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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Atlantis Farewell from Parkes
NASA ^ | July 21, 2011 | (see photo credit)

Posted on 07/21/2011 3:07:36 AM PDT by SunkenCiv

Explanation: The Parkes 64 meter radio telescope is known for its contribution to human spaceflight, famously supplying television images from the Moon to denizens of planet Earth during Apollo 11. The enormous, steerable, single dish looms in the foreground of this early evening skyscape. Above it, the starry skies of New South Wales, Australia include familiar southerly constellations Vela, Puppis, and Hydra along with a sight that will never be seen again. Still glinting in sunlight and streaking right to left just below the radio telescope's focus cabin, the space shuttle orbiter Atlantis has just undocked with the International Space Station for the final time. The space station itself follows arcing from the lower right corner of the frame, about two minutes behind Atlantis in low Earth orbit. Atlantis is set for its final landing early this morning (July 21, 5:56am EDT) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

July 21, 2011

(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; australia; newsouthwales; science; spaceshuttle
[ Image Credit &Copyright: John Sarkissian (CSIRO Parkes Observatory)]

1 posted on 07/21/2011 3:07:45 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
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To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...

Here's links, one to today's "live" thread regarding Shuttle Atlantis' final reentry and the end of the STS era; the other an interesting extra, which will probably emerge as an APoD in the near future.

Thanks KevinDavis & Red Badger:

2 posted on 07/21/2011 3:10:08 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Yes, as a matter of fact, it is that time again -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

Saw the landing for the last time of the Shuttle Atlantis.


3 posted on 07/21/2011 3:24:34 AM PDT by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
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To: SunkenCiv

“Job well done, America.”


4 posted on 07/21/2011 3:31:42 AM PDT by the invisib1e hand ("America will cease to be great when America ceases to be good." -- Welcome to deToqueville.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Wondeful true movie about the Parkes radiotelescope called “The Dish.” Lots of fun and highly recommended.


5 posted on 07/21/2011 6:31:59 AM PDT by Jack Hammer
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To: SunkenCiv

Sad.


6 posted on 07/21/2011 7:06:33 AM PDT by TheOldLady (FReepmail me to get ON or OFF the ZOT LIGHTNING ping list.)
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To: Jack Hammer

I second the motion! Anyone who is on this ping list would love “The Dish,” a terrific movie. And very family friendly.


7 posted on 07/21/2011 9:57:53 AM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: Jack Hammer

Thanks Jack Hammer.


8 posted on 07/21/2011 7:39:50 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Yes, as a matter of fact, it is that time again -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: Biggirl; the invisib1e hand; TheOldLady; colorado tanker

Thanks!


9 posted on 07/21/2011 7:41:23 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Yes, as a matter of fact, it is that time again -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

Your Welcome!


10 posted on 07/22/2011 2:40:37 AM PDT by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
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