Yay! It's January! A new year has started, and this silly virus is taking the world by storm. Will we ever get out of this? But let's stay optimistic, and instead see what has happened during this month.
First of all, we're accelerating! I'd like to refer you to our recent launch of the powerful Monica 6.0 version of our automagical wonder tool - all you need, all you want. All the details are in our news article and on the dedicated page - you'll love this new version as much as we do!
And this is completed, too: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has arrived at its destination in a 1.5 mio km distance from Earth some days ago - the so-called Earth-Sun L-2 Lagrange point (and yes, I had to look this up, hence the link to more information as it's important for the placement).
It has perfectly unfolded and is now ready to rock'n'roll - well, rather to send information and look for baby galaxies out there. Still, this installation process will take a few months to complete, and as of then, we can expect beautiful images and news. The telescope is the follow-up of the legendary Hubble.
Thank you, Gene Roddenberry. The inventor of Star Trek had died some years ago already, and in 1997 his ashes were launched into space already. Now, there will be a Celestis mission in memory of his wife Majel and himself, which the Celestis CEO declares as fulfilment of a promise to one day send both of them onto a deep space flight. The flight will contain more than 150 flight capsules with ashes, DNA samples and messages from StarTrek fans. Now that's a nice gesture.
And, besides all that?
Twenty years ago, on 1st January 2002, the Euro was introduced as the new monetary unit of Europe. Oh, what a drama, but the transit went quite rapidly: within three months, it was the sole legal tender for all the states participating in the issuing. Still, some people are still converting currencies in their head, even such a long time after...
Fifty years ago, US president Richard Nixon signed a bill approving 5.5 bnEUR across a span of several years to build and test the NASA space shuttle. Well, thank you for that! Space travel has come a long way.
Also fifty years ago, to remind you, was the Bloody Sunday, where 13 catholic people were killed in the town of Derry by British troops when they were participating in an illegal civil rights march. And roughly 40 years ago, an Irish band took up the theme to write one of the most political songs about this. So, dig out your old U2 records, get on the sofa and listen to these old tunes again. Tragic events sometimes lead to great music and start imagination about a better world.
Have a good start into February, and get the drinks out - we have two funny days next month! 2.2.22 and 22.2.22. If that isn't a reason to celebrate...
