Universe Today (Page 214)

India Sets Record With 104 Satellites In Single Launch

By Matthew Williams - February 15, 2017 04:29 PM UTC | Space Policy

With the successful launch of 104 satellites, the Indian National Space Organization has set a new record for the number of satellites deployed in a single mission.

The Orbit of Mercury. How Long is a Year on Mercury?

By Matthew Williams - February 15, 2017 04:00 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Owing to its rapid orbital period, a year on Mercury lasts about 88 days, which means a year is only half as long as a single day

Dream Chaser Spacecraft May Be Used For Hubble Repair Mission

By Evan Gough - February 15, 2017 02:22 PM UTC | Space Exploration

The Trump administration is considering a plan to extend the Hubble's life in case the James Webb Space Telescope fails.

Chance Discovery Of A Three Hour Old Supernova

By Evan Gough - February 14, 2017 07:41 PM UTC | Stars

Astronomers get a rare opportunity to observe the first hours of a supernova's collapse.

Distance & Speed Of Sun's Orbit Around Galactic Centre Measured

By Matthew Williams - February 14, 2017 07:02 PM UTC | Milky Way

Using the initial data released by the Gaia observatory, a team of Canadian astrophysicists have produced refined estimates on the distance between our Sun and the center of the galaxy.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 440: Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 4: Supervolcanoes!

By Fraser Cain - February 14, 2017 02:09 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Through The Nuclear Looking Glass: The Moon & The Bomb

By Matthew Williams - February 13, 2017 09:09 PM UTC | Planetary Science

By analyzing samples of glass formed at the Trinity nuclear test sight, a team of scientists has helped resolve the mystery of how the Moon was formed.

Carnival of Space #496

By Susie Murph - February 13, 2017 12:31 PM UTC | Site News

SpaceX Falcon 9 Breathes First Fire at KSC Pad 39A - Successful Static Fire Test Paves Path to Feb. 18 ISS Launch

By ken-kremer - February 12, 2017 11:21 PM UTC | Space Exploration

SPACE VIEW PARK/KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - For the first time in more than half a decade, a rocket came to life at NASA's Kennedy Space Center when a SpaceX Falcon 9 breathed her first fire at historic pad 39A today, Sunday, Feb. 12 - successfully completing a critical static test firing of the first stage engines that opens the door to a launch to the space station next weekend for NASA.

Meet Asteroid 2017 BQ6 — A Giant, Spinning Brick

By bob-king - February 12, 2017 01:54 PM UTC | Planetary Science

New asteroid 2017 BQ6 was all elbows when it flew by Earth just a few days ago. Images reveal it as one of the most "angular" near-Earth asteroids known.

91 Astronomers Combine 1000 Images Into One Amazing Journey to Jupiter

By Matthew Williams - February 11, 2017 04:06 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Using 1000 images taken by amateur astronomer, filmmaker Peter Rosen has created a film that takes viewers on virtual journey to Jupiter.

First SpaceX Falcon 9 Erected at Historic Launch Pad 39A for Feb. 18 Blastoff

By ken-kremer - February 10, 2017 10:24 PM UTC | Space Exploration

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - The first SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ever to grace historic launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida was erected this afternoon, Friday, Feb. 10, to prepare the booster for a critical static fire sometime KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - The first SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ever to grace historic launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida was erected this afternoon, Friday, Feb. 10, to prepare the booster for a critical static fire sometime Saturday, and a launch next weekend - if all goes well.

What is the Surface Area of the Earth?

By Matthew Williams - February 10, 2017 07:20 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Compared to other Solar planets, Earth is kind of average. And given its shape, determining its surface area is a but complicated.

The Centaurus Constellation

By tammy-plotner - February 10, 2017 04:00 PM UTC | Stars

Located in the southern skies is the classic constellation Centaurus, the ninth largest constellation and one of the original 48 included by Ptolemy in his Almagest.

Time To Build A Venus Rover

By Evan Gough - February 10, 2017 02:05 PM UTC | Space Exploration

NASA has made progress developing electronics that can withstand Venus' extreme surface environment.

Watch the Curiosity Rover Roll Across Mars' Surface

By Nancy Atkinson - February 10, 2017 01:35 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Weekly Space Hangout - February 10, 2017: Weekend Eclipse, Occultation and Comet 45P!

By Fraser Cain - February 10, 2017 12:54 PM UTC | Observing

This Is The Highest Resolution Image Of Europa We Have ... For Now

By bob-king - February 10, 2017 12:52 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Take a gander at this high resolution view of Europa and learn of NASA's plans to look for life there.

NASA Approves First Commercial Airlock for Space Station Science and SmallSat Deployment

By ken-kremer - February 09, 2017 05:08 PM UTC | Space Exploration

In a significant move towards further expansion of the International Space Station's (ISS) burgeoning research and commercial space economy capabilities, NASA has approved the development of the first privately developed airlock and is targeting blastoff to the orbiting lab complex in two years.

Can We Launch Nuclear Waste Into the Sun?

By Fraser Cain - February 09, 2017 03:22 PM UTC | Space Policy

We've got all this nuclear waste to dispose of, and we've got this superheated fusion ball in the sky. Couldn't we just blast our nuclear waste into the Sun and be done with it?

Watch the Moon Make a Pass at Earth's Shadow, Then Kiss Regulus This Valentine's Weekend

By David Dickinson - February 09, 2017 09:36 AM UTC | Observing

In the southern hemisphere this weekend in the 'Land of Oz?' Are you missing out on the passage of Comet 45/P Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková, and the penumbral lunar eclipse? Fear not, there's an astronomical event designed just for you, as the Moon occults (passes in front of) the bright star Regulus on the evening of Saturday, January 11th.

The Magellenic Clouds Stay Connected By A String Of Stars

By Evan Gough - February 08, 2017 08:14 PM UTC | Extragalactic

A bridge of stars between the Magellanic Clouds helps unravel a mystery.

Uber Brings In NASA Engineer To Build Flying Cars

By Matthew Williams - February 08, 2017 04:53 PM UTC | Space Policy

Uber recently announced that they have hired NASA engineer Mark Moore to spearhead the company's VTOL transit program, known as Uber Elevate.

31 Years After Disaster, Challenger Soccer Ball Finally Gets To Orbit

By Evan Gough - February 08, 2017 01:28 PM UTC | Space Exploration

A soccer ball on the ISS pays tribute to the seven astronauts who died in the Challenger disaster.

Carnival of Space #495

By Susie Murph - February 08, 2017 12:02 PM UTC | Site News

Curiosity's Martian Chronicles Rife With Intriguing Inconsistencies

By Matthew Williams - February 07, 2017 05:00 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Using data obtained from rock samples since 2011, one of Curiosity's science teams has deduced that ancient Mars did not have enough carbon dioxide to maintain liquid water

Cassini Images Of Enceladus Highlight Possible Cradle For Life

By Evan Gough - February 07, 2017 02:59 PM UTC | Astrobiology

Images of Enceladus highlight its frozen, reflective beauty, and its potential as a cradle for life.

SpaceX Awaits FAA Falcon 9 Launch License for 1st Pad 39A Blastoff on NASA ISS Cargo Flight

By ken-kremer - February 07, 2017 02:02 PM UTC | Space Exploration

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - With liftoff tentatively penciled in for mid-February, SpaceX still awaits FAA approval of a launch license for what will be the firms first Falcon 9 rocket to launch from historic pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center - on a critical NASA mission to resupply the space station - the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed today to Universe Today.

Watch Comet 45P Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková Fly Past Earth This Week

By David Dickinson - February 07, 2017 09:59 AM UTC | Observing

Hankering for some cometary action? An interplanetary interloper pays us a visit this weekend, sliding swiftly through the pre-dawn northern hemisphere sky.

How Long is a Day on Venus?

By Matthew Williams - February 07, 2017 09:00 AM UTC | Planetary Science

Venus is a planet of extremes: extreme heat, extreme weather, and extremely long days. In fact, a single day on Venus lasts as long as 116.75 Earth days.

A Black Hole's Record Breaking Lunch

By Nancy Atkinson - February 06, 2017 07:46 PM UTC | Black Holes

Messier 34 - the NGC 1039 Open Star Cluster

By tammy-plotner - February 06, 2017 04:00 PM UTC | Stars

Located in the northern skies, in the direction of the Perseus constellation, is the open star cluster known as Messier 34.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 439: Destroy and Rebuild, Pt. 3: How Do We Terraform Earth?

By Fraser Cain - February 06, 2017 02:09 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Ancient Annular: Dating Joshua's Eclipse

By David Dickinson - February 06, 2017 09:55 AM UTC | Solar Astronomy

Astronomy turns up in fascinating junctures in history. Besides just the romantic angle, we can actually pin down some contextual events in ancient history if we can tie them in with an event witnessed in the heavens.

See a Flirtatious Lunar Eclipse This Friday Night

By bob-king - February 05, 2017 06:17 PM UTC | Observing

This Friday evening watch the Moon tippy-toe right up to Earth's inner shadow for a sweet penumbral eclipse.

Juno Buzzes Jupiter a mere 4,300 Km's above the Cloud Tops

By Matthew Williams - February 05, 2017 01:49 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Juno recently conducted its fourth close flyby of Jupiter (a perijovian maneuver), and NASA is once again seeking public input on what they want to see photographed during the next pass.

Used SpaceX Booster Set for Historic 1st Reflight is Test Fired in Texas

By ken-kremer - February 04, 2017 11:56 PM UTC | Space Exploration

The first orbit class SpaceX rocket that will ever be reflown to launch a second payload to space was successfully test fired by SpaceX engineers at the firms Texas test facility last week.

The Race To Image Exoplanets Heats Up!

By Matthew Williams - February 04, 2017 06:15 PM UTC | Exoplanets

The Cassiopeia Constellation

By tammy-plotner - February 03, 2017 03:12 PM UTC | Stars

In the northern skies (recognizable from its W shape) is the familiar constellation of Cassiopeia, one of the 48 traditional constellations

Weekly Space Hangout - February 3, 2017: Meredith Rawls & the LSST

By Fraser Cain - February 03, 2017 02:34 PM UTC | Site News

Meteorite Confirms 2 Billion Years of Volcanic Activity on Mars

By Evan Gough - February 02, 2017 03:20 PM UTC | Planetary Science

A Martian meteorite that landed in Africa in 2012 has confirmed that Martian volcanic activity lasted 3 billion years or longer.

A Novel Concept For Braking Breakthrough Starshot

By Matthew Williams - February 02, 2017 01:26 PM UTC | Space Exploration

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute have come up with an interesting way to slow down Starshot's mission to Alpha Centauri, a proposal which has the side benefit of exploring Proxima b as well.

Superbowl Smackdown: Watch the Moon Occult Aldebaran on Sunday

By David Dickinson - February 02, 2017 10:46 AM UTC | Observing

Sure, this Superbowl Sunday brings with it the promise of sacks, fumbles and tackles... but have you ever seen the Moon run down a star in the end zone? Just such an event, termed as an occultation happens this weekend for folks living around the Mediterranean and — just maybe for some sharp-eyed telescope owning observers based around the Caribbean this coming weekend.

Get Away From It All with these Amazing DTM Views of Mars

By Nancy Atkinson - February 01, 2017 06:02 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Preleminary Results In NASA Twins Study Released

By Evan Gough - February 01, 2017 03:42 PM UTC | Space Exploration

NASA has released the preliminary results of their study of prolonged stays in space on the human body.

What is the Weather like on Mars?

By Matthew Williams - February 01, 2017 03:30 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Martian weather is both fascinating and extreme, involving such things as dry ice snows, planet-wide dust storms, and aurorae.

Outstanding Opportunity Rover Making 'Amazing New Discoveries' 13 Years After Mars Touchdown - Scientist Tells UT

By ken-kremer - January 31, 2017 11:59 PM UTC | Missions

NASA's truly outstanding Opportunity rover continues "making new discoveries about ancient Mars" as she commemorates 13 Years since bouncing to a touchdown on Mars, in a feat that is "truly amazing" - the deputy chief scientist Ray Arvidson told Universe Today exclusively.