| March, 2009 |  |
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Google Earth allows exploration of oceans, Mars
Google is launching a new version of Google Earth that will let users explore the oceans, view images of
Mars and watch the Earth's surface change over time. The new features on Google's popular geography
program were unveiled Monday at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, where former
Vice resident Al Gore was among the speakers. Users of Google Earth 5.0 can now dive beneath the
ocean's surface, explore three-dimensional images of the underwater terrain and view articles and videos
about marine science. The Historical Imagery feature lets users see archive satellite images of a single
location. And Google Mars 3-D features high-resolution images of the Red Planet.
Distress Beacons at 121.5 and 243 MHz Phased Out
As of February 1, the Cospas-Sarsat (Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking) satellites are no longer monitoring distress beacons at 121.5 and 243 MHz. All mariners, aviators and individuals who use emergency beacons on those frequencies will need to switch to the newer, digital 406 MHz frequency if they want to be detected by the monitoring satellites. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) claims that in 2008, beacons monitored by the Cospas-Sarsat worldwide system were responsible for almost 300 lives saved, including 203 people rescued in 65 in at-sea incidents and 12 people rescued in 7 aviation incidents.
FAA closes its investigation into waste that fell from the plane
The Federal Aviation Administration has closed its investigation into a beach ball-sized chunk of frozen human waste that fell onto a parked car from a passing plane.
FAA spokesman Jim Peters said Tuesday that investigators were unable to determine which plane dropped the waste on Jan. 27. It smashed the windshield and roof of Nina Gambone's Toyota Corolla minutes after she and her 13-year-old son had gotten out of the car.
Peters said the waste was most likely dropped by a commercial overseas flight headed into Logan International Airport.
"We pulled the radar tracks and narrowed it down to about five possible carriers," Peters said. "Sometimes we do have success, but we were unable to do it this time."
Gambone and her son were not injured, but the car was totaled.
Southwest begins testing Internet access
Southwest begins testing Internet access on 1 jet, plans to expand by 4 next month
Southwest Airlines Co. has started testing wireless Internet access aboard one of its jets with plans to expand the test by early next month.
Southwest said Tuesday that the test will last a few months and eventually include four aircraft.
During the test, passengers will be able to log on free using their own laptop or smart phone — cellular technology won’t work.
Spokesman Paul Flaningan said Southwest hasn’t decided how much to charge after the test ends.
Southwest is waiting for approval from the Federal Communications Commission to offer service beyond the trial.
Airlines are rushing to add Internet service on flights to raise revenue and give passengers something else to do.
Dallas-based Southwest is using technology from Row 44, which provides Internet service through a satellite link. American Airlines and other carriers are using technology that connects Internet users through ground-based signals.
Southwest said it is working with Yahoo Inc. to offer a home page with “destination-relevant content” during the flight.
Shares of Southwest rose 9 cents to $7.27 in afternoon trading.
| March, 2009 | |
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