Spaceflight & Cosmology
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2HeadsBetter
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Re: Space & Spaceflight
28th January 2016 - 30 Year Anniversary of Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
Top row (L-R): Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik.
Front row (L-R): Michael J. Smith, Francis "Dick" Scobee, Ronald McNair.
Liftoff, 28th January 1986. Shuttle Launch: #25, Orbiter: Challenger, Mission Designation: 51-L
Top row (L-R): Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik.
Front row (L-R): Michael J. Smith, Francis "Dick" Scobee, Ronald McNair.
Liftoff, 28th January 1986. Shuttle Launch: #25, Orbiter: Challenger, Mission Designation: 51-L
Re: Space & Spaceflight
John Craven's Newsround got the 'scoop' in the UK (John was on leave at the time).
Reg. Turnbull was even called in as he was the BBC's Space and Science editor. News round reported it via the children's news show around 5 mins after it happened IIRC?
Edit: Wizbit, Pip Schofield and Challenger.
Reg. Turnbull was even called in as he was the BBC's Space and Science editor. News round reported it via the children's news show around 5 mins after it happened IIRC?
Edit: Wizbit, Pip Schofield and Challenger.
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Re: Space & Spaceflight
The ISS crew mark the 30th Anniversary of the Challenger disaster with a moment of silence.
Re: Space & Spaceflight
Scientists discover the pull of the Moon's gravity affects rainfall!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science ... clude.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science ... clude.html
Re: Space & Spaceflight
British astronaut Tim Peake has taken a spectacular video from the International Space Station as it raced over Italy and the Alps at 17,000 mph.
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GastonGlocker
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GastonGlocker
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Re: Space & Spaceflight
The Earthlings may need a service station on the way to Mars?GastonGlocker wrote:A look back. We really should return
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GastonGlocker
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Re: Space & Spaceflight
The Earthlings may need a service station on the way to Mars?[/quote]arfah wrote:
That brings up a good point. Is it more cost effective to bypass Moon altogether and store forward supplies in Earth orbit?
Or, is there value in establishing and maintaining a forward base there as a jump off point?
Re: Space & Spaceflight
Maybe a lunar base and a satellite station on a low Mars orbit?
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Re: Space & Spaceflight
Gravitational Waves From Black Holes Detected!
Scientists are claiming a stunning discovery in their quest to fully understand gravity. They have observed the warping of space-time generated by the collision of two black holes more than a billion light-years from Earth. The international team says the first detection of these gravitational waves will usher in a new era for astronomy. It is the culmination of decades of searching and could ultimately offer a window on the Big Bang.
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35524440
Scientists are claiming a stunning discovery in their quest to fully understand gravity. They have observed the warping of space-time generated by the collision of two black holes more than a billion light-years from Earth. The international team says the first detection of these gravitational waves will usher in a new era for astronomy. It is the culmination of decades of searching and could ultimately offer a window on the Big Bang.
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35524440
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2HeadsBetter
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Re: Space & Spaceflight
Stunning news indeed but on the off chance an astrophysicist (aka star boffin) has dropped by, a couple of questions:
1. Why do the waves travel at light speed?
2. If this quote is true - "Gravitational waves do not interact with matter and travel through the Universe completely unimpeded" - then how can we use them to tell us anything about objects such as black holes?
No rush, in your own time.
.
1. Why do the waves travel at light speed?
2. If this quote is true - "Gravitational waves do not interact with matter and travel through the Universe completely unimpeded" - then how can we use them to tell us anything about objects such as black holes?
No rush, in your own time.
.
Re: Space & Spaceflight
I'm not sure if I could take a decent stab at the second, but on the first, what we describe as the speed of light isn't only the speed of light. AFAIK it's the speed at which any observable massless particle travels, so that'd include the photons that make up light, the gravitons that theoretically make up gravity etc. You could probably describe it as the universal speed limit.2HeadsBetter wrote:Stunning news indeed but on the off chance an astrophysicist (aka star boffin) has dropped by, a couple of questions:
1. Why do the waves travel at light speed?
2. If this quote is true - "Gravitational waves do not interact with matter and travel through the Universe completely unimpeded" - then how can we use them to tell us anything about objects such as black holes?
No rush, in your own time.
.
Re: Space & Spaceflight
Planet Nine Blamed For Dinosaur Extinction!
^ Planet Nine, yesterday.
The mysterious, hypothetical Planet Nine could every so often knock comets into the inner solar system and towards us, researcher says.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/scien ... 59776.html
^ Planet Nine, yesterday.
The mysterious, hypothetical Planet Nine could every so often knock comets into the inner solar system and towards us, researcher says.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/scien ... 59776.html
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2HeadsBetter
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Re: Space & Spaceflight
ISS to have a "bouncy castle"
Or "Inflatable habitat" to use the official designation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35997794
Or "Inflatable habitat" to use the official designation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35997794
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Re: Space & Spaceflight
Major Tim to get 13 extra days in ISS
It is already the trip of a lifetime - and now astronaut Tim Peake has been told he can stay in space for an extra couple of weeks.
The Briton travelled to the International Space Station (ISS) in December, along with American Tim Kopra and Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko.
The trio were due to return to Earth on June 5 but will now come back on June 18, almost two weeks later than originally planned.
Mission controllers are keeping them aboard the space station to keep it fully manned with six astronauts for as long as possible during the changeover of its crews.
Another three-strong crew will take off from Earth on June 21, three days after Major Peake's return.
He said: "Although I am looking forward to being back on Earth and seeing friends and family again, each day spent living in space is a huge privilege and there is much work to do on the station.
"This extension will keep the station at a full crew of six for several days longer, enabling us to accomplish more scientific research.
"And, of course, I get to enjoy the beautiful view of planet Earth for a little while longer."
Tweeting his excitement on Saturday, he added: " I get to stay an extra few days in space. Looking forward to being back, but loving it here and a lot more to do!"
Major Peake blasted into space five months ago and in January became the first British person to walk in space.
Since arriving on the ISS the former Army officer has sent a number of video messages back to Earth and on Sunday 24th April 2016, he ran the London Marathon using an on-board treadmill, recording a time of 3 hours, 35 minutes and 21 seconds.
On Friday 29th April 2016, he became the first person to remotely control a rover robot back on Earth from space.
He piloted the explorer through a Mars-like rocky landscape at a hangar at Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage.
The pioneering experiment gave valuable feedback for scientists ahead of an expedition in 2018 which will see a rover land on the surface of the red planet.
It is already the trip of a lifetime - and now astronaut Tim Peake has been told he can stay in space for an extra couple of weeks.
The Briton travelled to the International Space Station (ISS) in December, along with American Tim Kopra and Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko.
The trio were due to return to Earth on June 5 but will now come back on June 18, almost two weeks later than originally planned.
Mission controllers are keeping them aboard the space station to keep it fully manned with six astronauts for as long as possible during the changeover of its crews.
Another three-strong crew will take off from Earth on June 21, three days after Major Peake's return.
He said: "Although I am looking forward to being back on Earth and seeing friends and family again, each day spent living in space is a huge privilege and there is much work to do on the station.
"This extension will keep the station at a full crew of six for several days longer, enabling us to accomplish more scientific research.
"And, of course, I get to enjoy the beautiful view of planet Earth for a little while longer."
Tweeting his excitement on Saturday, he added: " I get to stay an extra few days in space. Looking forward to being back, but loving it here and a lot more to do!"
Major Peake blasted into space five months ago and in January became the first British person to walk in space.
Since arriving on the ISS the former Army officer has sent a number of video messages back to Earth and on Sunday 24th April 2016, he ran the London Marathon using an on-board treadmill, recording a time of 3 hours, 35 minutes and 21 seconds.
On Friday 29th April 2016, he became the first person to remotely control a rover robot back on Earth from space.
He piloted the explorer through a Mars-like rocky landscape at a hangar at Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage.
The pioneering experiment gave valuable feedback for scientists ahead of an expedition in 2018 which will see a rover land on the surface of the red planet.
Re: Space & Spaceflight
James Webb Space Telescope mirror is revealed.
Revealed for the first time in all its glory - the main mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope, which will be launched in 2018. JWST is regarded as the successor to Hubble, and will carry technologies capable of detecting the light from the first stars to shine in the Universe. Paramount in that quest will be a large primary reflecting surface.
And with a width of 6.5m, JWST's will have roughly seven times the light-collecting area of Hubble's mirror. It is so big in fact that it must be capable of folding. Only by turning the edges inwards will the beryllium segments fit inside the telescope's launch rocket.
The observatory is currently under construction at the US space agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. When in recent months engineers stuck down the segments to their support structure, each hexagon had a cover on it. Only now, as the engineers prepare to move to the next stage of assembly, have those covers been removed to reveal the full mirror.
Revealed for the first time in all its glory - the main mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope, which will be launched in 2018. JWST is regarded as the successor to Hubble, and will carry technologies capable of detecting the light from the first stars to shine in the Universe. Paramount in that quest will be a large primary reflecting surface.
And with a width of 6.5m, JWST's will have roughly seven times the light-collecting area of Hubble's mirror. It is so big in fact that it must be capable of folding. Only by turning the edges inwards will the beryllium segments fit inside the telescope's launch rocket.
The observatory is currently under construction at the US space agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. When in recent months engineers stuck down the segments to their support structure, each hexagon had a cover on it. Only now, as the engineers prepare to move to the next stage of assembly, have those covers been removed to reveal the full mirror.
Re: Space & Spaceflight
Mercury Transit - Monday 9th May 2016
The Solar systems smallest planet will make a rare 'transit' across the face of the sun on Monday (as viewed from Earth).
WARNING! NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN - NOT EVEN WITH SUNGLASSES!!
From: London
Transit begins: 12:12 BST
Mercury reaches Sun's centre: 15:56 BST
Transit ends: 19:40 BST
How To View It Safely
Dedicated solar telescope
These telescopes have the filter built in and it is irremovable, making it a particularly safe option.
Coronado telescopes, for example, allow to you see the sun in hydrogen-alpha, which means that it will appear orange/red.
Ordinary telescope with filter
If you already own a telescope then you can buy filters that fit onto the front end.
You should always make sure the filter is attached securely and hold it up to a light bulb before attaching, to check for any damage, such as pinholes, in order to protect your eyes.
Projection through refracting telescope
An alternative to a solar filter is to project an image of the Sun through your telescope onto a piece of white card.
Add a cardboard shade collar to the telescope itself to mask the rest of the Sun's glare. Use apertures of less than four inches to prevent overheating.
Projection through your binoculars
You can use a similar projection method with binoculars.
Attach them to a photographic tripod and cover one of the apertures with a lens cap. You'll find the card will need to be quite close to the binocular eyepiece.
How to film the transit
Given that transits of Mercury are reasonably rare many observers are keen to capture the moment as a keepsake.
Luckily, photographic equipment for astronomy has become relatively cheap and widely available and so this is pretty easy to do, particularly if you are already viewing the transit through a filtered telescope.
The Solar systems smallest planet will make a rare 'transit' across the face of the sun on Monday (as viewed from Earth).
WARNING! NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN - NOT EVEN WITH SUNGLASSES!!
From: London
Transit begins: 12:12 BST
Mercury reaches Sun's centre: 15:56 BST
Transit ends: 19:40 BST
How To View It Safely
Dedicated solar telescope
These telescopes have the filter built in and it is irremovable, making it a particularly safe option.
Coronado telescopes, for example, allow to you see the sun in hydrogen-alpha, which means that it will appear orange/red.
Ordinary telescope with filter
If you already own a telescope then you can buy filters that fit onto the front end.
You should always make sure the filter is attached securely and hold it up to a light bulb before attaching, to check for any damage, such as pinholes, in order to protect your eyes.
Projection through refracting telescope
An alternative to a solar filter is to project an image of the Sun through your telescope onto a piece of white card.
Add a cardboard shade collar to the telescope itself to mask the rest of the Sun's glare. Use apertures of less than four inches to prevent overheating.
Projection through your binoculars
You can use a similar projection method with binoculars.
Attach them to a photographic tripod and cover one of the apertures with a lens cap. You'll find the card will need to be quite close to the binocular eyepiece.
How to film the transit
Given that transits of Mercury are reasonably rare many observers are keen to capture the moment as a keepsake.
Luckily, photographic equipment for astronomy has become relatively cheap and widely available and so this is pretty easy to do, particularly if you are already viewing the transit through a filtered telescope.
Re: Space & Spaceflight
Ireland's Space Administration are planning a manned mission to the surface of the sun.
To protect against the sun's heat, they will land at night.
To protect against the sun's heat, they will land at night.
Admin Note: This user is banned after turning most of their old posts into spam. This is why you may see their posts containing nothing more than dots or symbols. We have decided to keep these posts in place as it shows where they once were and why other users may be replying to things no longer visible in the topic. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Re: Space & Spaceflight
England's South Downs awarded Dark Sky Reserve status.
^ The South Downs, yesterday.
The South Downs National Park becomes one of just 11 places in the world to be awarded the status of Dark Sky Reserve, in recognition of its isolation from light pollution. It is the second national park in the UK to receive the accolade, after Exmoor National Park.
The park was only established in April 2011, but has quickly come into its own – and is renowned for boasting some of the most beautiful night-time views in the world.
^ The South Downs night sky mapped according to darkness.
^ The South Downs, yesterday.
The South Downs National Park becomes one of just 11 places in the world to be awarded the status of Dark Sky Reserve, in recognition of its isolation from light pollution. It is the second national park in the UK to receive the accolade, after Exmoor National Park.
The park was only established in April 2011, but has quickly come into its own – and is renowned for boasting some of the most beautiful night-time views in the world.
^ The South Downs night sky mapped according to darkness.
Re: Space & Spaceflight
"In the world..." Lol.
Best view I ever saw was in Afghanistan.
Many satellites tracking across the sky, too.
Best view I ever saw was in Afghanistan.
Many satellites tracking across the sky, too.
Admin Note: This user is banned after turning most of their old posts into spam. This is why you may see their posts containing nothing more than dots or symbols. We have decided to keep these posts in place as it shows where they once were and why other users may be replying to things no longer visible in the topic. We apologise for any inconvenience.