Gravity, Battlestar Galactica, and Space with Kevin Grazier: North America Tour 2

Hey Chasers,

Gravity staring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock releases today! The trailers for the film. are absolutely thrilling – in a terrifying sort of way. Perhaps more terrifying is the fact that the accident depicted in the trailer is set during present day (slightly in the past as the Space Shuttle is still in operation) complete with an exploding International Space Station.

Don't Let Go

Don’t Let Go

We were fortunate enough to catch up with Dr. Kevin Grazier who served as Scientific Advisor for Gravity. Kevin specialized in planetary sciences and worked on NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Cassini/Huygens project. (You can thank Kevin as part of the team that brings you AWESOME photos of Saturn like this) Kevin has also worked as advisor for some of our favorite shows like Battlestar Galactica – So Say We All!

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Space Camp with Astronaut Abby : North America Tour 2

Hey Chasers!

Continuing on our backblogged updates from the North America Tour 2, we’re headed to Space Camp!

As a youngster, the dream of going to space was accompanied by the dream of getting the best training to do so. Where? At Space Camp of course!

Space Camp is located in Huntsville, Alabama. The site was established in 1982 as the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s education outreach program.

A full sized mockup space shuttle attached to an actual external fuel tank at Space Camp

Outside Space Camp: A full sized mockup space shuttle attached to an actual external fuel tank

Space Camp is about as cool as you might think it would be; simulated space missions, a moon base, a functioning mission control center, ISS simulator, and…oh yeah…a military grade centrifuge to replicate the same G forces experienced by astronauts on take off. All of these incredible experiences are designed to provide youth with an opportunity to explore their passion for space as well as promote science education.  There is even an adult program for those of us who want to be kids again (or never really stopped being kids to begin with)

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Breaking: Voyager 1 Confirmed to Have Left Solar System

So We did it!

We left the Sol System and have officially now placed a human-made object into interstellar space.

Two mind blowing things about this.

Artist Rendition of Voyager Probe cr Fobes

Artist Rendition of Voyager Probe cr Fobes

 

First, that we actually got something out that far that survived this long and that we are still in contact with!

Secondly, it took 36 years! Just to get to the edge of the solar system. I did some quick math, to reach the NEXT CLOSEST STAR (remembering that our Galaxy alone has about 400 Billion worth) would take Voyager another 73,000 years. The galaxy is enormous!  And we are one of billions of galaxies! Mind = Blown

You can check out more about our breaching of the solar system threshold at National Geographic here

Despite how far we have yet to go, this is a monumental achievement decades in the making; the first of what I hope are more giant leaps that lead us from not only colonizing our own solar system, but to perhaps truly one day reach the stars.

Keep Chasing

Matthew

BTW, on the theme of Voyager, there is a great Voyager probe game out there for IOS called Voyager:Grand Tour that will kill hours of your spare time that I highly recommend you check out.

 

Seattle Museum of Flight Full Fuselage Trainer: North America Tour 2

Hey Chasers!

We’re continuing with the updates of our amazing second North America Tour of late July/Early August that are “backblogged.” Apologies for the delay. Real life caught up with me for August/September orientation and student move-ins at Simon Fraser University. Now that all the new generation of students have arrived on residence, where I live and work, it was time to review the rest of the incredible locations/interviews of this recent trip. (By the Way. Simon Fraser University is considered to be like Sci-Fi Headquarters. It has been a filming set for Battlestar Galactica, Halo: Forward Unto Dawn, Underworld. Very cool place to visit if you are in BC)

Following our meetup with Bill Nye (BILL BILL BILL) in Los Angeles we headed North to the Seattle Museum of Flight.  Within the Museum’s many awesome exhibits ranging from WWII combat aircraft, an actual retired Concorde, an SR-71 Blackbird, and hands-on simulator experiences is the Full Fuselage Shuttle Trainer. 

Full Fuselate Shuttle Trainer at the Seattle Museum of Flight

Full Fuselate Shuttle Trainer at the Seattle Museum of Flight

The Full Fuselage Trainer (FFT) is a 1:1 scale replica of the Shuttle itself used to train every astronaut who ever flew to space on any of the shuttle missions. From Chris Hadfield to Story Musgrave to John Glenn, all these astronauts stepped foot in the FFT. It is as close as one can get to being in the shuttle without actually being in the shuttle; something that nobody will ever do again.

The Museum of Flight let us get inside the trainer and grab some incredible footage. While we were filming, Paul asked me to sit down in the command chair; the left seat in the cockpit. Seated before the accurate controls of what one would find in the shuttle, I was thrust into the life of what might have been; the life of a space-farer – an astronaut. The moment hit me harder than I had anticipated, which Paul keenly captured on film. It struck me that while the astronaut that I had always hoped to be was a driving force behind this film, that dream has also been a source of shame; that I had, in a sense, failed. I have always been vaguely aware of this sentiment toward my not becoming an astronaut. There is often a lingering sense that I made an error, or should have done something differently. Trying to determine all of one’s motivations for decisions made over a decade ago is difficult. I believe that, at the time, I choose to study arts rather than sciences, I did so for the right reasons and intentions.

Full Fuselage Shuttle Trainer (FFT) with Matt Cimone (left) and Paul Muzzin (right)

Full Fuselage Shuttle Trainer (FFT) with Matt Cimone (left) and Paul Muzzin (right)

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History of the Future at the Canadian National Exhibition

Hey Chasers,

Earlier in the Summer we were contacted by Candice McCavitt, Exhibit Coordinator of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).  Also known as the Ex, the CNE is an annual event in Toronto visited by over 1.4 million visitors each year. The CNE is the largest annual far in Canada; seventh in North America.

The Ex has a long history beginning in 1879 to promote agriculture and technology in Canada. New advances in each sector were showcased at the Ex to demonstrate new trends and cutting edge innovations. Candice explained that a particular exhibit “History to the Future” would have a space for Chasing Atlantis.

Director Paul Muzzin at Chasing Atlantis CNE Exhibit

Director Paul Muzzin at Chasing Atlantis CNE Exhibit

 

The exhibit is described as “Looking backward to what the future could have been and forward to where we are headed now by highlighting past, present, and future innovations, explorations, and technologies” Some of our key interviewees are helping to usher in this future while others look back at a view of the future and space exploration during the Apollo era.

This is the Ex’s final weekend. If you are in the Toronto area, be sure to check it out and visit the History of the Future exhibit before the weekend is out!

Keep Chasing!

Matthew

 

 

 

 

If You’re Going to Geek, Geek Hard

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Hey Chasers!

We are back from the US! We had an absolutely amazing time and I will be updating the blog to our epic journey that brought us from LA with Bill Nye to the Full Fuselage Shuttle Trainer in Seattle to Space Camp in Huntsville Alabama and then back to LA to meet up with the creators of Star Trek’s LCARS themselves, Michael and Denise Okuda. as well as Kevin Grazier of Battlestar Galactica and the crew of SpaceVidCast

In the meantime, be sure to tune into the Geek Hard show tomorrow where Paul will be on the show talking everything Chasing Atlantis including our exhibit at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. You can check out Geek Hard at http://geekhardshow.com/ The show streams today (August 16th) live at 7pm EST at www.realityradio101.com !

-Keep Chasing

-Matthew

Jacob and the Shape Shifting Cube: North America Tour 2 Continues

Hey Chasers,

One of my favorite parts of our journey has been our chance encounters with really interesting and inspiring people. They may not necessarily be celebrities (yet), or shuttle engineers or technicians, but they have a story to tell, wisdom to share, and sometimes those stories and wisdom come our way when our cameras are not in reach.

Today, while in the Los Angeles Airport on our way to Seattle, we met Jacob. Jacob was sitting across from us at the terminal gate skillfully solving a Rubik’s cube. Once the cube was solved, he would reset a timer on his iPhone, scramble the cube, and within seconds, solve it again. Paul and I were mesmerized by Jacob’s super powers. So we decided to ask what he was all about.

Jacob with Paul and Matthew

Jacob with Paul and Matthew

Jacob explained that he was on his way to the Las Vegas Rubik’s Cube World Championship happening this weekend. According to the website, it is an official World Cube Association competition. I wasn’t even aware something like that existed. Jacob says that he completes between 100 to 500 “solves” a day. I have to admit, it’s very cool.

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Science RULES…With Bill Nye! North America Tour 2 Continues

Hey Chasers!

We did it! BILL NYE!

Bill Nye (Centre) With Chasing Atlantis Team Paul (Right) and Matthew (Left)

Bill Nye (Centre) With Chasing Atlantis Team Paul (Right) and Matthew (Left)

Mind Blown! We literally just got back from our interview with Bill at the Planetary Society. First off, it was amazing to visit the society, a legacy of the great Carl Sagan. But then, to meet a childhood hero who continues to be a passionate advocate for education, action against climate change, and the mission to answer the questions of our origins in the universe…again, mind blowing.

Bill spoke a great deal with us about science education and science as key to understanding and improving the world around us. However, he also spoke about the importance of curiosity, imagination and passion and how these values need to play a part in your life regardless of your vocation…so even in the lives of filmmakers!

As part of the “Ask Bill Nye” post that we made a few days ago, we got some really insightful questions sent in. To those of you who posted questions on the website, in tweets, or posted on the FB page, THANK YOU! We were stoked to know that you were out there helping us to brainstorm ideas for this amazing opportunity. We definitely managed to get some of these questions into the interview and we will be posting clips of those answers soon! Stay tuned! In the meantime…

SCIENCE RULES!! BILL!! BILL!! BILL!!

Oh, one more thing!! Note the Chasing Atlantis Bowtie on Bill! In our panic to get one made last minute, we actually had 3 come through. Our Tie contributors were Vancouver based Belvedere Ties (Featured in this Photo), Beau Ties Ltd in Vermont (a regular provider of ties for Bill  (Thanks Liz!), and by my colleague Brandy Steele at Simon Fraser University. Bill received all 3 ties as a gift and said that they were all very awesome. Also, thanks to Spoonflower for getting us the Chasing Atlantis fabric, from which all the ties were made, in time for the trip!)

North America Tour 2: Shuttles, Space Camp, Astronaut Abby, SpaceVidCast and Bill NYE!

Hey Chasers!

Paul and I just landed last night in Los Angeles. We have a pretty exciting lineup of interviews and visits setup on this trip. Seems that each time we think production is coming to a close, another incredible opportunity arises. On our last North America Tour, we started in Montreal and ended in Vancouver while visiting the Canadian Space Agency, the Kennedy Space Center, I Dream of Space, Planetary Resources, and finally interviews at Simon Fraser University with particle physicist and amateur astronomy Howard Trottier.

This time around we are beginning in LA with Bill Nye tomorrow (very excited about this) at the Planetary Society, heading to the Seattle Museum of Flight to grab footage of their shuttle trainer that was used to actually prepare future astronauts, then spending 3 days at Space Camp in Huntsville Alabama to meet Astronaut Abby, and finally returning to LA to meetup with the team at SpaceVidCast. More interviews to follow in Montreal in September.

Shuttle Trainer at the Seattle Museum of Flight

Shuttle Trainer at the Seattle Museum of Flight

 

Remember! We have an amazing opportunity posted for you to contribute to our line up of questions for Bill Nye tomorrow (July 25th) ! Follow this link to ASK BILL NYE A QUESTION

Bill Nye the Science Guy

Bill Nye the Science Guy

 

Stay tuned for more updates on North America Tour 2! We’ll keep posting in the next few days as we travel!

Keep Chasing!

Matthew

Ask Bill Nye a Question with Chasing Atlantis

Hey Chasers!

Over the past few weeks, you’ve heard rumors of a special celebrity interview, and a few mentions of bow ties. Well, here is the official announcement:

WE ARE INTERVIEWING BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY!

Bill Nye the Science Guy Photo: Billnye.com

Bill Nye the Science Guy Photo: Billnye.com

Paul and I are headed to Los Angeles to meet up with Bill at the Planetary Society in on July 25th!

Conducting interviews for the film can be intimidating enough as it is. We are getting deep with people about how space, and science fiction have really affected their lives. But this is BILL NYE! Bill helped raise a whole generation of us on science through his passion for outreach and…well…we are understandably nervous and excited all at once.

So here’s where we’d like your help! 

We want to ensure we get the most out of our time with Bill and also provide you with a chance to be involved. We are asking the space/sci-fi community “What Would You Want to Ask Bill Nye”. We will use some of the questions we get in our interview.

What kind of questions are we looking for?

Questions that fit the themes of the film. Of course we are looking for questions about space, why space is so cool, and why Bill has taken lead at the Planetary Society. But Chasing also explores people’s personal connection to space/exploration, the legacy they want to leave in their field of study, why they feel compelled to engage/educate, how their field affects society, why what they do is important, and what inspired them to do what they do. So get creative!

How do you send your question?

Tweet it to us @chasingatlantis, write as a reply to this blog post, or post it on our Facebook Page. If we use your question in the interview, we’ll let you know and post the video of Bill’s reply. We will consider questions sent to us all the way until the morning of July 25th when we’re en route to the Planetary Society

 

Thanks for helping us take advantage of this amazing opportunity! (BILL! BILL! BILL! BILL!)

-Keep Chasing

-Matthew