September 18 News Items

Satellites Witness Lowest Arctic Ice Coverage In History (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Paris, France (EAA) Sep 18, 2007 - The area covered by sea ice in the Arctic has shrunk to its lowest level this week since satellite measurements began nearly 30 years ago, opening up the Northwest Passage - a long-sought short cut between Europe and Asia that has been historically impassable.

Europe May Use Spare Farm Funds to Save Galileo (Source: Hemscott)
The European Commission will present its public finance plans for the troubled Galileo satellite navigation network, with unused farm funds viewed as a potential piggy bank, according to sources. According to European sources, the Commission could finally assure the project's survival through affording it unused funds from the Common Agricultural Policy for 2007 and 2008. Brussels, while favouring communal funding, has also been persuaded to submit an alternative proposal under which the EU governments involved in the project would make supplementary contributions, according to sources. While Germany, where industry has a key role in Galileo, strongly supports that approach, France feels it leans too heavily on the public purse.

NASA Opens Applications for New Astronaut Class (Source: SpaceRef.com)
To be considered, a bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience are required. Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft. Teaching experience, including work at the kindergarten through 12th grade level, is considered qualifying. Educators with the appropriate educational background are encouraged to apply. Visit http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/recruit.html for information.

Mystery Illness Strikes After Meteorite Hits Peruvian Village (Source: AFP)
Villagers in southern Peru were struck by a mysterious illness after a meteorite made a fiery crash to Earth in their area. Around midday Saturday, villagers were startled by an explosion and a fireball that many were convinced was an airplane crashing near their remote village, located in the high Andes near the border with Bolivia. Residents complained of headaches and vomiting brought on by a "strange odor." Seven policemen who went to check on the reports also became ill and had to be given oxygen before being hospitalized.

Rescue teams and experts were dispatched to the scene, where the meteorite left a 100-foot-wide (30-meter-wide) and 20-foot-deep (six-meter-deep) crater. "Boiling water started coming out of the crater and particles of rock and cinders were found nearby. Residents are very concerned," said a local official.