Jul 28 1980
From The Space Library
NASA reported on a solar-flare "first" resulting from coordination of data from the Solar Max spacecraft and from a network of sophisticated ground observatories participating in the International Solar Maximum Year.
On the basis of worldwide predictions, instruments on the Solar Max and at observatories in 18 nations had focused on an active region of the Sun June 24. On June 28-29, that region produced two major flares, captured by all seven spacecraft instruments (first all-instrument simultaneous measurement of the same flare since the spacecraft was launched in February). The observation was also the first in which scientists traced material ejected from a flare into the solar atmosphere. (NASA Release 80-120)
The first Viking soft-landed on Mars just four years ago, the Washington Star noted, but "it seems now like ancient history": this week, the Viking orbiter would shut down for good [see July 9]. It had been mapping Mars with high resolution photographs since 1976; even more remarkable was the lander, scheduled to last for 90 days and now programmed to operate possibly through 1994.
"All this suggests an extraordinary contrast," the paper said, "On Mars, American technology is thriving... on earth, the American genius that made such things possible is not being encouraged." As the last messages arrive from the Viking orbiter, "its most important message-what the end of its useful life has to say about America's scientific and technological future-is the one not heeded." (W Star, July 28/80, A-6)
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