Ian O'Neill
Polaris Brightness Variations are Revived, Astronomers Mystified
[/caption] Polaris is a well known Cepheid variable, but its periodic brightness variations have been steadily decreasing in amplitude for…
Large Chunk of ISS Space Junk Becomes Easy to Observe (Video)
[/caption] A huge piece of space debris, weighing 1400 lb (635 kg) and the size of two refrigerators, is gradually…
The Cosmic Void: Could we be in the Middle of it?
[/caption] On large scales, the Universe is homogeneous and isotropic. This means that no matter where you are located in…
Successful Test Firing of Orion Jettison Motor (Video)
[/caption] It looks like the hardware is gradually slotting into place for the development of the Orion capsule in NASA's…
How do you Weigh a Supermassive Black Hole? Take its Temperature
[/caption] Working out the mass of huge black holes, like the ones hiding in the centre of galactic nuclei, is…
The Mysterious Mars Mounds
[/caption] The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) continues to churn up stunning images as NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter passes…
The Space Station as an Interplanetary Transport Vehicle?
[/caption] The International Space Station (ISS) is the jewel in the crown of human ingenuity and a testament to the…
Japanese SELENE (Kaguya) Lunar Mission Spots Apollo 15 Landing Site (Images)
The Japanese lunar mission SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer), also known as "Kaguya" has imaged the "halo" left behind in…
Griffin: China Could Beat US in Moon Race
More bad news for NASA: even their administrator thinks China could beat the US to the Moon. Speaking with the…
What’s the Weather Like on Extrasolar Planet HD 189733b?
HD 189733b is a Jupiter-sized extrasolar planet orbiting a yellow dwarf star. Due to its size and compact orbit, HD…