Prettiest And Rarest Of All

The Moon Dressed Like Saturn ©

Boy’s Doublet

1595-1605

The Netherlands

Gemeentemuseum Den Haag

Student Experiments Soar!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to get a technology ready for space? The NASA TechRise Student Challenge gives middle and high school students a chance to do just that – team up with their classmates to design an original science or technology project and bring that idea to life as a payload on a suborbital vehicle.

Since March 2021, with the help of teachers and technical advisors, students across the country have dreamed up experiments with the potential to impact space exploration and collect data about our planet.

So far, more than 180 TechRise experiments have flown on suborbital vehicles that expose them to the conditions of space. Flight testing is a big step along the path of space technology development and scientific discovery.

The 2023-2024 TechRise Challenge flight tests took place this summer, with 60 student teams selected to fly their experiments on one of two commercial suborbital flight platforms: a high-altitude balloon operated by World View, or the Xodiac rocket-powered lander operated by Astrobotic. Xodiac flew over the company’s Lunar Surface Proving Ground — a test field designed to simulate the Moon’s surface — in Mojave, California, while World View’s high-altitude balloon launched out of Page, Arizona.

Here are four innovative TechRise experiments built by students and tested aboard NASA-supported flights this summer:

1. Oobleck Reaches the Skies

Oobleck, which gets its name from Dr. Seuss, is a mixture of cornstarch and water that behaves as both a liquid and a solid. Inspired by in-class science experiments, high school students at Colegio Otoqui in Bayomón, Puerto Rico, tested how Oobleck’s properties at 80,000 feet aboard a high-altitude balloon are different from those on Earth’s surface. Using sensors and the organic elements to create Oobleck, students aimed to collect data on the fluid under different conditions to determine if it could be used as a system for impact absorption.

2. Terrestrial Magnetic Field

Middle school students at Phillips Academy International Baccalaureate School in Birmingham, Alabama, tested the Earth’s magnetic field strength during the ascent, float, and descent of the high-altitude balloon. The team hypothesized the magnetic field strength decreases as the distance from Earth’s surface increases.

3. Rocket Lander Flame Experiment

To understand the impact of dust, rocks, and other materials kicked up by a rocket plume when landing on the Moon, middle school students at Cliff Valley School in Atlanta, Georgia, tested the vibrations of the Xodiac rocket-powered lander using CO2 and vibration sensors. The team also used infrared (thermal) and visual light cameras to attempt to detect the hazards produced by the rocket plume on the simulated lunar surface, which is important to ensure a safe landing.

4. Rocket Navigation

Middle and high school students at Tiospaye Topa School in LaPlant, South Dakota, developed an experiment to track motion data with the help of a GPS tracker and magnetic radar. Using data from the rocket-powered lander flight, the team will create a map of the flight path as well as the magnetic field of the terrain. The students plan to use their map to explore developing their own rocket navigation system.

The 2024-2025 TechRise Challenge is now accepting proposals for technology and science to be tested on a high-altitude balloon! Not only does TechRise offer hands-on experience in a live testing scenario, but it also provides an opportunity to learn about teamwork, project management, and other real-world skills.

“The TechRise Challenge was a truly remarkable journey for our team,” said Roshni Ismail, the team lead and educator at Cliff Valley School. “Watching them transform through the discovery of new skills, problem-solving together while being driven by the chance of flying their creation on a [rocket-powered lander] with NASA has been exhilarating. They challenged themselves to learn through trial and error and worked long hours to overcome every obstacle. We are very grateful for this opportunity.”

Are you ready to bring your experiment design to the launchpad? If you are a sixth to 12th grade student, you can make a team under the guidance of an educator and submit your experiment ideas by November 1. Get ready to create!

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

A rare blessed image - reblog for seven years of good luck 

♎ The Libra II period takes Society as its central image. In human terms, this period can be compared to a time in one’s middle life when a more meaningful relationship with society, or an increase in time given to social entities (political causes, clubs, religious organizations, study groups, neighborhood or community associations, etc), often takes place. During this period, deepening one’s social ties can be central to life, not only with the institutions mentioned but also with lifelong friends and family members. The days that comprise Libra II symbolically reveal certain aspects of middle age: taking the lead in defining social mores, making difficult judgments, acquiring objective wisdom about human psychology and learning to husband one’s physical and financial resources.

{October 3 - 10} The paradox about those born during the Week of Society is that although their social skills are highly developed, they may really be loners by nature. Their knowledge of current events, fashions and matters concerning lifestyle is impressive, and family and friends usually consult them as to the choice of materials or methods to get the job done in the most tasteful way possible. Constantly in demand, they often have difficulty finding time for themselves, and at some point must learn how to limit the time and energy they are prepared to give.

Generally well liked as people, they are also highly sought after as confidants and counselors. They inspire trust in those who are meeting them for the first time. Their nonthreatening approach makes other people quickly feel that they have nothing to fear—they can open their hearts and unburden themselves. Indeed these people rarely behave hurtfully or maliciously toward those who confide in them. Those who seek them out feel safe with them.

Although fair, just, and agreeable in most situations, they can also be extremely sharp and critical. Because their insights are so often right on, their barbs can sting. Associates and employers who listen to them can probably learn something, but the fury of their attack often arouses too much negative emotion in the assaulted party to allow for clear listening. Only later will the truth of their criticisms begin to sink in.

These children can be demanding of their parents, and these parents can be strict with their children. When young, they may be extremely rebellious or at the very least troublesome to those in authority. They are guided by a sense of fairness but also by an extreme antipathy to stupid, harmful and needless regulations and laws. Too often these young persons may see the harm or waste being caused by a social or parental attitude yet feel helpless to do much about it. As they grow up, they may become crusaders or reformers, but they can just as easily turn into quiet observers who watch and listen but only offer their opinions and judgments when asked to do so.

Emotional instability may be the single biggest problem they face. It can undermine their relationships, making them prone to jealousy, irritation, possessiveness and all sorts of negative emotions they could really do without. Physical problems and even lifelong disabilities can result. Involvement in some form of spiritual, religious or physical training is often essential, to provide the stability and grounding that they require if they are to keep on an even keel.

There is too often a glaring discrepancy between what they think they want and what they truly need. They may blunt their own desires by not taking them seriously. Thus, through their own insistence that they don’t need something, they can stunt the development of their will. Any resulting confusion, unhappiness or despair may serve them well, if they can take advantage of it. Through depression, they can get in touch with themselves at a deep level and, stripped of externals, will find out what their deepest needs really are.

An ever-present danger for these imaginative individuals is that they will come to live too much in a fantasy world in which all things are possible. Through complacency, and narcissistic enjoyment, they can fail to take action. This lack of aggression may affect their professional life. Worldly ambition can be very healthy for them, since it can spur them on to be more assertive, and to demand from the world what they really want. The problems here are they aren’t always sure what their true wishes are, and they are too often satisfied with what they have and indecisive in charting out a realistic course of action.

These people are highly valued by their friends, not least for their light and fun-loving manner. They are often good conversationalists, and even the most shy of these blossoms in activities involving a small group of companions, such as parties, dinners or outings. They are highly responsible in such surroundings, and may be depended upon to make a contribution. Yet as aware and realistic as they are about other people, to the same or a greater degree they can be unrealistic about themselves. It may be an unfortunate trait of these people to pull the wool over their own eyes. Such self-deception can lead to disastrous choices of partner, and also to professional blunders. Simply put: without a clear view of themselves, they cannot make cogent personal choices, and are constantly landing themselves in trouble. Fortunately, they are highly resilient. Still, they must not take their ability to snap back from injury or defeat for granted, or rely on it unduly.

During rocky periods in their personal relationships, those born during the Week of Society tend to be more hurtful toward themselves than to the other person. This is a sign less of masochistic tendencies than of low self-esteem, and of a habit of putting the needs and wants of a lover or friend before their own. Their difficulty in expressing anger and aggression leads them to blame themselves when things go wrong. They may consequently sink into a quiet depression, tumbling into a well of loneliness from which it may be extremely difficult for them to climb out.

Strengths: Up-To-Date, Fair, Insightful Weaknesses: Complacent, Severe, Self-deceiving Planetary Ruler: Venus Element: Air

- Gary Goldschneider

Have you read any good ziall fics lately? i'm really feeling this drought :(

HELLO you’ve come to the right place!! :) i have indeed read a couple of really good ones since my last fic recs (x | x), here we go:

never gonna leave - accidental baby acquisition has to be one of the best ao3 tags and this is a beautiful fic

(one of these days) i wish you were a hologram - oh the pain! set during wwa and wonderfully achy yet lovely

of an endless summer - oh my god im seriously never gonna be over this, it’s a summer camp au and i love every tiny detail of it

sex and question marks - this was absolutely hilarious but still slow burn and so lovely?? i loved it

watching you all night - canon future fic that i would’ve read 50k of

all this and heaven too - teachers!au!!!! soo cute and funny :))

always you (the best part of me) - OH MY GOD honestly this was a m a z i n g, i loved it sooo much even though i wanted to hit zayn sometimes but really?? slow burn, pining, pain and soo much love

double up or quit, double stake or split - yeah this was just so lovely i don’t really know what to say. there’s ace characters too which is still something we don’t see very often in fics

and your heart says, “just stay” - this whole fic had the most amazing mood, it was beautiful. genderswap

i hope you haven’t read all of these yet!!

What about 'I kissed a beautiful girl' ?

a list of songs we know harry has written over the years but we do not have (please feel free to tell me if there’s more):

baby honey

complicated freak

medicine

talk

oh anna

lay down

she got away

want you to be there

better than being alone

california

can’t get enough

fall apart

fun for now

second chance

might not want you

one desire

you still have my heart (even if you don’t deserve it)

one of those nights

love you like you’re leaving

like everybody else

kissed you in the rain

like you do

kiss it better

kiss me

i just wanna be your man

have and hold

5378 miles

already home

coco

endlessly

this is so beautiful

𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 & 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑏𝑦 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑡𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟

𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡

Addicted To You - Avicii

All Lit Up - Craig Armstrong

American Beauty - Thomas Newman

American Money - BØRNS

Awkward Duet - Sons And Daughters

Beautiful People Beautiful Problems - Lana Del Rey, Stevie Nicks

Beautiful Shirts And Dan Cody - Craig Armstrong

Be My Baby - The Ronettes

Blue Light - Mazzy Star

Boats Against The Current - Craig Armstrong

Buchanan Mansion And Daisy Suite - Craig Armstrong

Bye-bye Darling - BØRNS

California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas

Caring Is Creepy - The Shins

Castle Went Dark - Craig Armstrong

Cello Theme - Craig Armstrong

A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke

Cosmic Love - Florence + The Machine

Dead Myrtle - Craig Armstrong

Didn't You Love Anything - Craig Armstrong

Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine

Don’t Fall Down - The Black Angels

Don't Forget About Me - CLOVES

Don't Wake the Dead - Guards

Dream Violin - Craig Armstrong

Everything Will Be Alright - The Killers

Falling - Harry Styles

Fallingwater - Maggie Roggers

Fine Line - Harry Styles

Five String Serenade - Mazzy Star

Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine

Fool for Your Face - Coves

Found Love - The Fly Bi Nights

Gatsby's Death And Portico - Craig Armstrong

Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers)- Daft Punk

Glasgow Love Theme - Craig Armstrong

Go Fuck Yourself - Two Feet

Golden - Harry Styles

Green Eyes - Coldplay

Green Light - Craig Armstrong

Halah - Mazzy Star

Happiness Does Not Wait - Ólafur Arnalds

Happiness is a butterfly - Lana Del Rey

Hearts A Mess - Gotye

Heavy In Your Arms - Florence + The Machine

Honeymoon - Lana Del Rey

hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have but i have it - Lana Del Rey

Hotel Sayre - Craig Armstrong

I'm Set Free - The Velver Underground

It's You - BØRNS

I Won't Hurt You - The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band

Juliet's Dream - Abel Korzeniowski

Kill And Run - Sia

Laughing on the Outside - Bernadette Carroll

Let Me Follow - Son Lux

Let Me In - Snowmine

Let's Go To Town - Craig Armstrong

Lights Up - Harry Styles

Little Lady - The Walking Who

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody - Fergie

Lonesome Town - Ricky Nelson

Long & Lost - Florence + The Machine

Louisa - Lord Huron

Love song - Lana Del Rey

Magic Tree And I Let Myself Go - Craig Armstrong

Me - The 1975

A Message - Coldplay

Moon - Sleeping At Last

My Body Is A Cage - Peter Gabriel

The Night We Met - Lord Huron

No Light, No Light (live version) - Florence + The Machine

Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby - Cigarettes After Sex

Old Money - Lana Del Rey

Orphans Of The Storm - Flyte

Over The Love - Florence + The Machine

Overture And Sanitarium - Craig Armstrong

Pale Blue Eyes - The Velvet Underground

Paradise - Coldplay

Past Lives - BØRNS

Play With Fire - The Rolling Stones

Pretty When You Cry - Lana Del Rey

Rabbit heart - Florence + The Machine

Revolution (acoustic version) - Elias

Run to You - Lea Michele

A Saurceful Of Secrets - Pink Floyd

Save the Last Dance for Me - The Drifters

Shine On You Crazy Diamond - Pink Floyd

Somebody Else - The 1975

Stone - Jaymes Young

Summertime Sadness - Lana Del Rey

Swedish Garden - Brice Davoli

Take Care - Florence + The Machine

Terrence Loves You - Lana Del Rey

That Night He Told Me Everything - Craig Armstrong

To Believe - The Cinematic Orchestra

Two Minutes To Four And Reunited - Craig Armstrong

Unforgettable - Sia

Us Against the World - Coldplay

Video Games - Lana Del Rey

Wait by the River - Lord Huron

Watercolor Eyes - Lana Del Rey

When My Boy Walks Down the Street - The Magnetic Fields

Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High - Arctic Monkeys

Wild Heart - Bleachers

Wish That You Were Here - Florence + The Machine

With Or Without You - U2

Wondrous Place - The Last Show Puppets, Alex Turner

Yes To Heaven - Lana Del Rey

You Kept My Letters - Craig Armstrong

Young & Beautiful - Lana Del Rey

Young Men Dead - The Black Angels

You've Got The Love - Florence + The Machine