• Pic of the Week: Omega Centauri

    The colorful image this week is from the Hubble Space Telescope. It shows the stars that make up Omega Centauri, a globular cluster one can view with the naked eye. Here’s a little more about this image from the European Space Agency (ESA): Omega Centauri is visible from Earth with the naked eye and is…

  • Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024

    The Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest is underway again at the Royal Museums Greenwich. You can check out some of the shortlisted finalists for yourself to see if your idea of a winning photo matches up with the judges. Here is a little more background on the photo above from the photographer: In the…

  • Europe is Back in the Space Race

    Earlier today, the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched an Ariane 6 rocket, the next generation of European space rockets. The launch was from the ESA’s Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. Europe is once again moving away from it dependence on US and Russian rockets to get its space program into space. The launch…

  • Space Stories: Fewer Eyes on Asteroids, Volunteer Martians Released, and Russians Plans for a New Space Station

    Here are some recent stories of interest. —Flying Magazine: “NASA’s Asteroid, Comet Hunting Telescope Set to Retire at End of Month“ A NASA space telescope designed to “hunt” asteroids and comets that could pose a threat to life on Earth and orbiting spacecraft will soon burn up in orbit. In late 2024 or early 2025, the…

  • Podcast: Alan Alda Interviews Astronaut Cady Coleman

    If you missed it, check out Alan Alda’s podcast Clear & Vivid for his recent interview with NASA astronaut Cady Coleman. It’s a thoughtful interview as only Mr. Alda can do it. Ms. Coleman discusses her experiences on the International Space Station (ISS), which she calls a “floating palace.” Ms. Coleman has been part of…

  • Study Findings: Which Caves on Mars are Safe to Live In?

    Here are some highlights from the paper presented at the 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference: For reliable protection against cosmic radiation, living and working spaces for colonists are best built below the surface. These colonies also need to be provided with energy. And solar panels are not the best option because the solar radiation…

  • More on the Recent Asteroid Flybys

    Remember asteroid 2024 MK from last Saturday? Well, NASA has some nice shots (shown above) of the asteroid as it made it close approach to the Earth. It shows the 500 foot-wide asteroid in all of its scary glory. We were lucky to be nothing but observers that day. Another asteroid that shot by the…

  • Pic of the Week: Happy Fourth of July!

    This week’s image comes from the International Space Station (ISS) where the U.S. astronauts have a message for all of us regarding the Fourth of July. You can watch the entire video here and hear a message from each of the astronauts – Mike Barratt, Matt Dominick, Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Jeanette Epps, Suni Williams and…

  • Space Quote: Turning the ISS into Very Expensive Space Junk

    “Selecting a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit at the end of station operations. This decision also supports NASA’s plans for future commercial destinations and allows for the continued use of space near Earth…The orbital laboratory…

  • Space Stories: Moss for Mars, Martian Space Rocks, and a Red Planet Practice Habitat

    Here are some recent Mars-related stories of interest. —The Guardian: “Scientists Find Desert Moss ‘That Can Survive on Mars’” While Matt Damon relied on potatoes cultivated in crew biowaste to survive in the hit film The Martian, researchers say it is a humble desert moss that might prove pivotal to establishing life on Mars. Scientists in…