March 14
[ 2007-03-14 08:00 ]
 |
| Jodrell Bank radio
telescope |
| 1960: Radio telescope makes space
history |
England have
The radio telescope at Jodrell Bank has set a new space record making
contact with the American Pioneer V satellite at a distance of 407,000
miles.
The previous record, about 290,000 miles, was set by the Soviet
satellite Lunik III, which photographed the back of the moon last year.
Jodrell first made contact with Pioneer V after it went into orbit
around the sun, between the paths of earth and Venus.
The American satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida
three days ago on 11 March.
Solar 'paddles'
Shortly after launch, the Jodrell Bank telescope was used for the first
time to give commands to a rocket in space.
By pressing a button at Jodrell Bank, the 90lb (43kg) payload was
separated from the third stage of the launching rocket.
The telescope then succeeded in switching off the satellite's
transmitter, which will help conserve its battery power for later in the
mission.
It is hoped eventually Jodrell Bank will be able to pick up signals
from the satellite up to 50 million miles from earth.
This will only be made possible by the very large solar-powered
batteries on board which run the transmitter. The solar "paddles"
projecting from the satellite will recharge the batteries using the sun's
radiation, but the current will still need to be conserved if it is to
last until July, as planned.
The transmitter will be switched on for no more than 45 minutes a day
at first. Later transmitting time will be reduced to five minutes a day.
Within a week, the satellite will be more than a million miles from
earth and its more powerful 150-watt transmitter will have to be switched
on by command from Jodrell Bank. |
|
|
|
 |
| Princess Grace and
Prince Rainier have been married for two
years |
|
1958: 'Bonny' Prince Albert of Monaco
born | Artificially 1969:
The A celebratory
101-gun salute has been fired in Monaco after Princess Grace - formerly
film star Grace Kelly - gave birth to a son.
In spite of elaborate arrangements made for announcing the birth, the
world learnt about the baby's arrival when a woman at a palace window
shouted to waiting journalists: "It's a boy, it's a boy".
The 8lb 11oz baby who was born at just before 1100 local time is to be
named Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre.
The baby takes automatic precedence over his one-year-old sister,
Princess Caroline.
The young princess appeared on a palace balcony in the arms of her
father, Prince Rainier III, shortly after her brother was born.
Prince Rainier later broadcast an address to the nation announcing the
Crown Prince's birth.
Speaking to journalists, the princess' mother, Margaret Kelly said both
her daughter and the baby were doing well.
"It is a bonny, bonny prince," Mrs Kelly said.
Treaty
Flags and flowers have been put up all over the principality and
tomorrow has been declared a public holiday.
It is also expected that Prince Rainier will pardon all six prisoners
in Monaco's jail.
The new baby makes doubly sure control of Monaco will not pass to its
neighbour France after the death of Prince Rainier.
A treaty between the two countries in 1918 stipulated if there was ever
no heir to Monaco's throne the principality would become subject to French
laws.
Prince Rainier, 35, has ruled Monaco since 1949.
He succeeded his grandfather to become the country's 31st
ruler. |
|
| Vocabulary:
|
| |
|
scrupulous : Careful; cautious;
exact（小心謹慎的，細心的）
|
|
