First photo of a total solar eclipse 1851

On July 28, 1851, Julius Berkowski at the Royal Observatory in Konigsberg, Prussia took the first correctly exposed photograph of a total solar eclipse.  It showed the sun's corona in contrast to the darkness of space beyond.

"Deep Blue Sea" released 1999

One of my favorites Deep Blue Sea, a shark thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson, opened July 28, 1999.  It is proof that a black guy can survive a horror movie.  That was L.L. Cool J, not Jackson, who had one of the most surprising deaths in the film.

It was a breakout role for Thomas Jane.  Director Reny Harlin had directed Cutthroat Island just a few years before.

Although it received mostly lukewarm reviews when it opened, Deep Blue Sea is considered one of the best shark movies of all time.

Happy birthday, Malaysian cosmonaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor!

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, born July 27, 1972 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has spent 10 days aboard the International Space Station.  He was selected as a cosmonaut for the Malaysian Angkasawan (ANGKASA) spaceflight program in 2006. He is the first Malaysian in space.

He took off in Soyuz TMA-11 in October 2007 to the ISS with members of Expedition 16, Yuri Malenchenko and Peggy Whitson.  He returned to Earth about 10 days later aboard Soyuz TMA-10.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut William McArthur!

William McArthur, born July 26, 1951 in Laurinburg, North Carolina, is a veteran of three space shuttle missions and one trip to the International Space Station.

His first mission was aboard Columbia (STS-58) as mission specialist October-November 1993. During the flight, he tested the Lower Body Negative Pressure device as a countermeasure for the detrimental effects of microgravity.

His second mission was aboard Atlantis (STS-74) as mission specialist in November 1995.  He inspected spacesuits that would be needed in case an EVA would be needed.  It wasn't.

McArthur's third flight was aboard Discovery (STS-92) as mission specialist in October 2000.  He performed two EVAs during the mission with fellow astronaut Leroy Chiao for a total time of 14 hours.

His fourth and final trip into space was aboard Soyuz TMA-7 as flight engineer to the ISS in October 2005- April 2006 as part of Expedition 12.

Marvin the Martian first appearance 1948

Marvin the Martian, every Earthling's favorite alien, first appeared with Bugs Bunny in Haredevil Hare, July 24, 1948!  Marvin hails from the Red Planet, sporting a Roman outfit with basketball sneakers.

His (miniature) image is on the Spirit rover on Mars, just in case Martians find it so they'll know we're friendly.

"The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" released 1982

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, released July 23, 1982, starred Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton in the lead roles.  Dolly received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Movie - Comedy or Musical. The movie was based on a play, which was based on a true story. 

Charles Durning, who played the governor of Texas, received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

When released, it bumped E.T. The Extraterrestrial from the #1 spot, where it had been for the previous six weeks.

Soyuz TMA-17M launched 2015

Soyuz TMA-17M crew (L-R): Oleg Kononenko, Kjell Lindgren, Kimiya Yui

Mission patch

Soyuz TMA-17M, launched  July 22, 2015, carried members of Expedition 44 to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Oleg Kononenko (Roscosmos), Kimiya Yui (JAXA) and Kjell Lindgren (NASA).

They returned to Earth December 2015.

Happy birthday, NASA astronaut Scott Tingle!

Scott Tingle, born July 19, 1965 in Attleboro, Massachusetts, went into space aboard Soyuz MS-07 in December 2017. He stayed on the International Space Station until June 2018 as part of Expeditions 54 and 55. He performed his first EVA in January 2018 with fellow astronaut Mark Vande Hei.

Apollo and Soyuz 19 launched 1975

Apollo-Soyuz Test Project commemorative painting

On what would be the last mission of NASA's Apollo program, "Apollo 18" (the unofficial designation) was launched July 15, 1975 for the first joint space mission between the United States and the Soviet Union. Its crew consisted of Thomas Stafford, Vance Brand and Donald "Deke" Slayton.

On the other side of the world, Soyuz 19 launched with cosmonauts Alexey Leonov and Valeri Kubasov the same day. The mission was called the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.

When the ships docked, the crews exchanged the first international handshake in space.  They also conducted experiments, exchanged flags and gifts, ate together and signed certificates. After 44 hours together, the ships separated and went their separate ways. 

The cosmonauts stayed in space for two more days, returning to Earth July 21. The astronauts stayed five extra days and returned to Earth July 24.

Donna Summer's Bad Girls reaches #1 1979

The Queen of Donna Summer reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with Bad Girls, the second release from the album of the same name, this week in 1979.  It spent five weeks in the top spot.  It was the second biggest hit of 1979.

It won American Music Awards in 1980 for Favorite Pop/Rock Single and Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist.

Robert Overmyer, Space Shuttle astronaut, born 1936

Space Shuttle astronaut Robert Overmyer, born July 14, 1936 in Lorain, Ohio, went into space twice.  He became an astronaut in 1969 and served as part of the support crews for the Apollo program, the Skylab program and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.

His first trip into space was aboard Columbia (STS-5) as pilot in November 1982. It was the first officially "operational" shuttle mission.

His second and final was aboard Challenger (STS-51-B) as commander April-May 1985.

Overmyer was testing a plane on March 22, 1996 near Duluth International Airport in Minnesota when his plane crashed. 

Pluto's Heart is available today on Amazon!

My latest short story Pluto's Heart is now available from JMS Books! 

Follow this link to order it on Amazon!


Read an excerpt here:

“Atmospheric pressure and standard temperature have been established,” the computer said. “You may now safely remove your helmet and space suit.”

“Finally,” he muttered. It took him almost five minutes to remove his suit, down to the nylon overalls he wore underneath and scanned the interior of the building. It appeared to be more machine shop than scientific outpost. Almost every square meter of the space was occupied with machinery and scientific equipment. A narrow path wound between the mountains of apparatus, just wide enough for him to pass through. Brian took a tentative step forward and his foot falls seemed to echo.

A noise from somewhere inside grabbed his attention and he made his way toward the sound. An opening appeared before him as he stepped around a stack of containers. A small living space, about three meters by four meters sat among the piles. It had a low bed, an exercise station and a kitchenette. A chamber jutted out from the wall into the room and Brian could see a toilet and shower inside.

A lone figure sat at a table, his back to Brian, hunched over a piece of scientific equipment.

“Zack?” Brian spoke in a soft voice, as not to startle him. How could he have not heard me enter? The airlock is not quiet, and the computer voice was loud enough to hear through my helmet.

The figure turned around

“Brian?” The red-bearded face appeared greyer and more drawn then when Brian had last seen him and Zack seemed thinner, but he was still the handsome man Brian fell in love with years ago.

Zack wore overalls similar to the one Brian had on, and heavy boots. He walked toward Brian who held his arms out for a hug.

When he got close enough, Zack punched him hard in the face. Brian fell back, landing on a pile of luggage straps.

He lay still for a few seconds, stunned, pain shooting through his skull. When the shock subsided, Brian struggled to get his feet and cleared his vision, noting Zack had not moved.

“Not the reception I was expecting,” Brian said, rubbing his cheek where Zack’s fist had connected, feeling the stubble that had grown during his trip.

“What did you expect?” Zack snapped. “You’re responsible for me being stranded on this fucking rock! Did you think I was going to welcome you with open arms and on my knees?”  His voice rose to a shout.

“Wait a minute,” Brian retorted. “You left me!  You wanted to come out here to get away from me!”

“I did not leave you,” Zack yelled.  “I was told you wanted to break up with me and the next thing I knew, I was shipped out to this frozen cesspool.”

“I was on the other side of Titan when you left,” Brian argued.  “We hadn’t talked for several days, so who told you I wanted to break up?”

Zack pressed his lips together and did not respond.

“Maybe the same person who told me you requested this assignment?”

“Assignment?” Zack looked surprised. His expression changed to amusement and he burst out laughing. “Do you think this is an assignment?” He spat out the last word. “This is a fucking death sentence,” he continued shouting. “We are never getting off this goddamned planet. At least I’ll have the satisfaction knowing you’re stuck here too. And will probably die here.  With luck before me.” He turned and walked back to his workstation.

"Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion" released 1996

The sequel to Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, Daiei Studios released Gamera 2: Attack of Legion, July 13, 1996.  A meteor has crashed on Earth, carrying hundreds of dangerous alien creatures,. thus the term 'Legion', a reference to the Bible in which a man is possessed by many demons named 'Legion'.

It is up to Gamera to save the world once again.

This is the first giant monster film to win the Nihon Science Fiction Taisho Award, give by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (equivalent of the Nebula Award) in 1996.

"Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" released 1961

Irwin Allen released his futuristic science-fiction disaster movie Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, July 12, 1961.  The film takes place aboard the Seaview, the roomiest submarine I've ever seen.  The Van Allen Belt is on fire and the nuclear sub is sent to find a solution or watch the world burn up.

It stars Barbara Eden, her real-life husband Michael Ansara, Peter Lorre and Frankie Avalon. 

Although it received mixed reviews, it was a success, making $7M on a $2M production.

Def Leppard releases "High 'N' Dry" 1981

Def Leppard released their second studio album High 'N' Dry July 11, 1981, making it as high as #38 on the Billboard 200.  The single Let It Go reached #34 on the mainstream charts.  After the success of Pyromania, High 'N' Dry was rereleased in 1984.  Bringin' On the Heartbreak was released as a single and and peaked at #61 on the U.S. charts.

So far, it has obtained double-platinum status in the U.S.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Lawrence DeLucas!

Lawrence DeLucas, born July 11, 1950, went into space aboard Columbia (STS-50) in June-July 1992 as a payload specialist.  In the two weeks of the mission, he and the rest of the crew conducted experiments with the United States Microgravity Laboratory-1 (USML-1) spacelab.

"Escape From New York" released 1981

John Carpenter released his dystopian future sci-fi flick Escape from New York, July 10, 1981 to positive reviews.  It starred a buffed-up Kurt Russell in a surprisingly tough role as Snake Plissken.  Apparently, Russell was wanting to shed his good-boy Disney image.  And it worked!

In 1997, Manhattan has been turned into a walled, maximum security prison.  When the president's plane crashes in the city, police try to rescue him but the local crime boss says that he has the president and if anyone else tries to save him, the president will be killed.

Snake Plissken is sent in to get the president out safely in 24 hours.

The movie also starred Ernest Borgnine, Harry Dean Stanton and Adrienne Barbeau. 

Godzilla actor Nick Adams born 1931

Nick Adams, born July 10 1931 in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was best known for his role in the television series The Rebel and was nominated for an Oscar for Twilight of Honor.  But he starred in Godzilla vs. Monster Zero (King Ghidorah) in 1965.  He starred in three Japanese monster movies during his time in the country.

He played a cocky, smug astronaut alongside Akira Takarada, who must deal with aliens from Planet X.

He passed away in February 1968.

"Pluto's Heart" by Alex Morgan to be released July 13!

My latest gay romance Pluto's Heart will be released by JMS Books July 13, 2019!

Blurb:

Brian Beauchamp is sent across the solar system to the ninth planet Pluto to help improve the terra forming efforts there.  Zack Kirkland has been stationed on the dwarf planet but has not made the progress the Company expects.  Unfortunately, Zack is Brian’s former lover and left him three years ago without a word. 

  

Brian does not know how Zack will react at seeing him again, especially since they will be stuck together for a long time on Pluto.

Excerpt:

“Atmospheric pressure and standard temperature have been established,” the computer said. “You may now safely remove your helmet and space suit.”

“Finally,” he muttered. It took him almost five minutes to remove his suit, down to the nylon overalls he wore underneath and scanned the interior of the building. It appeared to be more machine shop than scientific outpost. Almost every square meter of the space was occupied with machinery and scientific equipment. A narrow path wound between the mountains of apparatus, just wide enough for him to pass through. Brian took a tentative step forward and his foot falls seemed to echo.

A noise from somewhere inside grabbed his attention and he made his way toward the sound. An opening appeared before him as he stepped around a stack of containers. A small living space, about three meters by four meters sat among the piles. It had a low bed, an exercise station and a kitchenette. A chamber jutted out from the wall into the room and Brian could see a toilet and shower inside.

A lone figure sat at a table, his back to Brian, hunched over a piece of scientific equipment.

“Zack?” Brian spoke in a soft voice, as not to startle him. How could he have not heard me enter? The airlock is not quiet, and the computer voice was loud enough to hear through my helmet.

The figure turned around

“Brian?” The red-bearded face appeared greyer and more drawn then when Brian had last seen him and Zack seemed thinner, but he was still the handsome man Brian fell in love with years ago.

Zack wore overalls similar to the one Brian had on, and heavy boots. He walked toward Brian who held his arms out for a hug.

When he got close enough, Zack punched him hard in the face. Brian fell back, landing on a pile of luggage straps.

He lay still for a few seconds, stunned, pain shooting through his skull. When the shock subsided, Brian struggled to get his feet and cleared his vision, noting Zack had not moved.

“Not the reception I was expecting,” Brian said, rubbing his cheek where Zack’s fist had connected, feeling the stubble that had grown during his trip.

“What did you expect?” Zack snapped. “You’re responsible for me being stranded on this fucking rock! Did you think I was going to welcome you with open arms and on my knees?”  His voice rose to a shout.

“Wait a minute,” Brian retorted. “You left me!  You wanted to come out here to get away from me!”

“I did not leave you,” Zack yelled.  “I was told you wanted to break up with me and the next thing I knew, I was shipped out to this frozen cesspool.”

“I was on the other side of Titan when you left,” Brian argued.  “We hadn’t talked for several days, so who told you I wanted to break up?”

Zack pressed his lips together and did not respond.

“Maybe the same person who told me you requested this assignment?”

“Assignment?” Zack looked surprised. His expression changed to amusement and he burst out laughing. “Do you think this is an assignment?” He spat out the last word. “This is a fucking death sentence,” he continued shouting. “We are never getting off this goddamned planet. At least I’ll have the satisfaction knowing you’re stuck here too. And will probably die here.  With luck before me.” He turned and walked back to his workstation.

"One of our Dinosaurs is Missing" released 1975

Disney Studios released its spy caper One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing July 9, 1975.  The comedy film starred Helen Hayes, Peter Ustinov and Joan Hickson (of Miss Marple fame).

The film was based on a book The Great Dinosaur Robbery, which was an adult novel.  The authors were disappointed when Disney decided to turn the story into a kid's film.

The Diplodocus skeleton model in the movie was used in Star Wars IV: A New Hope when C3PO is stranded on Tatooine and sees the Jawa transporter.

Happy birthday, Ensign Hoshi!

Linda Park, born July 9, 1978 in South Korea, is best known in the Star Trek world as Ensign (later Lieutenant) Hoshi Sato on the series Star Trek: Enterprise. She had a minor role in Jurassic Park III.

Columbia (STS-65) launched 1994

STS-65 crew 

Seated (L-R): Richard Hieb, Robert Cabana, Donald Thomas

Standing (L-R): Leroy Chiao, James Halsell, Chiaki Mukai, Carl Walz

Mission patch

Space shuttle Columbia (STS-65), launched July 8, 1994, was the second flight of the Spacelab to conduct research in a microgravity environment. Its crew consisted of Commander Robert Cabana, Pilot James Halsell, Richard Hieb, Carl Walz, Leroy Chiao, Donald Thomas, and Chiaki Mukai.

They returned to Earth July 23.

Cosmonaut Vitaly Sevastyanov born 1935

Vitaly Sevastyanov, born July 8, 1935 in the former Soviet Union, was a veteran of two Soyuz missions.

His first flight into space was aboard Soyuz 9 as flight engineer in June 1970.  His almost 18 day mission with fellow cosmonaut Andriyan Nikolayev paved the way for future Salyut missions.

His second and final trip into space was aboard Soyuz 18 as flight engineer to Salyut 4 with fellow cosmonaut Pyotr Kilmuk.  They were the second and final crew aboard the space station.

He passed away in April 2010 in Moscow, Russia.

Soyuz MS-01 launched 2016

Soyuz MS-01 crew (L-R): Anatoli Ivanishin, Kathleen Rubins, Takuya Onishi

Mission patch

Soyuz MS-01, launched July 7, 2016, was a spaceflight to the International Space Station, carrying the members of Expedition 48.  Its crew consisted of Commander Anatoli Ivanishin (Roscosmos), Takuya Onishi (JAXA), Kathleen Rubins (NASA).

Rubins conducted two EVAs during her stay aboard the ICC for almost 13 hours total.  The crew of Soyuz MS-01 returned to Earth October 2016.

Discovery (STS-121) launched 2006

STS-121 crew (L-R):  Stephanie Wilson, Michael Fossum, Steven Lindsey, Piers Sellers, Mark Kelly, Thomas Reiter, Lisa Nowak.

Mission patch

Space shuttle Discovery (STS-121), launched July 4, 2006, carried equipment and supplies to the International Space Station as well as a German astronaut from the European Space Agency.  Its crew consisted of Commander Steven Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly, Michael Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson, Piers Sellers and Thomas Reiter (ESA).

Part of the mission was to test new safety and repair techniques put in place by NASA following the Columbia disaster.  Three EVAs were conducted during the mission by Mike Fossum, Mark Kelly and Piers Sellers.

The crew returned to Earth July 17.

"Terminator 2: Judgment Day" released 1991

James Cameron released his blockbuster Terminator 2: Judgment Day July 3, 1991, the sequel to the Terminator released in 1984.  Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton reprised their roles from the 1984 film.  This time, Arnold was the good guy and Robert Patrick was the shape-shifting bad guy.

It is ranked #43 on imdb.com's Top Rated Movie list and it won 4 Oscars: Best Sound; Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing; Best Effect, Visual Effects; and Best Makeup.  It was also nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing.

The American Film Institute ranked the movie #77 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills; #48 on AFI's 100 years...100 Heroes and Villains.  Schwarzenegger's line "Hasta la vista, baby" is ranked at #76 of AFI's 100 years...100 Movie Quotes.  It is #8 on AFI's 10 top 10 in Science Fiction Films.

Happy birthday, American cosmonaut Norman Thagard!

Norman Thagard, born July 3, 1943 in Marianna, Florida, is the first American to fly on a Russian spacecraft in March 1995, making him the first American cosmonaut.

His first trip into space was aboard Challenger (STS-7) as mission specialist in June 1983 with Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

His second trip was aboard Challenger (STS-51-B) as mission specialist in April-May 1985.

His third trip into space was aboard Atlantis (STS-30) as mission specialist in May 1989.

Thagard's fourth mission was aboard Discovery (STS-42) as mission specialist in January 1992.

His fifth and last trip into space was aboard Soyuz TM-21 as a research cosmonaut to the Mir space station in March 1995.  He was part of the Mir EO-18 expedition and returned to Earth on Atlantis (STS-71) in July.

Giotto, spacecraft to Halley's Comet, launched 1985

European Space Agency's Giotto spacecraft, launched July 2, 1985, visited Halley's Comet in March 1986. It followed the Soviet Union's Vega 1 and Vega 2.  Giotto passed the comet successfully despite being hit by small particles.  One collision sent the spacecraft spinning off its stabilized axis.  The antenna was not pointed toward earth and the dust shield was not in a position to protect its instruments.  After 32 minutes, Giotto stabilized itself and continued gathering data.

Another collision destroyed the multi-color camera, but after it took close-up pictures of the nucleus.  It was turned off March 15, 1986.

ESA woke up Giotto July 2, 1990 for a flyby of Comet Grigg-Skjellerup on July 10.  Giotto was again switched off.

The spacecraft is named after Italian Renaissance painter Giotto di Bondone, who witnessed Halley's Comet in 1301 and depicted it as the star of Bethlehem in his painting Adoration of the Magi.

"Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" released 2009

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, the third installment of the Ice Age series, premiered July 1, 2009.  This movie featured the gang of Manny, Sid, Diego, Ellie, Crash and Eddie as they try to save Sid from being eaten by a dinosaur.  After hatching three T-Rex eggs, Sid finds himself up against Mama T-Rex in an underground prehistoric land.

This is my favorite of this series.

Columbia (STS-94) launched 1997

STS-94 crew

Front Row (L-R): Janice Voss, James Halsell, Susan Kilrain Still, Donald Tomas

Back Row (L-R): Roger Crouch, Greg Linteris, Michael Gernhardt

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-94), launched July 1, 1997, was the reflight of STS-83 from April, which was cut short due to a problem with Fuel Cell #2.  Its crew consisted of Commander James Halsell, Pilot Susan Kilrain Still, Janice Voss, Michael Gernhardt, Donald Thomas, Roger Crouch, and Greg Linteris.  It was the only time in history two missions with more than one crewmember had the exact same crew.

This time, the crew managed to complete all their objectives for the mission.  They returned to Earth