While dozens of rocket scientists packed NASA’s mission control room during a much-vaunted landing of the Mars rover Curiosity, no one made a bigger impression on viewers glued to live TV and Internet coverage of the event than spike-haired Bobak Ferdowsi.
The 32-year-old flight engineer, better known to Mars-struck fans as the NASA “Mohawk Guy,” became an overnight Internet sensation and helped generate online buzz for Curiosity, thanks largely to his stars-and-stripes punk-rock hairdo and his hunky good looks.
Ferdowsi, a native of Oakland, California, with a graduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has worn eccentric hairstyles for big missions and projects throughout his nine-year tenure at NASA, as a kind of good-luck tradition.
Photo: Reuters
照片：路透
For the occasion of Curiosity’s landing, colleagues at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena held a vote to choose a special new look — a Mohawk dyed red and blue and adorned with stars and stripes. The look transformed Ferdowsi into an instant aerospace rock star among legions of Mars enthusiasts.
The team’s successful landing and subsequent celebrations were streamed across the world, and since then, Ferdowsi said his sudden fame has elicited considerable good-natured ribbing from co-workers.
“I wouldn’t work here if I thought it was the stodgy NASA of yore. We’re still nerds and geeks here. There’s no doubt about it. We’re just a little more comfortable expressing ourselves,” Ferdowsi said.
Photo: Reuters
照片：路透
(Reuters)
在火星探測車「好奇號」受到大肆宣傳的登陸過程中，雖然NASA的任務控制室裡擠滿了數十位火箭科學家，但讓緊盯電視實況轉播和網路報導的觀眾印象深刻的，非留著刺蝟頭的波巴克‧費多西莫屬。
這位三十二歲的飛行工程師，火星迷或許更熟知他是「NASA摩霍克人」，一夜之間就變成轟動網路的風雲人物，並在網路上引發了關於「好奇號」的熱烈討論，而這多半都是拜他頭上的星條旗龐克搖滾髮型及英俊外貌所賜。
Photo: Reuters
照片：路透
在加州奧克蘭市長大的費多西畢業於麻省理工學院，他在NASA工作九年期間，經常在重大任務和計畫進行期間頂著古怪髮型，當成是祈求好運的傳統。
為了好奇號登陸火星此一重要時刻，加州帕沙迪納噴射推進實驗室的同事們特地票選出一種特殊的新髮型，也就是染成紅色與藍色的摩霍克頭，再加上星星與條紋的裝飾。這個髮型讓費多西立刻變身為航太界搖滾巨星，引來大批火星愛好者青睞。
該團隊操作探測車成功登陸及隨後的慶功畫面被傳送到全球各地，從那時起，費多西說他突如其來的名聲，已引來同事們用各種無惡意的方式嘲弄他。
費多西說：「假如我認為這裡還是過去那種老古板的NASA，我就不會在這裡工作。我們這裡的人還是書呆子跟宅男，這點毫無疑問。但我們已經比較能夠自在地展現自我。」
（路透／翻譯：俞智敏）
A few new policies take effect this month, with the following most likely to affect our daily life. Nationwide ban on disposable plastic cups in beverage shops According to the Ministry of Environment’s “Parties Subject to and Means for Single-use Takeaway Beverage Cups Restrictions” implemented on July 1, 2022, beverage shops are required to offer a NT$5 discount for customers who bring their own cups, and all local governments will be required to devise schedules to phase out single-use beverage cups. With the nationwide ban taking effect from this month, it is expected that the number of disposable plastic cups will be
Earthquakes are among the most terrifying natural disasters, generating massive tremors and destructive forces as Earth’s crust shudders. These tremors not only lead to the collapse of buildings but can also trigger secondary disasters, such as tsunamis and fires. However, we can mitigate the impact on lives and property by mastering earthquake response techniques. The DCH three-step strategy, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is crucial during an earthquake. “D” stands for “drop.” You should immediately drop to the ground, using your hands and knees to support yourself. This position prevents you from falling and
A: The newest twist in “Friends” star Matthew Perry’s sudden death is shocking. B: Didn’t he die from a ketamine overdose last year? A: But the police say his death could be a conspiracy. B: Wow, what happened? A: Five suspects have been charged for intentionally supplying him with large amounts of ketamine for personal gain. A: 《六人行》男星馬修派瑞之死大逆轉真令人震驚！ B: 他去年不是因吸毒過量致死嗎？ A: 但警方說他的死可能是個陰謀。 B: 發生了什麼事？ A: 警方已起訴5名嫌犯，他們故意提供大量「K他命」給他，以謀取暴利。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日） https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang The potential use of magnetism to improve hunting ability is not the only surprising aspect of the fox’s complex behavior. The furry creatures are also known for their wide range of vocal expressions. They can produce a surprising range of sounds — up to 40 in total. The most well-known fox vocalization is the scream-like howl, but they also use barks, chatters, and whines to communicate with each other. These sounds are used to defend territory, attract mates, and care for their young. Besides the variety of sounds foxes utter and their possible use of the
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