September 2006 in science

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Events in Science and Technology

September 29 2006

*The first high-resolution images of Mars taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in its final science orbit are transmitted to Earth. [http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=20940 (SpecRef.com)]

September 28 2006

*The Opportunity rover reaches the "Victoria" crater on Mars after travelling a total of 5.7 mi (9.2 km) during its mission. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5388058.stm (BBCNews)]

September 21 2006

*An image taken by the Cassini spacecraft of the planet Saturn shows a yet undiscovered ring. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5368644.stm (BBCNews)]
*"Atlantis" lands safely in Kennedy Space Center, Florida. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5365114.stm (BBCNews)]

September 17 2006

*Space Shuttle "Atlantis" undocks from the International Space Station after completing its mission to restart construction of the station. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5354150.stm (BBCNews)]

September 15 2006

* The World Health Organization (WHO) reverses an older policy by recommending the limited use of DDT in the control of malaria-carrying mosquitos. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5350068.stm (BBCnews)]

September 14 2006

*"Science" publishes a study of a stone tablet found in Veracruz, Mexico bearing what is apparently the oldest script found in the Americas. The 62 figures were lightly etched in the black stone roughly 2900 years ago, and are the first unambiguous example of an Olmec script. [http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20060814215144data_trunc_sys.shtml (Science A Go Go)]

September 13 2006

*"Nature" publishes the study of fossil charcoal found in a cave alongside tools made by Neanderthals, that indicates these are about 24,000 years old. That date is much more recent than expected. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5343266.stm (BBCNews)]
* The solar system's largest dwarf planet, designated until now as mp|2003 UB|313, is officially named "Eris"; its satellite is now known as "Dysnomia". [http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=22045 (SpaceRef)]

September 12 2006

*A new structure is attached to the International Space Station for the first time after a pause in its construction since November 2002. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5337994.stm (BBCNews)]

September 11 2006

*After its demotion from the status as planet, Pluto is added to the list of numbered minor planets with the number 134340. [http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/060911_pluto_asteroidnumber.html (space.com)]

September 9 2006

*Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida to begin STS-115. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/5330850.stm (BBCNews)] [http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/09/09/space.shuttle.ap/index.html (CNN.com)]

September 3 2006

*The lunar orbiter SMART-1 ends its mission with a "controlled crash" into the surface of the Moon. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5309656.stm (BBCNews)]

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