NASA is making a to-do list for the space station's new humanoid robot. Nicknamed R2, the mechanical crew member's chores could range from the most delicate science experiments to old-fashioned house cleaning.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/
Thursday, April 29, 2010
NASA Outlines Big Plans for Humanoid Robot
Source - NASA Science News for April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Massive Eruption, Scorching Rain Observed on the Sun
Source - NASA Science News for April 27, 2010
NASA's new "Hubble for the Sun" has just observed one of the most dramatic eruptions in years. Movies ten times better than HDTV show billions of tons of magnetized plasma blasted into space while debris from the explosion rains back onto the sun's surface.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/
Monday, April 26, 2010
Are We Alone for 04/26/10 - Seas the Moment
Are We Alone - Seas the Moment
ENCORE With more water than land on this planet, Earth is more aptly-named “Ocean” or “Water.” The oceans have been here for billions of years, and make all life possible. Yet, it’s taken less than a century for humans to deal some serious blows to the watery cradle of our existence. Discover how our oceans are changing and the worrisome increase in their acidity from the maker of the documentary film, A Sea Change
Also, hear how hope is bubbling up for ocean recovery from famed oceanographer Sylvia Earle. Learn about her record-breaking voyages underwater and how her reprimand to a Silicon Valley entrepreneur gave birth to Google Ocean. Plus, farming the seas for new antibiotics.
Guests:
- Sylvia Earle – Oceanographer, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, founder of DeepSearch Foundation, and author of Ocean: An Illustrated Atlas (National Geographic Atlas)
- Sven Huseby – Co-producer of the documentary A Sea Change
- Peter Moeller – Toxin and Natural Products Chemist at NOAA
- Pacific Ocean – Largest oceanic division of the world, overlay of the Pacific Plate
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Seas_the_Moment
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.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Theodor Jacobsen Observatory and the Partners in Preservation Seattle-Puget Sound Initiative
Reposted on behalf of Ana Larson, Director, Jacobsen Observatory:
Great news! The Jacobsen Observatory is one of 25 participants in the American Express Partners in Preservation Seattle-Puget Sound Initiative. In short: WE NEED YOUR VOTE!
Visit: http://www.preservationnation.org/partners-in-preservation/seattle/ and look at what is involved, then vote for Jacobsen Observatory everyday between now and May 12. (You will need to register.)
We also have upcoming open house topics and the special open houses.
Visit: http://www.astro.washington.edu/groups/outreach/tjo/
More detailed information is attached and can also be found through the above link.
Thanks ahead of time for being such great Friends of the Observatory!
Cheers,
Ana Larson
Director, Jacobsen Observatory
Great news! The Jacobsen Observatory is one of 25 participants in the American Express Partners in Preservation Seattle-Puget Sound Initiative. In short: WE NEED YOUR VOTE!
Visit: http://www.preservationnation.
We also have upcoming open house topics and the special open houses.
Visit: http://www.astro.washington.
More detailed information is attached and can also be found through the above link.
Thanks ahead of time for being such great Friends of the Observatory!
Cheers,
Ana Larson
Director, Jacobsen Observatory
Stunning New Images of the Sun Released by NASA
Source - NASA Science News for April 21, 2010
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory is beaming back stunning new images of the sun, revealing our own star as never seen before. Even veteran solar physicists say they are amazed by the data. Movies and images may be found in today's story from Science@NASA.
FULL STORY at: http://science.nasa.gov/
Incredible Pictures of the Sun + A Meteor Shower
Source - Space Weather News for April 21, 2010: http://spaceweather.com
MUST-SEE IMAGES OF THE SUN: At a press conference today, researchers unveiled First Light images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA's "Hubble for the Sun." There are huge erupting prominences, crackling solar flares, and gigantic shock waves shown with a clarity ten times better than HDTV. The images must be seen to be believed. Go directly to NASA for the full story:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/21apr_firstlight/
LYRID METEOR SHOWER: The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on April 22nd when Earth passes through a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). The best time to look is during the hours before dawn on Thursday morning. Forecasters expect as many as 20 meteors per hour. Check http://spaceweather.com for more information.
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
MUST-SEE IMAGES OF THE SUN: At a press conference today, researchers unveiled First Light images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA's "Hubble for the Sun." There are huge erupting prominences, crackling solar flares, and gigantic shock waves shown with a clarity ten times better than HDTV. The images must be seen to be believed. Go directly to NASA for the full story:
http://science.nasa.gov/
LYRID METEOR SHOWER: The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on April 22nd when Earth passes through a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). The best time to look is during the hours before dawn on Thursday morning. Forecasters expect as many as 20 meteors per hour. Check http://spaceweather.com for more information.
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
Monday, April 19, 2010
Second Chance for Shuttle Sightings
Source - Space Weather News for April 19, 2010: http://spaceweather.com
SECOND CHANCE FOR SHUTTLE SIGHTINGS: Monday's planned landing of space shuttle Discovery was waved off because of bad weather in Florida. The postponement sets the stage for another try on Tuesday. Once again, Discovery is slated to reenter Earth's atmosphere over the continental United States, and many sky watchers--especially in the northwestern USA and neighboring Canada--could witness a beautiful pre-dawn reentry. The exact ground track depends on weather and whether mission controllers decide to send Discovery to land in Florida or California. Nominally, Discovery would pass diagonally across the country, passing over, e.g., Minneapolis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Jacksonville en route to a 7:34 am EDT landing at the Kennedy Space Center. On the other hand, a redirect to Edwards Air Force Base would strongly favor observers in California. Please check http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates as the re-entry time approaches.
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
SECOND CHANCE FOR SHUTTLE SIGHTINGS: Monday's planned landing of space shuttle Discovery was waved off because of bad weather in Florida. The postponement sets the stage for another try on Tuesday. Once again, Discovery is slated to reenter Earth's atmosphere over the continental United States, and many sky watchers--especially in the northwestern USA and neighboring Canada--could witness a beautiful pre-dawn reentry. The exact ground track depends on weather and whether mission controllers decide to send Discovery to land in Florida or California. Nominally, Discovery would pass diagonally across the country, passing over, e.g., Minneapolis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Jacksonville en route to a 7:34 am EDT landing at the Kennedy Space Center. On the other hand, a redirect to Edwards Air Force Base would strongly favor observers in California. Please check http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates as the re-entry time approaches.
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
Are We Alone for 04/19/10 - Habitats Not For Humanity
Are We Alone - Habitats Not For Humanity
We place sharks in aquariums and elephants in zoos – to observe and conserve. But what if aliens have done the same to us? We’ll hear from Stephen King on a doomed result of a domed experiment - hatched by off-Earth beings, and why captivity may actually save some species on this planet.
Plus, you’re entering the Habitable Zone: which is the best bet for life elsewhere in the Solar System - Europa, Enceladus or Mars?
Guests:
- Stephen King - Novelist, author of Under the Dome: A Novel
- Jim Kasting - Geoscientist, Penn State University and author of How to Find a Habitable Planet (Science Essentials)
- Oliver Morton - Journalist, author of Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet
- John Fraser - Director for the Institute for Learning Innovations and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Hunter College CUNY
- Amanda Hendrix - Planetary Scientist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Bob Pappalardo - Planetary Scientist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org:80/episodes/Habitats_Not_For_Humanity
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.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Rare Shuttle Re-entry over the Continental USA
Source - Space Weather News for April 18, 2010: http://spaceweather.com
SPACE SHUTTLE RE-ENTRY: On Monday morning, April 19th, space shuttle Discovery will make a rare "descending node" reentry over the continental United States. The returning spacecraft will pass over or close to many towns and cities en route to landing in Florida at 8:48 am EDT, including Fort Peck Lake, Montana; Pierre, South Dakota; Sioux City, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri; Tupelo, Mississippi, Birmingham, Alabama, and Jacksonville, Florida. Observers along western parts of the ground track could see the shuttle blazing through pre-dawn darkness. As Discovery makes its way east, it will enter daylight and fade into the bright blue background. If you can't see the shuttle, however, you might be able to hear it. The shuttle produces a sonic double-boom that reaches the ground about a minute and a half after passing overhead. Check http://spaceweather.com for maps and more information.
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
SPACE SHUTTLE RE-ENTRY: On Monday morning, April 19th, space shuttle Discovery will make a rare "descending node" reentry over the continental United States. The returning spacecraft will pass over or close to many towns and cities en route to landing in Florida at 8:48 am EDT, including Fort Peck Lake, Montana; Pierre, South Dakota; Sioux City, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri; Tupelo, Mississippi, Birmingham, Alabama, and Jacksonville, Florida. Observers along western parts of the ground track could see the shuttle blazing through pre-dawn darkness. As Discovery makes its way east, it will enter daylight and fade into the bright blue background. If you can't see the shuttle, however, you might be able to hear it. The shuttle produces a sonic double-boom that reaches the ground about a minute and a half after passing overhead. Check http://spaceweather.com for maps and more information.
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
Friday, April 16, 2010
The Mysterious Molasses Markings of Pluto
Source - NASA Science News for April 16, 2010
- The above notice arrived with the original news email, and was posted to this blog on behalf of Dr. Tony Phillips, and for the benefit of the readers of this blog so they can provide input to Science@NASA stories.
Regards,
-Jim Cox
http://astrolink.blogspot.com/
http://cloudymidnights.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NW_Astronomers/
Hubble images of Pluto have researchers scratching their heads and wondering, what's happening on the dwarf planet? Molasses-colored markings are just one of the mysteries explored in today's story from Science@NASA.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/
A note to readers: You may have noticed that the "look and feel" of Science@NASA stories has changed. There's no cause for alarm. Our core product, simply- and clearly-told stories about NASA science, remains the same. The changes are a sign of progress. Recently, the Science@NASA team joined forces with the Science Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters. Working together, we'll be able to cover a broader range of NASA discoveries and develop "citizen science" opportunities for our readers, while still producing old favorites such as Apollo Chronicles and "looking up" stories about backyard astronomy events. The sky's the limit.
Feedback is welcomed. Submit your suggestions and comments at http://science.nasa.gov/
Sincerely, Dr. Tony Phillips
Editor, Science@NASA Headline News
- The above notice arrived with the original news email, and was posted to this blog on behalf of Dr. Tony Phillips, and for the benefit of the readers of this blog so they can provide input to Science@NASA stories.
Regards,
-Jim Cox
http://astrolink.blogspot.com/
http://cloudymidnights.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NW_Astronomers/
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Fireball, Volcanic Sunsets Startle Sky Watchers
Source - Space Weather News for April 15, 2010: http://spaceweather.com
MIDWESTERN FIREBALL: A brilliant fireball streaked across the USA on the evening of April 14th, startling observers in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and surrounding states. Experts say it was a small asteroid, about a meter wide, that exploded in mid-air with an energy equivalent to some 20 tons of TNT. National Weather Service radars detected the fireball's debris trail, resulting in maps that could help guide meteorite hunters to fragments on the ground. Pictures and more information may be found on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
VOLCANIC SUNSETS: A cloud of ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano is drifting across Europe this week and causing sunsets of surpassing beauty. Europeans are encouraged to look west at the end of the day. Bonus: If you don't live in Europe, look west anyway. Venus, Mercury and the crescent Moon are beaming through the twilight for all to see. Check http://spaceweather.com for pictures and sky maps.
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
MIDWESTERN FIREBALL: A brilliant fireball streaked across the USA on the evening of April 14th, startling observers in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and surrounding states. Experts say it was a small asteroid, about a meter wide, that exploded in mid-air with an energy equivalent to some 20 tons of TNT. National Weather Service radars detected the fireball's debris trail, resulting in maps that could help guide meteorite hunters to fragments on the ground. Pictures and more information may be found on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
VOLCANIC SUNSETS: A cloud of ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano is drifting across Europe this week and causing sunsets of surpassing beauty. Europeans are encouraged to look west at the end of the day. Bonus: If you don't live in Europe, look west anyway. Venus, Mercury and the crescent Moon are beaming through the twilight for all to see. Check http://spaceweather.com for pictures and sky maps.
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Are We Alone for 04/12/10 - Seth's Crawl Space
Are We Alone - Seth's Crawl Space
It’s always a surprise to go digging in Seth’s crawl space – who knows what we’ll find! In this cramped never-never land, tucked between piles of spilled cat litter and old clarinet reeds, we stumble upon the language of whales … the future of technology … the secret to plant power … and the answer to whether photographic memory exists. Tune in, find out and, grab a broom, will you?
Guests:
- Larry Squire - Professor at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and a scientist at the V.A. Medical Center in San Diego
- Nathan Myhrvold - CEO of Intellectual Ventures
- Oliver Morton - Journalist and author of Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet
- Fred Sharpe - Executive Director and Principal Investigator at the Alaska Whale Foundation
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org:80/episodes/Seth_s_Crawl_Space
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.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Sun Destroys Another Comet
Source - Space Weather News for April 10, 2010: http://spaceweather.com
SUNGRAZING COMET: This morning, the sun had a comet for breakfast. The icy visitor from the outer solar system appeared with little warning on April 9th and plunged into the sun during the early hours of April 10th. One comet went in, none came out. Visit http://spaceweather.com to see a death plunge movie from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory.
SOLAR WIND STORM: The first major solar wind storm of the new solar cycle has come to an end. The event, which stretched from April 4th to April 8th, ignited auroras over both poles and many points in between. Highlights include Northern Lights over an active volcano in Iceland, green skies in Minnesota, and a kaleidoscopic display of Southern Lights over Antarctica. Start browsing the updated aurora gallery here: http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01apr10_page5.htm
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
SUNGRAZING COMET: This morning, the sun had a comet for breakfast. The icy visitor from the outer solar system appeared with little warning on April 9th and plunged into the sun during the early hours of April 10th. One comet went in, none came out. Visit http://spaceweather.com to see a death plunge movie from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory.
SOLAR WIND STORM: The first major solar wind storm of the new solar cycle has come to an end. The event, which stretched from April 4th to April 8th, ignited auroras over both poles and many points in between. Highlights include Northern Lights over an active volcano in Iceland, green skies in Minnesota, and a kaleidoscopic display of Southern Lights over Antarctica. Start browsing the updated aurora gallery here: http://www.spaceweather.com/
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
Monday, April 05, 2010
Are We Alone for 04/05/10 - Skeptic Check: Conspiracy!
Are We Alone - Skeptic Check: Conspiracy!
The Apollo moon landing is a hoax! 9-11 was an inside job! Our government keeps alien bodies racked and stacked in an underground bunker! And as for the evidence … well … put on your tin hats, folks, we’re going deep, deep, deep into conspiracy with journalist David Aaronovitch.
Also – the truth is out there, but it’s ignored. Jonah Lehrer on why scientists can overlook evidence.
Plus, money for meters and your spooks for free: ghost detectors hit the market.
And Hollywood Reality Check and Phil Plait on bogus bomb detectors.
It’s Skeptic Check… but don’t take our word for it!
Guests:
- Phil Plait – Astronomer, keeper of badastronomy.com, and author of Death from the Skies!: These Are the Ways the World Will End . . .
- David Aaronovitch- Columnist with the Times newspaper of London and author of Voodoo Histories: The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History
- Jonah Lehrer – Contributing editor at Wired magazine and author of How We Decide
- Matt Lowry – High school physics teacher and keeper of the Skeptical Teacher web site
- Jim Underdown – Executive Director, Center for Inquiry, West – Los Angeles
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Skeptic_Check_Conspiracy_
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.
Geomagnetic Storm
Source - Space Weather News for April 5, 2010: http://spaceweather.com
AMAZING LIFTOFF: This morning, space shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral at the crack of dawn. Longtime shuttle watchers say it was one of the most remarkable launches of the 30-year program. Discovery resembled a comet arcing across the sky as sunrise rays played across the ship's icy exhaust, creating an artificial noctilucent cloud. Images and eyewitness accounts are featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A sharp gust of solar wind hit Earth's magnetosphere today, April 5th, at approximately 0800 UT and sparked the strongest geomagnetic storm of the year. The event registered 7 on the 0-to-9 Kindex scale of magnetic disturbances. Although the storm is subsiding now, it is not over; high-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. Latest images may be found in the gallery: http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01apr10_page3.htm
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
AMAZING LIFTOFF: This morning, space shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral at the crack of dawn. Longtime shuttle watchers say it was one of the most remarkable launches of the 30-year program. Discovery resembled a comet arcing across the sky as sunrise rays played across the ship's icy exhaust, creating an artificial noctilucent cloud. Images and eyewitness accounts are featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A sharp gust of solar wind hit Earth's magnetosphere today, April 5th, at approximately 0800 UT and sparked the strongest geomagnetic storm of the year. The event registered 7 on the 0-to-9 Kindex scale of magnetic disturbances. Although the storm is subsiding now, it is not over; high-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. Latest images may be found in the gallery: http://www.spaceweather.com/
SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Space Shuttle Sky Show
Source: - Space Weather News for April 3, 2010: http://spaceweather.com
SPACE SHUTTLE SKY SHOW: On Monday morning, April 5th, thousands of people gathered in Florida to witness the launch of space shuttle Discovery may get more than they bargained for. Just fifteen minutes before the shuttle takes off, the International Space Station (ISS) will fly over the launch site. The station's path across the dawn sky takes it right past the gibbous Moon--a beautiful close encounter! Photographers should be prepared for the ISS at 6:06 am EDT followed by Discovery's launch at 6:21 am EDT. Sky watchers with iPhones can prepare themselves by downloading our Simple Satellite Tracker (http://simpleflybys.com); it will guide you to the ISS and count down to the flyby so you can't miss it.
SUNSET PLANETS: This is for everyone. Venus and Mercury are having a close encounter on April 3rd and 4th. Look west at sunset to see the two bright planets beaming through the twilight only 3 degrees apart. Sky maps, pictures and more information may be found at http://spaceweather.com
SPACE SHUTTLE SKY SHOW: On Monday morning, April 5th, thousands of people gathered in Florida to witness the launch of space shuttle Discovery may get more than they bargained for. Just fifteen minutes before the shuttle takes off, the International Space Station (ISS) will fly over the launch site. The station's path across the dawn sky takes it right past the gibbous Moon--a beautiful close encounter! Photographers should be prepared for the ISS at 6:06 am EDT followed by Discovery's launch at 6:21 am EDT. Sky watchers with iPhones can prepare themselves by downloading our Simple Satellite Tracker (http://simpleflybys.com); it will guide you to the ISS and count down to the flyby so you can't miss it.
SUNSET PLANETS: This is for everyone. Venus and Mercury are having a close encounter on April 3rd and 4th. Look west at sunset to see the two bright planets beaming through the twilight only 3 degrees apart. Sky maps, pictures and more information may be found at http://spaceweather.com
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