The Salty Waters of Saturn's Moon Hint at Life Jun 26, 2009
The other planets and moons in the solar system don't have it so good forbidding places that are hydrogological deserts, and thus biological ones too. Related. (Time.com)
GREAT IDEAS FOR YOUR NEXT 48 HOURS Jun 26, 2009
com and the Erie Planetarium will present an interactive program involving observation of the stars and planets with telescopes and binoculars. Rain date is Saturday. (Erie Times-News, PA)
North Korea threats hit home in Alaska Jun 25, 2009
John From UK wrote on Jun 24, 2009 12:28 AM:" From what I can gather from the events of the past few months. I have read that the USA and NK are still at war since the 1950s. Is it not time to finish this once and for all before NK develops its nuclear power to an extent where the whole of the USA is under threat. Any nuclear confrontation has a wider effect on the whole planets eco system, where fall out can carry on the winds for thousands of miles.As an English man I have huge respect for the... (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
Embarrassment Jun 25, 2009
We found a new solar system, dozens of planets and hundreds of moons ... The Central Planets formed the Alliance ... The savage outer planets were not so enlightened and refused Alliance control. (The American Conservative)
A "Briny Deep" Inside Enceladus? Jun 25, 2009
Mercury may have its volcanic plains, Mars its buried glaciers, and the Kuiper Belt its dwarf planets but arguably there's no more exciting place in the solar system right now than the Saturnian moon Enceladus. It's drawn the attention of planetary dynamicists, geophysicists, volcanologists, glaciologists, oceanographers, astrobiologists, and plasma physicists not bad for a modest moon that's barely 300 miles (490 km) across. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
President faces a Kennedy decision on space Jun 24, 2009
George W. Bush agreed and instantly recognized the need to return to simplicity and safety, to build a flexible space fleet that could safely fly astronauts to the space station, back to the moon, on to Mars possibly other planets, and even the asteroid belt. Debating NASAs next rocketPresident Bush gathered the best minds and experts of the day and told them to get started. (MSNBC -- Politics)
NASA's Mars Odyssey Alters Orbit To Study Warmer Ground Jun 24, 2009
14, 2008) The longest-serving of six spacecraft now studying Mars is up to new tricks for a third two-year extension of its mission to examine the most Earthlike of known foreign planets. NASA's Mars Odyssey. (Science Daily)
Whirlpool Awash with Hints and Promise Jun 24, 2009
The study of dust is particularly important in astronomy because dust is crucial to the formation of solar systems with rocky planets like Earth. With a primary mirror 3. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Students say they need a law to stop the bullies Jun 24, 2009
Students and administrators might as well be living on different planets when it comes to school bullying. Students say it is common for bullies to taunt and hit them or their classmates, and for teachers to do little to stop it. (News & Observer)
Brad and Ange 'run back to their exes' Jun 23, 2009
Aries: The planets can make many needy and insecure but whether you will actually feel this way is not clear; it depends on home and family matters for you and whether or not you are dealing with them well or not. This would be a very good day to make a positive change to the axis between home and work especially if one or the other takes up too much of your time; strive for balance. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Frank Low, 75; helped extend detection of stars, galaxies Jun 22, 2009
NEW YORK - Dr. Frank J. Low, who helped astronomers extend their vision beyond visible light into a vast realm of previously invisible colors, revolutionizing the study of the birth of planets, stars, and galaxies, died June 11 in Tucson ... Using Dr. Low s devices and their successors, astronomers have been able to peer through dust clouds to find the birthplaces of stars; discover galaxies and quasars invisible to ordinary telescopes; discern rings of dust and, recently, even planets around... (Boston Globe)
Light of Altair Review Jun 22, 2009
It's all about constructing colonies on planets, building up resources, and massing fleets for war ... Each scenario puts you in charge of a fledgling colony which you must build to prosperity in order to colonize yet more planets in the system and compete with rival factions ... Once you've colonized a few planets and grown them successfully, you'll know the pattern and some of the game's initial luster will wear off. (IGN PC Games)
LOOKING UP: Short summer nights, full of wonder Jun 21, 2009
You can still wonder at the numerous bright, colorful stars here and there, see the bright planets when they re up, and this week eye the lovely crescent Moon as it thickens night to night as it encircles our world. Light pollution might rob some of your view, but you may see quite a bit in the darkest part of the sky, whhich is usually overhead. (Medfield Press, MA)
Designer's health crusade Jun 21, 2009
The personal planets make this a fabulous night for love, romance and sensual pleasures ... The personal planets strongly suggest that you are at the height of your sexual attraction right now ... The personal planets combine in such a way that strongly suggests romance tonight or if not that then a really fun night with friends. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
> read more Jun 20, 2009
During the second half of June, six of the seven planets (not counting Earth) are positioned at dawn within a 100 ... This comes 25 years after very the rare gathering of all seven planets and then-planet Pluto into a span of only 60n January 1984. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Highest Microbial Life Found Around Volcanic Vents Jun 20, 2009
Their work has implications for climate change and the search for life on other planets on Mars, for example, the edges of ice fields are among the more likely places to search for microbial life. But then, he said, "people in my lab became intrigued: Is there an altitudinal limit to life?". (National Geographic)
Weird Brown-Dwarf Weather Jun 19, 2009
Working from the other direction, Jupiter is our guide when it comes to visualizing what giant planets look like. But Jupiters appearance is influenced by the energy its atmosphere receives from the Sun. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Stroke Survivors Report Loss Of Sexual Desire, Blurred Gender Roles, Anger And Fatigue Jun 19, 2009
19, 2005) The popular media has portrayed men and women as psychologically different as two planets -- Mars and Venus -- but these differences are vastly overestimated and the two sexes are more similar in. (Dec. (Science Daily)
Sex-ed talk by agencies now banned Jun 19, 2009
Galileo wrote on Jun 18, 2009 11:57 AM:" I felt the wrath during the inquisition and was forced to recant my support for Copernicus' "theory" that the planets actually revolve around the sun. I knew it to be true, but recanted to save my hide. The "theory" of "Just say No" has been debunked over and over but the gang of four on the board won't admit it or allow professionals to properly address it. I have no kids in public school, but I am a voter and will remember the gang of four come election... (Cody Enterprise, WY)
Star Defense 3.0 Update Jun 18, 2009
With seven unique planets, two different game modes, more than 50 Medals and Commendations to be earned on the field, and three different difficulty settings available at launch, Star Defense offers endless replayability for newcomers and war-hardened veterans alike. Star Defense is available now for $5. (IGN Wireless Games)
• Earth's nearest neighbors are visible in the morning sky Jun 18, 2009
Less obvious are the planets accompanying it, the nearest worlds in our solar system. Venus, perpetually covered in white, reflective clouds, easily outshines every other celestial body except the sun and moon. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Planetary Preemies? Jun 18, 2009
Protoplanetary disks around three young stars in Ophiuchus have large central holes, astronomers have found, which were presumably cleared by still-growing Jupiter-mass planets ... How would planets have formed in just a couple million years ... But these numbers do not imply that every third disk will form planets, because the sample was biased. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Binary stars host potential planetary disk Jun 17, 2009
Molecular gas cloud could give rise to planets and comets, scientists say ... Giant planets, comets and Pluto-like bodies may form around binary star systems, not just single stars, a new study suggests ... The discovery suggests that could host as-yet undetected planets. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Biggest U.S. Health-Care Overhaul in 40 Years May Emerge in 45-Day Sprint Jun 17, 2009
This time, the planets are aligned as theyve never been aligned before, but there still are a lot of obstacles before well know whether theyve pulled it off or weve failed again. . (Bloomberg -- US)
CITY INSIDER Jun 17, 2009
The planets are aligned: Daly, Newsom have a chat. - Heather Knight - Rachel Gordon - John Cot. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Meade ETX-LS Is Now Shipping Jun 17, 2009
"As telescopes have become more advanced over the years, they have also become more complicated to use. The ETX-LS with LightSwitch Technology reverses this trend by using innovation and technology to make it the simplest and easiest telescope to use ever. It is loaded with an array of user-friendly features that incorporate advanced technology to overcome the biggest challenges commonly faced by less experienced stargazers," said Steve Murdock, Meade's CEO. "Now in the International Year of... (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Hooked on self-help books against her will Jun 17, 2009
It meant that when we did, we sorted ourselves out without the benefit of any dime-store manual about the color of our parachutes or about which planets our romantic nemeses came from. Don't Miss. (CNN)
Robin Recommends: Hotel Valley Ho Jun 17, 2009
If you want to get a really close look at the stars and planets, Kitt Peak National Observatory southwest of Tucson is home to the world's largest collection of optical telescopes. Twenty-seven telescopes sit on 200 acres of land, ready to unlock the mysteries of the universe. (AZCentral -- Travel)
Unique sky survey brings new objects into focus Jun 16, 2009
By operating more rapidly than previous surveys, PTF will also detect objects of a completely different nature, such as pulsating stars, different types of stellar explosions, and possibly planets around other stars. PTF's innovative survey techniques also have raised astronomers' expectations of finding new, unexpected, astronomical objects. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Space Geology: From the Moon to Mars Jun 16, 2009
The astronauts collected samples and took measurements that narrowed hypotheses of the moon s origin and provided a point of comparison for observations of other planets. On the final moon shot, Apollo 17 in December 1972, the author became the only scientist ever to visit the moon. (Scientific American)
Saturday Shuttle Launch Scrapped Jun 16, 2009
I can't see why we need to send satellites to outer space to explore other planets, it's a waste. They should only send to outer space when they really need to. (CBS News -- Sci/Tech)
Rare Radio Supernova In Nearby Galaxy Is Nearest Supernova In Five Years Jun 16, 2009
24, 2008) Something vital is missing in the far distant reaches of the universe: hydrogen -- the raw material for stars, planets and possible life. The discovery of its apparent absence from distant galaxies. (Science Daily)
Baby Stars Finally Found In Jumbled Galactic Center Jun 16, 2009
They are embedded in cocoons of gas and dust, which will eventually flatten to disks that, according to theory, later lump together to form planets. Other collaborators include Richard Arendt of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. (Science Daily)
Is America over the moon? Jun 16, 2009
Some scientists oppose the new moon program, saying NASA should focus instead on research on Mars and other planets ... The moon also is a steppingstone for getting humans to Mars and other planets. (AZCentral -- News)
LOOKING UP: Watch "as the worlds turn" Jun 16, 2009
Most everywhere we look, planets, moons, stars and galaxies are rotating ... While each of the planets in our Solar System rotate, they do so at various rates ... Even worse, the planet rotates retrograde, or exactly opposite the other planets. (Medfield Press, MA)
Life May Extend Planet's 'Life': Billion-year Life Extension For Earth Also Doubles Odds Of Finding Life On Other Planets Jun 16, 2009
"Hopefully, in the future we will not only detect Earth-like planets around other stars but learn something about their atmospheres and the ambient pressures," Pahlevan says. "And if it turns out that older planets tend to have thinner atmospheres, it would be an indication that this process has some universality." ... Adds Yung: "We can't wait for the experiment to occur on Earth. It would take too long. But if we study exoplanets, maybe we will see it. Maybe the experiment has already been... (Science Daily)
Your turn: Space future review should get us talking Jun 16, 2009
At the same time, we need to be thinking not only about near-Earth orbital projects but also resuming our exploration of the Moon and other planets, pushing out into the solar system. Unfortunately, the political will is probably not there to spend the money for all those programs. (Florida Today)
Search For ET Just Got Easier: Effective Way To Search Atmospheres Of Planets For Signs Of Life Jun 16, 2009
ScienceDaily (June 12, 2009) Astronomers using the Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) William Herschel Telescope (WHT) on La Palma have confirmed an effective way to search the atmospheres of planets for signs of life, vastly improving our chances of finding alien life outside our solar system ... Enric Palle, lead author of the paper, from the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, said, "Now we know what the transmission spectrum of a inhabited planet looks like, we have a much... (Science Daily)
Microbe awake after frozen for 120,000 years Jun 16, 2009
Studying the long-lasting bacteria may provide clues to what life forms might exist on other planets. Most life on our planet has always consisted of microorganisms, so it is reasonable to consider that this might be true on other planets as well. (Xinhuanet, China)
Camaver Kunsthaus International opens at the Monastery of San Francesco Jun 16, 2009
Revolutionary ideas have been those ones about the revolution of the Earth and observations inherent other solar planets. From these concepts the exhibition takes now inspiration. (AbsoluteArts.com)
'Tiny chance' of planet collision Jun 16, 2009
The finding comes from simulations to show how orbits of planets might evolve billions of years into the future ... Astronomers had thought that the orbits of the planets were predictable ... Now, the team has shown how in a small proportion of cases these fluctuations can grow until after several million years, the orbits of the inner planets begin to overlap. (BBC News -- Science)
Frozen Microbe May Hold Clues To Extraterreistrial Life Jun 16, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania---A novel bacterium that has been trapped more than three kilometres under glacial ice in Greenland for over 120 000 years, may hold clues as to what life forms might exist on other planets ... Most life on our planet has always consisted of microorganisms, so it is reasonable to consider that this might be true on other planets as well. (W-USA News, DC)
Report: Planets will collide in 5 billion years Jun 16, 2009
For many millennia, the scientists say, the orbits of the solar system's eight planets will remain stable, just as they are today, but eventually small eccentricities in their flight paths around the sun could cause Mercury, Mars, Venus and Earth to smash into each other, either one at a time or all at once - the ultimate chaotic disaster. But because that predicted chaos is so far in the future, the scenario actually "sounds a note of definite cheer," and the planets will be safe for a long,... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Hint of planet outside our galaxy Jun 16, 2009
The technology is in place to truly see planets of Jupiter's mass and even less in other galaxies ... But Dr De Paolis is encouraged by the possibility of detecting planets at such phenomenal distances ... "The interesting thing is that the technology is in place to truly see planets of Jupiter's mass and even less in other galaxies," he told BBC News. (BBC News -- Science)
Tiny Frozen Microbe May Hold Clues To Extraterrestrial Life Jun 16, 2009
ScienceDaily (June 15, 2009) A novel bacterium -- trapped more than three kilometres under glacial ice in Greenland for over 120,000 years -- may hold clues as to what life forms might exist on other planets ... Most life on our planet has always consisted of microorganisms, so it is reasonable to consider that this might be true on other planets as well ... 13, 2006) A comprehensive review by leading scientists about our solar system which speculates on the possibility of life on other planets... (Science Daily)
GooseIslandState Park second most visited park Jun 6, 2009
Learn about the constellations and see the moon, planets, stars and galaxies through the telescope. Bring your lawn chairs and your binoculars and meet at the Recreation Hall for an informative and fun night. (Rockport Pilot, TX)
Watch as the moon eclipses the star Antares Jun 6, 2009
Digital video cameras, combined with intelligent frame-stacking software, allow anyone with a large backyard scope to take sharper pictures of the planets than professionals on mountaintops could do a generation ago. If no space probe happens to be at the planet, this is the cutting edge for seeing what's happening there. (Boston Globe)
Bret Harte sends off Class of '09 tonight Jun 6, 2009
The mathematics of simple life and bigger things such as space, time and planets. His mother and I feel incredibly proud of our son, David Baugher said. (San Andreas Calaveras Enterprise, CA)
Geology: necessary for basic science understanding Jun 5, 2009
6 billion-year geologic history is part of basic science literacy, concludes a National Science Foundation report released Thursday. Dubbed "Earth Science Literacy Principles: The Big Ideas and Supporting Concepts of Earth Science", the report summarizes the key facts about geologic processes on Earth. (USA Today -- Tech)
Women May Not Be So Picky After All About Choosing A Mate Jun 5, 2009
ScienceDaily (June 4, 2009) Men and women may not be from two different planets after all when it comes to choosiness in mate selection, according to new research from Northwestern University. See also. (Science Daily)
* Global environment cannot wait Jun 5, 2009
James Leap of the World Wildlife Fund has warned that if humanity continues to misuse its natural resources, by 2030 we will need two planets to maintain our lifestyle. . (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
The Old Republic Demo Jun 5, 2009
We started by exploring the new Bounty Hunter class and the first of two new planets for the game. The bounty hunter, Ayrik, begins on Hutta at the start of The Great Hunt, a massive contest organized by the Mandalorians and designed to find the best new bounty hunters in the galaxy. (IGN PC Games)
Magnetic Tornadoes Could Liberate Mercury's Tenuous Atmosphere Jun 3, 2009
Venus, Earth, and even Mars have thick atmospheres compared to Mercury, so the solar wind never makes it to the surface of these planets, even if there is no global magnetic field in the way, as is the case for Venus and Mars. Instead, it hits the upper atmosphere of these worlds, where it has the opposite effect to that on Mercury, gradually stripping away atmospheric gas as it blows by. (Science Daily)
* [ ART JOURNAL ] Objects in the mirror are stranger than they appear Jun 3, 2009
Aside from the fact that this is (usually) proper museum etiquette, the planets were made from the artists own feces, which he dried using the flame from a cigarette lighter. Chiang gave a terse reply when asked why he used his own excrement for the piece: The cosmos is in the human body. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Earth losing atmosphere faster than neighbors Jun 3, 2009
"Ultimately we're trying to understand why Venus, Mars and Earth atmospheres behave so different when initially the planets were pretty much the same," Russell said. Russell presented his research at the American Geophysical Union conference in Toronto last week. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Dementia diagnosis may trigger suicides Jun 3, 2009
Scorpio: The planets create quite an idyllic feeling today that permeates into relationship of all kinds. Not that it will put you under any illusions; it can in fact make you see more clearly what it is you want and perhaps even who you want to go there with. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Distant world circles tiny star Jun 2, 2009
Astrometry has long been proposed as a tool for finding other planets, but this is the method's first "catch" ... Using astrometry to find exoplanets involves measuring the precise motions of a star on the sky as an unseen planet tugs the star back and forth ... It is best suited to finding planets with large orbits around their parent stars. (BBC News -- Science)
Meteoroid Bombardment May Have Made Earth More Habitable, Says Study Jun 2, 2009
They concluded that contributions from individual meteorites were small and were unlikely to have a significant impact on the atmospheres of planets on their own ... This suggests that the LHB could have delivered enough carbon dioxide and water vapour to turn the atmospheres of the two planets into warmer and wetter environments that were more habitable for life, say the researchers ... Professor Mark Sephton, from Imperial s Department of Earth Science and Engineering believes the study... (Science Daily)
Meteoroids made Earth habitable Jun 2, 2009
According to the researchers, this suggests that the LHB could have delivered enough carbon dioxide and water vapour to turn the atmospheres of the two planets into warmer and wetter environments that were more habitable for life. However, according to the researchers, Mars' good fortune did not last. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Science nonfiction: A serious search for extraterrestrial life Jun 1, 2009
Back in the 1960s, while the Enterprise crew was exploring a galaxy full of exotic life-forms, real astronomers were stuck in a solar system with eight desolate-looking neighbors and no signs of any planets beyond ... In the last 13 years, astronomers have used such remote-sending tools to catalog more than 300 planets outside the solar system ... The first such planets were many times bigger than our own, but progressively smaller ones have been turning up. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
> read more Jun 1, 2009
com - Homepage News - Astronomers Pioneer New Method for Finding Exoplanets ... Astronomers Pioneer New Method for Finding Exoplanets ... After decades of frustration and false alarms, astronomers may finally have a new method in their toolkit for finding planets around other stars: astrometry. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
World's strongest laser unveiled at California lab Jun 1, 2009
The laser will be used in astrophysics, allowing scientists to mimic conditions inside planets and new solar systems, something the lab's officials said would allow for conducting experiments that could never be undertaken on Earth before. Text. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Fusion tests set at new Livermore facility May 31, 2009
-- Enable astrophysicists and other scientists to study for the first time what kind of matter lies inside exploding stars, as well as in the deep high-pressure interior of Earth and its sister planets. -- Finally, if the coming years of experiments, which start next year, are successful, a truly limitless supply of clean electrical energy with no carbon waste would be created using the limitless hydrogen fuel in the world's oceans. (San Francisco Chronicle)
LOOKING UP: Good doctor makes his starry rounds May 30, 2009
The Sun and planets also pass in front of Ophiuchus. Among the notable stars in this part of the sky, look for the two red stars close together in Ophiuchus, known as Yed Posterior and Yed Prior. (Medfield Press, MA)
US lab debuts super laser May 30, 2009
Equipment connected to a house-sized sphere can focus 192 laser beams on a small point, generating temperatures and pressures that exist at cores of stars or giant planets ... Scientists say that NIF also promises groundbreaking discoveries in planetary science and astrophysics by recreating conditions that exist in supernovas, black holes, and in the cores of giant planets. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
