NASA | Government Book Talk

Discover the Cosmos: NEW 2025 NASA Science Calendar

December 31, 2024

Embark on a celestial journey through the universe’s wonders with the official 2025 NASA Science Calendar. Each month, immerse yourself in breathtaking images captured by NASA’s cutting-edge telescopes and spacecraft. From distant galaxies to the rugged terrain of Mars, this calendar offers a front-row seat to the marvels of space exploration.

Benefits of 2025 NASA Science Calendar:

Stunning Imagery: Adorn your walls with awe-inspiring photographs of nebulas, planets, and celestial phenomena.
Informative Captions: Learn fascinating facts about space science and the missions behind the images.
Practical Design: Convenient monthly calendar format to keep you organized throughout the year.
Perfect Gift: Surprise space enthusiasts of all ages with a unique and educational gift.
Stay Informed: It’s a great way to stay informed about NASA’s latest discoveries and missions.

Other exciting revelations about the experiences of space exploration include:

The Sun, the Earth, and Near-Earth Space: A Guide to the Sun-Earth System. This colorful book provides concise explanations and descriptions that are easily read and readily understood of what is now known about the chain of events and processes that connect the Sun to the Earth, with special emphasis on space weather and sun-climate.

Hubble Science Year in Review Book and Companion Poster. This historic companion set describes the history and accomplishments of the Hubble space telescope. Includes color photographs and diagrams.

Don’t miss this opportunity to bring the universe into your home. Order your 2025 NASA Science Calendar today!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

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Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800. Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publications and Information Sales Office.

Images and additional content provided by Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins. Trudy is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

2 Comments | Calendars, NASA, Science & Technology | Tagged: 2025 NASA Science Calendar, NASA, NASA 2025 calendar, NASA calendar, NASA Science Calendar, NASA Science Wall Calendar, space calender, space exploration, space exploration calendar | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Earth Science Week: Celebrate Our Planet

October 15, 2024

Earth Science Week, celebrated October 13-19, is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and engaging learners of all ages about the Earth sciences. It aims to promote environmental protection and raise awareness about the challenges facing our planet.

An accessible and fascinating resource relevant to Earth Science Week is The Sun, the Earth, and Near-Earth Space: A Guide to the Sun-Earth System, a paperback publication from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) available from the Government Publishing Office (GPO) Online Bookstore.

This colorful book provides concise explanations and descriptions that are easily read and readily understood of what is now known about the chain of events and processes that connect the Sun to the Earth, with special emphasis on space weather. The book’s insights can significantly enhance our understanding of the Earth-Sun relationship. Space weather refers to the environmental conditions in space as influenced by solar activity. The book also covers the sun’s impact on climate. Limited quantities of this popular publication are now available for a 50% discount.

Here are some ways to get involved in Earth Science Week:

Host an event. You can host an event at your school, library, or community center. You can also host an event online.
You can volunteer at an Earth Science Week event, local park, or museum.
Educate others. You can educate others about Earth science by talking to your friends and family or writing a blog post or article.

Take time to learn about Earth Science Week and celebrate our amazing planet!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

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Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Click here to purchase The Sun, the Earth, and Near-Earth Space: A Guide to the Sun-Earth System

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publications and Information Sales Office.

Leave a Comment » | NASA, Science & Technology | Tagged: earth, earth and sun, earth science, Earth Science Week, NASA, NASA publications, space, the Earth, The Sun | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

NEW! 2024 NASA Science Calendar

February 21, 2024

Rho Ophiuchi

The National Aeronautics Space Administration’s (NASA) much anticipated 2024 NASA Science Calendar is now available from the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) Online Bookstore. The NASA Science Calendar is a yearly publication that features stunning imagery of the cosmos, informative articles about NASA’s missions, and important dates to remember. It’s a great way to stay current on what’s happening in space exploration and learn more about the universe around us.

Here are some of the highlights of the 2024 NASA Science Calendar:

January: Rho Ophiuchi. The first anniversary image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope displays star birth like it’s never been seen before, full of detailed, impressionistic texture. The subject is the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, the closest star-forming region to Earth.

Sun Emits X1.2 Flare

February: Sun Emits X1.2 Flare. An X1.2-class solar flare flashes on the left edge of this image of the Sun, captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory on January 5, 2023. The image shows a blend of light from the 171- and 131-angstrom wavelengths, which highlight the Sun’s corona and flaring regions. Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy.

Bloomin’ Atlantic

March: Bloomin’ Atlantic. Vibrant swirls of green and turquoise appeared in the North Atlantic for several weeks in April 2023. Some of the color is due to an abundance of phytoplankton, floating plant-like organisms. Although they are microscopic, large groups of phytoplankton are visible from space, as revealed in this image captured by the NASA –U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat 9 Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) instrument.

There is more amazing imagery, “From fire to water to ice and beyond, NASA Science is exploring the universe,” in the new 2024 NASA Science Calendar.

The NASA Science Calendar remains one of our best sellers. Grab your copy while supplies last!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger Trudy Hawkins is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

2 Comments | Art, Calendars, Gifts, NASA, Science & Technology, Teachers and teaching | Tagged: 2023 NASA Science Calendar, Calendar, earth science, NASA, NASA Science Calendar, NASA Wall Calendar, science calendar | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Celebrate Park and Recreation Month

July 18, 2023

Park and Recreation Month is held annually in July to promote the importance of parks and recreation in our communities. And with summer’s longer days, there is no better time to take a stroll, picnic, or pursue other outdoor leisure activities. If you are into astronomy or a star-watching enthusiast, the U.S. Government Bookstore offers publications to help with outdoor recreation activities, such as stargazing.

Before setting out on a night-time adventure under the stars, pick up the Astronomical Almanac, where you can study a wide variety of technical and general astronomical information. It is a worldwide resource for fundamental astronomical data and contains data supplied by many scientists from around the world. The Astronomical Almanac is also an excellent resource for commercial pilots, sailors, and the military to strengthen safer travel and further assist in navigation by both air and sea.

One of life’s great experiences is to find yourself with loved ones in a campground tent, looking up at celestial wonders in a deep blue night sky. Take a trip to outer space by browsing our collection of resources produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), highlighting Earth’s beauty from space through photographic images covering Earth’s wonders.

There are many ways to celebrate Park and Recreation Month in your community:

Visit your local park or recreation center
Participate in a park and recreation program
Volunteer your time to help maintain a park or recreation facility
Attend a Park and Recreation Month event
Spread the word about the importance of parks and recreation on social media

No matter how you choose to celebrate, Park and Recreation Month is a great opportunity to appreciate the many benefits that parks and recreation provide to our communities.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publications and Information Sales Office.

Leave a Comment » | NASA, Naval Observatory, Science & Technology | Tagged: Astronomical Almanac, astronomy, NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, national parks and recreation, Recreation, stargazing, Stars | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

2022 Explore Science Calendar

January 12, 2022

Want to take a trip to outer-space? Here’s a great (and inexpensive) way to experience the beauty of a world beyond Earth’s atmosphere. NASA’s new 2022 Explore Science planner features spectacular photography of NASA’s exploration of our planet.

Here are a few excerpts from the calendar:

January — Return to the Veil Nebula. “The Veil Nebula is the visible portion of the nearby Cygnus Loop, a supernova remnant formed roughly 10,000 years ago by the death of a massive star. The Veil Nebula’s progenitor star—which was 20 times the mass of our Sun—lived fast and died young, ending its life in a cataclysmic release of energy. Despite this stellar explosion, the shock waves and debris from the supernova sculpted the Veil Nebula’s delicate tracery of ionized gas, creating a scene of surprising astronomical beauty.”

April — GOES West Captures Two Hurricanes and the Smoke of California Wildfires. “On August 25, 2020, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) West captured this dynamic GeoColor image of North America, where wildfires ravaged the drought-plagued West and Southwest United States. The resulting hazy gray shroud of smoke spread over much of the country. Over the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Laura can be seen heading toward Louisiana and eastern Texas while the remnants of Hurricane Marco swirl over the Southeast. In the image, smoke can be seen filling California’s Central Valley.”

October— Something Out There Is Watching You. “Do you ever look up at the night sky and feel like someone, or something, may be looking back at you? This Halloween image from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope may convince you that you are right! But don’t expect to see these cosmic eyes without a face if you search the night sky with your own binoculars or telescope, as they are completely cloaked from view in visible light. They can only be found by telescopes that can see infrared light.”

Hurry and purchase this popular calendar at the GPO U.S. Government Online Bookstore while supplies last!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

3 Comments | Calendars, Gifts, NASA, Science & Technology | Tagged: 2022 Calendar, 2022 Explore Science Calendar, 2022 Explore Science planner, 2022 planner, NASA, NASA calendar, NASA Science Calendar, science, science calendar | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Aviation History Month

November 23, 2021

American innovation came to flight in December 1903 when Orville and Wilbur Wright flew a powered aircraft successfully four times, with the longest flight that day being 852 feet!

In celebration of Aviation History Month and all of the Americans who have contributed to humankind’s ability to fly, the GPO bookstore has assembled a collection of publications focusing on aviation.

Visit the U.S. Government Bookstore and browse a variety of aviation-oriented publications ranging from commercial aviation to titles published by the Department of Defense. Notable titles include FAA Safety Briefing (great for civilian pilots), and the Air Force Reserve publication, Citizen Airman.

Fly high, fly safely, those who take to the air, whether for pleasure, commercial ventures or in service to the nation.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800. Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

2 Comments | Aviation, Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Adminstration (FAA), Innovation, NASA, Science & Technology | Tagged: aviation, aviation history, Aviation History Month, aviation publications, commercial aviation, Orville and Wilbur Wright | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Space Exploration Day

July 20, 2021

Space Exploration Day is celebrated on July 20^th. On this important day in 1969, America’s Apollo 11 mission safely landed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin on the moon’s surface. Today space venture has become the norm with multiple private projects of individuals preparing for open space endeavors.

The National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA) remains the lead force not only in space exploration but also in developing products derived from the scientific endeavors necessary to support the increasingly challenging missions NASA performs as it seeks to reach new heights in space exploration.

The Government Publishing Office online bookstore offers a collection of publications featuring the exploits and wonders of the NASA program from its earliest days until today. At the online bookstore find publications from books with spectacular photography from above planet earth featuring phytoplankton blooms in the Western North Atlantic Ocean to commercial products developed from NASA’s technological efforts highlighting dozens of technologies such as self-guided cars, patient care and more. It’s all at https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/aerospace-astronomy-space-exploration.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Click here to browse our Aerospace, Astronomy & Space Exploration collection

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

Leave a Comment » | NASA, Science & Technology, Technology | Tagged: Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, NASA, National Aeronautical Space Administration, Neil Armstrong, space, space day, Space Explorartion Day, space exploration | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

GPO Holiday Gift Guide: Books for the Starry-Eyed Astronomer

December 2, 2020

It’s the greatest time of year! And while this year has most certainly been a tough one, at least we still have the ability to put a smile on a loved one’s face by picking out the perfect gift for them. This holiday season, GPO is bringing you a guide to unexpected gifts for everyone in your life, from the ultimate outdoorsman to the recreational mariner. And we’re starting with publications for the starry-eyed astronomer! Grab a cup of hot cocoa, top it with whipped cream, and cozy up as we help you become the ultimate gift giver this year.

Astronomical Phenomena for the Year 2021 offers far-out (no pun intended) material preprinted from The Astronomical Almanac. It is published jointly by the U.S. Naval Observatory and Her Majesty’s Nautical Almanac Office two years in advance of its date. It includes such things as:

Dates for Solar equinoxes, solstices, phases of the Moon
Eclipse maps
Dates for various planetary phenomena
Visibility and magnitudes of the planets
The equation of time and declination of the Sun
Sunrise/sunset and moonrise/set times
The position of Polaris, the star in the end of the Little Dipper handle

This is the perfect publication for anyone with an interest in our solar system and all its mysteries.

Next, take a trip through the atmosphere in NASA’s book Earth, which tells the story of a 4.5-billion-year-old planet that offers so much to admire. Through rare satellite images, the book shows off Earth’s land, wind, water, ice and air from above. Explore waves off the coast of Mauritania, Coral Cocos of the Indian Ocean, colorful faults of Xinjiang China, and the North Patagonian Icefield in South America. You will be blown away by what you learn about the intersection amongst Earth and its people, like the Moken people of Southeast Asia, whose hunter-gatherer lifestyle and small population have helped preserve and protect the high density of plants and animals in the Mergui Archipelago. Side note – if the person you need a gift for also loves to travel, flipping through this book will inspire unique ideas for trips when we can travel again safely. Be dazzled by descriptions and images of the phenomenon known as glory (which looks similar to a rainbow but is formed differently), undular bores, active stratovolcanoes, fallstreak holes (formed by ice crystals that literally fall out of the sky), and milky green water from a boom of phytoplankton.

“The spectacular images in this book remind us of the majestic beauty of our world,” said Lawrence Friedl, program director for the Applied Sciences Program in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Earth Science Division in Washington. “We hope these images inspire everyone to explore, understand, and appreciate the planet we call home.”

Stock up on that hot chocolate because we’ve got more gift guides coming your way. We’ll see you next time, and until then, turn on some holiday music and enjoy the season!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

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Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Visit our Retail Store: To buy or order a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up(s).

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

1 Comment | Gifts, NASA, Naval Observatory | Tagged: Astronomical Phenomena for the Year 2021, earth, holiday gift guide, Holiday Gift Guide 2021, Lawrence Friedl | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

50 Years of history that never grows old

July 19, 2019

Who in America hasn’t heard those words ending man’s life’s limitation only to Earth – “The eagle has landed?” The words of Astronaut Neil Armstrong signaled the safe landing of the Apollo 11 lunar module on the moon. Fifty years and numerous moon landings later, the day of the moon landing is still worthy of national celebration. America can be proud of the bravery of men and women who’ve risked their lives to conquer space; for technological advances conceived and produced to support this human adventure like no other. A moment that captured the spirit of a nation neither bound by the limits of the unknown nor the uncertainty of reaching for the stars.

To take part in this national day of courage and achievement, now you can purchase one or more of the published portraits of the adventures and challenges met by one of America’s most valuable resources, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); a name that may not capture the true essence of its magnificence, but a well-documented story of mankind at some of its most memorable moments.

The U.S. Government Bookstore offers the following NASA publications related to the remarkable history of the Apollo 11 mission.

Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in the History of the United States Civil Space Program: V. VII: Human Spaceflight: Projects Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. This publication includes a selection of expert essays and official documents about the evolution of U.S. human spaceflight programs: Projects Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. It emphasizes important documents relating to aerodynamics and man-in-space research as well as recommended activities the lunar vehicle should do and what symbolic items should be brought for the First Lunar Landing (such as the iconic American flag planted on the moon).

NASA’s First 50 Years: Historical Perspectives; NASA 50 Anniversary Proceedings. A wide array of scholars turn a critical eye toward NASA’s first 50 years, probing an institution widely seen as the premier agency for space exploration in the world. Fifty years after its founding, this NASA publication offers historical perspectives to help illuminate what came next.

View of an astronaut’s foot and footprint in the lunar soil. Image courtesy of NASA.

On July 29, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the NASA Act. Over the next 50 years, NASA achieved spectacular feats, from advancing the well-established field of aeronautics to pioneering new fields of Earth and space science and human spaceflight. In the midst of the geopolitical context of the Cold War, 12 Americans walked on the Moon, arriving in peace “for all mankind.” Humans saw their home planet from a new perspective, with unforgettable Apollo images of Earthrise and the “Blue Marble,” as well as the “pale blue dot” from the edge of the solar system. Since, spacecraft have studied Earth, probed the depths of the solar system and the universe beyond. In the 1980s, the evolution of aeronautics gave us the first winged human spacecraft, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station that stood as a symbol of human cooperation in space as well as a possible way station to the stars. Though important to note, given the Apollo fire and two Space Shuttle accidents, NASA has also seen the depths of tragedy.

When Biospheres Collide: A History of NASA’s Planetary Protection Programs. This book from the NASA History Series tackles the interesting duo of biological problems that should be familiar to anybody who has seen photos of Apollo astronauts quarantined after their return to Earth. Namely, how do we avoid contaminating celestial bodies with Earthly germs when we send spacecraft to study these bodies, and how do we avoid spreading foreign biological matter from space when our robotic and human spacefarers return to Earth? Biological matter from an external system could potentially cause an unchecked epidemic either on Earth or in space so strict precautions are necessary. Problems identified. Problems overcome.

Project Apollo: The Tough Decisions. This monograph presents the history of the manned space program from September 1, 1960 to January 5, 1968, the most critically important period during which NASA validated its ability to successfully venture beyond earth’s gravitational limits. Outlines detail the steps taken from the early Mercury days through the operation tests conducted with Gemini, to the qualification of Apollo. It describes the key technical, operational, and management milestones and how key issues in each phase of the space program were resolved. Anyone thinking about becoming a space adventurer? Read first-hand how NASA has made such ventures soon within our reach.

Many other space related adventures and fascinating articles about new products created by America’s space journey are available here.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Custoer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800. Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

Leave a Comment » | NASA, Science & Technology | Tagged: Apollo, Apollo 11, Apollo 11 lunar module, Apollo 11 Mission, Apollo anniversary, Apollo mission, Apollo moon landing, Apollo moon landing anniversary, first moon landing, lunar mission, moon landing, NASA, Neil Armstrong | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

We’re Over the Moon for These Space Day Pubs

May 2, 2019

Life Cycle of Stars – NASA image.

This year International Space Day will be celebrated around the world on May 3. Space Day, founded in 1997 and expanded to International Space Day in 2001, is dedicated to sharing the excitement of space exploration. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the holiday “is a time to learn more about our universe and to excite others about space, too.” And what better way to learn about our universe than through official Federal publications?!

Since President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 29, 1958, to create NASA, the agency has worked to achieve a wide array of spectacular accomplishments for mankind, including sending a man to the moon, successfully landing a man-made object on Mars, and creating the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn, just to name a few. The agency has allowed humans to see their planet from a perspective they never had before. NASA’s First 50 Years covers these accomplishments. But it also remembers tragedies such as the Apollo fire and the Columbia and Challenger accidents.

Did you know that the International Space Station is a large, multi-functioning spacecraft that orbits the earth? Since November 2, 2000, astronauts have lived in this spacecraft, which is about the size of a house with five bedrooms and boasts a gymnasium and a big bay window. Learn more about the space object, which serves as one of the world’s most inspirational examples of international teamwork, in NASA’s Reference Guide to the International Space Station. This book discusses the creation of the International Space Station (ISS) and the vision for the station, which includes being a hub for scientific research, technological development, exploration, commerce, and education.

The Hubble Space Telescope is one of the most well-known names in space. And for a good reason! This spacecraft looks at the sky from beyond Earth’s atmosphere. It has the capability of seeing and snapping shots of stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies with complete detail. The telescope provided conclusive evidence that hubs of most galaxies do indeed have substantial black holes with millions or even billions of stars. The Hubble is fast. No we mean, really really fast. In fact, it circles the entire Earth every 96 minutes. Since its launch in 1990, the Hubble has traveled about 2.83 billion miles. Hubble: An Overview of the Space Telescope provides an overview of the historic space telescope with sections on its history, design, operations, and cultural impact. Explore images of the telescope’s fascinating findings – like its image of the heart of the Lagoon Nebula 4,000 light-years away from Earth, its shot of four of Saturn’s moons passing in front of the planet, and its views of the galaxy M84.

What’s possibly more fascinating than the space missions of NASA? The stories of the brilliant minds behind them. William H. Pickering: America’s Deep Space Pioneer provides a biography of Dr. William H. Pickering, who pioneered the exploration of space at NASA. Shortly after NASA was established, Dr. Pickering was put in charge of NASA’s Ranger program, which aimed to capture live, close-up video images of the surface of the Moon. After getting off to a rough start, the mission proved successful, and America had its first close-ups of the Moon. Pickering’s team succeeded in conducting further lunar missions that paved the way for the Apollo mission that famously landed Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin on the Moon. Learn more about Pickering’s contribution to space exploration in this book.

Want to experience Space Day with your little ones? Order Junior Ranger Night Explorer, an activity booklet from the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior. The booklet will guide you through smart stargazing, including what items to bring with you so you can see all the planets and star clusters up close and personal. With Junior Ranger Night Explorer, your little rising stars will learn how to find the North Star, track phases of the Moon, learn about galaxies, and use all their senses to explore the night environment at a national park.

Even the U.S. Army uses knowledge of space for its missions. Space Warriors: The Army Space Support Team from the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, and Center of Military History, outlines the organizational and conceptual evolution of the Army Space Support Team (ARSST). These support teams provide warfighters the ability to leverage space capabilities. This helps soldiers enhance their intelligence and operation planning capabilities.

The facts and photos in these publications truly make us feel over the Moon, no pun intended. There is so much to know and learn about our beautiful, vast universe. We wish you all a happy Space Day!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | NASA, Science & Technology | Tagged: Apollo, Apollo mission, Army Space Support Team, ARRST, Buzz Aldrin, Dr. Pickering, Hubble, Hubble Space Telescope, Hubble Telescope, International Space Day, International Space Station, Junior Ranger, Lagoon Nebula, M84, Neil Armstrong, space, space day, space exploration, William H. Pickering, William Pickering | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

NASA’s “Earth” Proves To Us All: There’s No Place Like Home

April 19, 2019

The very first Earth Day was observed on April 22, 1970. Growing evidence that pollution was leading to developmental delays in children had led to concern and anger in many citizens. Millions of people gathered to protest the negative environmental impact of 150 years of industrial development. That year, Congress and President Nixon worked together to found the Environmental Protection Agency and pass environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. According to earthday.org, around 1 billion people in 192 countries now take part in Earth Day each year on April 22nd.

Which environmental issue hits home for you? Figure out what it is, and go out and make a difference this Earth Day. Maybe you organize a group of friends to plant trees or pick up trash. Or, perhaps you just want to start by getting educated about this awe-inspiring place we call Earth. If that’s the case, then keep on reading!

NASA’s new book “Earth” tells the story of a 4.5-billion-year-old planet that offers so much to admire. Through rare satellite images, the book shows off Earth’s land, wind, water, ice and air from above. Explore waves off the coast of Mauritania, Coral Cocos of the Indian Ocean, colorful faults of Xinjiang China, and the North Patagonian Icefield in South America. You will be blown away by what you learn about the intersection amongst Earth and its people, like the Moken people of Southeast Asia, whose hunter-gatherer lifestyle and small population have helped preserve and protect the high density of plants and animals in the Mergui Archipelago. Side note – if you love to travel, flipping through this book will inspire several unique ideas for your next destination. Be dazzled by descriptions and images of the phenomenon known as glory (which looks similar to a rainbow but is formed differently), undular bores, active stratovolcanoes, fallstreak holes (formed by ice crystals that literally fall out of the sky), and milky green water from a boom of phytoplankton.

Click on image to enlarge.

When reading through this book, you will start to view Earth as NASA does. That is, a system, with various cycles and processes that are not mutually exclusive, but rather dynamic and intersecting. It can be overwhelming to think about. Even NASA admits that it still has much to learn and explore on our own planet.

Though it’s fun to dream about our planetary neighbors and space travel, the reality is that Earth is the only place most of us will ever call home. To really care about the Earth, we first have to understand how it works. While we have relied on it for so long, and always will, our Earth needs us now more than ever. Happy Earth Day!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | NASA, Science & Technology | Tagged: earth, earth day, Earth Day 2019, earth science, Lawrence Friedl, Mauritania, Mergui Archipelago, NASA, North Patagonia Icefield, undular bore | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

The out-of-this-world NASA calendar

April 8, 2019

2019 Explore Science. The selected images from outer space in the calendar are nature’s art. Each is a moment in space and time that represents the efforts of many individuals committed to the scientific pursuit of knowledge and advancement of humankind.

Close your eyes and visualize the fantastic photography that characterizes the 2019 NASA Calendar. Here’s are brief descriptions of images featured in this year’s calendar to “just imagine.”

May: Tracking Landslide Potential in the Americas. Thanks to a new landslide model and detailed satellite measurements of precipitation made by NASA, scientists can look at landslide threats anywhere in the world in real time.

July: Celebrating 50 Years Since America Landed on the Moon. Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, carrying Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.

October: The Bluest Blue. The part of this iceberg in Antarctica’s McMurdo Sound that is below the water surface appears vibrant blue primarily due to the blue light from the water in the sound.

To adventure into outer space you can purchase one of the now limited editions of NASA 2019 calendars still available.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THE 2019 EXPLORE SCIENCE NASA CALENDAR?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

Leave a Comment » | Calendars, NASA, Science & Technology | Tagged: explore science, NASA, NASA 2019 calendar, NASA calendar, science calendar, space exploration | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

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The out-of-this-world NASA calendar

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