{"id":5113,"date":"2018-02-23T09:50:16","date_gmt":"2018-02-23T14:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/?p=5113"},"modified":"2025-08-13T18:57:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T22:57:47","slug":"spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-to-mars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/2018\/02\/23\/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-to-mars\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket to Mars"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I am starting this article with a small disclaimer. \u00a0The Falcon Heavy Rocket was scheduled to launch after this article was due into the U Times. \u00a0Hopefully, the launch went well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Many of us have seen the movie \u201cThe Martian.\u201d \u00a0For those of you who have not, it was about astronauts landing on Mars, leaving and then needing to return to rescue a teammate who was left for dead. \u00a0Matt Damon, who plays Mark Watney, was left behind and had to hack his way to survive on Mars. \u00a0It was a great movie, but until recently, the ability to get to Mars was only science fiction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0On Feb. 6, 2018, the Falcon Heavy rocket, designed and built by SpaceX, was launched between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. \u00a0This was the first full test launch with a payload for the Falcon Heavy rocket. \u00a0If the test is successful, the Falcon Heavy will be the largest rocket ever to be successfully launched. \u00a0This rocket is large enough to deliver payloads of nearly 130,000 pounds to low earth orbit and payloads of about 40,000 pounds to Mars. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Elon Musk, the owner of the Tesla Car Company, owns SpaceX. \u00a0\u00a0In 2007, Elon Musk stated that SpaceX would be developing a rocket to colonize Mars. \u00a0Falcon Heavy is the first step in doing this. \u00a0The next stage is a rocket call the BFR that will nearly double the payload capacity of the Falcon Heavy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0So, what is the payload for this mission? \u00a0Elon Musk is sending up his own cherry-red Tesla convertible roadster. \u00a0Driving the car will be a spacesuit-clad mannequin strapped to the driver\u2019s seat. \u00a0The David Bowie classic \u201cSpace Oddity\u201d will be looping on the radio. \u00a0There will be three camera attached to the car, which should give us an amazing view of the mannequin\u2019s long drive. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Once released from the top of the rocket, the car will enter an orbit around the sun that will take it out past the orbit of Mars. \u00a0If all goes well, the car will stay in its orbit for several hundreds of millions of years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For more information, please go to <\/span>http:\/\/www.spacex.com\/falcon-heavy<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/02\/06\/science\/falcon-heavy-spacex-launch.html<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE NIGHT SKY<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To get more information on astronomy in northern Maine, check out the Aroostook County Astronomy Club\u2019s web page at <\/span>http:\/\/aroostookastronomy.strikingly.com\/<\/span><\/a> or join our Facebook page at the \u201cAroostook County Astronomy Club\u201d page.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The International Space Station is visible as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

Evening \u2013Through Feb. 14.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mornings\u2013Feb. 25 through March 20.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For the times of other events, go to www.calsky.com. \u00a0You will need to register at this site and load your location to be able to get exact times. \u00a0The University of Maine at Presque Isle is located at 68d00m7.8s west longitude and 46d40m45.6s north latitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To get a free sky chart go to www.skymaps.com.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sun and Planet Visibility<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/20\/2018<\/span><\/p>\n

06:27 Sunrise. <\/span><\/p>\n

17:04 Sunset. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not visible Mercury. <\/span><\/p>\n

17:06\u201317:54 Venus. <\/span><\/p>\n

02:06\u201305-54 Mars.<\/span><\/p>\n

03:48\u201306:54 Jupiter. <\/span><\/p>\n

03:42\u201305:54 Saturn. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

03\/05\/2018<\/span><\/p>\n

06:03 Sunrise. <\/span><\/p>\n

17:23 Sunset. <\/span><\/p>\n

17:36\u201318:36 Mercury. <\/span><\/p>\n

17:24\u201318:30 Venus. <\/span><\/p>\n

01:54\u201305:36 Mars.<\/span><\/p>\n

23:24\u201305:54 Jupiter. <\/span><\/p>\n

02:54\u201305:36 Saturn. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

02\/16 17:00 Moon passes 2.1 degrees from Venus.<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/17 07:30 Mercury in superior conjunction with the sun\u2013Behind the sun.<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/19 545th Birthday of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473).<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/21 13:45 Venus 0.5 degrees from Neptune.<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/23 03:09 First Quarter Moon. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/23 17:42 Moon passes 2.9 degrees from Aldebaran (Alpha Taurus).<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/23 17:42 to 23:59 Moon passes through the Hyades star cluster.<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/24 00:00 to 01:18 Moon passes through the Hyades star cluster.<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/25 07:26 Mercury 0.4 degrees from Neptune.<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/27 05:45 ISS passes 0.8 degrees from Jupiter.<\/span><\/p>\n

02\/27 09:46 Moon at Perigee–closest to the Earth\u2013222,187.3 miles from the Earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/01 01:06 to 01:37 Moon eclipses Regulus (Alpha Leo).<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/01 05:39 ISS passes 0.1 degrees from Deneb (Alpha Cygnus).<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/01 19:51 Full Moon.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/03 03:55 ISS passes 0.8 degrees from Altair (Alpha Aquila). \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/04 00:40 Mercury 101 degrees from Venus.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/07 04:24 Moon 3.2 degrees from Jupiter.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/09 06:19 Last Quarter Moon.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/09 08:19 ISS passes 1.3 degrees from Saturn.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/10 06:00 Mercury at Perihelion\u2013closest to the sun \u2013 28,583,910 miles <\/span><\/p>\n

03\/10 10:00 to 13:00 Planet Head Day\u2013Wieden Auditorium, UMPI.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/11 04:18 Moon 3.7 degrees from Saturn.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/11 05:16 Moon at Apogee\u2013farthest from the Earth\u2013247,470 miles.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/14 Pi Day.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/14 05:06 Mercury at half phase.<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/15 05:42 ISS passes 0.9 degrees from Altair (Alpha Aquila).<\/span><\/p>\n

03\/15 11:12 Mercury at greatest eastern elongation (18.4 degrees) visible in the evening sky.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I am starting this article with a small disclaimer. \u00a0The Falcon Heavy Rocket was scheduled to launch after this article was due into the U Times. \u00a0Hopefully, the launch went well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7381],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-archives","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/96"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5113"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5113\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8740,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5113\/revisions\/8740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}