As opposed to hi-jacking any and all scientific threads Skyler puts down, I am going to put my ramblings in here. Nothing STO related, just some cool videos or news that I come across! Feel free to comment if you have something to say about it.
Thanks.
This is the: CURRENT FAVORITE SPACE VIDEO spot.
If you can watch this and not appreciate both the challenges for space flight and exploration and the amazing ability of humanity to over come then.... then, I don't know what!
If you can watch this and not appreciate both the challenges for space flight and exploration and the amazing ability of humanity to over come then.... then, I don't know what!
That video was how I got my friends excited about the landing. It was awesome.
Ha ha! Science!
Ha ha! Science!
I know, right? I remember watching it live last year, late at night. Those guys were on the edge of their seats waiting for the signal post landing. Me too.
Those engineers are so awesome. I really am growing to appreciate them more than astronauts. Astronauts are cool, but Engineers like those folks will make our future.
Those engineers are so awesome. I really am growing to appreciate them more than astronauts. Astronauts are cool, but Engineers like those folks will make our future.
A star went nova in our galaxy this weekend!
I didn't hear about it until today, but if your view to the east is clear I understand its tracking at 5.5 for tonight so you still should be able to see it with the naked eye IF you know what you are looking for. Binos would make it really visible. Here is an article about it:
Space.com: New Nova Star Explosion Wows Stargazers
I didn't hear about it until today, but if your view to the east is clear I understand its tracking at 5.5 for tonight so you still should be able to see it with the naked eye IF you know what you are looking for. Binos would make it really visible. Here is an article about it:
Space.com: New Nova Star Explosion Wows Stargazers
Oh, Dae, you and your little science projects. I have only two questions for you.
One, will you object if we post our own neat science things or do we have to start our own threads?
Two, how do you feel about Neil deGrasse Tyson, Dae?
One, will you object if we post our own neat science things or do we have to start our own threads?
Two, how do you feel about Neil deGrasse Tyson, Dae?
You can post all the cool space science stuff you like. Please do!
Tyson is obviously very smart and a good communication and excited about the sciences. He has kind of taken up the banner of trying to use science to intentionally discredit religious organizations. Or atleast he gets a lot of press for that. I would prefer if he just didn't get involved with them at all.
I prefer Michio Kaku because his books are a bit funnier and he doesn't get bogged down in religious debates.
But, in general, I like hear Tyson talk science!
Tyson is obviously very smart and a good communication and excited about the sciences. He has kind of taken up the banner of trying to use science to intentionally discredit religious organizations. Or atleast he gets a lot of press for that. I would prefer if he just didn't get involved with them at all.
I prefer Michio Kaku because his books are a bit funnier and he doesn't get bogged down in religious debates.
But, in general, I like hear Tyson talk science!
I promised myself only two "articles" in here a week. There were at least three others that I wanted to post but I bring you this instead. Because sometimes the rivers look so daunting from the ground and perhaps perspective of a marvelous future helps keep the little canoe from sinking.
... if you like this one, there are 8 more in the series, part 4 being my second favorite.
... if you like this one, there are 8 more in the series, part 4 being my second favorite.
NASA turns on an old satellite for a whole new mission.
http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/36913wise-telescope-to-be-resurrected-for-three-year-asteroid-hunt
Four great points to this story:
1 - Re-use of a satellite. Getting stuff up there is costly so any chance to take what's already available and use it to fulfill another purpose is great. $18 million for three years? Consider that JUST the launch of a whole new bird on the remarkably cheap Falcon 9 would cost $50 million.
2 - Everyone fears getting shwacked like the dinos. WISE is set to help identify the potentially dangerous near-earth asteroids.
3 - Not just looking for killer-asteroids, NASA is going to use the data to help identify targets for its "Capture an Asteroid" program. (I suspect this is the real reason NASA wants to turn it on, but in order to convince Washington for funding they're headlining their killer-asteroid hunter capabilities.)
4 - Great engineering to the men and women who built it and the ones starting it back up. Turning a satellite off for 3 years then deciding to turn it back on and being successful? A remarkable programming accomplishment and testament to its construction.
More info on WISE here: http://wise.ssl.berkeley.edu/
Another comet is gracing our skies late this year. Some scientist are predicting a spectacular show. Visible to the naked eye, almost certainly. As bright as the moon or visible during the day, I don't think so, but possible. Its interesting, and a bit humbling, to realize how much we don't yet understand about simple things like... large snowballs flying by a giant H->He fusion reactor!
http://www.space.com/19973-comet-ison.html
Sometimes, though, not knowing and just enjoying the show is cool too. Be ready to look up this winter!
http://www.space.com/19973-comet-ison.html
Sometimes, though, not knowing and just enjoying the show is cool too. Be ready to look up this winter!
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Comet-watch party event, imo.
You're a Martian! .... say some scientist.
I've heard this from various sources before, going back a few years, at least. Personally, I think its a bit too much carriage before the horse, but its an interesting idea to consider.
http://www.space.com/22577-earth-life-from-mars-theory.html
I've heard this from various sources before, going back a few years, at least. Personally, I think its a bit too much carriage before the horse, but its an interesting idea to consider.
http://www.space.com/22577-earth-life-from-mars-theory.html
Obviously anyone available is going to be clamoring to attend the Waydi event tonight... obviously. but... 30 minutes before the event starts, NASA is launching a probe to investigate the moons atmosphere.
LADEE Launch tonight at 9:27 PM atop a Minotaur V from the NASA Wallops Flight and Rocket Launch Facility
Watch it live with me online:
http://www.space.com/17933-nasa-television-webcasts-live-space-tv.html
Read about:
http://www.space.com/22681-nasa-moon-mission-laser-communications.html
If you live on the east coast, step outside to see it, these maps can help:
http://www.space.com/22628-nasa-ladee-moon-launch-viewing-maps.html
LADEE Launch tonight at 9:27 PM atop a Minotaur V from the NASA Wallops Flight and Rocket Launch Facility
Watch it live with me online:
http://www.space.com/17933-nasa-television-webcasts-live-space-tv.html
Read about:
http://www.space.com/22681-nasa-moon-mission-laser-communications.html
If you live on the east coast, step outside to see it, these maps can help:
http://www.space.com/22628-nasa-ladee-moon-launch-viewing-maps.html
SpaceShipTwo from Virgin Galactic is showing all its skills. Although its not orbital, I think these types of entertainment oriented space endeavors are good for the overall human space program.
http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/virgin-galactic-flexes-spaceshiptwos-unique-feather-mechanism-in-second-supersonic-flight/
Now... who's got a few hundred thousand bucks tucked under their mattress that they want to donate to the: "Blast Dae into Space" fund?
Also, question for the group.... What are the names of Virgin Galactic's two ships? I think you'll find the answer very Trek inspiring!
http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/virgin-galactic-flexes-spaceshiptwos-unique-feather-mechanism-in-second-supersonic-flight/
Now... who's got a few hundred thousand bucks tucked under their mattress that they want to donate to the: "Blast Dae into Space" fund?
Also, question for the group.... What are the names of Virgin Galactic's two ships? I think you'll find the answer very Trek inspiring!
Sky.. you beat me to it... was totally going to post this:
Spoiler: Dae's thread on Space FrogShow
For anyone that watched the launch with us last week, check out the frog that watched with us too. I hear his seat was a little closer.... and a slight bit hotter! Remember the grass fire that started after the launch?
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/12/tech/innovation/frog-and-rocket/index.html?hpt=hp_c4
Also, answer to last weeks questions: "Enterprise" and "Voyager". The ships were specifically named after the Star Trek ships.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/12/tech/innovation/frog-and-rocket/index.html?hpt=hp_c4
Also, answer to last weeks questions: "Enterprise" and "Voyager". The ships were specifically named after the Star Trek ships.
Its been a busy one today, two worthy stories for this thread....
NASA now says Voyager has left the solar system, and did so over a year ago!
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/353199/description/At_last_Voyager_1_slips_into_interstellar_space
Here is a simple (if not ugly) Voyager 1 and 2 time table:
http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/timeline.html?hpt=hp_t1
Godspeed Voyager! Enjoy interstellar space.... beware of cloaked Romulan Warbirds... and Reapers... and Star Destroyers.
NASA now says Voyager has left the solar system, and did so over a year ago!
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/353199/description/At_last_Voyager_1_slips_into_interstellar_space
Here is a simple (if not ugly) Voyager 1 and 2 time table:
http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/timeline.html?hpt=hp_t1
Godspeed Voyager! Enjoy interstellar space.... beware of cloaked Romulan Warbirds... and Reapers... and Star Destroyers.
This is why I generally think that Astronauts should NOT be allowed to do public speaking. I don't know what happens to them up there, maybe is the excess pressure on the cranium due to water-rebound, but they're just so... dorky and weird.
http://www.space.com/22779-nasa-channels-star-trek-during-voyager-interstellar-announcement-video.html
Don't get me wrong, I like Star Trek and acknowledge that is inspired out space explorers and adventurers, but this is just cheese. If they'd have started playing the theme song to Firefly someone would have handed him a space-pistol (so he was armed), then looked him in the face ('cause you'll be facing me when I do it) and then shot him.
http://www.space.com/22779-nasa-channels-star-trek-during-voyager-interstellar-announcement-video.html
Don't get me wrong, I like Star Trek and acknowledge that is inspired out space explorers and adventurers, but this is just cheese. If they'd have started playing the theme song to Firefly someone would have handed him a space-pistol (so he was armed), then looked him in the face ('cause you'll be facing me when I do it) and then shot him.
Hijacking Shan's thread to beat him to the punch on delivering this news: Curiosity Rover has found water contained in the surface soil of Mars.
Wait wait. I want to post one too, and then Dae has to figure out which announcement is more exciting (although mine is not space-related...):
Scientists create light-matter like Darth Vader's lightsaber.
Scientists create light-matter like Darth Vader's lightsaber.