28
POPSColors From Outer Space "Capturing color in outer space with the Hubble Telescope is not as simple as with a normal camera using color film. The Hubble’s camera records light from the universe using “electronic detectors” which capture two or more separate black and white photos. The resulting colors are not always what the human eye would see in space, but nonetheless, the images created by Hubble and the NASA team are imaginative and stunning." A lot more text at the source....very interesting article!
18
POPSA Dangerous Sunrise on Planet Gliese 876d [images] "Gliese 876 d is an extrasolar planet orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 876. At the time of its discovery in June 2005, the planet had the lowest mass of any known extrasolar planet apart from the pulsar planets orbiting PSR B1257+12. Gliese 876 d takes less than two days to complete an orbit, at a distance only one-fiftieth of that between the Earth and the Sun and is the innermost known planet in its planetary system. Due to its low mass it can be categorized as a Super-Earth." This is the Astronomy Picture of the Day for May 21, 2008.
17
POPSIs Helium 3 Exploitation China's Hidden Lunar Agenda? UN Treaties in place state that the moon and its minerals are the common heritage of mankind, so the quest to use Helium-3 as an energy source would likely demand joint international co-operation. Hopefully, exploitation of the moon's resources will be viewed as a solution for the world, rather than an out-moded nation-state solution.
14
POPSCan the Martian arctic support extreme life? While the possibility for ET seems to grow with new extremophile discoveries on Earth, the truth is there's no evidence that life ever evolved on Mars or if it even exists today. But if there were past or present life on the red planet - a big if - scientists speculate it would likely be similar to some extreme life on Earth - microscopic and hardy, capable of withstanding colder-than-Antarctica temperatures and low pressures.
14
POPSSpace Experts Call for ‘Fewer Astronauts, More Robots’ The suggestion sure makes a lot of economical sense. Resources should be focused to develop better technologies to carry load into orbit and beyond, because this is the real bottle neck of space exploration as of now. On the other hand, we cannot overlook the fact that sending men and women to space, ignites the imagination and inspires the coming generations. Space is the next frontier of adventure and mystery. The myth and the story are not less important than the economical aspect.
12
POPSMars Soil Sample Reveals Presence of Nutrients for Plants to Grow “We basically have found what appears to be the requirements, the nutrients, to support life whether past, present or future,” said Samuel P. Kounaves during a telephone news conference on Thursday. “The sort of soil you have there is the type of soil you’d probably have in your backyard.”
9
POPSStanley Kubrick's files -New archives reveal the film-maker's public and private worlds "... My main interest lies along these broad areas naturally assuming great plot and character. 1. The reasons for believing in the existence of intelligent extra-terrestrial life. 2. The impact (and perhaps even lack on impact in some quarters) such discovery would have on earth in the near future. 3. A space probe with a landing and exploration of the Moon and Mars. Would you consider coming sooner with a view to a meeting, the purpose of which would be to determine whether an idea might exist or arise which could sufficiently interest both of us enough to want to collaborate on a screenplay?”
9
POPSSETI protocol for ET encounters "No response to a signal or other evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence should be sent until appropriate international consultations have taken place." humm?
9
POPSInternational Space Station - $130 Billion wasted and counting I support the space program and manned exploration of space. But the ISS has devoured so many billions by now, and our only plan for it once it is complete is to close it down. Why keep building it if it can't/won't be used? Let's get back to the moon and setup some permanent bases.