WEEKEND ASTEROID FLYBY:

Sunday, a house-sized asteroid named "2014 RC" will fly through the Earth-Moon system 

almost inside the orbit of geosynchronous satellites. At closest approach, Sept. 7th at 18:18 UTC, the 20-meter-wide space rock will pass just 40,000 km over New Zealand. This diagram from NASA shows the geometry of the encounter:
                                                                                         There is no danger of a collision with Earth.

Asteroid 2014 RC was discovered on the night of August 31 by the Catalina Sky Survey near Tucson, Arizona, and independently detected the next night by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope, located on the summit of Haleakalā on Maui, Hawaii.  Follow-up observations quickly confirmed the orbit of 2014 RC: it comes from just beyond the orbit of Mars.

The close appproach of this space rock offers researchers an opportunity for point-blank studies of a near-Earth asteroid. Even amateur astronomers will be able to track it. Around the time of closest approach, it will brighten to magnitude +11.5 as it zips through the constellation Pisces. This means it will be invisible to the naked eye but a relatively easy target for backyard telescopes equipped with CCD cameras. 

According to NASA, "[the orbit of 2014 RC] will bring it back to our planet's neighborhood in the future.  The asteroid's future motion will be closely monitored, but no future threatening Earth encounters have been identified."

The Best Way for Your Child to Wear their Backpack

By Jenee' Ryan Published: Sep 2, 2014 

MOSCOW, ID - It's the end of the first week of school for most students in our region and that means backpacks are quickly filling up with books, homework and supplies.

That can all get pretty heavy, so it's important your child is wearing their backpack the right way. Jenee' Ryan met with Gritman Therapy Solutions in Moscow to find out the best way to wear a backpack.

"Do you have a lot of weight in your backpack?" said Physical Therapist, Shirley Rencken.

"Yea," said Maddyson Garnett.

Most kids would answer the same way. Backpack fit and size is crucially important during grade school and high school years. 

"At that age their bodies and their muscles, their bones and joints are all maturing and forming and we want to minimize the impact of injuries at a young age," said Rencken.

Some common consequences include bad posture and chronic back pain. Rencken pointed out some common backpack mistakes. 

"It's way too big for her," said Rencken. "It hits way down here below her bottom and it should fit more up into the small of her back."

This is how it should look.

"It fits right up to the top of her shoulder blade and it hits in the small of her back," said Rencken. 

It's also very important to keep the weight of the bag even on the back. 

"It's going to be loading her back in an awkward position because she's got weight hanging on one side," said Rencken. "So the best thing to do with your water bottles is to fill them when you get to school or even put them inside your backpack so the weight is centered."

But don't let that backpack get too heavy. 

"This is about nine pounds of books, which is the maximum weight for madison," said Rencken.

Backpacks should never weigh more than 15-percent of the child's body weight, so utilize lockers throughout the day and maybe have them carry some stuff. Also, make sure the backpack is snug and your child uses both straps, padded preferably, and if they have a belly strap, use that too.

Travel is Expensive in Idaho

By Sophia Miraglio  Aug 27, 2014

 High Gas Prices

LEWISTON, ID - If you’re planning on hitting the road for Labor Day weekend, you're certainly not alone.

According to AAA, nearly 35-million people are expected to hit both the road and airways for the extended weekend, which would be the highest number since the recession-driven decline. Despite above average gasoline prices in the Gem State, 147,000 Idahoans or 11% will be travelling on the extended weekend as well.

"IDAHO HAS THE 6th HIGHEST PRICES IN THE COUNTRY, but despite that and despite our gasoline prices being 34-cents above the national average, we don't think that will have any sizeable impact on the number of people expected to travel," said AAA Spokesman Dave Carlson.

The current national average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.44. The busiest two days of travel are Friday and Monday.

Picking a Landing Site ON A COMET!

COMET LANDING SITE SELECTION: Europe's Rosetta probe has been at Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko for two weeks, taking close-up pictures and making measurements of the comet's strange landscape. According to ESA, researchers now have the data they need to start picking a landing site. This weekend, mission planners will meet to consider 10 candidate locations, with the goal of narrowing the list to 5 by Monday. Stay tuned for results!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Artist impression of Philae on the surface of 67P/C-G.                                                                                                                                    Credit: ESA/ATG medialab          

• on the comet landscape - animated view of candidate sites

 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNGu7KbXzOs

• actual pictures of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko taken by Rosetta's navigation camera (NAVCAM).  August 21st photo:

• More images of Rosetta's comet can be found in the '67P - by Rosetta' collection.  Watch the comet getting closer...

Donate Blood or Plasma - Get Paid for Plasma

http://www.gofundme.com/shesafightercom
Anyone who would like to do something to help us and can't donate to the fundraiser, please donate blood or plasma. They'll pay you to donate plasma. Shortages at blood banks will eventually affect us.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge spreading like wildfire through the L-C Valley

By Carol Zinke Published: Aug 20, 2014 

Faculty and staff from Walla Walla Community College challenged three local businesses to help out a great cause.

LEWISTON, ID - People around the world are spreading awareness about ALS by taking part in a popular Ice Bucket Challenge.

The viral campaign has already led to record donations for the ALS Association.
The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig's Disease 

across the globe. So far this year, they've raised more than $31-million in donations, compared to the almost $2-million raised during this time last year. Leaders from the association said the Ice Bucket Challenge has a lot to do with that. There are more than $600,000 new donors making a difference.

"Obviously we said yes, because this is right up our ally, between supporting community events and doing things that help a good cause," said Inland Cellular spokesperson, Chip Damato. "We enjoy doing them."

"Now that we've been challenged we're also challenging three other businesses," said Damato. "We're challenging KLEW, the Lewiston Tribune and City of Lewiston administration and staff."

Damato said Inland Cellular is making a big donation to ALS. So is the Lewis Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce and King Services in Lewiston.

"I think the main thing is bringing the awareness to ALS, generating a little more hype regarding the disease," said King Services Owner, Paul Markwalter. "Donate what you can and continue to promote the awareness."

All donations go toward helping people with ALS and their families, and research programs focused on the discovery of treatments and a cure for the disease.

"We challenge Cannon's Building Supply, Home Depot and Floor Coverings International...don't forget to donate!" said Markwalter.

You don't need to be challenged to make an impact. You can donate to the ALS Association anytime online.

Rick

Today I am especially thankful for my hardworking husband who has spent his past 3 weekends painting the interior of the house and cleaning all the carpets. Lucky me!