* Astronomy

Public Invited to Celebrate Anniversary of Explorer 1
A half-century ago, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Explorer 1 spacecraft became Americas first Earth-orbiting satellite when it sailed into space on Jan. 31, 1958. In honour of the historic achievement that launched the United States into the space age, JPL and Caltech invite the public to the premiere of a new documentary chronicling the story of Explorer 1. The screenings are a special presentation of Caltechs Voice and Vision series and JPLs Theodore von Karman lecture series.
Following the Soviet Unions launch of Sputnik in October 1957, and with the explosion of the U.S. Vanguard rocket just weeks later, the White House turned to JPL and the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency to launch a satellite as quickly as possible. JPL designed and built the satellite, the upper stages of the rocket, and a tracking system while the Armys Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., produced the liquid-filled rocket. The successful launch of Explorer 1, followed by the formation of NASA in Oct. 1958, transformed JPL from a producer of ballistic missiles to a preeminent centre for robotic exploration of our solar system and beyond.
The new documentary, "JPL and the Beginnings of the Space Age" charts that transformation. The 55-minute film was produced by Blaine Baggett, JPL's executive manager for communications and education. Baggett will appear in person to discuss the film on Jan. 25. JPL historian Erik Conway will appear at the Jan. 25 screening.

Thursday, Jan. 24
Location: Beckman Auditorium, California Institute of Technology campus on Michigan Avenue, one block south of Del Mar Blvd, Pasadena
Time: 8 p.m.
Admission: Free

Friday, Jan. 25
Location: Pasadena City College, Vosloh Auditorium 1570 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena
Time: 7 p.m.
Admission: Free

"Explorer 1: JPL and the Beginnings of the Space Age" will also air on local and national media outlets. In the Los Angeles area, it will air on KCET, Channel 28, on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. The documentary will air nationally on Discovery HD Theatre, with multiple airings beginning Jan. 31.

Saturday, Jan. 26 and Sunday, Jan. 27
Educator Conference
JPL will host a two-day educators' conference on Explorer 1 and the history of space flight. Science and social studies educators, museum staff and high school students are invited to attend. Students must register and an adult must accompany youths under 18.

Monday, Jan. 28 to Sunday, Feb. 3
Ham Radio Operators Dial In Explorer 1 Celebration
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Explorer 1, the JPL Amateur Radio Club will be on the air from 8 a.m. PST on Monday Jan. 28, through 8 p.m. PST on Sunday Feb. 3. A commemorative Explorer 1 QSL card is available to those ham operators who make contact with the station.

Source Jet Propulsion Laboratory