Tag

space

Neil Armstrong: 1930-2012

I won't try to write a eulogy or a tribute.  I will leave that up to people who know more than me, but I did want to take a moment to post a tribute of some sort to the man who inspired a whole new generation of explorers.  Without Neil Armstrong so many things we take for granted now may

Stars “Scream” When Devoured by Black Hole

“In space... no one can hear you scream....” Or, maybe they can. Scientists from the University of Michigan have been able to detect an oscillating signal that occurs as a star is devoured by a previously dormant supermassive black hole. The event was documented with the Suzaku and XMM-Newton orbiting X-ray telescopes. They picked up semi-regular “blips” in the light

Atlas V Rocket Has 50th Mission

An Atlas V rocket was launched on June 20, 2012, from Cape Canaveral. This makes the 50th mission for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, as well as the 31st Atlas launch. It was carrying classified cargo for the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The launch was described as flawless by Col. James D. Fisher, who is the director

X-375B Lands at Vandenberg Air Force Base

The X-375B is an unmanned spacecraft. It was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in March of 2011. It returned June 16, 2012, making an autonomous landing, and Vandenberg Air Force Base. It has now completed a fifteen month clandestine mission. It had a classified payload on board, which, of course, has led to some speculation about what that

Astronomers Spot Oldest Galaxy, Has Crazy Fast Star Birth

More than a decade ago the Hubble Space Telescope snapped an image that has since been referred to as "the most important picture ever taken".  It's real name is the Hubble Deep Field (you may want to watch this video before reading on).  While the image may seem old in this fast moving world of technology, it's not even an

GNC-2012-05-29 #769 Family Loss

Received the news late this afternoon that my Grandfather on my dads side of the family had passed away. While expected still has hit me like a ton of bricks. I am luckier than most as I had all of my grandparents up to a few short years ago. All lived into their 90's and went out on their own

Meteor Explodes Over California

While news reports have been scant, there was a major cosmic event over California and Nevada this past Sunday.  A meteor weighing approximately 70 tons rocketed across the sky at a stunning 33,500 mph and exploded in the atmosphere.  The meteor sighting was reported by residents of both states and those in California also reported the explosion, which rattled house