President Barack Obama was elected to a second term in the White House yesterday. America is thus in an interesting historical period-- only once before has the nation had three consecutive two-term presidencies. That was with the three Virginians-- Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.
This time, we'll have Clinton, who helped establish ISS, among other things, George W. Bush, who set the space shuttles on the road to retirement and established the Constellation program to return U. S. astronauts to the Moon, and Obama, who canceled Constellation in favor of an approach to develop the technological base and infrastructure necessary to support a future, sustained program of deep space manned exploration. With Mr. Obama's re-election, it's presumably safe to assume NASA's programs are set for the next four years.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Linne' Crater
Linne' Crater is small by lunar standards, but scientists have decided it's nearly perfect. Because it's relatively young, it's also nearly pristine, so scientists can use it as a model for how impact craters form. There are impact craters on Earth and Mars, but they are distorted by time and weathering. Lunar craters are much less bothered by weathering, as the Moon has virtually no atmosphere.
By studying Linne' up close and comparing it to craters on other worlds, astronomers hope to not only tease out broad principles about impacts but also to learn about the history of those worlds by noting how far impact craters on them are from perfection.
By studying Linne' up close and comparing it to craters on other worlds, astronomers hope to not only tease out broad principles about impacts but also to learn about the history of those worlds by noting how far impact craters on them are from perfection.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Voting From Orbit
Americans, or at least Texans, can vote even if they're away from Earth. The Texas legislature, noting most astronauts live around Houston, passed a law in 1997 allowing digital voting from space.
It so happens that both Americans currently aboard ISS voted early-- from their training facility in Russia-- but the Texas law establishes a good legal precedent. If increasing numbers of people work in space in the years ahead, they will require a way to discharge their civic duty while away.
It so happens that both Americans currently aboard ISS voted early-- from their training facility in Russia-- but the Texas law establishes a good legal precedent. If increasing numbers of people work in space in the years ahead, they will require a way to discharge their civic duty while away.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Enterprise Possibly Damaged
The space shuttle Enterprise, being displayed on the flight deck of the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Intrepid in New York Harbor, may have been damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Enterprise had been being protected from the elements by a pressurized tent-like structure. That was blown down by Sandy, exposing both the nose and the tail of the orbiter to possible damage.
Enterprise had been being protected from the elements by a pressurized tent-like structure. That was blown down by Sandy, exposing both the nose and the tail of the orbiter to possible damage.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
No Methane
The Curiosity rover, sniffing the air, has found no methane in the atmosphere of Mars.
Methane can be produced biologically, so it can be a marker of life; it can also be nonbiological in origin. So, the fact that Curiosity has yet to find it weakens the case for extant life on Mars, but it may also be a matter of different atmospheric chemistry.
Methane can be produced biologically, so it can be a marker of life; it can also be nonbiological in origin. So, the fact that Curiosity has yet to find it weakens the case for extant life on Mars, but it may also be a matter of different atmospheric chemistry.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Asteroid Belts And Life
A new study argues that an asteroid belt similar to the one in our solar system is essential to the development of life on rocky planets inside the belt because asteroids will sometimes smash into those eocky worlds, bringing water and organic compounds-- the essentials of life. The study further suggests, based on evidence so far obtained, that such asteroid belts are rare.
It's the latest in a string of studies that say, in effect, life similar to that on Earth needs situations similar to those that have existed in, on, and around Earth. Yes, the arguments mustered are sound enough, but there's the barest hint of desperation in the whole approach. It seems to want to insist we are the product of a special sequence of cosmic events. Trying to broaden our understanding of life and how it might come to be might be more useful.
It's the latest in a string of studies that say, in effect, life similar to that on Earth needs situations similar to those that have existed in, on, and around Earth. Yes, the arguments mustered are sound enough, but there's the barest hint of desperation in the whole approach. It seems to want to insist we are the product of a special sequence of cosmic events. Trying to broaden our understanding of life and how it might come to be might be more useful.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Titanglow
Scientists working with images from the Cassini spacecraft have discovered that Saturn's huge moon Titan gives off the tiniest bit of a glow. They weren't surprised by a glow high in Titan's atmosphere-- molecules there can be excited by solar radiation and emit light-- but the glow also comes from deep down in Titan's thick atmosphere.
Exactly what is exciting molecules down there where solar radiation is not really a factor is unclear. It is clear, however, that Titan is still full of surprises.
Exactly what is exciting molecules down there where solar radiation is not really a factor is unclear. It is clear, however, that Titan is still full of surprises.
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