Virgin Galactic launches world's first commercial spaceport with performance by gravity-defying Project Bandaloop

By Xeni Jardin at 4:44 pm Monday, Oct 17

[Video Link]

Man, if there's one thing Richard Branson knows better than anyone, it's how to put on an amazing launch event. Above, video from the Virgin Galactic kickoff for the world's first commercial spaceport, Spaceport America (alternate link), today in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Project Bandaloop did an aerial choreography performance from the side of the structure. Looked kind of like a really classy strip club in the sky. Branson himself joined the fun, and rappelled off the building during the ceremonies. The man knows how to have a good time.

Press release and photos from the event are here. From the sound of this Associated Press item, must have been a blast. (images: Mark Greenberg).

Previously on BB: "Virgin Galactic to unveil world's first commercial spaceport."

Tags: richard branson, Space, spaceflight, virgin galactic

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Aesthetics and Astronomy Project at Harvard

By David Pescovitz at 10:35 am Tuesday, Oct 11

The Aesthetics and Astronomy Project is a new effort from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics to explore how beautiful scientific images can better be used to present complex ideas and provoke a sense of wonder. The multidisciplinary research team includes astrophysicists, astronomers, science communicators, and psychologists. From the Harvard Crimson:

The popularity of websites such as NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day shows that celestial images are compelling to the general public, but A&A researchers initially thought that this attention was solely aesthetic in nature.

The results of surveys and focus groups conducted by A&A researchers, however, contradicted this theory. People responded more positively to images that were accompanied by an explanation, suggesting curiosity about the nature of the celestial event or object pictured, according to Smith.

“There is a devaluing when you separate out function and form,” Arcand said.

Aesthetics & Astronomy Project

"Researchers Merge Art and Science" (Harvard Crimson)

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