SpaceX intends to launch tens of thousands of Starlink satellites, with lifespans of around 5 years, into low-Earth orbit. The goal is global internet access. Astronomers are concerned. Here’s how to watch Wednesday’s launch. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/spacexs-1st-starlink-launch-of-2021…
Tag: the passage
Drivers Sue Uber Over Pressure To Support Prop 22
Uber drivers say the company unlawfully pressured them to support a ballot initiative that would make gig workers independent contractors, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in San Francisco Superior Court by a proposed class of California drivers. Bloomberg Law reports: The suit alleges Uber used a coercive campaign of misinformation to exert pressure on drivers to advocate and vote for…
Pinning down the ampere with a supersensitive particle detector
From light bulbs to cell phones, all electronic devices in everyday life rely on the flow of electrons to function. Just as scientists use meters to describe the length of an object or seconds to measure the passage of time, they use amperes, or amps, to quantify electric current—the rate at which electric charge moves through a circuit. …
Is Iceland’s most active volcano about to erupt?
The ice-covered Grímsvötn volcano produced an unusually large and powerful eruption in 2011. Now, says this volcanologist, there are clear signs that Grímsvötn is getting ready to erupt again. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/grimsvotn-iceland-volcano-about-to-erupt…
SpaceX launched 60 more Starlink satellites this week
After 2 weeks of scrubs, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket blasted off October 6, 2020, carrying 60 more Starlink satellites to orbit. The rocket successfully landed at sea 9 minutes later. Video of the launch and landing here, plus steps taken to reduce the bright satellites’ effect on astronomy. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/spacex-starlink-falcon-9-launch-oct-6-2020…
Hurricane Hanna shrinks Gulf of Mexico dead zone
The Gulf of Mexico dead zone was much smaller than usual this year because Hurricane Hanna stirred up the area of low-oxygen water. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/hurricane-hanna-shrinks-2020-gulf-of-mexico-dead-zone…
It’s summer. What’s noon to you?
What do you mean by noon? Do you define it by your clock or wristwatch? Or the gnawing in your stomach? Here’s how astronomers think about noontime. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/its-summer-whats-noon-to-you…
4 amazing astronomical discoveries from ancient Greece
The ancients made some jaw-dropping discoveries without modern technology. For example, the size of the moon. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/4-amazing-astronomical-discoveries-ancient-greece…
Planet Earth at Twilight
No sudden, sharp boundary marks the passage of day into night in Source: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html…
Don’t miss Venus and the Pleiades around April 3
Watch for the close pairing of the brightest planet, Venus, with the little dipper-shaped Pleiades star cluster. Their conjunction is April 3, but any evening around then will be lovely! Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/venus-pleiades-couple-up-on-april-2-3-and-4…