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Thursday, January 25, 2024

Japan's SLIM moon probe landed on its nose! (photo)

Japan's SLIM moon probe landed on its nose! (photo) | The 1st full moon of 2024 rises tonight! | Apollo 17 astronauts saw strange flashes on the moon

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

January 25, 2024

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Something amazing every day.

The Launchpad

Japan's SLIM moon probe landed on its nose! (photo)

(JAXA)

Japan's SLIM lander touchdown may have given an entirely new definition to the expression "on the nose." The country's SLIM spacecraft landed on the moon on Jan. 19, making Japan just the fifth nation ever to pull off a soft lunar touchdown. And a new photo provides visual evidence of that success, showing SLIM resting on the gray dirt, albeit on its nose instead of its landing pads.

Full Story: Space (1/25)

The 1st full moon of 2024 rises tonight!

(NurPhoto/Getty Images)

It's a great night to get out and howl at the moon. January's Full Wolf Moon rises on Thursday (Jan. 25), marking the first full moon of 2024. The moon will appear between the claws of the Cancer constellation, otherwise known as "the Crab." The moon will be visible for the whole of tonight, appearing in the east just as the sun sets in the west. Here's what to know.

Full Story: Space (1/25)

Apollo 17 astronauts saw strange flashes on the moon

(NASA)

In 1972, NASA's Apollo 17 astronauts saw something strange on the moon. Now, more than 50 years later, scientists are wondering if Artemis astronauts will see the same thing, and maybe solve once and for all what the spectacle really is.

Full Story: Space (1/24)

Space Deal of the Day

Leica binocular deals: The lowest available prices 2024

(Leica)

Leica are known for the quality of their optics and the reliability of their builds. It comes as no surprise then that Leica is a widely-trusted name in the industry. The best Leica binoculars deals are worth hunting for and we've rounded up the biggest discounts as numerous top models are on offer.

Full Story: Space (1/24)

Skywatching

January full moon 2024: 'Wolf Moon' howls at Gemini twins

(Daniel Garrido/Getty Images)

The January full moon is often called the Wolf Moon, a name which may date back to when wolves would howl outside villages. In 2024, the full January moon will rise on Jan. 25 and shine with the Gemini constellation, while Jupiter and Saturn are also visible.

Full Story: Space (1/14)

Spaceflight

This Week In Space podcast: Space in 2024

(NASA)

On Episode 94 of This Week In Space, Tariq and Rod preview the global plans for spaceflight this year. 2024 looks to be another exciting year in spaceflight! Despite the delay of the Artemis crewed lunar program, a number of exciting missions are queued up this year, among them the launch of Europa Clipper, ESA's HERA mission to Didymos, the first flight of Blue Origin's mammoth New Glenn rocket, and the first crewed flight of India's new spacecraft, the Gagaanyan capsule. Tune in!

Full Story: Space (1/20)

Japan's SLIM moon probe nailed precise lunar landing

((JAXA, RITSUMEIKAN UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF AIZU))

Japan's SLIM spacecraft made a strange but precise lunar landing, touching the moon with the tip of its nose as it landed incredibly close its target location."We proved that you can land wherever you want, rather than where you are able to," SLIM project manager Shinichiro Sakai said in a press conference today.

Full Story: Space (1/25)

Science & Astronomy

Hubble spots water around tiny 'hot and steamy' exoplanet

(NASA, ESA, Leah Hustak (STScI), Ralf Crawford (STScI))

Using the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered that the atmosphere of a relatively small planet outside the solar system is rich with water vapor. Don't plan a vacation to this destination just yet, however. The planet's surface is hot enough to melt lead, meaning it's a steamy world inhospitable to life as we know it. Here's what it's like.

Full Story: Space (1/25)

Star Wars

'Star Wars: The Bad Batch' season 3 trailer

(Disney)

It's the farewell season for "Star Wars: The Bad Batch," but it's going out with a serious bang as this new trailer from Disney Plus shows. Here's our first look at season 3, which we can't wait to watch.

Full Story: Space (1/25)

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Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Salt-Based vs Salt-Free Water Softeners: Making an Informed Choice

Understanding Water Softeners

Water softeners are devices designed to eliminate calcium and magnesium ions from hard water, making the water softer. This process of softening water brings about numerous benefits, including increased efficiency of soap and detergents, reduced scale buildup in appliances and plumbing fixtures, and potentially softer skin and hair.

Salt-Based Water Softeners: The Conventional Approach

Salt-based water softeners employ the ion exchange process to remove hardness minerals from water. These systems typically utilize a resin bed, which contains sodium ions. When hard water passes through the resin bed, the calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to the resin and are exchanged for sodium ions. The softened water, now devoid of hardness minerals, exits the system.

Advantages of Salt-Based Water Softeners:

Effective in removing hardness minerals
Widely available and well-established technology
Relatively affordable to purchase and maintain

Disadvantages of Salt-Based Water Softeners:

Require regular maintenance, including salt replenishment
Can increase sodium content in water, which may be a concern for individuals on sodium-restricted diets
May require professional installation and maintenance

Salt-Free Water Softeners: An Alternative Approach

Salt-free water softeners utilize different technologies to reduce water hardness without the use of salt depending on the size of the water softener. These systems typically employ physical processes, such as template-assisted crystallization (TAC) or electromagnetic fields, to alter the structure of hardness minerals, preventing them from forming scale deposits.

Advantages of Salt-Free Water Softeners:

No salt required, eliminating the need for regular maintenance and salt replenishment
Do not add sodium to water, making them suitable for individuals on sodium-restricted diets
Generally require less maintenance compared to salt-based systems

Disadvantages of Salt-Free Water Softeners:

May be less effective in removing hardness minerals compared to salt-based systems
Can be more expensive to purchase and install
May require specialized knowledge or professional installation

Comparing Salt-Based and Salt-Free Water Softeners

When choosing between salt-based and salt-free water softeners, several factors must be considered, including water hardness level, desired level of water softening, maintenance requirements, budget, and personal preferences regarding sodium intake.

Water Hardness Level:

The level of water hardness is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a water softener. Salt-based water softeners are generally more effective in removing hardness minerals, making them a better choice for areas with high water hardness.

Desired Level of Water Softening:

The desired level of water softening is another important consideration. Salt-based water softeners can achieve a higher level of water softening compared to salt-free systems. This factor is particularly relevant for applications where a high degree of water softening is required, such as in commercial or industrial settings.

Maintenance Requirements:

Salt-based water softeners require regular maintenance, including salt replenishment and periodic cleaning of the resin bed. Salt-free water softeners, on the other hand, generally require less maintenance. However, it is essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance to ensure optimal performance.

Budget:

The cost of a water softener is another essential factor to consider. Salt-based water softeners are typically less expensive to purchase and install compared to salt-free systems. However, the ongoing cost of salt replenishment and maintenance should also be taken into account.

Personal Preferences:

Personal preferences regarding sodium intake may also influence the choice between salt-based and salt-free water softeners. Salt-based water softeners can increase the sodium content of water, which may be a concern for individuals on sodium-restricted diets. Salt-free water softeners do not add sodium to water, making them a suitable option for individuals with such dietary restrictions.

Making an Informed Decision

The choice between salt-based and salt-free water softeners depends on several factors, including water hardness level, desired level of water softening, maintenance requirements, budget, and personal preferences. By carefully considering these factors, homeowners can make an informed decision that best suits their specific needs and preferences.

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Virgin Galactic may launch 6th commercial spaceflight this week

Virgin Galactic may launch 6th commercial flight this week | Blue Origin joins stages of New Glenn for the 1st time | Stunning night sky time-lapse shows all the stars' colors

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

January 24, 2024

CONNECT WITH SPACE.COM

Something amazing every day.

The Launchpad

Virgin Galactic may launch 6th commercial flight this week

(Virgin Galactic)

Virgin Galactic's sixth commercial spaceflight may be just around the corner. The launch window for the crewed suborbital mission, known as Galactic 06, opens on Jan. 26. And, to help remind us of this fact and build up interest in the flight, Virgin Galactic just released the mission's patch.

Full Story: Space (1/24)

Blue Origin joins stages of New Glenn for the 1st time

(Blue Origin)

Blue Origin's powerful new rocket is starting to come together. The company, which was founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, announced on Monday (Jan. 21) that it has mated the two stages of its New Glenn heavy lifter for the first time.

Full Story: Space (1/24)

Skywatching

Stunning night sky time-lapse shows all the stars' colors

(Miguel Claro)

This wide-angle scene is composed of eight hours of consecutive long exposures captured from the Dark Sky Reserve in Alqueva, Portugal. It reveals the motion of stars centered around the north star, Polaris, depicting them as colorful trails shining in different hues of blue, white, yellow and even orange.

Full Story: Space (1/24)

Spaceflight

Chinese astronauts check out newly delivered supplies

(CCTV)

Astronauts aboard China's space station have entered a newly arrived cargo spacecraft to begin sorting and checking out the goods. Footage released on Tuesday shows the Shenzhou 17 astronauts opening the hatch to Tianzhou 7 and beginning the work of sorting through its cargo.

Full Story: Space (1/24)

Science & Astronomy

Nearby star factory shines in stunning JWST photo

(ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, O. Nayak, M. Meixner)

The orange, yellow and blue image from the powerful space telescope features the interstellar atomic hydrogen of the 1,630-light-year-wide nebula N79, located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. This region is actively forming stars and remains virtually unexplored by astronomers.

Full Story: Space (1/24)

SpaceX

SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites from California

(SpaceX)

SpaceX launched 22 Starlink internet satellites on Tuesday (Jan. 23), after a series of delays. The company had to stand down from daily attempts since Thursday (Jan. 18) due to poor weather conditions. A launch attempt on Friday ended with only 57 seconds left in the countdown. SpaceX did not provide an explanation for the aborted liftoff.

Full Story: Space (1/23)

Technology

Spacesuits prepped for tests ahead of 2026 lunar landing

(Axiom Space)

Officials with Axiom Space, the company making spacesuits for the Artemis program, said Monday (Jan. 22) that the garments may reach a critical design review soon. In fact, that review could happen as soon as June. However, the news comes just two weeks after NASA was forced to delay its astronaut touchdown plans by an additional year. As of now, landing is expected to occur no earlier than 2026.

Full Story: Space (1/24)

Search for Life

Happy 20th, Spirit and Opportunity!

(NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Twenty years ago this month, twin spacecraft made dramatic planetary landings and set about creating an unrivaled legacy of science and exploration. NASA's Spirit and Opportunity rovers were supposed to operate on the surface of Mars for just three months. But both solar-powered robots far outlived their warranties, setting travel and longevity records, making weird discoveries and forever changing Mars science and exploration.

Full Story: Space (1/24)

Telescopes & Binoculars

See the stars in 4K: Vaonis Vespera II smart telescope

(Vaonis)

The world of smart telescopes has grown even larger this year with Vaonis releasing their next generation smart telescope. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV earlier this month, smart telescope manufacturer Vaonis unveiled the significantly upgraded second generation of the Vaonis Vespera, the Vaonis Vespera II.

Full Story: Space (1/24)