SOFIA Seeks Secrets of Planetary Birth
science.nasa.gov — Short for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA will observe the universe while gliding through the stratosphere at 45,000 feet. When it begins operations next year, it will be the world's biggest, most advanced airborne observatory. (Submitted by benb24) More...
A Mars Rover Named "Curiosity"
science.nasa.gov — The Mars Science Lab -- aptly named "Curiosity" -- is heading up there in 2011 to read the diary of Mars. The small, car-sized rover will ramble about on the rocky surface, gizmos at full tilt, not only brushing dust off rocks but also vaporizing them with a laser beam, gathering samples to analyze on the spot, taking high resolution photographs. (Submitted by ebookey) More...
Watch 2 Spaceships Crash Into the Moon On Friday Morning
science.nasa.gov — NASA is guiding the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite ("LCROSS" for short) and its Centaur booster rocket into the crater's floor for a spectacular double-impact designed to "unearth" signs of lunar water. There are two ways to watch the show: NASA TV, or grab your telescope. (Submitted by HeDiggMe) More...
NASA: Eerie Red Glow Traces Ocean Plant Health
science.nasa.gov — A unique signal detected by NASA's Aqua satellite is helping researchers check the health and productivity of ocean plants around the world. Fluorescent red light emitted by ocean phytoplankton and detected by Aqua reveals how efficiently the microscopic plants are turning sunlight and nutrients into food through photosynthesis. (Submitted by LtGenPanda) More...
Gravity Waves Defined
science.nasa.gov — What is an atmospheric gravity wave? "They are similar to waves on the surface of the ocean, but they roll through the air instead of the water. Gravity is what keeps them going. If you push water up and then it plops back down, it's the same with air." If it hits a rotating thunderstorm, it can sometimes spin that storm up into a tornado. (Submitted by OfNumbers) More...
Sun is plunging into the deepest solar minimum in a century
science.nasa.gov — There were no sunspots observed on 266 of the year's 366 days (73%) & sunspot counts for 2009 have dropped even lower (87%). There is a corresponding 50-year low in solar wind pressure, 12-year low in solar "irradiance", and 55-year low in solar radio emissions. (Submitted by PuterPrsn) More...
Solar Wind Rips Up Martian Atmosphere
science.nasa.gov — Researchers have found new evidence that the atmosphere of Mars is being stripped away by solar wind. It's not a gently continuous erosion, but rather a ripping process in which chunks of Martian air detach themselves from the planet and tumble into deep space. This surprising mechanism could help solve a longstanding mystery about the Red Planet. (Submitted by divinediva) More...
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