Paul Stanway Jr
07-12-2005, 09:37 PM
Lost at sea, found in flash
By Leslie Katz
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
A high-flying, student-assembled research balloon that appeared doomed after crashing into the Pacific Ocean has ended up yielding valuable astronomical data, thanks to hardy memory cards that survived the plunge.
As a result, astronomers now have information that will help them focus more clearly on galaxies, planets, stars, comets and other objects in space. And the California engineering students who first set the balloon afloat have been awarded special university honors for their efforts--and seen how a seemingly sunken venture can end up an unexpected treasure trove.
Read more at http://news.com.com/Balloon+crashes%2C+but+memory+cards+survive/2100-1041_3-5780047.html?part=rss&tag=5780047&subj=news
By Leslie Katz
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
A high-flying, student-assembled research balloon that appeared doomed after crashing into the Pacific Ocean has ended up yielding valuable astronomical data, thanks to hardy memory cards that survived the plunge.
As a result, astronomers now have information that will help them focus more clearly on galaxies, planets, stars, comets and other objects in space. And the California engineering students who first set the balloon afloat have been awarded special university honors for their efforts--and seen how a seemingly sunken venture can end up an unexpected treasure trove.
Read more at http://news.com.com/Balloon+crashes%2C+but+memory+cards+survive/2100-1041_3-5780047.html?part=rss&tag=5780047&subj=news