Saturday, April 30, 2011

Are We Alone for 05/02/11 - Skeptic Check: Mayhem and Octoberhem

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Are We Alone - Skeptic Check: Mayhem and Octoberhem

The end is nigh. Only, on which nigh should we rely? According to billboards, Judgment Day is in May and the end of the world follows months later. But other authorities claim 2012 as the apocalyptic year, as predicted by the ancient Mayans. It’s a busy time for doomsday prophecy.

Find out what’s driving these pessimistic predictions and whether it’s time to cash in your stock portfolio.

Meanwhile, a survey of the real threats to Earth, and indeed to the universe, from asteroids, exploding stars, or a big cosmic rip. And the lingering menace of atomic weapons… Is nuclear war inevitable or can intelligence and political will forestall atomic Armageddon?

Finally, why everything’s going to be alright! An optimist’s tour of the future.

It’s Skeptic Check, our monthly look at critical thinking on Are We Alone.

Guests:
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Skeptic_Check_Mayhem_and_Octoberhem

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.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Voyager Set to Enter Interstellar Space

Source - NASA Science News for April 28, 2011

More than 30 years after they were launched, NASA's two Voyager probes have traveled to the edge of the solar system and are on the threshold of interstellar space.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/28apr_voyager/

Voyager's Golden Record

Source -NASA Science News for April 28, 2011

NASA's Voyager probes are at the edge of the solar system carrying a message to possible extraterrestrial civilizations. Highlights include greetings from humans and whales, some of Earth's greatest music, and the brainwaves of a young woman in love.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/28apr_voyager2/


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Meteors From Halley's Comet

Source - NASA Science News for April 27, 2011

Mark your calendar. On May 6th, Earth will pass through a stream of debris from Halley's comet, producing a mild but beautiful meteor shower known as the "eta Aquarids."

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/27apr_eta/

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Are We Alone for 04/25/11 - Fuel's Paradise

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Are We Alone - Fuel's Paradise

You know the joke about the car and the snail. Look at that escargot? Well, snails may be the only thing not powering the automobiles of the future. Trees, grass, algae, even the garbage you toss on the sidewalk has potential for conversion into biofuel. What is America’s next top model fuel? Join us on a tour of the contenders.

Meet a man who’s mad about miscanthus … an astrobiologist’s attraction to algae… and the blueprint for building your own biofuel bugs.

Also, discover whether any of these next-generation fuel sources could take us to the stars. Put that in your rocket and burn it!

Guests:
  • Madhu Khanna – Professor of Agriculture and Environmental Economics at the University of Illinois and at the Energy Biosciences Institute
  • Stephen Long – Professor of Crop Sciences and Plant Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Michelle Chang – Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley
  • Bret Stroegn – Graduate student researcher, Energy Bioscience Institute, University of California at Berkeley
  • Jonathan Trent – Bioengineering Research Scientist at the NASA Ames Research Center and founder of Global Research into Energy and the Enviornment (GREEN )
  • Richard Obousy – Physicist and co-founder and project leader for Project Icarus

Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Fuel_s_Paradise

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, April 22, 2011

ScienceCasts: Meteors from Halley's Comet

Source -

Earth is about to pass through a stream of dust from Halley's Comet, source of the annual eta Aquarid meteor shower. The show begins before sunrise on May 6th.

Visit http://science.nasa.gov/ for more!

Citizen Scientists Making Incredible Discoveries

Source - NASA Science News for April 22, 2011

People across the globe are working together to help scientists analyze data from NASA spacecraft, and they're making some surprising discoveries.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/22apr_zooniverse/


Zooniverse (object, 550px)
In this image, the Voorwerp floats near a spiral galaxy. Credit: NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope (Image copyright NASA)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Lyrid Meteor Shower

Source - Space Weather News for April 21, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

LYRID METEOR SHOWER: Earth is entering a stream of dusty debris from Comet Thatcher, source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on April 22nd with as many as 20 meteors per hour, although visibility will be reduced by bright moonlight. The best time to look, no matter where you live, is Friday morning during the hours before local dawn. Visit http://spaceweather.com for live meteor counts and more information.

BIG SUNSPOTS: This week the sun is dotted with several large spots, a situation that will become increasingly common as Solar Cycle 24 intensifies. Our new White Light Solar Observing System allows you to safely monitor these behemoth sources of solar activity. Click here for more information:
http://www.shopspaceweather.com/explore-scientific-white-light-solar-observer-system.aspx

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Are We Alone for 04/18/11 - Big, Really Big

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Are We Alone - Big, Really Big

The universe is big – really big.* Galaxies, for instance, are often large enough to hold a trillion stars. But how did these heavenly heavyweights come to be? Hear how still-mysterious dark matter is implicated in the birth of galaxies.

Also, gamma ray bursts – explosions more energetic than anything since the Big Bang – take place somewhere in the visible universe every day. What are they, and could they obliterate life on Earth?

And, the biggest cosmic mystery de jour: dark energy. Why new, super-size telescopes may finally reveal just what it is.

We’re living large on “Big, Really Big.”

*appreciative nod to Douglas Adams

Guests:
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Big_Really_Big

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, April 15, 2011

Spinning Asteroid Flyby

Source - Space Weather News for April 15, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

SPINNING ASTEROID FLYBY: A 50-meter asteroid is flying past the Earth-Moon system on April 15th. There's no danger of a collision, but the 50-meter space rock is remarkable. It is elongated and spinning, which causes the asteroid to flash like a strobe light in amateur telescopes. Video and observing tips are highlighted on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com

GET YOUR OWN SPACE ROCK: Would you like to own your own piece of an asteroid? Authentic fragments of space rocks are available from the Space Weather Store: http://www.shopspaceweather.com/ownameteorite.aspx

Solar Activity Heats Up

Source - NASA Science News for April 14, 2011

With a burst of solar flares and Northern Lights, the sun is waking up from a three-year slumber.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/14apr_thewatchedpot/

A video version of this story is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBl_FOONrB0


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Geomagnetic Storm on April 12

Source - Space Weather News for April 12, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field on April 12th, sparking Northern Lights as far south as Michigan and Minnesota in the USA. At the time of this alert (April 12 @ 1600 UT), the G1-class event is still underway. Images and updates are available at http://spaceweather.com .

GEOMAGNETIC STORM ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms erupt in your area? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Ian Anderson + Cady Coleman flute duet in space

Here is an awesome video of NASA astronaut Cady Coleman and Jethro Tull front man Ian Anderson performing the first space-Earth duet:



Thanks to for posting this on YouTube.

Cheers ~ Jim Cox

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Are We Alone for 04/11/11 - Skeptic Check: Swimming in Denial

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Are We Alone - Skeptic Check: Swimming in Denial

ENCORE: Public distrust of science is higher than at any time since the Enlightenment. New Yorker writer Michael Specter argues how our anti-science bias and our irrationalism about everything from genetically modified foods to climate change to childhood vaccines endangers our future.

And remember when… a look back at scientists who at first pooh-poohed plate tectonics… meteorites, and quantum physics. How the evidence turned them around.

It’s Skeptic Check… but don’t take our word for it.

Guests:
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Skeptic_Check_Swimming_in_Denial

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.

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Something New from Science@NASA: The ScienceCast

Source - NASA Science News for April 7, 2011

The Science@NASA team is pleased to announce a new product: the ScienceCast. Every week, we produce a short video highlighting a topic in NASA science news. This week's episode is about the night sky. Check out "Spring is Fireball Season" on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssMdlTbvHJk

A complete list of ScienceCast episodes may be found on Science@NASA's Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ScienceAtNASA . Enjoy!


Spring is Fireball Season Video:


Dawn Approaches Asteroid Vesta

Source - NASA Science News for April 7, 2011

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has entered the asteroid belt and it is closing in on giant asteroid Vesta.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/07apr_dawn/

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER CAMP HONORS CHALLENGER ASTRONAUT RON MCNAIR APRIL 9


PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER CAMP HONORS RON MCNAIR; Blacks in Science presents the 25th annual Ron McNair Camp-In at Pacific Science Center, April 9

SEATTLE – In 1986 Dr. Ron McNair died when the Space Shuttle Challenger he was aboard exploded after it launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, also taking the lives of his fellow astronauts. A physicist recognized nationally for his work in the field of laser physics, Dr. McNair was also notable for being the second African American to fly in space.


For the past 25 years Pacific Science Center, an independent, not-for-profit educational institution, in partnership with Blacks in Science (BIS), has proudly presented the
Ron McNair Camp-In. This special overnight adventure at Pacific Science Center gives children the opportunity to be inspired and learn by discovering science in a relevant, engaging way.

Join us as we iinvestigate the science of science fiction through a Humanoid Robotics Hands-on Science Workshop, fly through space in the Galaxies Planetarium Show and visit our special engagement exhibit at this year’s annual Ron McNair Camp-in.


Details:

Ron McNair Camp-in
Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave North
Under the arches, near the Space Needle
Saturday, April 9-10
5:30 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday
To register: 206 443-2925 or visit us online.

As with all of our overnight camp-in programs, the children and their adult chaperones enjoy a hands-on science workshop, live science demonstrations, planetarium shows, an IMAX® film, laser show, and the unique opportunity to roam the Science Center and explore after the public goes home. This camp is geared to boys and girls ages 8-12 and their adult chaperones.


Dr. Ron McNair was a scientist from North Carolina A&T University. He earned his Ph.D. at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. McNair maintained his commitment to African American children by introducing them to science at a young age in order to help them develop to their full potential.


BIS promotes enrichment and interest in the world of science among African American and all interested children. BIS has never turned a child away; offering scholarships as needed. One of Pacific Science Center’s key goals is to make science and science education accessible to everyone, especially those who do not have easy access to such opportunities.



Pacific Science Center: http://www.pacsci.org/
Blacks in Science: http://www.blacksinscience.org/

Sunday, April 03, 2011

Deep Sky Auroras over the USA

Source - Space Weather News for April 3, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

DEEP SKY AURORAS: A solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field over the weekend, sending a wave of "deep sky auroras" over northern-tier US states. The lights were pale-white or even invisible to the naked eye, but digital cameras revealed spectacular colors and luminous shapes above Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and elsewhere. Visit http://spaceweather.com for images and more information about this phenomenon.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM ALERTS: Would you like a phone call when geomagnetic storms erupt in your area? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com.

Are We Alone for 04/04/11 - Sex and the SETI

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Are We Alone - Sex and the SETI

ENCORE: Birds do it. Bees do it. But no one sings about how they do it. And frankly, not even Cole Porter can make bedroom behavior that involves decapitating your mate sound romantic. And what rhymes with “cannibalism?” But the animal world abounds with bizarre sexual behavior… and it’s all perfectly normal.

Find out how female spiders lure males to their doom… why dolphins are the friskiest of mammals… whether E.T. would have sex… and why sexual reproduction evolved in the first place.

Also, why the marketing gurus have it all wrong: driving a Hummer or wearing Gucci won’t help you land a mate. Find out what will.

Guests:
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Sex_and_the_SETI

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, April 01, 2011

Secret Space Plane Flares

Source - Space Weather News for April 1, 2011: http://spaceweather.com

SPACE PLANE FLARES: The US Air Force X-37B space plane is circling Earth on a classified mission. Although its orbit is officially unpublished, amateur sky watchers have spotted it and are monitoring its progress. This week, a veteran observer witnessed a spectacular flare from the X-37B, exceeding the brightness of Venus. Details may be found on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.

Bonus: You can turn your cell phone into a space plane tracker by downloading our field-tested Simple Flybys app: http://simpleflybys.com.

SATURN'S RINGS SURGE IN BRIGHTNESS: This weekend, Saturn will be at opposition--that is, opposite the sun in the skies of Earth. Whenever this happens, Saturn's rings surge in brightness due to backscattering of sunlight. Even a small telescope will show the effect. Visit http://spaceweather.com for observing tips and a sky map.