Rockets, Robots & Rayguns

Earth's first Trojan asteroid: 2010 TK7

Martin Connors Centre for Science, Athabasca University, Athabasca AB CANADA

via www.astro.uwo.ca

Yes, but is it ribbed for Earth's pleasure?

Nasa probe enters into orbit around asteroid Vesta after four year journey - Telegraph

With its iron core and possible lava flows, scientists believe Vesta is more similar to Earth or the moon than most of its other asteroid neighbours.

via www.telegraph.co.uk

Project Icarus: How to Navigate Interstellar Space : Discovery News

Project Icarus is an ambitious five-year study into launching an unmanned spacecraft to an interstellar destination. Headed by the Tau Zero Foundation and British Interplanetary Society, a non-profit group of scientists dedicated to interstellar spaceflight, Icarus is working to develop a spacecraft that can travel to a nearby star.

via news.discovery.com

Such a beautiful dream...

Infinite Bagel

 

Galileo Galilei Born 15 February 1564, Died 8 January 1642

Mikey as Galileo Presenting The Telescope

In honor of one of the founding fathers of modern science, a courageous crusader for reason over superstition.

Galileo Galilei from Wikipedia

 

The Galileo Project

 

NOVA: "Galileo, Battle For The Heavens"

Moondance

 

BBC News - Voyager near Solar System's edge

Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, has reached a new milestone in its quest to leave the Solar System.Now 17.4bn km (10.8bn miles) from home, the veteran probe has detected a distinct change in the flow of particles that surround it.These particles, which emanate from the Sun, are no longer travelling outwards but are moving sideways.It means Voyager must be very close to making the jump to interstellar space - the space between the stars.Voyager project scientist Ed Stone explains the significance of the new observation.

via www.bbc.co.uk

Jumpin' Geminids!

I have always been in love with the night sky, full of mysterious beauty and grand spectacle. Even as a child I could lose myself among the stars and in the silent serenity of the cosmos I would often hear the voice of the muse. I especially loved meteor showers and felt that I was being treated to a behind the scenes view of the hand of the Great Architect of The Universe at work. I always catch the show when I can and look forward to the annual events-- the leonids, the Persieds, and the Geminids.

Viewing the Geminid meteor shower this morning was much more successful than yesterday's attempt. I set up my viewing are in advance, made sure I had everything I needed to be comfortable and that I was facing the right direction. I was prepared with a comfy chair, a couple of fuzzy blankets, a latern, flashlight, heating pad and Diet Coke. I wore two jackets with hoods, gloves and two wool hats. Not that I needed most of that gear. It was cool outside but not cold and the winds were calm.

I had a star finder with me so I could locate the appropriate swatch of night sky. The constellation Gemini was to my Northeast, but once I settled in it seemed that most of the meteors were coming from a more Easterly direction. The first two fell before I even got seated. I turned a bit to the East, where the radiant seemed to be, but meteors came from every direction in every part of the sky.

What a spectacular show! Some were brief, brilliant streaks lasting only a spit second. Some blazed through the heavens almost to the horizon. Some flew a straight trajectory while others wriggled like snakes across the dark sky. A couple made strange arcs or skipped like stones on a pond and a few left sparkling trails that hung for seconds in the air before fading away. I stopped counting at twenty. I'd guess that in the two hours I was out there I saw maybe twice that.

I had plenty of company too. I did not realize that cats were such avid astronomers, but at least half a dozen piled onto me pawing and purring. I'm sure it had nothing to do with my blankets or my heating pad. I'm not complaining mind you. Cats are warm and make great earmuffs. We weren't the only ones up late either. At about ten until two we heard two large packs of coyotes yipping and howling, calling to each other. They were very close by.

By about 2:30 I was cold, starting to get stiff, and the shower seemed to be slacking like popcorn on its last thirty seconds in the microwave. My warm bed beckoned and my eyelids were getting heavy so I gathered up my gear and headed inside. I paused at the front door and asked aloud, "One for the road?" and then as if on cue, a shooting star streaked over the house. I smiled and went inside.

The Geminid showers continue tonight. I've invited Victoria Rose to take in the encore with me. Just after midnight is about the best time to view and plan to spend half an hour or more for good results. At least in the meteor shower department, things are looking up!

Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight; Best of 2010?

For sky-watchers willing to brave frosty winter temperatures, more than a hundred meteors an hour may fall overnight on December 13 and 14, the peak of the annual Geminid meteor shower.

via news.nationalgeographic.com

Last night I only saw one lousy meteor. I actually dozed off for a little while in the freezing temperatures and decided that I might ought to go back inside. Dying of exposure in your own front yard while your family is snuggled down in their warm beds just yards away takes a special kind of stupid. I want to see some shooting stars, I don't want to win a Darwin Award.

I'm going back out tonight, but I'm going to set up for it better. Hot tea, comfy chair, heavy coat, fuzzy blankets and a few warm cats ought to do the trick. I've already got my viewing area prepared and I've rounded up warm clothes, a wool hat, gloves, blankets and flashlights. I'll be taking my station around midnight. I won't be live-blogging the event, but I will keep you posted on what the heavens are up to in the wee hours.

Geminids Meteor Shower Visible This Week | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

A cup of hot tea, a warm blanket, the Geminids and thee?

Big Cat Daddy Approved

The 2010 Geminids meteor shower will make in appearance in the night skies this week, and NASA has said that it will be the best meteor shower of the year.

"The 2010 Geminid meteor shower promises to be lively, with realistic viewing rates of 50-80 meteors per hour and potential peaks reaching 120 meteors per hour," NASA said on the NASA Chats page.

Stargazers can see the meteor anytime between Dec. 12-16, but NASA said the night of Dec. 13-14 should offer the best views.

via www.pcmag.com

For further details.