The 'ASTRO DOOZIE' [Archive] - My Astro Space Astronomy

Astro Dave

January 5th, 2007, 10:47 AM

Well, you asked for it and here it is. I think it's a 'doozie' but of course, someone out there may nail the answer straight away which would then relegate the question to 'Astro -Dud' status.

OK, this question is not a trick, this really happened:

Something went wrong on the moon landing of Apollo-11 in 1969 that we never knew about. It almost caused the complete loss of the mission.

It's a story that for many years was not circulated outside the inner circles of the U.S. Space Program. None of the following events were televised to the outside world.

When they were about to leave the moon something went terribly wrong. An accident happened that prevented the lift-off of their lunar module 'Eagle' from the moon's surface. NASA were concerned. It seemed both astronauts may be stranded there. The engines would not fire!

Nasa went into panic mode, pulled out their duplicate LEM and got their best scientists working on the problem. Nothing happened for a considerable time - then came a breakthrough.

The problem was eventually overcome by using a common everyday item found in every home in every civilized country on Earth. Before this mission, this item was not carried on any prior moon mission.

1. What was the accident and problem faced?
2. What was the item used to repair the problem?

It's fairly common knowledge now I suppose but I thought we'd give it a run here.

By the way, I have written evidence to back up all this.

Radar

January 5th, 2007, 12:57 PM

This is just a wild guess, and I have no idea about the actual problem, but was it velcro?

Astro Dave

January 5th, 2007, 01:43 PM

Hi Radar

MMMMMM.... Nah! Sorry mate. Nuthin' to do with Velcro.

That stuff did however play an important roll in the deaths by fire in their capsule of Grissom, White and Chaffey around the late 60's

CanisMajorTom

January 5th, 2007, 03:58 PM

An Astro Doozie? Interesting. I guess we are not allowed to Google?

Okay, something that is in every civilised home? Um, was it some kind of stationary equipment? :hmm:

Astro Dave

January 5th, 2007, 06:23 PM

If you mean 'stationary' equipment you mean something that is, by definition, standing still. No.

OR, if you meant 'stationERY' equipment I'd say carry on.

Radar

January 5th, 2007, 07:45 PM

Does this device use batteries?

Astro Dave

January 5th, 2007, 07:49 PM

I've not seen one with batteries ... but it may be possible, although basically ridiculous.

Radar

January 5th, 2007, 11:30 PM

Would it be more likely to find this item in the kitchen or an office? :hmm:

AstroBob

January 6th, 2007, 01:34 AM

Is this mystery object made of metal? :hmm:

Astro Dave

January 6th, 2007, 03:49 AM

Would it be more likely to find this item in the kitchen or an office?

A/ Both, but a lot more in the office

Is this mystery object made of metal?

A/Partly! although some are nearly all metal... also nearly all plastic

Hint - it's the 'metal' component of this thing that we're talking about.

Robert TG

January 6th, 2007, 09:46 AM

I seem to remember reading somewhere that they used a pen to fix a problem.

Robert TG

January 6th, 2007, 09:55 AM

Just a funny story I heard...

The Americans had to overcome the problem that ballpoint pens didn't work in the gravity free condition of space. So after spending a million dollars on research came up with the design of a pen with a pressurised ink cartridge. Worked great.

The Soviets had the same problem. Their solution was to use a pencil. LOL

Astro Dave

January 6th, 2007, 11:43 AM

Well, we're now heading into the homestretch.

Robert - yes it was a pen. Yes it fixed a problem.

What was the problem and how did the pen fix it though?

We're hoping Radar might look at donating one of his telescopes to the winner... Wadda ya say radar?

(Well, he didn't actually offer ... but it's worth a try)

Radar

January 6th, 2007, 02:05 PM

We're hoping Radar might look at donating one of his telescopes to the winner... Wadda ya say radar?

lol, I was going to offer 100 hours of total hubble control and imaging time to the winner, but NASA wouldn't have a bar of it. I told them it was for a comp we were running here at My Astro Space.com, and that if hubble was out of the question, then maybe just 12 hours controlling one of the Mars rovers would suffice, then the phone went dead. :duh:

122

Astro Dave

January 6th, 2007, 02:14 PM

Thanks Radar for that valiant (??) attempt to retain you telescope collection.

See the push our admin Radar has folks. He had the entire Hubble team backed into a corner and what did they do?? ... they did what you and I do to those lovely Indian chaps who ring you right on tea-time to sell you a phone deal. They hung up on him!

Err, You didn't try to upgrade them to Telstra did you mate?

Look, let's get realistic. To get good answers flowing here and engender interest in our exclusive little segment (What other forum would allow this? Yay Radar) we need to up the prize ante.

SO, here's the deal: FREE lifetime membership to My Astro Space!!

Radar

January 6th, 2007, 02:18 PM

SO, here's the deal: FREE lifetime membership to My Astro Space!!

Good idea Dave.

Free lifetime membership to My Astro Space.com to the winner of this comp.

(am I allowed to Google the answer yet Dave? Because I have been very well disciplined by not peeking at a search engine yet.) :pipethinker:

Astro Dave

January 6th, 2007, 03:04 PM

Look... go for it Radar!! Shucks, we can't drag this out forever can we? Good luck with your Google search, not sure what you'll turn up though.

By the way, where are all the entrants in this comp? I see dozens of 'hits' to this page but only a few erstwhile supporters. C'mon guys, have a go.

Do you like quizzes? We could run 'em on a regular basis Huh? It sure beats the heck out of reading about crook astro mags and trying to digest demeaning religious musings.

Now Radar, IF you win surely a lifetime membership to your OWN forum sounds silly, be honest now ... it does, doesn't it?

OK, you agree.

So, I propose we award you the tag of 'Smatarse Of The Month' - an honorary thing with no malice or malevolence intended. Wadda ya think huh?

Lol

Radar

January 6th, 2007, 07:49 PM

I'm back. Had to go out.

Interesting little story that Dave. It's amazing that something so minor could have done so much damage.

http://thewritersedge.com/story.main.cfm

A pen had to be used to reach the metal contacts inside a panel where a switch had broken. :welldone: :welldone: :welldone:

Tenacious Del

January 7th, 2007, 12:13 AM

This thread was a funny read. :lmao:

Astro Dave

January 7th, 2007, 04:48 AM

100% Correct. Triffic (as my next door neighbour calls it).

Thank you Radar for being so focussed and determined to crack this one. Your status is now, of course, legendary. You managed to not only edge out the Hon. 'Robert' but you've collected a much sought after prize cache as well.

Thank you too Delio for your input - glad we managed to brighten an otherwise typically mundane sort of day for you.

Do youse (my neighbour again, sorry) want to do more quizzes?

Robert TG

January 7th, 2007, 09:29 AM

Yes Please

Jimbot

January 11th, 2007, 06:05 PM

Yes Please

Like Robert I think these are great. Miss a couple of days and you guys have already nailed it. Ah well:thumbsupmate:

Jim

Astro Dave

January 11th, 2007, 06:15 PM

OK Jimbot and Robert

Let's do it again Huh? Just for the heck of it - just for kicks guy!

After you get this one I have one that I GUARANTEE nobody accessing this forum will answer correctly ... even if you Google all night. BUT it isn't anything to do with astronomy... Wadda youse reckon?

OK, a question:

Q/ You bore a hole vertically through the Earth - from top to bottom. It is, say, 1 metre wide. Now, ignoring mundane things like heat and pressure at the centre, you drop a cannon ball through the top opening and let it fall.

What will happen to the ball?

Radar

January 11th, 2007, 06:40 PM

It would eventually come to a stand still at the centre of the Earth.

I think gravity would become weaker toward the centre (probably), so the cannon ball's speed would become slower until there was no longer enough energy to keep the ball moving. Or gravity does not become weaker and the ball passes the centre, goes up a few hundred metres then comes back down, passes the centre and keeps doing this until it comes to a stand still. :hmm:

Jimbot

January 11th, 2007, 06:46 PM

A nice one. As gravity is related to the mass and distance from the mass, in theory it should come to rest at the centre of the earth (snice were ignoring those mundane issues of molten lava etc. Also centrifical force will be zero as well as the ball will be at the centre.
Jim:pipethinker:

Astro Dave

January 12th, 2007, 12:27 PM

Anymore takers before we announce the Grand Prize (?) winner?

Robert TG

January 12th, 2007, 04:36 PM

I think Radar and Jimbot have nailed this one. With equal mass on all sides of the ball the effect of the gravity would be canceled. The gravity isn't weaker as such but it's pulling in opposite directions and balanced.

Dave what an very interesting question, I've been wondering how you dreamt this one up?

I'm sure the military must have given this option of drilling a hole thru the earth to deliver supplies to the other side some serious thought. LOL

AstroBob

January 13th, 2007, 02:29 AM

I agree with all of the above. The cannon ball would come to a rest in the centre of the Earth.

Astro Dave

January 13th, 2007, 06:04 AM

Posted By Robert TG
Dave what an very interesting question, I've been wondering how you dreamt this one up?
-----------------------------------------------------------
Robert, I simply have no life! I feel like an automated bot at times... that's one of the new 'buzzwords' by the way.

We will finalise this question then move on to lesson #4. What I have for you next is THE DOOZIE of all time. Even Robert will have nightmares. That is, if you don't mind a non-astro question.

I guess I better get the boss's OK ... is it OK Mr. Radar??

Radar

January 13th, 2007, 08:08 AM

We are all hanging for the monster of astro doozies!

Fire away Dave.

Astro Dave

January 13th, 2007, 02:18 PM

Well done class!

The ball would fall toward the centre of the earth, gaining speed and also gaining (momentum) which would push it past the centre and almost to the top of the bottom ... if you understand what I mean.

It would then start falling in the opposite direction but not go as far due to friction. Tne whole process would continue until the ball came to rest at the centre of the Earth.

NB. Gravity works from the outside - from all sides - towards the center of an object. That's why planets are round .. gravity acts liek an invisible pair of hands and over millions of years, if big enough, moulds a roughly shaped piece of molten rock into a round object we call a planet.

Astro Dave

January 13th, 2007, 02:19 PM

Well done class!

The ball would fall toward the centre of the earth, gaining speed and also gaining (momentum) which would push it past the centre and almost to the top of the bottom ... if you understand what I mean.

It would then start falling in the opposite direction but not go as far due to friction. The whole process would continue until the ball came to rest at the centre of the Earth.

NB. Gravity works from the outside - from all sides - towards the center of an object. That's why planets are round .. gravity acts like an invisible pair of hands and over millions of years, if big enough, moulds a roughly shaped piece of molten rock into a round object we call a planet.

Jimbot

January 19th, 2007, 09:24 PM

Radar

January 20th, 2007, 02:58 AM

So are we on for this Doozie of all time? :welldone: Obviously some of us are suckers for punishment!!!:eartoear:

Yeah Dave, whens the next astro doozie?

Mick

January 20th, 2007, 09:32 AM

I've only just seen this thread Dave, Yes please post another.:welldone:

Astro Dave

January 21st, 2007, 01:11 PM

Okeedokeee quiz fans. I have been busy lately with this comet business ..huh? You too? We will return shortly to our 'Astro Doozie Q&A stuff this week.

I have a good one for fans of relativity.

Thanks for the huge groundswell of support! ... OK, OK, so only three people have actually supported it. It's not the size is it? It's how you use it.

Does anyone know if woodpeckers get headaches? I'm serious.

Jimbot

January 21st, 2007, 02:47 PM

Well, never had the chance to ask one as they are indigenous to N America but Woody Woodpecker never complained.
Jim:hmm:

Mick

January 21st, 2007, 03:34 PM

Tough birds Dave, sorry I just had to google. :Chessy_Smile:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20070108/sc_livescience/whywoodpeckersdontgetheadaches

Radar

January 21st, 2007, 05:09 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20070108/sc_livescience/whywoodpeckersdontgetheadaches

What will scientists study next? :duh:

At least they are studying nature thoroughly I guess.:pipethinker:

Astro Dave

January 21st, 2007, 05:55 PM

OK, well I surmise that we'll all be chasing our collective tails over that little puzzle, thanks for the input - as opposed to 'put in'.

Folks, I've come up with a question I've put to some students over the years. Let's see how you fare.

Go to 'Astronomy Discussion' and look for the new question.

BTW... They say that people who pose questions in places like this are essentially egotistical bores who can't be told anything. Bugger them!