New NASA Book Brings Cosmic Images to the Blind

As one would expect from a text featuring images of stars, galaxies, and nebulae, NASA’s new book, “Touch the Invisible Sky,” features brilliant color photos from a selection of observatories. However, in a new twist on the popular astronomy coffee table book format, NASA has added touch to the new text.

In a press release from NASA, the photos are described as “…embossed with lines, bumps and other textures. These raised patterns translate colors, shapes and other intricate details of the cosmic objects, allowing visually impaired people to experience them. Braille and large-print descriptions accompany each of the book’s 28 photographs, making the book’s design accessible to readers of all visual abilities.”

With the new book, NASA hopes to bring the beauty and complexity of our galaxy to the visually impaired. To learn more about the text, the authors, and the ideas behind the book, please visit the NASA press release at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/spitzer/news/spitzer-20080115.html

Harriett G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship Accepting Applications – Deadline February 1, 2008

Applications are now being accepted for the Harriett G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship. Up to 20 Fellows will be selected to receive support for graduate education in NASA-related STEM disciplines. The fellowship is open to full-time women, minorities and disabled graduate students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students are selected for fellowships that include financial support and opportunity for hands-on research experience at a NASA center. Fellowship tenure is three years for candidates seeking either a master’s or doctoral degree in NASA-related fields.

The mission of the fellowship is to increase the number of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities participating in mathematics, science, engineering and technology disciplines.

Applications for this opportunity are due Feb. 1, 2008. For more information and to apply online, visit http://www.uncfsp.org/spknowledge/default.aspx?page=program.view&areaid=1&contentid=177&typeid=jpfp