Messenger in orbit around Mercury
Above, an annotated version of the first orbital image, showing areas of the south pole never before seen.
From the press conference about the first Messenger images from Mercury orbit:
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Tag: science
Which near-Earth asteroids are ripe for a visit?
Which near-Earth asteroids are ripe for a visit?
Which near-Earth asteroids are ripe for a visit?
The first image from Mercury orbit
The first image from Mercury orbit.
The first image from Mercury orbit.
NASA To Make Last Effort To Communicate With Mars Rover ‘Spirit’
NASA’s last effort to re-establish contact with the Mars rover “Spirit.”
NASA’s last effort to re-establish contact with the Mars rover “Spirit.”
The brightest supernovae yet found
The brightest supernovae yet found.
Supernova 2008am is 3.7 billion light-years away. At its peak luminosity, it was over 100 billion times brighter than the Sun. It emitted enough energy in one second to satisfy the power needs of the United States for one million times longer than the universe has existed.
The brightest supernovae yet found.
Supernova 2008am is 3.7 billion light-years away. At its peak luminosity, it was over 100 billion times brighter than the Sun. It emitted enough energy in one second to satisfy the power needs of the United States for one million times longer than the universe has existed.
“Worldwide-temperature increase has not produced acceleration of global sea level over the past 100 years”
From Watts Up With That: New sea level data shows that there has been “no acceleration of global sea level over the past 100 years,” despite the increase in temperatures. Key quote from the paper:
It is essential that investigations continue to address why this worldwide-temperature increase has not produced acceleration of global sea level over the past 100 years, and indeed why global sea level has possibly decelerated for at least the last 80 years.
From Watts Up With That: New sea level data shows that there has been “no acceleration of global sea level over the past 100 years,” despite the increase in temperatures. Key quote from the paper:
It is essential that investigations continue to address why this worldwide-temperature increase has not produced acceleration of global sea level over the past 100 years, and indeed why global sea level has possibly decelerated for at least the last 80 years.
A statistical study says big quakes don’t trigger others far away
A new statistical study has concluded that big quakes don’t trigger others large quakes far away.
A new statistical study has concluded that big quakes don’t trigger others large quakes far away.
Human-caused climate change – then and now
The question of human-caused climate change – unclear now and unclear 8,000 years ago.
The question of human-caused climate change – unclear now and unclear 8,000 years ago.
Stardust to end its mission after twelve years
Stardust has ended its mission after twelve years and two comet flybys.
Ground controllers will command the spacecraft to fire up its four rocket thrusters one last time at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT) today to use up its remaining fuel. Engineers plan to watch closely while the probe’s propellant tank ran dry to help future missions gauge their fuel reserves more precisely.
Stardust has ended its mission after twelve years and two comet flybys.
Ground controllers will command the spacecraft to fire up its four rocket thrusters one last time at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT) today to use up its remaining fuel. Engineers plan to watch closely while the probe’s propellant tank ran dry to help future missions gauge their fuel reserves more precisely.
X-ray stripes in the expanding remnant of a supernova explosion
X-ray stripes in the expanding remnant of a supernova explosion.
X-ray stripes in the expanding remnant of a supernova explosion.
Kepler out of commission for six days
Kepler, out of commission for six days, is back in operation.
Kepler, out of commission for six days, is back in operation.
Messenger confirmed in orbit
Three days of data has confirmed that Messenger is in orbit around Mercury and is doing well.
On March 29, 2011, the Mercury Dual Imaging System will be powered on and will take its first images. The year-long science observation campaign will begin on April 4, 2011.
Three days of data has confirmed that Messenger is in orbit around Mercury and is doing well.
On March 29, 2011, the Mercury Dual Imaging System will be powered on and will take its first images. The year-long science observation campaign will begin on April 4, 2011.
Texas Cites EPA Error in Testing of Wells
The war between Texas and the EPA continues: Texas is accusing the EPA of doing bad research about gas drilling.
The war between Texas and the EPA continues: Texas is accusing the EPA of doing bad research about gas drilling.
Chavez says capitalism may have ended life on Mars
You can’t make this stuff up: The socialist leader of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, said today that he thinks capitalism is to blame for the lack of life on Mars.
You can’t make this stuff up: The socialist leader of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, said today that he thinks capitalism is to blame for the lack of life on Mars.
Mining and jobs versus radio astronomy
Mining and jobs versus radio astronomy.
Mining and jobs versus radio astronomy.
Power has been restored at all six Fukushima reactors
Power has been restored at all six Fukushima reactors in Japan.
Overall, the situation appears completely under control, so much so that in a rational world it probably would be possible to put several of these reactors back in operation. The Reuters story above, however, is amusing to read in one sense, as it struggles mightily to make things sound worse than they are.
Power has been restored at all six Fukushima reactors in Japan.
Overall, the situation appears completely under control, so much so that in a rational world it probably would be possible to put several of these reactors back in operation. The Reuters story above, however, is amusing to read in one sense, as it struggles mightily to make things sound worse than they are.
Dawn Opens its Eyes, Checks its Instruments
All systems go! Dawn did a camera and instrument checkout last week, in preparation for its summertime arrival at the asteroid Vesta.
All systems go! Dawn did a camera and instrument checkout last week, in preparation for its summertime arrival at the asteroid Vesta.
New Horizons passes the orbit of Uranus on its way to Pluto
New Horizons has passed the orbit of Uranus on its way to Pluto.
New Horizons has passed the orbit of Uranus on its way to Pluto.
Two stars caught fusing into one
Two stars fusing into one.
Two stars fusing into one.
Mine Fire Threatens Physics Laboratory
A fire in a Minnesota mine is threatening an underground physics laboratory.
A fire in a Minnesota mine is threatening an underground physics laboratory.
European Space Missions to Go It Alone After NASA Yanks Support
The mess from the NASA space war spreads: Three European space science missions are now on their own after the U.S. the space agency pulls funding.
The mess from the NASA space war spreads: Three European space science missions are now on their own after the U.S. the space agency pulls funding.
Japan raises nuclear alert level
This ain’t good: Japan has raised the nuclear alert level at its stricken nuclear power plants.
Then again, it appears that the dangers remain limited to a relatively small area, within 20 kilometers of the power plant.
This ain’t good: Japan has raised the nuclear alert level at its stricken nuclear power plants.
Then again, it appears that the dangers remain limited to a relatively small area, within 20 kilometers of the power plant.
Funding for new unmanned planetary missions under threat
Now for some squealing from planetary scientists: Funding for new unmanned planetary missions under threat.
Note that I agree with Squyres: money spent for planetary research is worth it. However, considering the state of the federal budget, we all have to recognize that nothing is sacrosanct, until that budget gets under control.
Now for some squealing from planetary scientists: Funding for new unmanned planetary missions under threat.
Note that I agree with Squyres: money spent for planetary research is worth it. However, considering the state of the federal budget, we all have to recognize that nothing is sacrosanct, until that budget gets under control.
Messenger has successfully entered orbit around Mercury
After an almost seven year journey, Messenger has successfully entered orbit around Mercury. More here.
After an almost seven year journey, Messenger has successfully entered orbit around Mercury. More here.
The spring rains (of methane) have arrived on Titan
The spring rains (of methane) have arrived on Titan.
The spring rains (of methane) have arrived on Titan.
Messenger probe set to orbit Mercury
After years of travel, the probe Messenger finally goes into orbit around Mercury tonight.
After years of travel, the probe Messenger finally goes into orbit around Mercury tonight.
The strange link between samurai swords and Japan’s nuclear reactors
The strange link between samurai swords and Japan’s nuclear reactors.
The strange link between samurai swords and Japan’s nuclear reactors.
First results from the Hayabusa asteroid samples
First results from the Hayabusa asteroid samples.
A preliminary analysis of asteroid samples returned last year by Japan’s Hayabusa probe show evidence the dust grains have a similar composition to stony meteorites that commonly fall to Earth. . . . The initial research also shows the samples inspected so far contain no organic molecules. Scientists also say the analysis confirms the rocks at Itokawa were formed 4.6 billion years ago at the dawn of the solar system.
First results from the Hayabusa asteroid samples.
A preliminary analysis of asteroid samples returned last year by Japan’s Hayabusa probe show evidence the dust grains have a similar composition to stony meteorites that commonly fall to Earth. . . . The initial research also shows the samples inspected so far contain no organic molecules. Scientists also say the analysis confirms the rocks at Itokawa were formed 4.6 billion years ago at the dawn of the solar system.