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Last Post 10/15/2012 10:05 AM by  KD Leka
Sports?
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10/14/2012 9:15 PM
    Do you play sports in space and if not is there anything that relates to it ... Like when you chillen do you throw around a soft ball ... soft so it doesnt break your millions of dollars of equipments ?
    Tags: sports, Exercise, Juggling

    Kris Sigsbee



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    Posts:415
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    10/15/2012 8:37 AM

    Hello,

    I am not an astronaut, and I don't think any of the other Solar Week scientists are astronauts either, so none of us have played sports in outer space. However, I do know that it is very important for astronauts to get exercise while they are in outer space. Here is an article that explains how astronauts exercise in space and why it is important:

    http://www.nasa.gov/audie...r_Body_in_Space.html

    Scientists like me who are pretty much earthbound generally do not do things like throw softballs or frisbees around the lab, because it could damage computers and other expensive equipment. I do have a jar of brain-shaped bean bags for juggling on my desk, but I don't use them very often and I make sure I stay out of the labs and far, far away from anything that can get broken when I do! When I get tired of sitting at my computer at work, all I have to do to get some exercise is just get up and go for a walk outside. A lot of the scientists I know also like to go walking, running, or biking and play sports like soccer or ultimate frisbee in their spare time - we just don't do those things at work in our offices or labs.

    Kris


    Claire Raftery



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    Posts:71
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    10/15/2012 10:01 AM
    Hi! Like Kris, I too am an Earth-bound scientist who enjoys a good game of softball (I play for a team near where I live). As for hobbies in space though, I don't know much about sport but I do know a little about musical hobbies. Astronaut Cady Coleman has famously played a duet with Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull but...she was in space and he was on Earth!! Here's a video of the duet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeC4nqBB5BM Hobbies are always important and help not only to get you fit but often, help to keep you sane in stressful situations. Claire

    KD Leka



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    Posts:115
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    10/15/2012 10:05 AM

    Hi -- I'll second that in the lab (or in my case, when I'm at one of the solar observatories, such as the Dunn Solar Telescope at NSO/Sac Peak, see http://nsosp.nso.edu/ ), it's all pretty serious, and nothing gets thrown or tossed, everyone is very controlled in their motions. However, I think most scientists do some sort of recreation -- whether competitive sports or gardening or knitting or just something! -- to let the brain get a break and relieve the intensity of some of the work. I like to bike-commute, even when it's cold and snowing, because it helps me focus other days. Even at the observatories, there are trails to go run or pick-up basketball/volleyball to play with the staff after hours. I come up with some of my best ideas when I'm on my bike!

    Cheers, -KD

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