Wringing out Water on the ISS – for Science!
Published April 22, 2013CSA Astronaut Chris Hadfield performed a simple science experiment designed by grade 10 Lockview High School students Kendra Lemke and Meredith Faulkner. The students from Fall River, Nova Scotia won a national science contest held by the Canadian Space Agency with their experiment on surface tension in space using a wet washcloth.
For more info about the experiment, visit: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/media/news_releases/2013/0416.asp
Hubble Sees a Horsehead of a Different Color
Published April 19, 2013
Image Credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team
Researchers using the Hubble Space Telescope have released a new image of the iconic Horsehead Nebula. The release of this image coincides with the upcoming 23rd anniversary of the space-based observatory being launched into space aboard space shuttle Discovery on April 24, 1990.
A mainstay of astronomy textbooks, the Horsehead Nebula is one of many targets favored by backyard astronomers. In visible light, the nebula is shadowy, but when viewed in the infrared portion of electromagnetic spectrum the nebula appears striking. In addition, many stars and distant galaxies are also visible when viewing the Horsehead Nebula in infrared.
For over twenty years, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided astronomers with breathtaking views of our universe. Several Space Shuttle missions were devoted to upgrading and maintaining HST, including the most recent servicing mission in 2009.
Source: NASA Image Of The Day Gallery
Pursuing A Degree Presents Significant Challenges for Non-Traditional Students
Published April 17, 2013
While two-year colleges are well-suited to meet the needs of non-traditional students, four-year universities must take major steps to better accommodate this growing group of students.
Now, more than ever, people are enrolling in college degree programs, especially those who have been in the workplace for a significant amount of time. College enrollment is at record-high levels. Some people are enrolling in college to gain an advanced degree. Others may be enrolling for the first time ever, or even returning to finish an incomplete degree.
One type of student universities are often ill-equipped to properly serve are non-traditional students — those who aren’t attending college right after graduating from high school. In many cases, non-traditional students have to balance the demands of family, their work and their academic duties. The rigors of a college degree program are often difficult enough for many students who don’t have family and career responsibilities, let alone those who do.
Continue reading my full article at The EvoLLLution: http://www.evolllution.com/media_resources/pursuing-degree-presents-significant-challenges-non-traditional-students/
Carnival of Space #297
Published April 16, 2013
Welcome to another installment of The Carnival of Space! Here’s some highlights of space and astronomy news from the past week. We’ve got great stories on Asteroid missions, Mars exploration, comet ISON, and more!
First off, Mark Whittington at Yahoo has coverage on a NASA-Funded fusion rocket, and how the Russians plan to return to the moon while NASA “leads from behind. Read more here , and here.
Mark also shares with us, via The Examiner, two great articles on NASA’s planned asteroid mission. The first, is confirmation by Senator Nelson of said mission at: http://www.examiner.com/article/senator-nelson-confirms-nasa-asteroid-capture-mission?cid=db_articles, and the other is some thoughts on the mission by a planetary geologist at: http://www.examiner.com/article/nasa-asteroid-capture-scheme-criticized-by-planetary-geologist?cid=db_articles
Nextbigfuture predicted that there would be a permanent base established on Mars by 2037. Read a full analysis of when a human mission to Mars might actually happen at: http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/04/predictions-for-manned-landing-on-mars.html
Also from Nextbigfuture are prediction on when we can expect a human base on Mars and fusion power for energy generation and space propulsion. Learn more at: http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/04/what-will-happen-far-sooner-than-others.html#more
Keep reading for more great highlights from the past week in space and astronomy news!
Continue reading
Golden Spike Is Sending Nations and People To The Moon, Join In!
Published April 15, 2013Here’s the latest video for the Golden Spike Company Indiegogo campaign. This video is by my good friend, and fellow space blogger, Amy Shira Teitel.
If you want to help Golden Spike get humans back on the moon by 2020, visit: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/golden-spike-is-sending-nations-and-people-to-the-moon-join-in?c=home
Happy “First Contact” Day!
Published April 5, 2013In the Star Trek universe, humanity achieved the first warp speed flight on this day in 2063. Physicist Zefram Cochrane then made “first contact” with the Vulcans after his historic warp flight.
As a science-fiction fan, I’m often amazed at how many scientific and technological advancements have been directly influenced by science-fiction. NASA has a great write-up on the science of Star Trek at: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/star_trek.html
Don’t try to be a great man. Just be a man, and let history make its own judgments.
– Zefram Cochrane.