Tag: space

October 3rd Astronomy Day

October Holidays

Today we celebrate all that surrounds us in space. The galaxy, the stars, the planets and generally anything dealing with space. Astronomy, of course, is the study of all things concerning space but also things that are no longer in existence, since many of the stars we see have already burned out since the image was made present. It can take up to thousands of years to see that light from deep space. The science is sometimes referred to “Seeing the past”. This day was created by Doug Berger in 1973 to honor those who study space and all that goes along with it.

How to celebrate – Break out your telescope! Study the stars. Join an astronomy club.

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June 30th Meteor Day

June Holidays

We more commonly call meteors “Fallen Stars” or “Shooting Stars” and a lot of us watch the sky for them, sometimes to make a wish, other times just to marvel at the universe around us. A meteor is not all that interesting actually, it is space dust (or junk) and ice, making it’s way through our atmosphere looking like a ball of fire. They can somewhat be projected with January, April, May, July, August, October, November and December having the most activity. Check you internet for what meteor showers normal come when.

How to celebrate – Catch a falling star… (No don’t really, you won’t like the results). Watch for “Shooting Stars”. Become a student of Astronomy.

May 26th Sally Ride Day

May Holidays

Sally Ride was the first female American astronaut, third female over-all, and the youngest woman at 32, to be launched into outer space. She was a port of the STS-7 crew of June 18th, 1983. May 26th was her birthday, 1951. She was a physicist as well as an astronaut who opened the doors for other female astronauts in the American space program. She died in 2012 after a 17 month battle with cancer.

How to celebrate – Read about Sally Ride’s accomplishments. Find out how many other women made it into the space program. Learn about the Russian women in space.

May 6th Space Day

May Holidays

Lockheed Martin created the first space day back in 1997, you can kinda understand why considering the source. John Glenn made it an International Day in 2001, again we can easily see his interest in the subject. That said, space has held the imagination of people since time began and as it stated in “Star Trek”, it is the final frontier. We will ever begin to colonize space? It’s sort looking like we might, so who knows, maybe your future home could be on the Moon! Space Day is always celebrated the 1st Friday in May.

How to celebrate – Study space. Study the space program. Book a flight into space.

April 26th Alien Day

April Holidays

April 26th Alien Day

You might think this day is about the little green men from Mars but you’d be wrong.  Today is about Ridley Scott’s planet LV-426 in the movie “Alien”, a 1979 20th Century Fox release. We all probably remember it best for that Alien that popped out of people’s chests as though they were giving birth. It is what it is and like most series, it got less believable over the many remakes but the original is still a fan favorite.

How to celebrate – Watch an “Alien” movie. Visit planet LV-426. Pretend like you are an astronaut.

January 27th Florida Space Day

January holidays

JANUARY 27th Florida Space Day

Today we celebrate the Space Industry in Florida which is huge in Central Florida. Florida suffered a great deal when the Space Industry was stopped by the national Government several years ago but now thanks to private industry, it is returning… just showing again if you leave something up to the private sector they can succeed where government fails. The only catch is, apparently there are about 50 different days we celebrate the Space Industry so it’s pretty much your pick!

How to celebrate – Visit the Space Coast. Read about the billion-dollar Space Industry. Celebrate all Space Industry days.

November 28th Red Planet Day

November holidays

Of course we are talking about Mars, the red planet, red because of it’s atmosphere. But it has always been thought to be a violent planet, a planet of war and just because it’s red. Actually it’s surface may be better for us than Venus which sounds so much more friendly. It is the 4th planet in our Solar System and so, just one planet away from us. It is a dream to reach Mars, and maybe someday we will. The problem is, even if we get there, what do we do with it?

How to celebrate – Read about Mariner 4’s visit to Mars on July 14th, 1965. If Mars is red, why are the aliens always green? Plan your space travel early.

July 20th Moon Day

July Holidays

Today we celebrate Neil Armstrong’s footsteps on the moon in 1969. “The Eagle has landed” referred to Apollo 11’s successful trip to the moon, Armstrong stating, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” as he stepped on the surface of the moon. Sadly, we haven’t been back since. Still it’s a part of history, which very few care about anymore, but an accomplishment you should reflect on every time you look up at the moon.

How to celebrate – Read about the exploration of space. Book your own private trip to the moon. Become an astronaut.

June 30th Meteor Day

June Holidays

When you star gaze you will often find falling stars, or meteors, entering our atmosphere and burning up. It is a natural, and rather common, sight to see though it does seem to happen more in the winter months than the summer months. Most burn up before they hit the earth but some do get through. The most famous occurred in Siberia in 1908 which cut a path through 40 miles of territory destroying trees, a few buildings and knocking some people out. That happened on June 30th and probably is the reason for today becoming Meteor Day.

How to celebrate – Star gaze tonight. Visit sites where meteors have landed. Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket.

May 7th Space Day

May Holidays

The first Friday in May is always Space Day. Why, well… that’s not really clear but let’s just accept it and go with it. The day was created by the Lockheed Martin Corporation in 1997 in order to try and get more students interested in space and the complex industry that goes along with it. Today, depending on which political party is in control, the space industry is more private than public, which actually makes things great for workers but not so much for the industry itself. Space may hold many answers for mankind as we progress, it’s too bad the progressives can’t see that.

How to celebrate – Find something about space to become interested in. Become an astronomer. Watch Star Wars.