Late July presents the nominal peak of the Delta Aquariid meteor shower, but this long and rambling shower is officially active from about July 12 to August 23 each year. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-delta-aquarid-meteor-shower…
Tag: debris
Can We Use Special Sails To Bring Old Satellites Back Down To Earth?
There’s already nearly 5,000 satellites orbiting earth, “and many of them are non-functioning space debris now, clogging up orbital paths for newer satellites,” reports Universe Today. Yet over the next five years we expect to launch up to 2600 more — which is prompting a search for solutions to “the growing problem of space debris in Low-Earth Orbit.” Some exotic-sounding solutions…
Astronomers probe a mini-Neptune’s atmosphere
Exoplanet Gliese 3470 b fits nicely in size between our solar system’s Earth and planet Neptune. Known as a “mini-Neptune,” it likely has a rocky core beneath a deep, crushing, hydrogen-helium atmosphere. The analysis of its atmosphere is a first for one of these mid-sized worlds. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/astronomers-probe-mini-neptune-atmosphere-gliese-3470-b…
Today in 2015: New Horizons at Pluto
The small, fast-moving New Horizons spacecraft is likely to be the only Pluto mission in the lifetimes of many of us. It changed forever the way we on Earth perceive this outermost world and its moons. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/july-4-2015-new-horizons-at-pluto…
Moon’s near side is its dark side
Wait, what? Strange as it may seem, the moon’s dark side is its Earth-facing side. Plus … notice the moon inching toward bright Jupiter tonight! Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/moons-dark-side-faces-earth…
More than a thousand sharks and rays have become entangled in plastic
More than a thousand sharks and rays have become entangled in plastic debris, a team has found by reviewing scientific papers and Twitter Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2208839-more-than-a-thousand-sharks-and-rays-have-become-entangled-in-plastic/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…
Samsung Chief Says He Pushed Galaxy Fold ‘Before It Was Ready’
PolygamousRanchKid shares a report from Engadget: Samsung hasn’t commented much on its decision to delay the Galaxy Fold and address design flaws, but it’s opening up a little today. The company’s electronics division CEO, DJ Koh, told those at a media event that he “pushed [the phone] through before it was ready.” The setback was “embarrassing,” he added. While Koh didn’t…
How meteors create Mars’ clouds
Scientists have been trying to figure out how clouds form in Mars’ thin atmosphere, and thanks to new research, the answer seems to be … meteors. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/how-meteors-create-mars-clouds…