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A $6 million University of Colorado Boulder instrument designed to study the behavior of lunar dust will be riding on a NASA mission to the moon now slated for launch on Friday, Sept. 6, from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
The mission, known as the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer, or LADEE, will orbit the moon to better understand its tenuous atmosphere and whether dust particles are being lofted high off its surface.
The $280 million LADEE mission, designed, developed, integrated and tested at NASA's AMES Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., will take about a month to reach the moon and another month to enter the proper elliptical orbit and to commission the instruments. A 100-day science effort will follow.
“We are ready and excited for launch,” said CU-Boulder physics Professor Mihaly Horanyi of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, principal investigator for the Lunar Dust Experiment, or LDEX. “We think our instrument can help answer some important questions related to the presence and transport of dust in the lunar atmosphere.”
One unanswered question since the days of the Apollo program is why astronauts saw a pre-sunrise glow above the lunar horizon, said Horanyi, who directs LASP's Colorado Center for Lunar Dust and Atmospheric Studies. “The glow has been suggested to be caused by dust particles that were electrically charged by solar ultraviolet light, causing them to lift off from the moon's surface.”
About the size of a small toaster oven, the LDEX instrument will be able to chart the existence, size and individual velocities of tiny dust particles as small as 0.6 microns in diameter. For comparison, a standard sheet of paper is about 100 microns thick.
A collision between a dust particle and a hemisphere-shaped target on LDEX generates a unique electrical signal inside the instrument to allow scientists to detect individual particles, said Horanyi.
Horanyi said clouds of dust specks seemingly observed by astronauts hovering over the moon likely weren't clouds at all.
“If you watch a cement truck on the highway, it seems to be carrying a dust cloud along with it. But what is actually happening is that every speck of dirt coming off the truck is falling onto the highway,” he said.
“The specks have very short lifespans, and the cloud that appears to surround the truck is actually a continual rain of dust from the vehicle to the pavement,” he said. “Similarly, the smallest lunar dust particles could also continually lift off and fall back onto the surface.”
Knowing more about the behavior of lunar dust could be of use for future human expeditions to the moon, including potential colonization efforts.
Learning more about lunar dust also might help scientists better understand dust on other moons in the solar system – like Phobos and Deimos that orbit Mars – that have been suggested by some as possible initial landing posts for crewed missions headed to the Red Planet.
LADEE also is carrying an ultraviolet and visible light spectrometer, a neutral mass spectrometer and a lunar laser communications demonstration.
Astronauts walking on the moon sank into a shallow layer of dust, thought to be a product of millions of years of meteoric and interstellar particle bombardment, he said. “The beauty of physics is that we believe the same processes occur throughout the universe,” he said. “What we see on the moon may well apply to Mercury, Phobos, Deimos or asteroids, which all have very tenuous atmospheres.”
When the LADEE spacecraft is inserted into an elliptical orbit, its closest approach will be less than 20 miles from the lunar surface. “The closer we can get to the surface the better,” he said.
“This is a very exciting mission that will answer an almost 50-year-old question in space science,” said CU-Boulder graduate student Jamey Szalay, who is writing data analysis software for the mission that will allow the team to analyze science results immediately after data is received from the spacecraft. “Given the convenient duration of the mission and promising science return, I'm very fortunate to be a part of the science team – it's a dream project for any graduate student in space sciences to be working on.”
Horanyi also is the principal investigator on CU-Boulder's Student Dust Counter, a simpler instrument than LDEX flying on NASA's New Horizons mission that was launched in 2006 to explore Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, a massive region beyond the planets containing icy objects left over from the formation of the solar system.
The Student Dust Counter was designed, built, tested and operated entirely by students, primarily undergraduates, at LASP and has been collecting data for the past seven years. New Horizons is now more than 2.5 billion miles from Earth and will arrive at Pluto in two years.
CU-Boulder researcher David James, who now is working on LDEX, got his start helping to build SDC.
“Although I was a student in a lab back then, it was almost like working in the private sector,” said James, who eventually received his doctorate from CU-Boulder. “We were building an instrument that was going to Pluto. It was an amazing experience with huge responsibilities, it pushed us to do our best, and it definitely shaped who I am today.”
The LDEX instrument, as well as many previous LASP instruments launched into space since the 1970s, will carry a laser engraving of the CU mascot, Ralphie the Buffalo, as well as the names of all university people who participated in the project, from students and scientists to engineers and administrative support staff.
“It's like adding a touch of history to the mission, perhaps for good luck and pride,” said Horanyi. “After all, this is the University of Colorado.”
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Fair is under way for another year, with thousands of people visiting the event to enjoy the rides, exhibits and animal shows.
The fair enters is final day on Sunday, and the video above captures some of this year's highlights.
The Sunday schedule is below.
Visit www.lakecountyfair.com for more information.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 1
Special attractions
– Fiesta Latina Day
– Carnival Pay-One-Price Day $25 purchase in the carnival.
– Walk on contests take place at various times throughout the day. Visit the exhibit buildings to join the fun.
– Draft horse wagon rides sponsored by Calpine, climbing wall and mechanical bull all at the Donley Barn.
– Aunt Mary’s Art Center, in Fiesta Park; look for posted times.
– Mickey the Clown, strolling balloon sculptor Fill-up and magician Ken Garr can be found performing throughout the grounds, plus much more.
Schedule
8 a.m.: Open rabbit show, Mather Building
11 a.m.: Gates open
11:30 a.m.: The “E” Ticket Band, Theatre Main Stage
12 p.m.: The Cherry Road Gang, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
1:30 p.m.: The “E” Ticket Band, Theatre Main Stage
2 p.m.: The Cherry Road Gang, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
3 p.m.: Fiesta Latina starts, Irma Lopez, Theatre Main Stage; Konocti Klogging Kids, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
4 p.m.: 4-H and FFA Award Ceremony, Baldwin Pavilion
5 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
5:30 p.m.: Nuevos Abentureros, Theatre Main Stage
7:30 p.m.: Demolition Derby & Burnout Contest, presented by Lake County Tribal Health, Main Grandstands
7:30 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
8 p.m. Banda la Tequilera, presented by Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino
9 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
10 p.m.: Buildings close
11 p.m.: Fair closes
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – In Lake County, where most of the schools bear geography-related names, Minnie Cannon Elementary School is distinctive.
Out of the handful of schools named for people, Minnie Cannon Elementary School in Middletown is the only one named for a woman.
By all accounts, Minnie Ozenberger Cannon was a well-loved and respected teacher who taught three generations of students during her 79 years in Lake County.
Newspaper articles pay tribute to her “goodness and kindness” and the “love and good cheer” that she radiated to children.
The Middletown Times-Star described her as “one of the best-loved teachers this area has ever known.”
Minnie Ozenberger was born in 1868 in Missouri, the eldest of three children.
Joseph and Emily Ozenberger and their daughters Minnie, Iva and Gertrude moved west from Missouri to Washington in the early 1870s.
After another move and a brief sojourn in Southern California, the Ozenberger family settled in Lake County.
Minnie graduated from the State Normal School for teachers in San Jose and returned to Lake County to teach. She was still a teenager herself when she began teaching in 1887 in Lake County’s small one-room schools.
Minnie taught at High Valley School, Mountain View School and Pine Mountain School in the 1880s; in 1891 she taught at Middletown School.
In 1902 Minnie married Robert B. Cannon, a Middletown merchant. During their 30-year marriage, she taught for some years and for about 10 years assisted Robert in running a general store. Robert and Minnie had no children of their own.
Robert died in 1932 and Minnie resumed teaching. Following her retirement in 1935, Minnie continued her service to Middletown as a member of the local Presbyterian church. She held many volunteer positions there and was even ordained an elder, very unusual for a woman at that time.
Middletown, Callayomi and St. Helena school districts formed a unified Middletown district in 1925, and a new elementary school was built there in 1926.
Middletown students attended that school until 1958, when Minnie Cannon Elementary School replaced it. The Native Daughters of the Golden West proposed that the new school be named for Minnie Cannon in recognition of her standing in the community.
On Sept. 28, 1958, Middletown dedicated the new school as the finale to the Middletown Reunion, an event that brought together current and former residents in a grand three-day celebration.
Minnie attended the dedication, but health problems made it difficult for her to speak. Her niece Evelyn Nelson spoke in her stead, expressing “Mrs. Cannon’s pleasure for the honor bestowed and [she] stated it marked the most outstanding event of her 91 years.”
Minnie’s health had declined after she broke a hip in 1955. Her sister and niece cared for her until her condition required more professional care in 1961. Minnie then moved to the Calistoga Hospital, where she died July 29, 1963, at the age of 95.
Her funeral was held at Middletown’s Community Church and she was buried in Middletown Cemetery.
A few days after she died, the Middletown Times-Star (8/2/1963) published a long article on Minnie’s life and what she accomplished in and for Middletown.
A quote from the article says it well: “Perhaps the most accurate indicator of her goodness lay in the devotion & respect held for her through the years by the long list of those who ‘went to school to Minnie.’”
Note: Sources for this article were articles from the Middletown Times-Star on microfilm in the collection of the Lake County Library; the Mauldin Notes; and www.cagenweb.com/lake/lakeschools.htm .
Jan Cook has lived in Lake County for about 40 years. She works for the Lake County Library, is the editor of the Lake County Historical Society's Pomo Bulletin and is a history correspondent for Lake County News. If you have questions or comments please contact Jan at
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – In 2012, Mary Hannah Brown graduated from Kelseyville High School. In August of this year she – and the horse she rode in on – graduated into the ranks of the very best in a world-class competition in Oklahoma City.
The event was the Built Ford Tough American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show in which Brown captured the Western riding discipline title for exhibitors 18 years and under.
Brown showed an American Quarter Horse named Zippos Petite Prince to win out over 77 other entries in her division on Aug. 3.
The horse is owned by Carol Thomsen of Nicolaus, Calif., and is a 13-year-old sorrel gelding sired by Petite Lord and out of Zippo King Bars, who was bred by Kramer/Davis of Bradenton, Fla.
For her championship, Brown was awarded a custom-designed gold trophy; Montana Silversmiths buckle; specially designed logoed jacket, courtesy of Cripple Creek Outerwear; a WeatherBeeta embroidered blanket; world champion patch; neck wreath; and a gold medallion.
On Aug. 6, at the same competition, Brown and Zippos Petite Prince also captured a third place in horsemanship, in a field that featured 175 entries.
Brown's world title may be unprecedented for teenaged riders in Lake County. She told Lake County News that it was “like a dream come true.”
To be eligible to compete in Oklahoma City, Mary Hannah had to earn a predetermined number of points in the Western discipline in prior events.
The same was true in other classes, including halter, English and western disciplines, encompassing more than 2,300 entries from the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Venezuela.
In all, the young riders competed for 35 world championships.
Once in Oklahoma City, Brown earned a place among 15 finalists from the original field of 78 in the Western discipline.
Entering her sophomore year as a nursing major at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Brown said she has been riding since she was 7 years old.
Her enduring friendship with Thomsen and the fact that she had worked with Zippos Petite Prince for three years led to showing in the Ford Tough competition.
The horse had been in prior shows, but not recently, and had some success.
He also had some unique qualities.
“He's honest and he won't try to cheat you,” Brown said. “He knows what you want him to do before you ask. But he won't do anything until you ask. I ride him like he's my horse.”
Brown said she was not completely surprised by the world championship.
“I knew I was capable and I knew I could do it as long as everything went well,” she said.
Asked for a physical description of Zippo King Bars, Brown said, “Well, he has a white star on his face and in my eyes he's perfect.”
Email John Lindblom at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Five adult dogs are waiting for adoption this week at Lake County Animal Care and Control.
There are three males and two females, with breeds including terriers, Chihuahuas and Labrador Retrievers.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
'Bear'
“Bear” is a 1-year-old Labrador Retriever mix.
He has a short black coat, weighs 66 pounds and has been altered.
Shelter staff said Bear is very friendly, gentle and mellow, and would make a great family pet, as he's good with kids. He's also scared of cats.
He's currently in foster care, ID No. 37345.
Jack Russell Terrier mix
This male Jack Russell Terrier mix is 5 years old.
He has a short brown and white coat, and weighs nearly 17 pounds. Shelter staff did not report if he had been neutered.
Find him in kennel No. 13, ID No. 37657.
Pit bull terrier mix
This female pit bull terrier mix is 1 year old.
She has a short blue brindle coat and weighs nearly 40 pounds. Shelter staff did not report if she had been spayed.
He find her in kennel No. 15, ID No. 37634.
Female terrier mix
This female terrier mix is of undetermined age.
She's medium-sized at 16 pounds, and has a short brown and white coat. Shelter staff did not report if she had been altered.
Find her in kennel No. 22, ID No. 37678.
Chihuahua-terrier mix
This male Chihuahua-terrier mix is 4 years old.
He has a short black and white coat, and weighs 11 pounds. Shelter staff did not report if he had been neutered.
He's in kennel No. 27, ID No. 37679.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Cal Fire officials are urging Californians to be extra careful with their outdoor plans this holiday weekend, as fire activity and fire danger remain high statewide.
The Labor Day weekend is often known as the unofficial end of summer, and millions of people will take advantage of the holiday to visit California’s great outdoors.
In anticipation of the increased outdoor activities, Cal Fire officials are urging everyone to exercise extra caution and safety this Labor Day weekend.
“The past several weeks our firefighters have been extremely busy up and down the state with major wildfires including the over 200,000 acre Rim Fire burning near Yosemite National Park,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of Cal Fire. “All summer long the potential for wildfires has been much higher than normal and this weekend is no different.”
The increase in fire activity and the heightened fire potential have Cal Fire asking for the public’s help. “We need all residents and visitors to take steps to prevent wildfires,” said Pimlott. “It only takes one spark to ignite a major wildfire, and with over 9,000 firefighters already committed to the major fires burning in California, we must all do everything we can to prevent another.”
Cal Fire offers these important steps to help prevent wildfires:
Camping:
- Obtain a campfire permit.
- Check for loCal Fire restrictions.
- Clear away grass, leaves and other debris within a 10-foot perimeter of any campfire.
- Have a responsible person in attendance at all times.
- Ensure all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving.
- When barbequing, never leave the grill unattended.
- Watch the short video on campfire safety below.
Vehicles:
- Never pull over in dry grass.
- Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained.
- When towing ensure chains are not dragging on the ground.
- Check your tire pressure to avoid driving on an exposed wheel rim.
- Watch the short video above on preventing vehicle sparked wildfires.
One less spark, means one less wildfire. For more ways to be safe during Labor Day weekend visit www.PreventWildfireCA.org or the Cal Fire Web site at www.fire.ca.gov .