Space News
Next solar maximum may be safest time for manned missions to Mars
Phys.org - 10 Feb 2015 15:30
Humans have long dreamed of traveling to Mars, and several nations and private organizations are developing plans for crewed Mars missions in the coming decades. But a recent study looking at the risks for astronauts goi...
Dark Matter at the Heart of Our Galaxy
SpaceRef - 10 Feb 2015 03:39
The ubiquitous presence of dark matter in the universe is today a central tenet in modern cosmology and astrophysics....
Dark Energy Camera unveils small objects in solar system
Phys.org - 10 Feb 2015 16:12
The 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera, built at DOE's Fermilab and mounted on the 4-meter Victor Blanco Telescope in Chile, delivers some of the most detailed images of celestial objects. While about a third of the camera...
Mars is the Next Step for Humanity -- We Must Take It
SPACE.com - 10 Feb 2015 22:56
Elon Musk insists that Mars is a "long-term insurance policy" for "the light of consciousness" in the face of climate change, extinction events, and our recklessness with technology.
What Would It Be Like to Live on the Moon?
SPACE.com - 10 Feb 2015 22:18
With its very low gravity, interesting topographical features and great view of Earth, the moon could be an exciting place to live.
Google gives Lick Observatory $1 million
Phys.org - 10 Feb 2015 22:13
Google Inc. has given $1 million to the University of California's Lick Observatory in what astronomers hope is the first of many private gifts to support an invaluable teaching and research resource for the state.
Living on the Moon: What It Would Be Like (Infographic)
SPACE.com - 10 Feb 2015 22:12
Life on the moon would be very different for explorers than life on Earth. See how in this Space.com infographic.
SpaceX Leases Florida Launch Pad for Rocket Landings
SPACE.com - 10 Feb 2015 22:06
SpaceX plans to convert a launch pad into a landing pad for the reusable rocket boosters it is developing to power its Falcon family of rockets.
How the Voyager Spacecraft Changed the World: An Interview with Scientist Jim Bell
Scientific American - 10 Feb 2015 22:00
In his new book Bell, who has sent probes to explore distant planets, tells how two craft carrying messages for extraterrestrials have journeyed farther from Earth than any other --
Commentary | Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and the Gigafactory Approach to Space
Space News - 10 Feb 2015 21:49
For all the similarities and dissimilarities between the two, there's one that often gets ignored -- their strategies for getting their stuff made. The post Commentary | Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and the Gigafactory Approach...
Looping Flare Punctuates Sun's Atmosphere | Video
SPACE.com - 10 Feb 2015 21:46
Seeming to form a question mark then a curlicue, a stream of superheated plasma erupted over a three hour period on Feb. 4, 2015. The fireworks were captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.
Seeing Enormous Cloud Shadows From Orbit
SpaceRef - 10 Feb 2015 21:42
Terry W. Virts @AstroTerry Feb 8 Enormous shadows cast hundreds of miles from these clouds...
SpaceX Dragon Capsule Leaves Space Station for Ocean Splashdown
SPACE.com - 10 Feb 2015 21:35
SpaceX's robotic Dragon capsule is on its way back to Earth after spending one month attached to the International Space Station, marking the start of a big day for the private spaceflight company.
Space Science Budget Gets Small Lift
Scientific American - 10 Feb 2015 21:20Cosmic Cappuccino: Delicious Swirls in Mars' South Pole
SPACE.com - 10 Feb 2015 21:02
In this dreamy observation, staring down on Mars' south polar icecap, a European spacecraft has captured stunning ruddy swirls frozen in Martian ice, like cinnamon sprinkles and coffee mixing with the frothy milk atop a ...
Google SpaceX Investment is $900 Million
Space News - 10 Feb 2015 20:52
Search engine giant Google Inc. said it invested $900 million in SpaceX "to support continued innovation in areas of space transport, reusability and satellite manufacturing." The post Google SpaceX Investment is $900 Mi...
ATV to bid farewell to Space Station for last time
ESA - 10 Feb 2015 20:51
ESA's last Automated Transfer Vehicle will leave the International Space Station on Saturday for its final solo voyage, setting course for a fiery demise that will mark the end of its mission and the programme.
Today Is a Busy Day in Space
Bad Astronomy - 10 Feb 2015 20:38
A lot's going on over your head today. 1) The SpaceX Falcon 9 launch, postponed twice (once for a malfunctioning piece of Air Force tracking equipment and once due to weather) is scheduled for liftoff tonight at 23:05 UT...
Earth Pelted by More than 600 Large Debris Items in 2014, NASA Reports
Space News - 10 Feb 2015 19:41
More than 600 dead satellites, spent rocket stages and other debris re-entered Earth's atmosphere in 2014 -- more than 100,000 kilograms of mass that caused no reported casualties or sizable property damage, NASA has tol...
NASA Invites Children, Families to Learn about NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission
PTTU - 10 Feb 2015 19:39
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center: Goddard's Visitor Center will host this month's Sunday Experiment, about NASA's SDO mission, on Feb. 15.
The Sun's activity in the 18th century was similar to that now
e! Science News - 10 Feb 2015 19:23
Counting sunspots over time helps in knowing the activity of our star but the two indices used by scientists disagree on dates prior to 1885. Now an international team of researchers has tried to standardise the historic...
SpaceX Leases Florida Launch Pad for Falcon Landings
Space News - 10 Feb 2015 19:13
SpaceX plans to convert a launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, into a landing pad for the reusable rocket boosters it is developing to power its Falcon family of rockets. The post SpaceX Leases Florid...