Kinda Cool When The Person Running A Great Big Ol’ Agency’s FB Account Decides Your Picture Is Worthy

Kids These Days...

Before judging the first round of submissions in the NASA / JPL Name the Mars 2020 Rover Contest, I didn’t quite know what to expect from the various young minds. I knew I was going to see the occasional Rover McRoverface, or the overly complicated acronyms.

However, some of these kids really got what this is all about. Their essays conveyed how much they really want to invest in science and the future of space exploration. You could see the amount of research that went into their name choices. Several times, I had to look up words or the meanings behind possible name choices. Leave it to me to accidentally ok a cool sounding name that belongs to an anime character who farts a lot. (didn’t really happen)

It wasn’t just the scientific names and essays that were rewarding. Some students wrote passionate essays about naming the rover after a beloved relative or pet. The level of respect and/or compassion from the minds of fifth graders almost had me in tears at some points.

mars.nasa.gov

Mars 2020 Rover

NASA Mars 2020 Rover - overview, videos, images and information

On May 27, Astronauts will launch to the ISS from Kennedy Space Center for the first time since 2011. They will be riding a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket. @nasa @spacex @nasakennedy #nasa #spacex #crewdragon #falcon9 #launchamerica https://www.instagram.com/p/CALu2hMn0fe/?igshid=15gx7nn66skei

The Pleiades - Messier 45 Imaged with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics / Observing With NASA Remote Telescope. Processing by John Brackett https://www.instagram.com/p/B5REi4HnAOV/?igshid=15vf2tgm5vbzj

NASA Airborne Science Program...

Super stoked! Found out earlier this week I’m now a part of the NASA Airborne Science Program. This opens up even more opportunities for me!

NASA

Patch: Airborne Science Program

Patch: Airborne Science Program

After several months, my SECOND “#1 NEW RELEASE”, is finally available in print! I was almost in tears when I took the pic of my daughter reading it. Thanks to Traci for the support! “Hello Luna, It’s Me Again” is an imaginary conversation with the Moon and a collection of lunar images from my own telescope. If you’re interested, it’s available on Amazon. Much love, and Thank You! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M577SW8/ . . . . #celestrontelescope #celestron127slt #astrophotography #moon #luna #books https://www.instagram.com/p/CWj4otLs41e/?utm_medium=tumblr

Say cheese!

If #NationalCheeseDay has you thinking about the Moon, you’re not alone. 🧀

In 1965, the Ranger 9 probe captured these sharp images of a cratered lunar surface just moments before its planned impact. What we learned paved the way for Apollo. #Apollo50th

Moon rock retrieved by Alan Bean on Apollo 12 #nasa #apollo #moon #huntsvillealabama #usspaceandrocketcenter (at U.S. Space & Rocket Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw0klJcHh-V/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wffxjvgphmc4

Jupiter and Saturn from my driveway earlier this evening. #solarsystemambassador https://www.instagram.com/p/CUWWZIDsNzg/?utm_medium=tumblr

Had a fun evening talking about the ISS and the NASA Artemis program! Grayson Elementary invited me to speak as part of their STEAM Night. The kids and parents were really into it. Thanks to Mrs. Frost for having me for a 2nd year! #explorepage #STEM #STEAM #Artemis #SLS #Orion #space #spaceflight #WeAreGoing #Moon #graysongeorgia #cityofgrayson #gwinnettcounty (at Grayson, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqCIae4OqMT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

International Space Station passing over Georgia, USA... Oct. 16, 2017