Seeking Out New Homes On New Worlds
Nov 26, 2008
Orbiting almost 3 billion kilometers away from the Sun, Uranus is an ice giant that gathers little attention from the creatures that currently rule Earth. Except for being used as the butt of astronomy jokes, the lopsided wonder gathers little press (if any at all), often being overlooked by both Saturn and Neptune. Although the blueish-green...
Nov 26, 2008
Despite the fact that neither of these countries have launched a human into orbit, both Japan and India have successfully launched satellites around the Moon, respectively. While China has also launched a lunar satellite (not to mention conducted a space walk), they seem to fear an alliance between the two rival nations, one that seems to benefit the US and put...
Nov 26, 2008
(Hat Tip: Lunar News Network) Perhaps one of the greatest pleasures in space is micro-gravity. While the lack of terrestrial pull can make your heart sing, the environment is not exactly great for your immune system, bones or muscles (and yes, that includes your heart as well). While scientists may have devised ways to counter the effects of micro-gravity on the...
Nov 18, 2008
Last week’s Carnival of Space was hosted by Nicole over at One Astronomer’s Noise. Interesting posts ranged from “haunted noises” from Saturn to exo-solar planets (note: video included) to even reasons why Obama (and the space community) should delay “big space projects” for a season. A few articles readers might enjoy...
Nov 18, 2008
(Hat Tip: Potentia Tenebras Repellendi) The one thing that may separate a thriving lunar outpost (or on any world) from a dying one is transportation. While scientists and engineers may be able to figure out how to create lunar roads using the Moon’s soil, they will need to reinvent the wheel (note: pun intended) when it comes to tires. Fortunately...
Nov 18, 2008
Even though the Moon may lack an abundance of water on (or even under) its surface, Earth’s little sibling does have one element critical to our survival off world–oxygen. Since most of this oxygen is locked away in lunar rock, NASA is planning on using moon rovers to not only drill into the moon rock, but to produce oxygen from its surface as...
Nov 14, 2008
(Image: The James Webb Space Telescope’s sunshield outstretched. Credit: NASA / Northrop Grumman) Of all the worlds humanity world humanity has yet to conquer, Mercury will probably be one of the toughest to conquer. With surface temperatures reaching as high as 427 degrees Celsius (or about 800 degrees Fahrenheit), the future of any...
Nov 14, 2008
(Image Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Russian Federal Space Agency) When it comes to water, Mars probably holds more than any other terrestrial body (at least as far as safely retrieving goes). While the red planet does hold an abundance of water beneath its surface (not to mention the north and south poles), locating the ice rich regions may determine how...