An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at National Institute for Astrophysics - Astronomical Observatory of Bologna, Italy on 12 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 15:07 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and LU8YY. The contact should be audible over southern areas of South America. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in Italian.

The Astronomical Observatory of Bologna is one of the twenty research structures of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). Besides the scientific research, covering a wide range of astrophysical topics, Astronomical Observatory of Bologna is involved in operational and educational activities, and since several years it has started a collaboration with the Marino Golinelli Foundation, that organizes "La Scienza in Piazza", a square for Science. This is an activity addressed to the school, in order to promote the diffusion of science through hands-on exhibitions and conferences. The goal is to carry Science through cities, towns, villages, transforming them in open air Science Centres. Last year the event had a number of about 50.000 visitors. This year the event will be held from the 3rd to the 13th of February, with the patronage of the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

Participants will ask as many of the following questions (translated) as time allows:

1. How do normal daily activities take place on the ISS?

2. How do you sleep in space?

3. What do you dream in space?

4. What is hardest to withstand in space?

5. What is the most fulfilling experience in space?

6. What does Earth look like from space?

7. What do the stars look like?

8. Do you ever quarrel with your colleagues?

9. What do you do if you have a cold?

10. How do you refresh the air if one of bad odors?

11. How do you cook? And how do you do the shopping?

12. Can I come with you?

13. How are you? Don't you feel alone?

14. How do you fly inside the space station?

15. Have you seen any aliens?

16. If something breaks, how do you fix it?

NOTE: This contact is scheduled to be carried over Echolink on AMSAT at 101377 and JK1ZRW is 277208.

Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact.

Next planned event(s):

1. Istituto di Istruzione Superiore "Claudio Varalli", Milano, I-20142,

Italy, telebridge via W5RRR

Thu, 17 Feb. 2011 10:33 UTC

Watch for simulcast on www.livestream.com/iz2shs

2. Experiencing Learning "Imparare Sperimentando", San Quirino, Italy,

telebridge via LU8YY

Sat, 19 Feb. 2011 11:43 UTC

ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries.

ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning. Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website http://www.ariss.org/ (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada).

Thank you & 73,

David - AA4KN