July 31st, 2014
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New imagery of the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimernko as the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft pulls in closer to the target.According to a press statement from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany), the Imagery confirms the collar-like appearance of the neck region which presents itself brighter than most parts of the […]
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Fireworks at Mars – there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work and worry about an upcoming cometary encounter. Here’s my take on the situation via Space.com: NASA Prepping Mars Probes, Rovers for Close Comet Flyby By Leonard David, Space.com’s Space Insider Columnist July 31, 2014 07:35am ET http://www.space.com/26690-mars-comet-flyby-spacecraft-preparation.html
New research suggests that it is possible that terrestrial rocks ejected from the Earth by giant impacts from space — and which then strike the Moon — may successfully transfer terrestrial fossils to the Moon. The results were obtained from hypervelocity impact experiments which fired fossilized diatoms frozen in ice into water targets. Diatoms are […]
Europa harbors a global ocean covered by an ice shell. Indeed, that large reservoir of liquid water has long enchanted planetary scientists with the possibility that the moon is also a harbor for life. On one hand, NASA does place high programmatic priority on this prospect to further the potential for a future lander mission […]
The Air Force launched two operational satellites and one experimental satellite into near-geosynchronous Earth orbit on July 28 atop a Delta 4 booster lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The AFSPC-4 mission, according to Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James: “These operational and experimental systems will enhance the nation’s ability to monitor and […]
After a 10-year journey that has clocked up more than 6 billion kilometers, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Rosetta spacecraft is rapidly closing in on its destination comet. New images are being provided daily by ESA of Rosetta’s prey: comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The official Rosetta arrival at comet date is July 19, 2014 (UTC). […]
NASA’s MESSENGER – short for MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging – has moved closer to Mercury than any spacecraft has before. The spacecraft has been maneuvered to an altitude at closest approach of only 100 kilometers (62 miles) above the planet’s surface. “This dip in altitude is allowing us to see Mercury up […]
China is considering the prospect of moving up their space station agenda, according to recent news reports in that country. A recent China Daily story explains that the first of three experimental modules for China’s planned space station is expected to be launched in 2018, with the other two set for launch in 2020 and […]
Mars Up Close: Inside the Curiosity Mission by Marc Kaufman; National Geographic Books, Wash., D.C.; $40.00 (hardcover); August 2014. This is an absolutely stunning book. After this read, and soaking in the lavishly dazzling presentation, you’ll get to know the fourth planet as never before … and why this world is a place that is […]
Artist Kenji Williams is performing his BELLA GAIA around the world. His unique concert captures the Overview Effect, using satellite imagery of Earth, time lapses, cultural heritage footage, NASA data visualizations, dance, and an award-winning customized musical score. Williams takes you on a spectacular journey around the planet that illuminates the connections between natural systems […]