An update on the pledge drive

I am delighted at the response to far to my handing around the collection plate: donations since Thursday have matched and surpassed the original $500 challenge, and we've now paid for the expenses of my attending AGU and Doug's attending Europlanet. Well done!

I have a new challenge to announce: the moderation team of unmannedspaceflight.com has pooled their funds into a pot worth $600 as a challenge to all of you who read and learn from this blog. Can you match it? Any amount helps to support the blog, Planetary Radio, and other efforts on this website. If all you can spare is $10, send that our way; we've seen, and been glad to accept, donations of $10, $20, $50, and $100. If you have some other currency, we can take your donation by Paypal. Donate here.

I want to give a special thanks to one donor who helped us out with a $1,000 gift; it warms my heart to know that my efforts, and the efforts of the other people who keep you informed, like Mat Kaplan, Amir Alexander, and A. J. S. Rayl, are so valued.

If you've sent money, and would like me to thank you for it in this space, I'll be glad to; just send an email to blog at planetary.org.