Source - Space Weather News for May 29, 2012: http://spaceweather.com
ASTEROID FLYBY: A small asteroid is flying past Earth today inside the
orbit of geosynchronous satellites and only 14,000 km above the surface
of our planet. Named "2012 KT42," the 3- to 10-meter wide space rock
ranks #6 on the top-20 list of known close-approachers to Earth, which
makes it significant despite its small size. More information and
images may be found on http://spaceweather.com .
OWN YOUR OWN SPACE ROCK: Authentic meteorites, including meteorite jewelry, are on sale now in the Space Weather Store: http://shopspaceweather.com
Monday, May 28, 2012
Big Picture Science for 05/28/12 - Mass Transits
Big Picture Science - Mass Transits
On June 5, our sister planet Venus will slowly slide across the face of the sun. This will be the last transit of Venus until 2117, so there’s no subsequent chance to observe this celestial spectacular for anyone alive today.
Join us for a special episode devoted to this rare event. Two centuries ago, nations were locked in a race to be the first to measure the Venus transit. From the first observation by the “father” of British astronomy to Captain Cook’s Tahitian expedition in the 18th century, meet the pioneers who were trying to nail down the scale of the cosmos
Plus, tips for observing the 2012 transit … how the Kepler spacecraft uses transits to detect Earth-like worlds … and could there be life floating in Venusian clouds?
Guests:
- Jay Pasachoff – Astronomer, Williams College
- Peter Aughton – Astronomer and author of The Transit of Venus: The Brief, Brilliant Life of Jeremiah Horrocks, Father of British Astronomy
- Nick Lomb – Former Curator of Astronomy, Sydney Observatory, and author of Transit of Venus: 1631 to the Present
- Andrea Wulf – Author of Chasing Venus: The Race to Measure the Heavens
- David Grinspoon – Curator of Astrobiology at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
- Jon Jenkins – Lead analyst with the Kepler Mission and senior scientist with the SETI Institute
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Mass_Transits
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.
Partial Eclipse of the Strawberry Moon
Source - NASA Science News for May 28, 2012
On Monday, June 4th, the Moon will pass through the shadow of Earth, producing a partial lunar eclipse visible across the Pacific from China to the United States.
The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/
A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
On Monday, June 4th, the Moon will pass through the shadow of Earth, producing a partial lunar eclipse visible across the Pacific from China to the United States.
The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/
A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Thursday, May 24, 2012
NASA Showered with Bold New Concepts for Mars Exploration
Source - NASA Science News for May 24, 2012
NASA's call to scientists and engineers to help plan a new strategy to explore Mars has resulted in a flurry of unique and bold ideas, almost doubling the number of expected submissions. Some of the best concepts will be discussed at an upcoming workshop on Mars exploration.
FULL STORY: http://science.nasa.gov/
NASA's call to scientists and engineers to help plan a new strategy to explore Mars has resulted in a flurry of unique and bold ideas, almost doubling the number of expected submissions. Some of the best concepts will be discussed at an upcoming workshop on Mars exploration.
FULL STORY: http://science.nasa.gov/
Amateur Astronomers Photograph Dragon Chasing the ISS
Source - Space Weather News for May 24, 2012: http://spaceweather.com
DRAGON RENDEZVOUS: As SpaceX's Dragon capsule approaches the International Space Station for a historic docking on May 25th, amateur astronomers have been taking pictures of the two spaceships converging. Their photos and more information about the Dragon-ISS rendezvous are highlighted on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com
Readers, are you ready to see the Dragon? Download Spaceweather's Satellite Tracker for a schedule of flybys over your location: http://simpleflybys.com
DRAGON RENDEZVOUS: As SpaceX's Dragon capsule approaches the International Space Station for a historic docking on May 25th, amateur astronomers have been taking pictures of the two spaceships converging. Their photos and more information about the Dragon-ISS rendezvous are highlighted on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com
Readers, are you ready to see the Dragon? Download Spaceweather's Satellite Tracker for a schedule of flybys over your location: http://simpleflybys.com
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Big Picture Science for 05/21/12 - To Earth and Back
Big Picture Science - To Earth and Back
We are all Martians … or could be, if, billions of years ago, Red Plant microbes fell to Earth and eventually evolved to us. Okay, that one’s a big “if.” But microbes can survive space travel. Meet the NASA officer whose task is to keep Earth, Mars – and the entire solar system –safe from hitchhiking bacteria.
And, even if we’re not Martians (darn!), did life once thrive on the Red Planet … and does it still today?
Plus, why meteorites may be happy habitats for life.
Guests:
- Catharine Conley – NASA planetary protection officer
- Chris McKay – Planetary scientist, NASA Ames Research Center
- Paul Davies – Director of the BEYOND: Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University
- Aaron Burton – Astrobiologist, NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center
- Debbie Kolyer – Grants Manager, SETI Institute
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/To_Earth_and_Back
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.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Solar Eclipse this Weekend
Source - Space Weather News for May 18, 2012: http://spaceweather.com
ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE: On Sunday, May 20th, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, producing a "ring of fire" solar eclipse visible across the Pacific side of Earth from China to the United States. Observing tips, visibility maps, and links to live webcasts may be found at http://spaceweather.com.
GET READY FOR THE TRANSIT OF VENUS: Explore Scientific's White Light Solar Observing System offers a great view of sunspots, eclipses, and once-in-a-lifetime planetary transits. It's available now in the Space Weather Store: http://www.shopspaceweather.
ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE: On Sunday, May 20th, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, producing a "ring of fire" solar eclipse visible across the Pacific side of Earth from China to the United States. Observing tips, visibility maps, and links to live webcasts may be found at http://spaceweather.com.
GET READY FOR THE TRANSIT OF VENUS: Explore Scientific's White Light Solar Observing System offers a great view of sunspots, eclipses, and once-in-a-lifetime planetary transits. It's available now in the Space Weather Store: http://www.shopspaceweather.
Coming Soon: The 2012 Transit of Venus
Source - NASA Science News for May 18, 2012
It won't happen again until December 2117. On June 5th, 2012, Venus will transit the face of the sun. The best places to watch are in the mid-Pacific, but travel is not required. The historic event is widely visible around the world, including at sunset from the USA.
The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/
A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
It won't happen again until December 2117. On June 5th, 2012, Venus will transit the face of the sun. The best places to watch are in the mid-Pacific, but travel is not required. The historic event is widely visible around the world, including at sunset from the USA.
The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/
A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
A New Count of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids
Source - NASA Science News for May 16, 2012
NASA has just released a new count of asteroids that come close to the orbit of Earth and could survive entry through our planet's atmosphere. The data, gathered by an infrared space telescope named WISE, reveal important new information about the origin and make-up of these potentially hazardous space rocks.
FULL STORY: http://science.nasa.gov/
NASA has just released a new count of asteroids that come close to the orbit of Earth and could survive entry through our planet's atmosphere. The data, gathered by an infrared space telescope named WISE, reveal important new information about the origin and make-up of these potentially hazardous space rocks.
FULL STORY: http://science.nasa.gov/
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Solar Eclipse this Weekend
Source - NASA Science News for May 15, 2012
On Sunday, May 20th, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, producing an annular solar eclipse visible across the Pacific side of Earth from China to the United States.
The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/
A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
On Sunday, May 20th, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, producing an annular solar eclipse visible across the Pacific side of Earth from China to the United States.
The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/
A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Monday, May 14, 2012
Chinese Space Station Transits the Sun
Source - Space Weather News for May 14, 2012: http://spaceweather.com
SOLAR TRANSIT: A photographer in France has caught China's experimental space station, the Tiangong-1, passing directly in front of the sun. The photo shows the winged spacecraft backlit by hot plasma as it flits across the solar disk in the neighborhood of giant sunspot AR1476. Check it out on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
TIANGONG-1 SIGHTINGS: The Tiangong-1 is much smaller than the International Space Station. Nevertheless, it can be seen with the naked eye shining in the night sky as brightly as the stars of the Big Dipper. Download the Simple Flybys app for sighting opportunities in your neighborhood: http://simpleflybys.com
SOLAR TRANSIT: A photographer in France has caught China's experimental space station, the Tiangong-1, passing directly in front of the sun. The photo shows the winged spacecraft backlit by hot plasma as it flits across the solar disk in the neighborhood of giant sunspot AR1476. Check it out on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
TIANGONG-1 SIGHTINGS: The Tiangong-1 is much smaller than the International Space Station. Nevertheless, it can be seen with the naked eye shining in the night sky as brightly as the stars of the Big Dipper. Download the Simple Flybys app for sighting opportunities in your neighborhood: http://simpleflybys.com
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Big Picture Science for 05/14/12 - That's So Random!
Big Picture Science - That's So Random!
ENCORE Random is as random does… makes sense doesn’t even that anyway in tune hear to randomness how lives rules.
Brain chaos the drives, restoration role of help insight ecology may into randomness the, numbers sense of make statistics can’t why we or, ants not seem of erratic behavior why the may but is.
Guests:
- Leonard Mlodinow – Theoretical physicist and author of The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives (Vintage)
- Jon Chase – Biologist and director of the Tyson Research center at Washington University in St. Louis
- Lori Marino – Evolutionary biologist, Emory University
- Deborah Gordon – Biologist, Stanford University
- John Beggs – Physicist, Indiana University at Bloomington
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/That_s_So_Random_
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.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Big Sunspot Crackling with Flares and Radio Bursts
Source - Space Weather News for May 9, 2012: http://spaceweather.com
RADIO-ACTIVE SUNSPOT: Huge sunspot AR1476 is crackling with M-class solar flares and appears to be on the verge of producing something even stronger. The sunspot's 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field harbors energy for X-class flares, the most powerful kind. Radio operators are recording strong bursts of shortwave static from the sunspot as it turns toward Earth. Visit http://spaceweather.com for sample recordings and forecasts.
SUNSPOT TELESCOPE: AR1476 looks magnificent through a properly-filtered telescope. Explore Scientific's White Light Solar Observing System is perfect for sunspot watching, and it's available now in the Space Weather Store: http://www.shopspaceweather.
RADIO-ACTIVE SUNSPOT: Huge sunspot AR1476 is crackling with M-class solar flares and appears to be on the verge of producing something even stronger. The sunspot's 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field harbors energy for X-class flares, the most powerful kind. Radio operators are recording strong bursts of shortwave static from the sunspot as it turns toward Earth. Visit http://spaceweather.com for sample recordings and forecasts.
SUNSPOT TELESCOPE: AR1476 looks magnificent through a properly-filtered telescope. Explore Scientific's White Light Solar Observing System is perfect for sunspot watching, and it's available now in the Space Weather Store: http://www.shopspaceweather.
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
NASA Space Telescope Sees the Light from an Alien Super-Earth
Source - NASA Science News for May 8, 2012
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has detected light emanating from a "super-Earth" beyond our solar system for the first time.
FULL STORY: http://science.nasa.gov/
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has detected light emanating from a "super-Earth" beyond our solar system for the first time.
FULL STORY: http://science.nasa.gov/
Sunday, May 06, 2012
Big Picture Science for 05/07/12 - Skeptic Check: Forget with the Program
Big Picture Science - Skeptic Check: Forget with the Program
Just remember this: memory is like Swiss cheese. Even our recollection of dramatic events that seem to sear their images directly onto our brain turn out to be riddled with errors. Discover the reliability of these emotional “flashbulb” memories.
Also, a judge questions the utility of eyewitness testimony in court. And, don’t blame Google for destroying your powers of recall! Socrates thought the same thing about the written word.
Plus, Brains on Vacation!
Guests:
- Phil Plait – Keeper of Discover Magazine’s badastronomy blog
- Craig Stark – Neurobiologist, Director for the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at Univeristy of California, Irvine
- Ronald Reinstein – Former judge on the Superior Court of Arizona and judicial consultant for the Arizona Supreme Court
- Betsy Sparrow – Psychologist, Columbia University
Permalink: http://radio.seti.org/episodes/Skeptic_Check_Forget_with_the_Program
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
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Meteor Shower and Super Moon
Source - Space Weather News for May 3, 2012: http://spaceweather.com
Earth is entering a stream of debris from Halley's Comet, source of the annual eta Aquarid meteor shower. The shower peaks this weekend on May 5th and 6th.
Glare from a perigee full Moon--a "Super Moon"--will interfere with the display. Nevertheless, observers especially in the southern hemisphere could still see dozens of meteors during the hours before local sunrise on May 6th.
More information about the shower and live audio from a meteor radar may be found on http://spaceweather.com
Earth is entering a stream of debris from Halley's Comet, source of the annual eta Aquarid meteor shower. The shower peaks this weekend on May 5th and 6th.
Glare from a perigee full Moon--a "Super Moon"--will interfere with the display. Nevertheless, observers especially in the southern hemisphere could still see dozens of meteors during the hours before local sunrise on May 6th.
More information about the shower and live audio from a meteor radar may be found on http://spaceweather.com
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Perigee "Super Moon" on May 5-6, 2012
Source - NASA Science News for May 2, 2012
The full Moon of May 5-6, 2012, is a perigee moon, as much as 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons of 2012.
The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/
A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
The full Moon of May 5-6, 2012, is a perigee moon, as much as 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons of 2012.
The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/
A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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