Why Your Kids Will Live on Mars
Mars has a daytime temperature of 73 ºF, but a nighttime temperature of -100 ºF. Nearly 95% of the martian atmosphere is carbon dioxide, and the planet is constantly exposed to intense radiation. So why are humans so eager to go to Mars, and how would we ever make it habitable? In short, establishing a ...
Stargazers App is About to Revolutionize the Universe of Astronomy
Stargazers app is the first mobile app which allows everyone to control Stargazers.Space telescopes from its own tablet, then take and share live pictures of space in just a few touches on a screen. “Imagine being able to contemplate the observable universe from the comfort of your living room. Go from the heart of the Milky ...
Light Pollution Solutions
When Apollo 17 launched in 1972, one of the commentators memorably announced: “it’s lighting up the sky!” A beautiful turn of phrase, but also something that many astronomers might have heard and muttered in response: “well… what isn’t?” Light pollution has been a problem for decades now, yet it’s still one that many amateur astronomers struggle with. ...
Solar Eclipse 2017 – Important Facts That Everyone Should Know
The twenty-first of August is fast approaching and the excitement around the total solar eclipse is building rapidly both in scientific communities and the lay public. Touted as perhaps the biggest scientific event of the decade; millions of people in America will have the matchless opportunity of viewing a total solar eclipse. Some important facts ...
How Will the Internet of Things Change Space Exploration?
The Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to change our world immensely. It will present new opportunities, as well as new challenges. IoT refers to the idea of connecting virtually any electronic device to the Internet and connecting them through the Internet to each other. This includes cell phones, watches, toasters, washing machines, ovens, lamps ...
NASA Will Soon Decide If Changing Juno’s Course is Best
Jupiter is named after the king of the Roman gods, and with its massive size, it definitely holds the title of king of the Solar System. NASA's Juno spacecraft entered orbit around the gas giant in July of 2016. Due to a problem with the craft's propulsion system, NASA is currently debating whether changing Juno's ...
Space Technology Will Protect the Vatican’s Treasures
New space technology isn't just for traveling into the cosmos — these innovations have applications on earth, as well. Here's a sampling: Space shuttle astronauts use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to grow plants. A medical device that relieves muscle and joint pain, stiffness and muscle spasms grew out of this technology. Apollo spacecraft fire protection was ...
How Beginners Can Safely Observe Solar Prominences, Filaments & Flares
Two things set the Sun apart from all other stars in the Universe: it does not belong to any constellation, and it is close enough to Earth to be observed and studied in exquisite detail with nothing more than modest amateur equipment, which equipment includes smart phones. Consider the image below; it was made from ...
Inside the Monster Rocket to Mars: How Did NASA Build and Fund the SLS?
Want to go to Mars? You'll have to fly there on a monster. Fortunately, this monster is being designed to carry and care for humans, not eat them! A Space Launch System, or SLS, is actually not a new idea, nor is sending humans to Mars. But the potential for it to be a reality, well, ...
Top Mistakes Beginning Astronomers Make
Amateur astronomy is not for everybody, just like golf or football is not for everybody, but if you are sure that you want to take up the hobby of gazing at the Universe (or at least some of it) in your free time, you need to get the basics right. Getting it wrong, like so ...
