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Thursday, February 8, 2024

SpaceX launches NASA's PACE satellite to study Earth's oceans, air and climate (video)

PACE satellite launches to study oceans, air and climate | Solar maximum may help solve gamma-ray puzzle | Ax-3 astronauts leave peanut butter on ISS as parting gift

Created for znamenski.spacecom@blogger.com | Web Version

February 8, 2024

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The Launchpad

PACE satellite launches to study oceans, air and climate

(NASA TV)

NASA's newest Earth-observing satellite has made it off the chopping block all the way to orbit. The nearly $1 billion PACE mission, which the Trump administration tried to cancel four separate times, launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early this morning (Feb. 8) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Full Story: Space (2/8)

Solar maximum may help solve gamma-ray puzzle

(Arsioli and Orlando 2024 & NASA/SDO/Duberstein)

If solar scientists aren't already eager to observe the sun as it reaches solar maximum in 2024, a newly discovered gamma-ray puzzle will intensify that desire.

Full Story: Space (2/7)

Spaceflight

Ax-3 astronauts leave peanut butter on ISS as parting gift

(ISS National Laboratory)

A departing astronaut crew left behind a peanut butter surprise in space. "There's some peanut butter waiting for you in the airlock entrance, on the forward side, enjoy" Ax-3 commander and retired NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría told the Expedition 70 astronauts while backing away from the ISS, during a NASA Television broadcast. (The spacecraft was docked at the Harmony module's space-facing port side for a little over two weeks.)

Full Story: Space (2/8)

Science & Astronomy

Surprise! Baby exoplanets might look like Smarties candy

(Robert lea (created with Canva))

A team of researchers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in England used computer simulations to model the formation of planets in dense gas disks around young stars. Comparing these models with actual observations, they discovered that the young planets took shapes that defied expectations.

Full Story: Space (2/7)

Search for Life

Humans on Mars could do science better than any machine

(NASA/Pat Rawlings)

The future of Mars exploration will be greatly enhanced by humans that make the sojourn to the Red Planet. The work that could be performed by astronaut crews on that distant world would far outstrip what mechanized Mars machinery can attain - but certainly at a far greater cost.

Full Story: Space (2/7)

Telescopes & Binoculars

Best telescopes in 2024: Observe and image the cosmos

(Jason Parnell-Brookes)

The best smart telescopes have revolutionized the way we explore the night sky by effortlessly merging imaging technology with astronomy. Smart telescopes come equipped with integrated electronics, connectivity features and are largely controlled via smartphone apps that enhance your stargazing experience. Designed for both novice astronomers and seasoned stargazers, smart telescopes cater to a wide range of users with different experience levels.

Full Story: Space (2/7)

Star Wars

Mace Windu protects a galactic secret in new Marvel Comic

(Marvel Comics)

Mace Windu, that purple light saber-swinging Jedi Master who stood toe-to-toe with the devious Darth Sidious in 2005's "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith" until falling to his apparent death from a Coruscant skyscraper, is rising in estimation amid that well-traveled galaxy far, far away with a recent hardcover novel announced and now Marvel Comics bestowing the agile swordsman with his very own solo series.

Full Story: Space (2/7)