Universe Today
Astronomy Cast Ep. 467: Resonance
Messier 61- the NGC 4303 Barred Spiral Galaxy
Located in the Virgo cluster, roughly 52.5 million light-years from Earth, is the intermediate spiral galaxy known as Messier 61
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The Earth Does Stop the Occasional Neutrino
A new study by the IceCube collaboration has shown that Earth stops the occasional neutrino, thus confirming a prediction made by the Standard Model.
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The Next Mars Rover's Wheels Won't Get Torn Apart by the Red Planet
Scientists and engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center have prepared a next-generation tire which will fare much better on Mars and other harsh environments.
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Project Lyra, a Mission to Chase Down that Interstellar Asteroid
Members of Project Lyra recently published a study advocating a mission to `Oumuamua, the first interstellar asteroid discovered to date.
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These Streaks on Mars Could be Flowing Sand, not Water
A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey has revealed that recurring slope lineae on Mars could be the result of granular flows and not flowing water.
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Galactic Panspermia: Interstellar Dust Could Transport Life from Star to Star
A new study by Arjun Berera, of the University of Edinburgh, has indicated that space dust may be a possible mechanism for panspermia
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Weekly Space Hangout - Nov. 22, 2017: Andy Weir and ARTEMIS
SpaceX Resuming Launches from Damaged Pad 40 on Dec. 4 with Station Resupply Flight for NASA; Covert Zuma Remains on Hold
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – After postponing last week's liftoff of the covert 'Zuma' spy satellite due to last minute concerns about the reliability of the payload fairing encapsulating it while poised for liftoff at KSC pad 39, SpaceX is set to at last resume launches from their previously damaged and now repaired Cape Canaveral pad 40 with a cargo resupply mission for NASA to the International Space Station (ISS) on Dec 4.
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Could Magnetic Sails Slow an Interstellar Spacecraft Enough?
A new study by Professor Claudius Gros - who proposed The Genesis Project - indicates how magnetic sails could be used to brake an interstellar mission.
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Book Review: Cosmology for the Curious
That Interstellar Asteroid is Probably Pretty Strange Looking
A new study by a team of international researchers shows that the interstellar asteroid `Oumuamua is pretty odd in terms of its appearance
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Carnival of Space #536
Astronomy Cast Ep. 466: Origins of Zero (0)
Messier 60 - the NGC 4649 Galaxy
Located in the Virgo constellation, roughly 55 million light-years from Earth, is the elliptical galaxy known as Messier 60 (or NGC 4649).
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Station Astronauts Unload Cygnus Science; Antares Launch Gallery
NASA WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY, VA – Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are now busily unloading nearly four tons of science experiments, research gear, station equipment and crew supplies - following the spectacular launch of the Orbital ATK Antares rocket earlier this week on Sunday Nov. 12 from Virginia's eastern shore that propelled the Cygnus cargo freighter to an on time arrival two days later on Tuesday Nov. 14.
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Clandestine Zuma SpySat's SpaceX Liftoff Postponed Indefinitely to Resolve Payload Fairing Issue
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – Liftoff of the clandestine spy satellite codenamed 'Zuma' on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has been postponed indefinitely to resolve a lingering issue with the testing of a payload fairing for another customer.
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Planet With Lava Oceans Also has an Atmosphere, Says New Study
A new study by scientists at NASA JPL has revealed that 55 Cancri e is not a lava planet after all, but actually has a thick, Earth-like atmosphere.
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The Delphinus Constellation
The northern constellation of Delphinus, located near the celestial equator, is one of the original 48 constellations compiled by Ptolemy
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When James Webb Finally Reaches Space, Here's What it'll be Hunting
In a recent announcement, the STScI announced the first targets that the James Webb Space Telescope will be studying once its deployed
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Antarctica has a Huge Mantle Plume Beneath it, Which Might Explain Why its Ice Sheet is so Unstable
A new study led by researchers from NASA JPL has provided compelling evidence for the existence of a mantle plume beneath the Antarctic ice sheet.
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Carnival of Space #535
Ownerless Super Secret Zuma Spysat Set for Dark Veiled Dark Night SpaceX Blastoff and Land Landing Nov. 16: Watch Live
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – The super secret 'Zuma' spysat claimed by no U.S. government entity – not even the elusive NRO spy agency ! - and whose goals are veiled in virtually complete darkness– is poised for a dark of night blastoff on a SpaceX Falcon rocket Thursday evening, Nov. 16, from the Florida Space Coast. Update: Delayed to Friday 8 PM
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Closest Potentially-Habitable World Found Around "Quiet" Star
The ESO has announced the discovery of an exoplanet around a nearby "quiet" red dwarf star, which makes it more likely to be habitable
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S.S Gene Cernan Honoring Last Moonwalker Arrives at International Space Station Carrying Tons of Research Gear and Supplies
The S.S. Gene Cernan Cygnus spacecraft named in honor of the Apollo 17 lunar landing commander and launched by Orbital ATK from the eastern shore of Virgina at breakfast time Sunday, Nov. 12, arrived at the International Space Station early Tuesday morning, Nov 14, carrying over 3.7 tons of research equipment and supplies for the six person resident crew.
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NASA's Next-Generation Spaceplane Passes Free Flight Test
NASA's next-generation spaceplane - the Dream Chaser - recently passed a flight test, which consisted of a glide test and automated landing.
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Despite Merlin Engine Testing Anomaly SpaceX Forges Ahead With Ambitious Year End Launch Schedule Commencing Nov. 15
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - Despite suffering a significant engine testing "anomaly" and fire during test protocols with a Merlin engine that powers both stages of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, the Elon Musk founded company is forging ahead with an ambitious year end launch schedule that commences this week with blastoff of the secretive Zuma mission on Wednesday evening, Nov. 15. Clearly Musk & Co. feel it is safe to proceed.
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Triton's Arrival was Chaos for the Rest of Neptune's Moons
According to a new study, Neptune's system of moons may have been drastically altered thanks to the arrival of its largest moon, Triton.
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Dinosaur Killing Asteroid hit Earth in Exactly the Wrong Spot
A new study by a pair of Japanese researchers indicates that the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs landed where it could do the most damage.
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Weekly Space Hangout - Nov. 15, 2017: Dr. John Whelan of RIT
Antares Rocket Blasts Off from Virginia Bound for Space Station with Cygnus Cargo Ship and Tons of Vital Science Supplies
NASA WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY, VA – An Orbital ATK Antares rocket successfully blasted off this morning, Sunday, Nov. 12, from the eastern shore of Virginia on a NASA contracted mission bound for the International Space Station (ISS) carrying a Cygnus cargo ship loaded with nearly 4 tons of vital science and supplies.
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NASA Moving Ahead with Deployment of Orion Capsule and Space Launch System
NASA recently concluded a critical review of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System, and is on track to test these systems in the coming years.
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Astronomy Cast Ep. 465: Exploiting Interfering Light
Life on Mars can Survive for Millions of Years Even Right Near the Surface
A new study conducted by a team of Russian scientists has found that microorganisms on Mars can survive the tough conditions, even near the surface.
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The Cygnus Constellation
Located in the northern hemisphere is the Cygnus constellation, one of the 48 constellations identified by Ptolemy and one of the 88 recognized by the IAU today.
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Orbital ATK Antares Rocket Set for Breakfast Blastoff from Virginia to Space Station with S.S. Gene Cernan Cargo Freighter Nov. 11: Watch Live
NASA WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY, VA - The Orbital ATK Antares rocket is all set for a breakfast time blastoff from the commonwealth of Virginia to the International Space Station for NASA with a Cygnus cargo freighter named in honor of Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the Moon.
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A Brown Dwarf Prevented a Regular Star from Going Through its Full Life Cycle
A team of Brazilian astronomers recently made an unexpected discovery, a binary system consisting of a low mass-white dwarf with a brown dwarf companion.
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Busy Space Coast December Ahead as SpaceX Reactivates Damaged Cape Launch Pad, Aims for Year End Maiden Falcon Heavy Blastoff
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - A very busy and momentous December is ahead for SpaceX workers on Florida's Space Coast as the company plans to reactivate the firms heavily damaged pad 40 at Cape Canaveral for a NASA resupply mission liftoff in early December while simultaneously aiming for a Year End maiden launch of the oft delayed Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA's historic pad 39A.
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Astronomers Practice Responding to a Killer Asteroid"
This past October, scientists from all over the world used the flyby of asteroid 2012 TC4 to test out the world's advanced warning systems.
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Weekly Space Hangout - Nov 8, 2017: This Week in Musk, and More!
Carnival of Space #534
Proxima Centauri has a Cold Dust Belt that Could Indicate Even More Planets
According to a new study by an international team of scientists, Proxima Centauri could have dust belts that indicate the presence of more planets.
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They Just Began Casting the Giant Magellan Telescope's 5th Mirror. What a Monster Job.
The 5th of the Giant Magellan Telescope's 7 gigantic mirrors is being cast at the Caris Mirror Laboratory, as the GMT progresses towards first light in the early 2020's.
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New Study Says Enceladus has had an Internal Ocean for Billions of Years
A new study by an international team of researchers has shown that Enceladus has been producing enough energy in its interior to keep a warm water ocean for billions of years.
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Astronomy Cast Ep. 464: Why the Hype over an Exorock?
Messier 59 - the NGC 4621 Elliptical Galaxy
Located in the southern Virgo constellation, roughly 60 million light-years from Earth, is the spiral galaxy known as Messier 59
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Cutting-Edge Astronomy Confirms Most Ancient Galaxy to Date
Using a combined technique, a team of international astronomers have spotted a galaxy 11 billion light years away, making it the oldest spiral galaxy yet studied.
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The SpaceX Booster is Back in Town, Legs Quickly Detached: Photo/Video Gallery
PORT CANAVERAL/KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - 'The SpaceX boosters back in town! The boosters back in town!' paraphrasing the popular lyrics of the hit single from Irish hard rock band Thin Lizzy - its what comes to mind with the speedy cadence of 'launch, land and relaunch' firmly established by CEO Elon Musk's hard rocking crew of mostly youthful rocket scientists and engineers.
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Carnival of Space #533
Check Out NASA's New Instrument that will Look for Life on Enceladus
NASA recently unveiled their SELFI instrument, which will search Enceladus' plumes to look for signs of life in the interior
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