NASA astronaut Major General Joe Engle will speak at the Cosmosphere tonight - Friday, July 3 - at 7 p.m. in a presentation that's free and open to the public.

A native Kansan, Engle was an X-15 pilot and spacecraft Commander on Shuttle missions. The following morning, he will be the Grand Marshal in the Hutchinson Fourth of July Parade. Engle was the youngest pilot ever to qualify as an astronaut in 1965 when he flew the X-15 to an altitude of 280,600 feet. In 1981, Engle commanded the second orbital test flight of the Space Shuttle "Columbia," and became the first and only pilot to manually fly an aerospace vehicle from Mach 25 to landing. Engle was Commander of Space Shuttle "Discovery" on flight 51-I in 1985. The crew deployed three communications satellites, and performed a successful on-orbit rendezvous and manual repair of a disabled communications satellite. Engle has flown over 185 different types of aircraft including 38 different fighter and attack aircraft. He has logged more than 14,700 flight hours - 9,900 in jets and over 224 hours in space. His military decorations include the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster. He has also been awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and NASA Space Flight Medal with device.

As "Test Pilot Emeritus" of the USAF Test Pilot School, he remains active in flying, including current jet fighter aircraft, and is also an avid outdoor sportsman and wildlife enthusiast. He has been inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame, the Astronaut Hall of Fame, and in 2001 he was one of four aviation pioneers enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

The "Trophy Trout," given to Pad Leader Guenter Wendt by astronaut Mike Collins on July 16, 1969, has a new home at the Cosmosphere. It is on load from Leon Ford.

The trout was "fresh" when nailed on the board and presented to Wendt. He had it in his freezer for 14 years before he found someone who could freeze dry and preserve it.

The Trophy Trout will eventually be on display at the Cosmosphere, along with other gifts the astronauts exchanged. Many of them were gag gifts, but a fresh trout took that up a notch.

During Coffee at the Cosmosphere in June, Chris Orwoll told the story of the now famous trout.

Hello again fellow stargazers! Its time to talk about what's happening in the sky during May.

The constellations of winter including, Orion the hunter, Canis Major the dog, Taurus the bull, and Gemini the twins hang low in the western sky immediately after sunset. You can still catch a glimpse of these stragglers of winter if you do so in the next week or two. After that, they will be lost in the Sun's glare, not to return to the evening sky until next winter.

The spring constellation, Leo the lion, reigns high overhead at sunset, dominating the spring sky. Just below Leo's hind end lies beautiful, yellow Saturn. A small telescope reveals Saturn's rings, which are currently tilted at 4 degrees from our point of view here on Earth. Saturn's largest moon Titan also can be seen in a small telescope. Saturn is currently positioned well for observing, because objects high overhead are viewed through less layers of atmosphere than those found closer to the horizon.

During the first two weeks of May, Mercury lies low on the western horizon immediately after sunset just to the right of the lovely seven sisters, otherwise knows as the Pleides. Seeing this illusive little planet will require patience and a clear western horizon. A pair of binoculars wouldn't hurt either. During the second half of May, Mercury becomes lost in the Sun's glare.

The other three naked-eye planets grace the morning sky before dawn. First to rise is mighty Jupiter which lies high in the southeast about an hour before sunrise. Jupiter is the second brightest planet and easily outshines all other stars in the area. A small telescope will reveal cloud bands and Jupiter's four largest moons discovered by Galileo in the 1600's. Look for a close conjunction with Jupiter and the moon on the morning of May 17.

To the lower left of Jupiter and in the east is brilliant Venus, the brightest planet and third brightest object in the sky. You should have no trouble finding this bright beacon hanging above the eastern horizon. And just below Venus is much fainter, red Mars. A thumbnail crescent moon will form a triangle with the planetary pair on the morning of May 21, creating quite a stunning sight.

And now its time for Mr. Brad's monthly astronomy tip.

If you think you might be interested in pursuing astronomy as a hobby but aren't sure, I recommend beginning with a pair of binoculars. If your interest grows, you can invest in a telescope later. Less than fifty dollars will buy a pair of binoculars suitable for astronomy. I recommend a pair of 7 x 35, 7 x 50, or 10 x50 binoculars. Don't buy the compact models. They don't work as well because they don't gather enough light for good viewing. Many wannabe astronomers begin with a telescope and when they lose interest in the hobby, their telescope ends up in a closet or attic collecting dust. But a pair of binoculars can be used for many other activities, such as camping, hiking, hunting, sporting events, spying on the neighbors – okay not spying on the neighbors, but you get the idea. Lots of people already own binoculars, but haven't thought of turning them toward the sky. Try it – you'll be delighted! And that's my monthly tip!

Until next time, Happy Stargazing!

Brad

Hello, it's me Demetree Gaines. In the month of June I will host a Space Food Teachers Workshop here at the Cosmosphere. Space Food is a really interesting subject. Like so many other space subjects it can traverse to other focuses that are just as interesting as the main subject. We all know about how astronauts have to exercise in space yet we don't know all the reasons for that. We know that the environment of space affects our bodies differently than the Earth does, but what are those effects? What works different? Are there things that don't work at all? All of these questions can be investigated and answered in the space food workshop alone. One of the more cool subjects that will be discussed is NASA food spin offs'. What have been the contributions of the NASA food research that have affected our everyday life? All these questions and more will be answered in the new teacher work shop Space Food.

Greetings. My name is Brad Nuest and I am the newest addition to the Cosmosphere educators. I've been a space fanatic for a long time, so I am pleased to be working at the Cosmosphere - the Mecca of all things space in the heart of America.

Although I love space exploration, my chief interest is astronomy. The seeds of my passion were planted in sixth grade science class by a teacher who was himself an amateur astronomer. He taught an in-depth unit on the subject, and even invited us out one evening for a peek through his reflecting telescope. I will never forget my first view of Saturn with its gorgeous rings. I had seen Saturn in pictures numerous times, but seeing it with my own eyes was quite surreal. It was as if someone had placed a little Saturn sticker on the main lens of the telescope, and that is what I was seeing. In fact, when I show people Saturn today, that is a comment I often hear. "Are sure that's really Saturn and not just a sticker?" Yep it's really Saturn - honest.

Sixth grade astronomy class left me hooked on the subject. Before that unit, I couldn't even find the Big Dipper, but within six months I could pick out all of the major constellations. Here's to you, Mr. Moore, wherever you are! Teachers really do make a difference.

Since then, astronomy has remained a large part of my life. At times, it has taken a back seat to some of my other interests, but I never fail to look up when I'm outside at night, often tripping and walking into things due to not watching where I am going.

Okay enough about me already. What's going on in the sky this month?

Venus is brilliant in the west, easliy outshining all of the stars. It is quickly sinking toward the western horizon every evening this month. The gap between Venus and Earth is steadily closing and our nearest neighbor will soon be at its closest approach with Earth. Because of this, the size of Venus is fairly large in a telescope, and interestingly it appears as a thin crescent. Venus goes through phases like the moon because its orbit is inside our own. Because of this, we are always looking at some of the sunlit side and some of the dark side.

Yellow Saturn will be under the hind end of Leo the Lion and rises in the east around sunset. The rings are currently close to edge on, but will open up slightly as the month progresses, making them ever-so-slightly visible in a telescope. By September the rings will be exactly edge-on as we see them from Earth, causing them to virtually disappear in a telescope.

Jupiter and Mars, rise in the east right before sunrise. If you are an early riser, see if you can catch them in the early morning twilight. Jupiter is very bright and rises before ruddy Mars which will be lower and to the left of Jupiter.

Mercury is all but lost in the morning twilight.

This year is the International Year of Astronomy, celebrating 400 years of the telescope, so be on the lookout for opportunities to stargaze with the Cosmosphere throughout the rest of this year.

Until next time. Happy stargazing!

Brad

The holidays have come and gone and now it is time to get back to work and blogging! I sincerely hope that you all enjoyed the holiday season and I would like to thank all of you who made the trip to the Cosmosphere during the Holidays. I saw an old high school classmate who made the trip and she and her family thoroughly enjoyed it. Hi Heidi!

What does the new year have in store for the Cosmosphere Education team? That is a wonderful question and I am glad that you asked. We now have the tools, as Howie pointed out, to reach out to you wherever you are. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in helping us refine this new outreach medium (for us). We would be happy to set up a Skype session with your class on one of the following subjects: Rocketry (two fifteen minute lessons), Living in Space: Human Physiology and the effects of microgravity (two twenty minute lessons), Moon, Mars and Beyond Overview (20 minutes) or Backyard astronomy (2 fifteen minute lessons). Each Skype session will come with pre and post outreach activities and we will begin scheduling virtual outreach from the Cosmoverse in mid February. Contact Howie George (howieg@cosmo.org) or me/Joel Walker (joelw@cosmo.org) to set up your classroom session soon.

Many of our classrooms are undergoing major facelifts as well. From new graphics to new AV to a brand new Space Station experience, the Cosmosphere's education spaces are moving up. We will even be unveiling a new public show in our Discovery Classroom entitled Living in Space soon. Look for new things to do at the Cos. All of this is thanks to funds from the Patty Carey Memorial Education Fund. We continue to honor Patty whenever and wherever we can.

Speaking of Patty, come see the original star ball that she used in the Hutchinson Planetarium. We just brought it back from Kismet, KS and have it on display. Eventually it will be part of a permanent display on Patty Carey and her role in shaping the Cosmosphere today.

There is so many new and exciting things going on here that I could write forever, but I am sure that you don't want to read me ramble on and on. Just be on the lookout for Howie, Demetree or I appearing in a video near you (selfless promotion...I love it!)

Hello out there in the Cosmoverse! Hope you all had wonderful holidays, as did I.

I have fantastic news for you! The education department got a couple "Flip" video cameras today to help us get started bringing the "Virtual Cosmosphere" out to you via "podcasting" and "teacher tube" to mention a couple ways.

We decided to do some cool podcast demos to start with things like: "How to crush a can with air pressure" and "How to use the bathroom in space". Once we get a few of those out there, we are planning to give you the entire "Hall of Space Museum" all via the Cosmoverse. Cool, huh?

We also got a couple webcams to start "skyping" with you. If you have a classroom with kids full of questions that we can help answer, let us know and we will set up a time to talk to them live "in person" via the Cosmoverse... even cooler stuff.

You may be thinking that if we do all that, you won't ever have to come to the Cosmosphere. Well, let me ask you a question. If I showed you a picture of a beach with white sand and blue water, would you be happy? Or, would you rather be on the beach experiencing it for yourself? Same thing goes for a moon rock picked up by Neil & Buzz. How about Liberty Bell 7, Gemini X, Apollo 13? The real things, all right here at the Cosmosphere and so much more. Pictures or in person?...your choice, but like the beach...there's nothing like being there.

One way or the other, via blog, via skype, a podcast, or my favorite- in person, I'll see you soon!

Until next time, Howie G Skype: cosmohowieg

Hello Cosmoverse, it's Howie G again!

It's Christmas Eve as I share my thoughts. The first thought I have today is that, "dang, I'm old". I say that because my son is celebrating his 27th birthday today. The kid (?) is pretty smart (you know the apple doesn't fall...). He took the advice I gave him at least once.

When he started school, the kids got to start using these crazy things they called Apple computers. He got in on the ground floor and it was normal stuff for him. Over the years he learned both platforms & became very adept at using them. One Christmas, we got the kids (son & daughter) this hot new thing called Nintendo. We had to pry their fingers (mostly his) off of the controllers.

Then it was Nintendo 64 & Super Nintendo as I recall. He was glued to that stuff. We did take time away to be involved in Boy Scouts together, so we did get out of the house once in a while & I'm still very proud of my Eagle Scout.

He and a couple of his buddies started a computer consulting/building company before they finished high school. They held their own, didn't make millionaires of themselves, but did okay.

After high school, it seemed he just sat around in front of the dang computer, played games & did nothing for a year. One day he announced he wanted to go to a specialized college in Florida. Well son, why there and for what? "Computer game design" was the reply. "Huh?" was mine.

Long story short, he went & graduated in the top of the class & now makes computer games for a living out in L.A. He plays games for a living & gets paid to do it!!!

The advice I gave him? "Find something you like to do and then find a way to make money at it". Good for you son.

I even took my own advice & gave up lots of vacation time & money at the place I put in 27 years at to come to work for The Cosmosphere. I get to blow things up, light things on fire, play with all kinds of cool toys, go to fascinating places and hopefully all while inspiring young people. I even get paid to do it!

Happiness is way more important than lots of things at my age.

I wish you all out there in the Cosmoverse the Happiest Christmas & the Happiest New Year ever!

Done rambling for now except to say- Happy Birthday Travis! - Love Dad.

Moonoverse Blog

Hello, my name is Demetree Gaines. I'm a Space Science Educator at the Cosmosphere. I just started here a year ago, but I take education very seriously. Teachers are definitely important to our society, our children and our future. So I have taken it upon myself to give you my special attention. That being said, on our web site you can get info about the teacher workshops that are going to be held here at the Cosmosphere throughout the year. Well, look out! I have added a new one. I want all my cosmoblogers out there to hear about it first. So, what is this new and exciting workshop that I speak of? I thought you would never ask. It's called "Moonoverse: Moons of the Solar System." I built this workshop for a special group of teachers from Council Grove Kansas, who asked for something new. However, I am inviting all educators to attend. Come one. Come all! We will talk about all the moons of the our solar system; how they were formed, who saw them first, what planets they belong to, and last but not least, what are the classifications for moons, planets, and dwarf planets. As always the experience will be jam packed with power points, resources, activities and free stuff. But most important, this workshop, like most of them, will offer the opportunity for college credit. I can hear pounding on the doors already. So get the lead out. Don't be the last one to jump on board. Tell a friend. Bring a friend. Contact myself or Laurie Given at the Cosmosphere and join us for the latest addition to the award winning education department workshop line up; "Moonoverse: Moons of the Solar System."

Hi everyone! Welcome to my first ever blog! I don't even know what that stands for or if it stands for anything at all. The boss, Joel, told me I needed to get to writing one of these, so here I am...

My given name is Harold George, but here at The Cos, I go by 'Howie G'. Then I'll go on to tell you the 'G' stands for genius... (most of the time Goofy).

January 2009 will be my 11th year here and I'm still loving it. I started as a part time presenter of the "Probe into Space- Space Exploration Merit Badge" for Boy Scouts on January 18th of that year. After a few years as a part timer, the Cos and I decided we needed each other on a full time basis. I became the "Scout Programs Manager" as my primary function along with being a director for our summer Future Astronaut Training Program and "other jobs as assigned" (gotta have that clause in the job description).

I just had a meeting with Joel this week and it was decided that I get to investigate all the possibilities of getting out into the virtual world. Tom coined the word "Cosmoverse" and I think I like it. Anyway, I am so excited about all this new technology that I get to play with, all in the line of duty.

Today I "skyped" with a class of 5th graders in El Paso that I met the teacher on one of my new resources called "plurk". That was fun and the kids actually learned some stuff from Howie G! So, I know that I never heard of 'skype' and 'plurk' before about a month ago, how about you? To skype is to make a free internet phone call and with video! It's like the Jetson's! (Reminds me, how come we aren't all driving cars that fly?) To plurk is to have an instant message posted so that a group of your chosen virtual 'friends' can respond. I have created a group that consists mainly of educators to enhance my learning efforts in this newest of technology (to me anyway).

This is exciting for me, an old dog learning new tricks, lots of tricks, maybe too many tricks??? Naaaaa, this old dog is looking forward to jumping through new hoops to inspire the youth of the world. Wow, I just said the world instead of the local kids... that's a bit scary, but together I think we can, I think we can...

Blog at you soon, Howie G