How to Explore Earth-like Planets Light Years Away

Source - NASA Science News for March 29, 2012

With NASA's Kepler spacecraft discovering alien worlds at a record pace, it seems to be just a matter of time before an Earth-sized planet is found in the "Goldilocks zone"--that is, in an orbit sized just right for liquid water and life. In today's story from Science@NASA, researchers discuss how they'll explore a cousin of Earth so many light years away.

The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/29mar_goldilocks/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diz4Q3ALi5k

The Return of Active Sunspot AR1429

Source - Space Weather News for March 29, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

SUNSPOT SET TO RETURN: Sunspot AR1429, the source of many strong flares and geomagnetic storms earlier this month, is about to re-appear following a two-week trip around the backside of the sun. Although the sunspot has probably decayed since its heyday, there are signs that it might still be a potent source of solar activity. Check http://spaceweather.com for images and updates as AR1429 rotates into view during the next ~24 hours.

SOLAR FLARE ALERTS: Would you like a call if and when AR1429 erupts? Solar flare alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Is it Snowing Microbes on Enceladus?

Source - NASA Science News for March 28, 2012

Is it snowing microbes on Enceladus? The idea might not be so far-fetched, say researchers, as evidence mounts for a "uniquely accessible" habitable zone on Saturn's icy moon.

FULL STORY: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/27mar_enceladus/

NASA Atmospheric Experiment Lights Up the Night Sky

Source - Space Weather News for March 27, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

This morning before sunrise, sky watchers along the eastern seaboard of the United States witnessed an amazing sky show created by the rapid-fire launch of five rockets from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. It was an experiment named "ATREX" to study turbulent winds in the transition zone between Earth's atmosphere and space. Eye-witness accounts and photos of the display are featured on today's edition of http://SpaceWeather.com.

Big Picture Science for 03/26/12 - Found in Space

Big Picture Science - Found in Space

ENCORE If someone asks where you get off, you can now respond with precision. Satellites and computers spit out coordinates accurate to a few paces. And digital maps stand the Copernican principle on its head – putting you at the center of everything (how does it feel?).

Find out how today’s maps are shuffling our world view. Also, how does a rat navigate a maze without GPS? Hear of the plotting that goes on in that tiny rodent brain.

Plus, mapping the universe and pinpointing just where we are in cosmic time – lucky for us, human evolution is right on schedule.

Guests:

• Josh Winn – Astronomer, MIT
• David Redish – Neuroscientist, University of Minnesota
• Mario Livio – Astrophysicist, Space Telescope Science Institute and author of Is God a Mathematician?
• Mike Goodchild – Professor of Geography, Center for Spatial Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara

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

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.

Sunset Sky Show Tonight

Source - Space Weather News for March 25, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

SUNSET SKY SHOW: A month ago, Venus, Jupiter and the crescent Moon aligned beautifully for evening sky watchers around the world. Tonight it's happening again. On March 25th and 26th, the three will form a bright celestial triangle in the western sky at sunset. Check http://spaceweather.com for photos and observing tips.

NEW ADDITIONS: Thirty-five new and unique types of authentic meteorite jewelry have just been added to the Space Weather Store. Browse the selection here: http://www.shopspaceweather.com/Meteorite-Jewelry.aspx

NASA SDO - Prominence & Flare, March 23, 2012

Source - LittleSDOHMI on Mar 23, 2012:

Within a very short time a beautiful prominence erupted on the upper western limb and a M1-class solar flare happened on the lower eastern limb.

Enjoy this beautiful view through various wavelengths of the AIA instrument on board NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Credit: NASA SDO

Solar Storm Dumps Gigawatts into Earth's Upper Atmosphere

Source - NASA Science News for March 22, 2012

A flurry of solar activity in early March dumped enough heat in Earth's upper atmosphere to power every residence in New York City for two years. The heat has since dissipated, but there's more to come as the solar cycle intensifies.

The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/22mar_saber/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEFQHDSYP1I

Big Picture Science for 03/19/12 - Catch a Wave

Big Picture Science - Catch a Wave

Let there be light. Otherwise we couldn’t watch a sunset or YouTube. Yet what your eye sees is but a narrow band in the electromagnetic spectrum. Shorten those light waves and you get invisible gamma radiation. Lengthen them and tune into a radio broadcast.

Discover what’s revealed about our universe as you travel along the electromagnetic spectrum. There’s the long of it: an ambitious goal to construct the world’s largest radio telescope array … and the short: a telescope that images high-energy gamma rays from black holes.

Also, the structure of the universe as seen through X-ray eyes and a physicist sings the praises of infrared light. Literally.

And, while gravity waves are not in the electromagnetic club, these ripples in spacetime could explain some of the biggest mysteries of the cosmos. But first, we have to catch them!

Guests:

• Anil Ananthaswamy – Journalist and consultant for New Scientist in London
• Harvey Tananbaum – Director of the Chandra X-Ray Center, located in Cambridge Massachusetts at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
• David Reitze – Executive director of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO), California Institute of Technology
• Albert Lazzarini – Deputy director, LIGO, California Institute of Technology
• Alan Marscher – Professor of astronomy at Boston University

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

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.

Mysterious Objects at the Edge of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Source - NASA Science News for March 16, 2012

NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is finding hundreds of new objects at the very edge of the electromagnetic spectrum. Many of them have one thing in common: Astronomers have no idea what they are.

The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/16mar_theedge/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hIF36ty1Eo

Bright Comet Dives into Solar Radiation Storm

Source - Space Weather News for March 14, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

INCOMING CME: Sunspot AR1429 unleashed another strong flare (category M7.9) on March 13th. The explosion produced a significant coronal mass ejection (CME), which forecasters say should reach Earth on March 15th. Geomagnetic storms are possible when the cloud arrives. Check http://spaceweather.com for updates.

SUNDIVING COMET: A bright comet related to sungrazing Comet Lovejoy is diving into the sun. The orbiting Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is monitoring the comet's death plunge even as the sun peppers the spacecraft with energetic particles accelerated by the March 13th solar flare. Images of the comet are featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.

SOLAR FLARE ALERTS: Would you like a call when sunspots erupt? Solar flare alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Big Picture Science for 03/12/12 - Seth's Cabinet of Wonders

Big Picture Science - Seth's Cabinet of Wonders

It’s always a surprise to sort through Seth’s cabinet of wonders – who knows what we’ll find!

In this cramped cupboard, tucked between shelves of worm gears and used clarinet reeds, we discover a forgotten U.S. sea floor laboratory … copies of the new Cosmos TV series … evidence of science fiction’s predictive powers … software that may replace scientists … and tips on surviving a deadly poison (hint: it helps to be a snake).

Tune in, find out and grab a duster, will you?

Guests:

• Neil deGrasse Tyson – Astrophysicst at the American Museum of Natural History and author of Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier
  
• Robert J. Sawyer – Hugo award-wining science fiction author; his newest title is Triggers
  
• Ben Hellwarth – Author of Sealab: America’s Forgotten Quest to Live and Work on the Ocean Floor
• Hod Lipson – Roboticist at Cornell University
• Chris Feldman – Biologist, University of Nevada, Reno

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

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://radio.seti.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.

Geomagnetic Storms Possible on March 11-12

Source - Space Weather News for March 11, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

INCOMING CMEs: One and perhaps two CMEs are expected to hit Earth's magnetic field today. Of particular interest is a CME launched toward Earth by a powerful M8-class eruption on March 10. Forecasters say the cloud could spark minor to severe geomagnetic storms when it arrives on March 11-12. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras tonight. Check http://spaceweather.com for updates.

WHAT DOES A SOLAR FLARE SOUND LIKE? Saturday's M8-class flare hit Earth with a burst of strong shortwave radio emissions. Today's edition of Spaceweather.com features an audio recording of the blast captured by an amateur astronomer in New Mexico.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms are in progress? Aurora alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Another CME Heads for Earth

Source - Space Weather News for March 9, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

INCOMING CME: As Earth's magnetic field reverberates from the impact of one CME on March 8th, a second CME is on the way. Big sunspot AR1429 unleashed an M6-class solar flare today, and the eruption hurled a cloud of plasma almost directly toward Earth. Forecasters say the CME could reach our planet during the late hours of March 10th or early hours of March 11th. Strong geomagnetic storms are possible when the cloud arrives. Check http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms are in progress? Aurora alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Another Major Flare

Source - Space Weather News for March 7, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR ACTIVITY: Big sunspot AR1429 has unleashed another major flare--an X5-class eruption on March 7th at 00:28 UT. As a result of the blast, a radiation storm is underway and a CME will likely hit Earth's magnetic field in a day or so. Geomagnetic storms are already in progress at high latitudes due to earlier eruptions from the active sunspot. Last night, auroras were spotted over several northern-tier US states including Michigan and Wisconsin. Check http://spaceweather.com for updates and images.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms are in progress? Space weather alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

SETIcon II Tickets Now On Sale!

Posted on behalf of SETIcon II and the SETI Institute:

Dear SETI Institute Enthusiast,

The second SETIcon conference is in motion and registration is now open! Join us the weekend of June 22-24 at the Hyatt Santa Clara for SETIcon II: Where Science and Imagination Meet. It promises to be a standout event with panels, fireside chats, lightning talks, book signings, and ... an extended opportunity to schmooze with glitterati from the worlds of science and science-based entertainment. Get your tickets now and get in on the ground floor of what will surely be a memorable and entertaining event! Visit www.seticon.com for detailed information and to purchase tickets. Register now for best prices!

This is your chance to interact with speakers ranging from SETI Institute scientists to science fiction writers and actors. Each day has a plethora of talks, panel discussions, and "fireside" chats to choose from. Take a look at our exciting list of speakers and panelists.

Along with the program sessions, there are some fabulous events planned such as an exciting Friday Night Launch Party, a Luncheon with Scientists on Saturday afternoon, a Gala Awards Dinner on Saturday evening, and a Keynote Brunch on Sunday.

For attendees who wish to make this event a full experience, the SETIcon II event team has secured a block of rooms at the Hyatt Santa Clara at the very reasonable rate of $109/night! This rate fizzles out on May 29th and is subject to availability. The Santa Clara Hyatt is convenient to San Jose International Airport, light rail, and other Silicon Valley attractions.

We look forward to seeing you this year at SETIcon II. It will be out of this world!

Sincerely,
The SETIcon II Event Team


For more information on SETIcon II : www.seticon.com
To purchase tickets: register now
Questions?: seticon@seti.org

Copyright © 2012, SETI Institute

Big Sunspot Unleashes X-flare

Source - Space Weather News for March 5, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

STRONG SOLAR ACTIVITY: Big sunspot AR1429, which emerged over the weekend, is crackling with strong flares. This morning the active region produced an X1-class eruption and a bright coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME appears set to deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field in the days ahead, possibly sparking geomagnetic storms. Stay tuned to http://spaceweather.com for images and updates.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms are in progress? Space weather alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Big Picture Science for 03/05/12 - Skeptic Check: Prog-Not-Stication

Big Picture Science - Skeptic Check: Prog-Not-Stication

The future is no mystery … according to psychics who say they have special access to tomorrow’s events. For example, adherents to the Mayan doomsday prophecy warn that when 2012 ends, so will the world.

Discover what’s behind claims of prognostication, and why – if it really works – no one is making a killing in Las Vegas.

Also, could science divine the future? Programmers with the Living Earth Simulator say that with sufficient data, their billion-dollar computer project can predict world events.

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

Guests:

• Phil Plait – Skeptic and keeper of Discover Magazine’s blog, badastronomy.com
• Christopher French – Psychologist, Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London
• Guy Harrison – Writer and business owner, author of 50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True
• Alessandro Vespignani – Physicist, Northeastern University
• Ken Caldeira – Climate scientist in the Carnegie Institution Department of Global Ecology, Stanford University
• Sue Wilhite – Master Tarot card reader at East
  West Bookstore in Mountain View, California

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

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.

Flying Through a Geomagnetic Storm

Source - NASA Science News for March 2, 2012

Lately, the International Space Station has been flying through geomagnetic storms, giving astronauts an close-up view of the aurora borealis just outside their windows.

The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/02mar_aurorasunderfoot/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL_-Zz7JDoA

Next-Gen Weather Satellites to Improve Tornado Warnings

Source - NASA Science News for Feb. 29, 2012

NOAA and NASA are working on a series of next-generation weather satellites called "GOES-R" that will improve warnings of deadly tornadoes and other severe weather.

FULL STORY: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/29feb_tornadosurprise/