Monday, August 31, 2009

Honey, I Blew Up the Tokamak

Source - NASA Science News for August 31, 2009

NASA is planning a daring new mission to investigate the Universe's favorite way of making things explode. Unlocking the secrets of "magnetic reconnection" could help alleviate the energy crisis on Earth.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/31aug_mms.htm?list894285

Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Are We Alone for 08/31/09 - What Were You Thinking?

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Are We Alone - What Were You Thinking?

ENCORE
EPISODE - Say what you mean. That’s difficult, if you don’t know what you’re thinking. But the neuromarketers do, and they’ll be happy to tell Madison Avenue what’s on your mind. Discover why this marketing strategy is wired for success.

Also, Steven Pinker on how language reveals private thoughts as well as why the big-brained Homo neanderthalensis couldn’t out-compete Homo sapiens. And, we tease your gray matter with the “Monty Hall Problem.”

Guests: You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Are We A Blog?, the companion blog to the radio show.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

SomaFM: Space Shuttle Launch tonight on Mission Control

Posted on behalf of SomaFM

Space Shuttle Mission STS-128 is set to launch in about an hour at 1:36a.m. EDT Tuesday on a flight to the space station.

We'll be mixing ambient music and the live mission audio from NASA on our new Mission Control channel. You can tune in at: http://somafm.com

If you're using a device that needs a direct stream link, that is: http://somafm.com/missioncontrol.pls

We hope you'll tune in!

Best of luck to Commander Rick Sturckow and the crew of STS-128

Update: Weather delays shuttle Discovery launch - CNN

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Are We Alone for 08/24/09 - Earth: A Millennium Hence

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Are We Alone - Earth: A Millennium Hence
Humans have not gone unnoticed on this planet. We’ve left our mark with technology, agriculture, architecture, and a growing carbon footprint. But where is this trajectory headed?

In the second of a two-part series: what we’ll lose and what will last in 1000 years or more.

Discover what the planet might look like to geologists of the far-off-future… the stubborn longevity of plastic and radioactive waste… human civilization in space… and postcards from the galactic edge; crafting interstellar messages to E.T.

Guests: You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Are We A Blog?, the companion blog to the radio show.

Friday, August 21, 2009

NASA Heads Out to Sea

NASA Science News for August 21, 2009

The agency best known for exploring the vast reaches of space has been exploring some of the vast beaches of Earth – and the results may help protect them.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/21aug_mobilebay.htm?list894285

Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Chandra Turns Ten

Source - NASA Science News for August 19, 2009

Astronomers are celebrating 10 years of discovery by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Today's story highlights some of Chandra's most surprising, violent and beautiful images of the high-energy Universe.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/19aug_chandra10.htm?list894285

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Extraordinary Jupiter Moon Movie

Source - Space Weather News for August 18, 2009: http://spaceweather.com

JUPITER MOON MOVIE: An amateur astronomer in the Philippines has photographed one of Jupiter's moons, Io, casting its circular shadow across another, Ganymede. The movie he made of this rare event is must-see cinema for astronomers. It's playing now on http://spaceweather.com.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Monday Morning Sky Show

Source - Space Weather News for Aug. 16, 2009: http://spaceweather.com

MONDAY MORNING SKY SHOW: Set your alarm for dawn. On Monday morning, Aug. 17th, Venus and the crescent Moon will gather beautifully close together in the eastern sky. For many observers in North America, the International Space Station (ISS) will make an appearance, too. It's a fantastic way to begin the day. Check http://spaceweather.com for a sky map and ISS flyby predictions.

Are We Alone for 08/17/09 - Earth: A Century Hence

Image for Are We Alone weekly radio show
Are We Alone - Earth: A Century Hence

Humans have not gone unnoticed on this planet. We’ve left our mark with technology, agriculture, architecture, and a growing carbon footprint. But where is this trajectory headed?

In the first of a two-part series: what will be lost and what will still be around 100 years from now? James Lovelock says a hotter planet will prompt mass migrations. And Cary Fowler urges us to save our seeds – the health of future farms may depend on it.

Plus, from antibiotics to sewage systems: why human ingenuity ultimately saves the day.

And, sure, humans will be around in a century, but – with bionic limbs and silicon neurons – would we recognize them?

Guests: You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Are We A Blog?, the companion blog to the radio show.

Friday, August 14, 2009

In Search of Antimatter Galaxies

Source - NASA Science News for August 14, 2009

A powerful cosmic ray detector to be installed on the International Space Station will search for antimatter galaxies and other exotic phenomena in the Universe.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/14aug_ams.htm?list894285

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The Perseid Meteor Shower Continues....

Source - Space Weather News for August 12, 2009: http://spaceweather.com

If it's dark where you live, go outside and look for meteors. Earth is still inside the debris stream of Comet Swift-Tuttle and, as a result, the Perseid meteor shower is still active. Worldwide meteor counts raise the possibility that the show could be better tonight, Aug. 12th, than it was last night, Aug. 11th. Be alert for meteors after sunset.

Photos and updates are available at http://spaceweather.com

Monday, August 10, 2009

Horse Flies and Meteors

Source - NASA Science News for August 10, 2009

Like bugs streaking down the side window of a moving car, colorful Perseid Earthgrazers could put on a pleasing show after sunset on Tuesday, August 11th.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/10aug_horseflies.htm?list894285

Perseid Meteor Shower

Source - Space Weather News for August 11, 2009: http://spaceweather.com

The Perseid meteor shower is about to peak. The show begins after sunset on Tuesday, August 11th, and continues until the sun rises on Wednesday, August 12th. A time of particular interest is 0800-0900 GMT (1-2 a.m. PDT) on the 12th. That's when Earth is expected to pass through a denser-than-usual filament of dust from Perseid parent Comet Swift-Tuttle. Forecasters are unsure what will happen, but some have speculated that meteor rates could surge as high as 200 per hour. Bright moonlight will blot out many of those Perseids, but even a fraction of 200 is a good show.

Visit http://spaceweather.com for full coverage of the Perseids.

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Are We Alone for 08/10/09 - Skeptic Check: Doomsday at the Movies

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Are We Alone - Skeptic Check: Doomsday at the Movies

Hollywood has a few ideas of how the world will end: killer asteroids … lethal pandemics … deadly ice-ages. These themes have all played out on the big screen. But, hey, they’re only movies, right?

We’ll separate the science from the fiction in doomsday movies. From the 2012 prophesy of the Mayans … to colliding worlds … to abrupt climate change, find out which among this crowd of cinematic scares are for real, and which aren’t worth the price of popcorn.

Guests: You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Are We A Blog?, the companion blog to the radio show.

Friday, August 07, 2009

Space Porch Open for Business

Source - NASA Science News for August 7, 2009

The International Space Station's new "space porch" is open for business. Barely two weeks after it was installed by the crew of space shuttle Endeavour, the Japanese-built platform is already bustling with experiments in astronomy and space physics--and that's just for starters.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/07aug_spaceporch.htm?list894285

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Kepler Detects an Exoplanet Atmosphere

Source - NASA Science News for August 6, 2009

NASA's new planet-hunting Kepler space telescope has detected the changing phases and atmosphere of a planet a thousand light years away.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/06aug_kepler2.htm?list894285

Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Perseid Meteor Outburst

Source - Space Weather News for Aug. 4, 2009
http://spaceweather.com

POSSIBLE PERSEID METEOR OUTBURST: This year's Perseid meteor shower could be even better than usual. According to NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office, a filament of comet dust has drifted across Earth's path and when Earth passes through it, sometime between 0800 and 0900 UT (1 - 2 am PDT) on August 12th, the Perseid meteor rate could surge to twice its normal value. Check http://spaceweather.com for details and observing tips.

PERSEIDS ON YOUR iPHONE: Spaceweather.com is pleased to announce a new iPhone/iPod application dedicated to the upcoming Perseid meteor shower. It features a Perseid countdown clock, news alerts, an easy-to-use sky map, and a live gallery of photos from around the world. Sky watchers of all types will find it a valuable companion when the shower peaks later this month.

Learn more: http://spaceweather.com/perseids

Download the app: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=325305245&mt=8

Monday, August 03, 2009

What Hit Jupiter?

NASA Science News for August 3, 2009

Two weeks after something slammed into Jupiter, creating a cloud of debris that is still easy to see through backyard telescopes, researchers are wondering ... what was the impactor?

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/03aug_whathitjupiter.htm?list894285

Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Are We Alone for 08/03/09 - Grave Matters

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Are We Alone - Grave Matters
We could choose not to pay income tax and suffer the consequences. But we can’t avoid death. The biological functions of all organisms eventually cease. But why should this be? Find out why animals die and meet one creature that is biologically immortal.

Plus, a trip to the Body Farm where decaying bodies help science…how we might cheat the Big Sleep with drugs… why Mexican cemeteries look like villages… and a doctor’s fight against one of the world’s deadliest diseases.

Guests: You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Are We A Blog?, the companion blog to the radio show.