards and accolades from scientific, academic and literary bodies worldwide. In his adopted homeland of Sri
Lanka, where he lived 52 of his 90 years (1956 to 2008), he received the highest presidential honour for science
(Vidya Jyothi, 1986) and the highest civilian honour (Lankabhimanya, 2005).
The legacy of Arthur C Clarke lives on in his many books, and through the many people whose imagination he
sparked.
Nalaka Gunawardene (Science writer)

Science writer Nalaka Gunawardene worked

with Sir Arthur C Clarke from 1987 to 2008 as
his research assistant and media coordinator.

ASTRONOMY AND SPACE STUDY CENTER

Weekly Astronomy and Space Science Lectures & Activities

(Every Saturday 2.00 p.m. 4.30 p.m. @Subodhi)
Monthly Astronomy Discussions
Organizing Night Sky Observation Camps in Schools, Universities and Etc.
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Organizing Special Events: - Meteor Shower Observation Camps, Solar Observation Camps and Etc.

Astronomy School
Library and Astronomy related Instrument Facilities.

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT OUR

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SUBODHI INSTITUTE,WEWALA
PILIYANDALA,
10300,
SRI LANKA

BEST WISHES
from
Mr.Wanniarachchi

A MICROBIAL PERSPECTIVE ON POSSIBILITIES OF

ALIEN LIFE IN SOLAR SYSTEM
With recent findings, microbial diversity found to

thrive at 6.7 km depth inside the Earths crust, deep

trenches in the ocean with pressures exceeding 110
Mpa, extreme pH conditions varying from 0 to 12.8,
and temperature gradient from freezing -22 C to
hydrothermal vents of 122 C dramatically expanded
boundaries of habitable environmental conditions
leading to possibilities of finding life in various
planets in the solar system and supports
Panspaermia hypothesis, the migration of life
throughout the space.
Microbes which thrive on extreme environments are
known as extremophiles and further classified
according to the environmental niches. Extreme
Thermophiles are microorganisms which can thrive
on high temperatures above 80 C. Methanopyrus
kandleri, a chemoautotrophic anaerobe community
found in deep sea hydrothermal vents which can
survive and reproduce at 122 C. These microbes
exhibit many adaptations to prevent denaturation
and degradation of their plasma proteins and nucleic
acids.

12

Psychrophiles are the opposites of thermophiles

which have optimum temperatures on sub zero
level environments from stratosphere to the polar
ice caps. Cold adapted enzymes having high
specific activities at low temperatures, activity of
anti freeze proteins and increased levels of
unsaturated fatty acids can find on these cold loving
microorganisms. Acidophiles and Alkaliphiles are
the exteremophiles located on the extreme ends
of the pH scale of the environment. They mainly
maintain intercellular pH levels via active transport.
Piezophiles are microorganisms that grow on
elevated atmospheric pressure conditions up to 110
Mpa. However difficulty of sample acquisition and
simulation in laboratories has somewhat conspired
the research on these microbial communities.

With current knowledge of extraterrestrial

environments in the planets of the solar system its
obvious that many appears to susceptible to sustain
life similar to the extreme environments on earth.
As far as we know with present data Martian
surface is not supportive for life. However regions
such as Meridiani Planum and southern highlands
represent environmental conditions similar to
Atacama Desert, the Antarctic Dry Valleys, the Rio
Tinto region, and the deep basalt aquifers.
Widespread chloride deposits, endolithic habitats
on the basaltic rocks may harbor life powered by
chemoautotroph similar to the eco systems found
on earth. One of the very intriguing discovery about
the Martian atmosphere is the trace amounts of
methane which is highly unstable. Roughly its
estimated annual production of methane is 270 tons
and this phenomenon is highly unlikely due on
volcanism or hydrothermal activity. The exact
source is still remaining as a mystery and it could a
bi product of a life form such as methanogene.
Europa, one of the four major moons of Jupiter
presents an internal structure consists primarily with
silicate rock and iron core with presence of
subsurface ocean about 100 km thick covered with
ice crust. The dynamic activity of the on the surface
clearly indicate the tidal forces deep sea vents
beneath and possible life on sub glacial ocean. Lake
Vostok in Antarctica is the largest and deepest known
subglacial lake and 3623m drilling were required to
penetrate the ice cover for paleoclimate studies. This
lake represent possible analog to Europas
environment and the life of the Vostok Lake sustain
life with symbiotic relationships which involve
lithoautotrophic microorganisms that use chemical
energy to support metazoans without
photosynthesis. In addition the outer ice crust which
is estimated to 20-30km thick protects the inner
ocean from the Jovian and solar radiation exposure.

Previous paradigms about the evolution and

existence of life have changed with the studies on
extreme environmental conditions. Still large
number of species and on deep subocean and
subterranean regions remain unknown to science.
The inspiration suggest that many places of the
solar system supports life which previously
thought to be inhabitable such as Venus,
Enceladus, Io, Titan, and cerus. The exploration
just initiated and more fascinating discoveries
on near future would change the contemporary
dimension on nature of life.

Janith Weerasinghe
Editor
Foundation of Astronomical Studies
& Exploration (FASE)

BEST
WISHES!
MANOJ SOLANGARACHCHI

13

BEST WISHES
FROM
PRIYATH SENEVIRATNE
12 E2

Pluto

NASAs New Horizons Spacecraft

Image Source: NASA

New Horizons for Pluto

March 13th, 2015 marks the 85th anniversary of the official
Clyde William Tombaugh, an American astronomer was born in
Streator, Illinois on February 4, 1906. Clyde developed an early
love of astronomy after an uncle loaned him a telescope. A
graduate of Burdett High School in 1925, he was financially
unable to attend college because a devastating hailstorm
destroyed his familys farm. Despite his dreams of university
being delayed, Clyde Tombaugh pursued his interest in
astronomy, and in 1926, built his first homemade telescope. He
built two more telescopes in the next two years, mastering
optics, grinding his own lenses and mirrors, and further honing
his observational skills.
Using these homemade telescopes, Tombaugh made drawings
of the planets Mars and Jupiter and sent them to the Lowell
Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. The staff there was so
impressed by his work, that in 1929, Tombaugh was hired to
conduct systematic planet-search photography at Lowell.
Specifically to search and attempt to find what was called
Planet-X, thought to be on the fringes of our solar system,
which had been hypothesized by Percival Lowell and William
Pickering.

16

Clyde William Tombaugh (an American astronomer)

announcement of Clyde Tombaughs discovery of Pluto on

February 18, 1930.

Tombaugh used the observatorys 13-inch astrograph to

take photographs of the same section of the sky several
nights apart. He then used a blink comparator to
compare the different images. When he shifted
between the two images, a moving object, such as a
planet, would appear to jump from one position to
another, while the more distant objects such as stars
would appear stationary. Tombaugh noticed such a
moving
object in his search, near the place predicted by Lowell,
and subsequent observations showed it to have an orbit
beyond that of Neptune. This ruled out classification as
an asteroid, and the team at the Observatory decided
this was the ninth planet that Lowell had predicted.
Clydes discovery was made on Tuesday, February 18,
1930, using images taken the previous month.
Pluto was given its name by Venetia Burney Phair, an
11-year-old school from Oxford, England whose Papa
worked for the Royal Astronomical Union. Venetias
suggestion, Pluto, won out over numerous other
suggestions because it was the name of the Roman god
of the underworld who was able to render himself
invisible, and because Percival Lowells initials PL formed
the first 2 letters. The name Pluto was officially adopted
on May 1, 1930.
Smaller than Mercury and billions of miles from the Sun,
the discovery of Pluto with the technology of the time
is an enduring testament to Tombaughs dedication and
eye for detail. And it was discovered that the original
calculations given to Tombaugh were incorrect, so that
he found Pluto is even more astounding. He was
awarded the Jackson-Gwilt Medal and Gift by the Royal
Astronomical Society in recognition of his discovery, as
well as a scholarship to the University of Kansas.
Tombaugh earned a bachelor of science in astronomy in
1936 and completed his masters of science in astronomy
in 1939.
When asked later in life about how he discovered Pluto
in only 10 months of being at Lowell Observatory with
no college education Mr. Tombaugh said, You have to
have an alertness to deal with the unexpected. The
history of science is filled with almost-made discoveries,
missed by a hairline because they didnt have the
alertness to realize they had a discovery.

During his fourteen years at the Lowell Observatory,

Clyde Tombaugh discovered hundreds of variable stars
and asteroids, and two comets. While engaged in the
search that yielded Pluto, he also found many
previously unknown star clusters, clusters of galaxies,
and a nova. He mapped the Great Perseus-Andromeda
Stratum of Extra-Galactic Nebulae, one of over 29,000
galaxies he documented. Clyde Tombaugh also
discovered hundreds of asteroids in his lifetime as an
astronomer.
The asteroid 1604_Tombaugh, discovered in 1931, is
named after him. The first Asteroid he discovered in
1929 was called 2839 Annette and came about mostly
as a result of his search for Pluto and other celestial
objects. Tombaugh named some of the asteroids he
discovered after his wife, children and grandchildren.
By the time Clyde Tombaugh retired, he and his
Planetary Patrol researchers had confirmed the daily
rotation period of Mercury, determined the vortex
nature of Jupiters Great Red Spot, and developed a
new photographic technique for the small Earth
satellites search. Reflecting on his career late in his
life, Tombaugh often said: Ive really had a tour of the
heavens.
Dr. Tombaugh conducted astronomical research long
after his 1973 retirement. When the Smithsonian
Institute asked if they could display and exhibit the
nine-inch telescope he constructed in 1928 with which
he made the drawings that impressed the Lowell
Observatory staff, he told them he was still using it.
Until shortly before his death, Tombaugh used that
telescope, built with parts of discarded farm
machinery and a shaft from his fathers 1910 Buick, to
make observations from his back yard in Mesilla Park,
near Las Cruces.
On January 17, 1997, Clyde W. Tombaugh died at his
home at the age of ninety-one. After he was
cremated some of his ashes were placed aboard
NASAs New Horizons spacecraft that was launched on
January 19, 2006. New Horizons will reach Pluto this
July and provide the first views of this icy world.

17

In August of that same year, 2006, The International

Astronomical Union decided they needed to create a
definition of exactly what makes a planet a planet. The
IAU downgraded Plutos planetary status to dwarf
planet because Pluto only meets two of their three
criteria:

Alan Stern is adamantly opposed to the IAUs

definition of a planet because it produces different
categorizations for identical objects, depending on
where they are. Get this Earth at the same distance
from the sun as Pluto would not be a planet by the IAUs
measure, because Earth cant clear that zone either.
When you produce these awkward definitions, you get
these weird consequences.

A celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun

(b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome
With much debate about Pluto and its status, planetary
rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic
equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and has cleared the scientists and astronomers alike are curious as to what
will be revealed by New Horizons.
neighborhood around its orbit.

Scientists have a few guesses about what they might

find on Pluto. Observations already hint at a dynamic,
shifting surface that varies dramatically in both
brightness and color. Some scientists suspect they might
find evidence for icy volcanic eruptions.
NASAs New Horizons spacecraft is the culmination of a
$700 million, nine-year process that will make its closest
fly by on July 14th, 2015 and pass within 8500 miles of
Alan Stern didnt like the move then, and he doesnt like Plutos surface.
it now. Stern, a planetary scientist at the Southwest
Research Institute in Boulder, Colo., thinks the IAUs Alan Stern is adamantly opposed to the IAUs definition
of a planet because it produces different
definition of planet is flawed and unscientific.
categorizations for identical objects, depending on
where they are. Get this Earth at the same distance
Alan Stern, the principal investigator of NASAs New
from the sun as Pluto would not be a planet by the IAUs
Horizons mission objects to the clearing your
neighborhood proviso. Stern says, Suppose that in measure, because Earth cant clear that zone either.
your mind, you created a solar system exactly like ours, When you produce these awkward definitions, you get
except at each of the orbits of the nine classical planets, these weird consequences.
Of the approximately 10,000 internationally registered
members of the IAU in 2006, only 237 voted in favor
of the resolution redefining Pluto as a dwarf planet
while 157 voted against; the other 9,500 members were
not present at the closing session of the IAU General
Assembly in Prague at which the vote to demote Pluto
was taken.

you put an Earth. As you go further outward in the solar

system, you cross a boundary where Earth is no longer With much debate about Pluto and its status, planetary
scientists and astronomers alike are curious as to what
able to clear its zone, because the zone is too big.
will be revealed by New Horizons.
It turns out that happens around the orbit of Neptune,
maybe Uranus. So you would have nine identical
objects, six of which you would call a planet and three
of which you would not. Theyre identical in every
respect except where they are. In no other branch of
science am I familiar with something that absurd. Were
going to call it a cow, except when its in a herd. A river
is a river, independent of whether there are other rivers
nearby. In science, we call things what they are based
on their attributes, not what theyre next to.

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Scientists have a few guesses about what they might find on Pluto. Observations already hint at a dynamic,
shifting surface that varies dramatically in both brightness and color. Some scientists suspect they might find
evidence for icy volcanic eruptions.
NASAs New Horizons spacecraft is the culmination of a $700 million, nine-year process that will make its
closest fly by on July 14th, 2015 and pass within 8500 miles of Plutos surface.
What will be revealed? What will we find out? Will New Horizons find other celestial targets that might reveal
themselves as planets? Time will only tellbut there are a few things that we can surmise; the IAU may have to
reconvene on the definition of a planet, we may reclaim Pluto and welcome it back as an official planet in our
solar system, and Plutos amazing discovery by Clyde Tombaugh will be honored yet again.
What an amazing astronomical year 2015 will be!

Janet of Janets Planet would love to hear from you. If you Become part of her Dear Pluto Letter Writing
Campaign and she will share it with the planetary scientists of the New Horizons mission. Let us know what
you think. Write your Dear Pluto letter and tell Pluto why you think it should be considered a planet and not
just a dwarf planet, what you think New Horizons is going to find and any other insights you have about this
icy world. You can even include an art rendering of this icy world along with your Dear Pluto, letter. You may
send it to janet@janetsplanet.com or : Janets Planet, Inc.,
242 West Main Street #214,
Hendersonville, TN 37075
USA
Janet Ivey-Duensing

President and Chief Creative Officer

Janets Planet, Inc.
USA.

19

SPACECRAFT TYPES
Spacecraft are vehicles, vessels or machines designed for travelling in outer space. The main purposes that they are
used for are communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, space colonization, planetary
exploration, and transportation of humans and cargo. Because of these many purposes there are many types of
spacecraft that have invented or are inventing. As following way, the space crafts are classified in scientific sectors.

Stardust Spacecraft

2.Orbiter Spacecraft
A spacecraft designed to travel to a distant planet and enter into orbit must carry with it
a substantial propulsive capability to decelerate it at the right moment to achieve orbit
insertion. Orbiter spacecraft collect data from a planet while moving around it.
Examples: Messenger, Mariner 9, Cassini, TOPEX/Poseidon, Ulysses, Jason Earth Orbiter,
Mars Observer, Magellan, Galileo, Mars Global Surveyor

3. Probe Spacecraft
A Probe Spacecraft collects data from a planet as it drops into the planets atmosphere.
These types of spacecraft usually use to take atmospheric pressure and temperature
readings of a planet. Probes work for a short period of time and are destroyed usually on
impact. Examples: Galileo Atmospheric Probe, Mars Balloon, Titan Aerover Blimp,
Vega (Venus Balloon), JPL Planetary Aerovehicles Development,
Pioneer 13 Venus Multiprobe Mission

Galileo Atmospheric Probe

Cassini Spacecraft

1. Flyby Spacecraft
Flyby spacecraft follow a continuous trajectory, without orbiting a planetary orbit. They
must have the capability of using their instruments to observe passing targets, and
ideally, compensating for the targets apparent motion in optical instruments field of
view. They must downlink data at high rates to Earth, storing data onboard during the
periods when their antennas are off Earth point. Examples: Stardust, Mariner 2,
Mariner 4, Mariner 5, Mariner 6, Mariner 7, Mariner 10, Pioneers 10, Pioneers 11

Surveyor lander on display

at the National Air And
Space Museum

4. Lander Spacecraft
Lander spacecraft are designed to reach the surface of a planet and survive long enough to telemeter data back to
Earth. Example: Mars PathFinder, Viking (Mars Landers), Venera 13 (Venus Lander), Surveyor (Moon Landers)

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Deep Space 2 Spacecraft

5. Surface Penetrator Spacecraft

Surface penetrators have been designed for entering the surface of a body,
such as a comet, surviving an impact of hundreds of Gs, measuring, and
telemetering the properties of the penetrated surface. Penetrator data would
typically be telemetered to the mother craft for re-transmission to Earth.
Examples: Deep Space 2, Deep Impact, Ice Pick, Lunar-A

7. Observatory Spacecraft
An observatory spacecraft does not travel to a destination to explore it. Instead,
it occupies an Earth orbit, or a solar orbit, from where it can observe distant
targets free of the obscuring and blurring effects of Earths atmosphere.
Examples: Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-Ray Observatory,
Spitzer Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope,
Next-Generation Space Telescope

DirecTV Satellite

8. Communications & Navigation spacecraft

Communications and navigation spacecraft are abundant in Earth orbit and
the main purposes of these spacecraft are Transferring data between long
distances, Satellite Television services, Running Global Positioning Systems.
Examples: Milstar, DirecTV, Globalstar

Hubble Telescope

NASA Mars Rover

Apollo 15 Lunar Rover

6. Rover Spacecraft
A rover Spacecraft is a space exploration vehicle designed to move across the surface of a planet or other celestial
body. Some rovers have been designed to transport members of a human spaceflight crew; others have been
partially or fully autonomous robots. Rovers usually arrive at the planetary surface on a lander-style spacecraft.
Examples: Sojourner Rover, Mars Exploration Rover, Apollo 15 Lunar Rover

Romena Fernandez
Robotic Scientist
Internship at Nerdynaut

21

WITH COMPLIMENTS

FROM
Muthindra Gunasekara
(Class of 97 A/L)
AND
Purinda Gunasekara
(Class of 04 O/L)

Observe - Discover - Invent - Research - Develop & Implement

Contribute to Build Our Planet Green

ecoiaa@thuruls.com
thurulsecoiaa@gmail.com

Eco Inventers Action Army

Of

ThuruL SAFE Environment

TOP 5 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW

ABOUT OUR SOLAR SYSTEM
1.Pluto is smaller than USA
The greatest distance across the contiguous United States is nearly 2900
miles (from Northern California to Maine) by the best current estimates,
Pluto is just over 1400 miles across, less than half width of the U.S. Pluto is
known as a dwarf planet and in size it is much smaller than any planet.
2.We live inside the sun
Normally we think of the sun as being that big, hot ball of light 93 million
miles away, but actually the suns outer atmosphere extends far beyond its
visible surface. Our planet orbits within this tenuous atmosphere, and we
see evidence of this when gusts of the solar wind generate the Northern
and Southern light. In that sense we definitely live inside the Sun.
3.Jupiter has the biggest ocean of any planet
Orbiting in cold space five times farther from the sun than earth, Jupiter
retained much higher levels of hydrogen and helium when it formed than
id our planet. In fact, Jupiter is mostly hydrogen and helium given the
planets mass chemical composition, Physics demands that way down
under the cold cloud tops. Pressures rise to the point that the hydrogen
must turn to liquid. In fact there should be a deep planetary ocean of
liquid of hydrogen. Computer models show that not only is the largest
ocean known in solar system, but that it is about 4000 km deep roughly as
deep as earth is around.

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4.The closet planet to Hell may be near Jupiter

Many people are told that Hell is at the center of the earth and unquestionably it must be very hot there. But closer approximation to hell may be
in orbit around Jupiter, on the surface of the moon Io. This tortured satellite is constantly fixed, stressed and strained out of shape by Jupiters enormous gravity. As a result the moons subsurface is heated and forms vast
amount of magma, which erupts on to the most volcanically active object
in solar system, at least in terms of relative surface involvement. It is covered with great flows of brightly coloured
Sulfur (brimstone)-laced lava, on top of this Io is bathed in deadly radiation
trapped in Jupiters radiation belt.
5.Every star you see in the night sky is bigger and brighter than our sun
Of the 5000 or so stars brighter than magnitude 6, only a handful of very
faints stars are approximately the same size and brightness of our sun and
the rest are all bigger and brighter. Of the 5000 or so that are brighter than
4th magnitude (which includes essentially every star visible to the unaided
eye from an urban location), all are intrinsically bigger and brighter than
our sun. Many by a large percentage of the brightest 50 stars visible to human eye from earth. The least intrinsically bright is alpha centauri, which
is still more than 1.5 times more luminous than our sun, and cannot be
easily seen from most of the northern hemisphere.
Rimash Rimsan
Astronomy & Space Science Association
D.S.Senanayake College
Colombo

25

10 Fascinating Astronomy Facts

1. Your weight on other planets is not the same
As you know different planets have different
gravities, which mean that an astronauts weight
will change from planet to planet. For example,
an astronaut weighing 75 kilos on Earth would
weigh only 28 kilos on Mars, but 177 kilos on Jupiter.

2. Crossing the Milky Way takes a very long time,

even if you try to do it fast!
We all know that our galaxy, the Milky Way is vast,
but have you ever considered just how big it is?Just
imagine that if you could travel at the speed of light
(186,000 miles per second) it would take 100,000
years to cross our galaxy!
3. We are seeing the past!
Light from distant stars and galaxies takes so long to
reach us that we are actually seeing objects as they
appeared hundreds, thousands or even millions of
years ago. So, as we look up at the sky, we are really
looking back in time.
4. The dark and cold side of Mercury
Even though Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun,
temperatures can reach -280 degrees F. You might find
this a little strange, but there is a simple explanation.
Since Mercury has almost no atmosphere, there is
nothing to trap heat near the surface. So, the dark side
of Mercury (the side facing away from the Sun) is very
cold.

26

5. Long-lasting storm in our solar system

On Jupiter, storms can rage for years or even centuries.
The Great Red Spot, a colossal storm twice the diameter
of our planet, has lasted at least 300 years.
6. The incredible number of stars in the Universe
The nearby dwarf galaxy NGC 1569 is a hotbed of
vigorous star birth activity which blows huge bubbles and super-bubbles
that riddle the main body of the galaxy. The galaxys vigorous
star factories are also manufacturing brilliant blue star clusters. Its
estimated that the number of stars in the universe is greater than the
number of grains of sand on all the beaches in the world! On a clear
night, we can see the equivalent of a handful of sand. Even on the
clearest night, the human eye can only see about 3,000 stars. There are
an estimated 100,000,000,000 in our galaxy alone!
7. Our powerful Sun
The Sun produces so much energy, that every second
the core releases the equivalent of 100 billion nuclear
bombs. Still, our Sun is relatively small compared to
other stars.
8. Betelgeuse - A new supernova will be born soon
Betelgeuse is the tenth brightest star in the sky. It is a red
supergiant about 13,000 times brighter than our sun and over
1000 times larger. If you placed Betelgeuse in the place of our Sun,
it would extend past the orbit of Jupiter! Its name is from the
Arabic armpit, and is near the right shoulder of Orion. It is nearing
the end of its life and will soon become a supernova. Betelgeuse is
in the constellation Orion.
9. Volcanoes on Jupiters moon
Volcanoes on Jupiters moon eject materials at speeds of 1km
every second. This is 20 times the speed of what the volcanoes on
Earth achieve.

10. Saturns low density

Saturn has such a low density that if you placed it on a planet bigger than Saturn which is full of water with gravity it would literally
float.
S.Sivageeth

Astronomy & Space Science Association

D.S.Senanayake College
Colombo

27

ORION

The Great Hunter

The Orion constellation is one of

the most prominent star patterns

in the night sky. The name of this
constellation was originated from
the following story in the Greek
mythology.
Orion provided meat each day
for the gods meals with his great
skill as a hunter. One day, Artemis
(Diana: the moon goddess and
goddess of the hunt) asked if she
could accompany Orion on his
daily hunt. He readily agreed. The
next day as they were hunting in
the woods, they saw a deer. Orion carefully fitted an arrow to his bow and shot. So sure was his shot that the deer
died instantly, which pleased Artemis greatly. At dinner that evening, Artemis told everyone, even Zeus [Father of
Gods and men], of Orions great ability with the bow. All of the praise extremely pleased Orion, who vowed to
impress Artemis even more the next day.
Arising at dawn, Orion proceeded again to the forest where he shot every animal he found. He then made a large
pile of these animals near the door to Artemis house. Then, knocking on her door, he asked her to come outside
and see the great surprise he had for her. Upon seeing the great pile of dead animals, Artemis was horrified! For
you see, Artemis was also the protector of animals and punished those who killed more than they could eat. In her
anger, she stomped her foot on the ground and out of the dust came a great scorpion which stung Orion on the
heel causing him to die in great pain. But in honor of his great service to the gods, Zeus placed his constellation in
the sky

D.C.Shehan Marasinghe

Astronomy & Space Science Association

D.S.Senanayake College
Colombo

28

M A N

M U S T

R I S E

A B O V E

T H E

E A R T H

Mystic Mountain

is a term for a region in the Carina Nebula imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope. The view was captured by the then new
Wide Field Camera 3, though the region was also viewed by the previous generation instrument. The new view celebrated
the telescopes 20th anniversary of being in space. The nebula is about 7500 light-years away from Earth. The pillar measures three light years in height; nascent stars inside the pillar fire off gas jets streaming from towering peaks.
Source :- wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystic_Mountain

ORBITASTRONOMY & SPACE SCIENCE ASOCIATION. D.S.SENANAYAKE COLLEGE.COLOMBO.