near earth objects t-shirt design

[JonnyRadar]

some friends and i were messing around with possible t-shirt designs tonight, and we ended up with this...

this site is the source of the image used in the design: _http://szyzyg.arm.ac.uk/~spm/neo_map.html

thought you guys might find it apropos :D

could also make a nice poster for your cubicle at work!

 

[Tempus Fugit]

I like it! 'Course I am a little biased ;)

 

[Renaissance]

Pretty fascinating map. The odd thing is that the UK institute using this map seems to go along with the American school of thought involving asteroids instead of the more British based cometary debris danger. I really don't know how prevalent the American p.o.v. is in the UK though...so in a backwards world it may not be so odd.

Laura wrote in Cosmic Turkey Shoot:

The debate is about asteroids vs. comets. Asteroids are solid bodies of rock and there are about 1000 of them with diameters of 1 km or more that cross the orbit of the earth. They are called "Apollo" or "earth crossing" asteroids. The "American School" of astronomers believe that these objects are the main threat to earth and humanity and they are concerned with finding them, tracking them, and working out their orbits. This school believes that if all these asteroids can be mapped, and any "bad ones" dealt with, Earth will be safe for the foreseeable future. Their estimates are that we only get hit with one of these babies about every 100,000 years or so.

At this point in time, the American school of astronomers has already found and tracked about 700 of the estimated 1000 such asteroids and, so far, none of them are likely to hit the earth anytime soon. By the end of 2008, they expect to have located 90% of these potential threats.

Of course, they aren't talking about objects smaller than 1 km because they are believed to pose much less risk even if they do smack into the earth.

So it is that the "American School" believes that they can, over time and with superior American technology, survey everything around us and keep our space in space "under control."

But nonetheless the map is interesting, particularly the number of green markers for asteroids permeating the boundaries outside of mars. I wonder what a map would look like if cyclic cometary debris and the probable coming of the 'sharp tooth' clusters of meteorites were included. Sheesh...its a wonder this planet still exists, and here we are headed toward oblivion even without these space rocks.

 

[Azur]

Where do I send in money? I'd like one, or 10.

Black would be my colour choice for the shirt, though.

Please, let me know if/when they become available.

It's a brilliant hook, IMHO.

Cheers.

 

[Erna]

Very cool. This could also make a nice T-shirt:

 

[JonnyRadar]

erna: nice image! :D

shane: yep, this map is only of apollo and aten asteroids. they say on the armagh observatory site:

"The image below is an up to date map of the solar system displaying the orbits of the terrestrial planets and the estimated position of thousands of known asteroids. This diagram is missing comets, space probes and, of course, the undiscovered asteroids."

initially, we were only messing around with this design, but then the idea came up to sell it online (via cafepress or something similar) and then donate the proceeds to sott.

However, in realizing we are not sure about legality/copyright issues surrounding the use of the image, as it was generated by astronomers working at armagh observatory (sure have been crazy lawsuits filed these days ;) ) - or financial/tax issues pertaining to selling a specific item and then donating all the proceeds, we decided that if anyone simply wants to use this image and then get their own shirts/posters/whatever printed for themselves...they can feel free to do so.

i could post a higher-resolution PDF or something that would be easier for individuals to print out if anyone would like. there's also the good 'ol iron-on t-shirt printouts one can do with an ordinary inkjet printer...

open to suggestions and recommendations!

 

[Erna]

;)

Just my 5 sents worth

 

[noise]

Can I buy one, or each of them, how about one with both logo's?

 

[Ruth]

Sounds good. I'd like to buy some tshirts too. When does production start? ;)

However, in realizing we are not sure about legality/copyright issues surrounding the use of the image, as it was generated by astronomers working at armagh observatory

You could always approach them and ask them what their legal position is regarding copyright. The two main people at Armagh Observatory (who might possibly know) are Mark Bailey (Director) and Lawrence Young (Administrator). Young has a 1969 law degree, MBA 1997 - According to their website. Wouldn't hurt to ask, I suppose. Even if you approached them separately. Besides, if you were going to sell tshirts for a profit, they would be entitled to some of the profits, which of course, benefits them... or whatever they care to put that money towards. Might make for an 'interesting' fundraiser for them, providing it was 'ok' with the center's main sources of income (always the problem). But I know not what these are. I suppose much depends on how you approach them. You never know, and it never hurts to ask...

Can I buy one, or each of them, how about one with both logo's?

One on each side, I guess? Back and front...