Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Atlantis Farewell from Parkes

NASA ^ | July 21, 2011 | (see photo credit)

[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.

[SunkenCiv]

[ Image Credit &Copyright: John Sarkissian (CSIRO Parkes Observatory)]

[SunkenCiv]

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:

• Space Shuttle Atlantis Landing Live Thread (07/21/11 5:56 am) Final One!!
• NASA's Hubble Discovers Another Moon Around Pluto

join or quit list APoD 'blog post new APoD topic Astronomy Picture of the Day topic & keyword Astronomy Chat, Bloggers & keyword Science Chat, Bloggers & keyword NASA's APoD archive Calendar 1995-present APoD on your desktop

[Biggirl]

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

[the invisib1e hand]

“Job well done, America.”

[Jack Hammer]

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

[TheOldLady]

Sad.

[colorado tanker]

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

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Jack Hammer.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[Biggirl]

Your Welcome!