Summary: The replacement for the shuttles, now has a predicted launch date. The Dream Chaser, looking like a mini space shuttle, will liftoff on top of an Atlas V rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on November 1st, 2016. The first mission will be an unmanned flight although the space craft is designed to carry seven astronauts into low-Earth orbit. This is one of three models being developed for future space travel and although it may not continue to be funded by NASA, the company says they will continue developing their design. Personally, I am excited and think it will do well, but I wish they were more creative in their design. It does look almost exactly like a mini shuttle.
BBC News
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
No Black Holes?
Summary: In an article I cannot quite wrap my head around, Stephen Hawking has now proposed that the black holes we know (well, sorta know) and love, don't actually exist. I don't really understand the article but it seems to me that he is proposing a different definition of black holes. That they still exist, but just need to be defined differently. If anyone can summarize the article better, please leave a summary in the comments.
Nature
Nature
The Future of African Astronomy
Summary: Due to a new radio telescope array in Africa, scientists are predicting a burst of enthusiasm for my favorite branch of physics. Right now, the challenge is to nurture the African scientists and make sure it is not just a flood of US scientists who happen to be in Africa. A long-term relationship with the country needs to be built up. South Africa is also hoping to use this project to inspire future generations of scientists in their country to boost their country's economy and world standing.
The telescope array will contain 3,000 radio dishes and will be able to scan the sky faster than any previous instruments of the kind. The headquarters of this project is in South Africa who took the other countries by surprise when they won the bid. They won the scientific community with clear skies and legislation that strictly limits the amount of radio noise in that area surrounding the telescope which will make the data incredibly accurate and meaningful.
Nature
Square Kilometer Array (SKA)
The telescope array will contain 3,000 radio dishes and will be able to scan the sky faster than any previous instruments of the kind. The headquarters of this project is in South Africa who took the other countries by surprise when they won the bid. They won the scientific community with clear skies and legislation that strictly limits the amount of radio noise in that area surrounding the telescope which will make the data incredibly accurate and meaningful.
Nature
Square Kilometer Array (SKA)
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Water Vapour of Ceres
Summary: The Herschel Telescope has detected unmistakable water vapours spewing off of the asteroid Ceres. The vapours had been previously seen and suspected to be water vapours, but it wasn't until Herschel looked at the streams with its instruments designed specifically to detect water molecules in space.
How the fountains are created is still a bit of a mystery. The two competing theories are that either it works like geysers on Earth (energy within the asteroid pushes the water to the surface and the low pressure on the surface yields vapours) or the Sun's heat warms the surface ice and converts it into steam. Either way, we will have to wait until next year when DAWN flys by and will be able to get better images.
Brand New Supernova
Summary: A new supernova has been discovered by undergraduates at the University of London just yesterday during their class. Upon realising what they saw, the astronomy world was alerted and many telescopes immediately trained their eye upon the sight.
It is expected to grow brighter before dimming again to obscurity in the next two weeks. If you are feeling ambitious, you can look for the bright star in between Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Friday, January 10, 2014
New 1% Accuracy of Universe
Summary: Set by the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS), astronomers now have a new standard for measuring distances in the universe. Using baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs), they have created a standard ruler of half a billion light years long which they can use to measure distances in the universe to a 1% accuracy.
With incredibly accurate measurements, astronomers can calibrate fundamental cosmological properties that were wishy-washy at best before. The most exciting one for me, is being able to pin down how dark energy accelerates the expansion of the universe. It also can help provide a better estimate of the curvature of the universe. The latest estimates of which, seem to indicate that the universe is flatter than we previously thought. If it gets much flatter, we may find out we are living in an infinite universe.
BBC News
With incredibly accurate measurements, astronomers can calibrate fundamental cosmological properties that were wishy-washy at best before. The most exciting one for me, is being able to pin down how dark energy accelerates the expansion of the universe. It also can help provide a better estimate of the curvature of the universe. The latest estimates of which, seem to indicate that the universe is flatter than we previously thought. If it gets much flatter, we may find out we are living in an infinite universe.
BBC News
New Stellar Dust
Summary: A telescope in Chile has captured images of an incredibly young supernova with tons of fresh dust surrounding it. This is the first time astronomers have been privileged enough to see the beginnings of this cosmic dust. These observations help confirm the theory that cosmic dust can form as the result of a supernovae.
BBC News
BBC News
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Geometric Sweets
Summary: The wonders of 3D printing are never ceasing. Not only is the simple concept of being able to print parts in 3D amazing, but we are now able to print guns, toys, and now food. Yes, from the comfort of your own home, you can now print beautiful little chocolate candies. Admittedly, it does have a high price, but I'm sure in the future the price will plummet.
Aside from being a crazy fun addition to parties, NASA is exploring the possibility of having a food printer for astronauts to use while in orbit.
BBC News
Aside from being a crazy fun addition to parties, NASA is exploring the possibility of having a food printer for astronauts to use while in orbit.
BBC News
New Triple System
Summary: Astronomers have discovered a new triple system consisting of a millisecond pulsar in close orbit with a white dwarf. This pair is then in orbit around another white dwarf. The reason this is important is because it allows astronomers to test different theories of gravity. This particular system will be excellent for looking for violations in the equivalence principle as put forth by Einstein (the effect of gravity is independent of the nature or internal structure of the body). This is the principle we see when two balls of different weights take the same amount of time to hit the floor when dropped from the same height.
Because of the precision of the pulsar, astronomers will be able to have more accurate results than ever before.
BBC News
Because of the precision of the pulsar, astronomers will be able to have more accurate results than ever before.
BBC News
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