Astronomy and space exploration

Old (yesterday :D ) but important!

I guess most of you already know:

NASA Found Evidence of Organic Matter on Mars. Here’s Why That’s a Big Deal.

Today, NASA has released the results of two major studies about the inner-workings of the Red Planet. In the first, researchers discover why Mars has seasonal variations of the gas methane; in the second, they determine that rock on the Martian surface contains organic molecules that may be evidence of ancient life. Both were published today in the journal Science.
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https://futurism.com/curiosity-nasa-new-studies/

Maybe if they keep drilling they'll find something more interesting... who knows?
 
eloyc said:
Maybe if they keep drilling they'll find something more interesting... who knows?
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mm... wonder if the conditions would have been there for fossilization.

Race to Mars for fossil fuel? :p (probably not economical anyway)
 
AlBran said:
mm... wonder if the conditions would have been there for fossilization.

Race to Mars for fossil fuel? :p (probably not economical anyway)
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Hm, I don't think that will be the case. At least not in a near future.

I think that if we are to do something with Mars' resources, it will be using them in Mars for a colony or other stuff there... I guess.
 
Nearly 80 exoplanet candidates identified in record time
Search considered successful 'dress rehearsal' for exoplanet hunter TESS
Scientists have analyzed data from K2, the follow-up mission to NASA's Kepler Space Telescope, and have discovered a trove of possible exoplanets amid some 50,000 stars. The scientists report the discovery of nearly 80 new planetary candidates, including a particular standout: a likely planet that orbits the star HD 73344, which would be the brightest planet host ever discovered by the K2 mission.
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https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180621121901.htm
 
James Webb Space Telescope delayed AGAIN! >:-8

NASA Completes Webb Telescope Review, Commits to Launch in Early 2021

The Independent Review Board (IRB) established by NASA to assess progress on its James Webb Space Telescope has unanimously recommended that development on the world’s premier science observatory should continue; NASA has established a new launch date for Webb of March 30, 2021.
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http://astronomy.com/magazine/press...escope-review-commits-to-launch-in-early-2021
 
Yes I read that, most annoying. Though its most imprtant they get this right, since they cant send up the shuttle to fix if they cock it up
 
Saturn Moon Enceladus Is First Alien 'Water World' with Complex Organics
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Complex organic molecules have been discovered for the first time coming from the depths of Saturn's moon Enceladus, a new study reported.
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https://www.space.com/41005-saturn-moon-enceladus-complex-organic-molecules.html
 
SpaceX Just Launched a Last-of-Its-Kind Falcon Rocket

SAYING GOODBYE. At 5:42 am EDT Friday, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Everything went according to plan; the only things that blew up were the ones that should blow up. At the time of writing, the rocket is helping its payload — the Dragon capsule — enter low Earth orbit. By Monday, it should rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS), dropping off 5,900 pounds’ worth of supplies and gear in what’s now become a somewhat-routine mission for SpaceX.

While the objective itself isn’t necessarily anything out of the ordinary, today’s launch was special for SpaceX: it marked the last time the company would launch a Falcon 9 Block 4.
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https://futurism.com/falcon-9-block-4-launch-spacex/
 
nutball said:
https://arstechnica.com/science/201...ino-source-a-black-hole-jet-pointed-at-earth/

This is pretty significant.

Multi-messenger astronomy holds the key to challenging our models of whole areas of physics. I think it won't be long before we detect electromagnetic radiation and neutrinos and gravitational waves from the same event.
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Could you name a few practical examples of what this discovery can mean for us in the future? What scientific goals can we achieve with this, other than just saying that we detected it?
 
NASA's New Planet Hunter on Track to Start Science Work This Month
NASA's newest planet hunter will begin its search for alien worlds before the end of July, if everything goes according to plan.

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which launched to Earth orbit April 18 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is still undergoing commissioning tests, NASA officials said. But those checkouts should be done relatively soon.
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https://www.space.com/41158-nasa-tess-exoplanet-hunter-science-operations-july.html

Yes! :D
 
The VLTs are pretty amazing pieces of kit. I had the good fortune to get a tour around one of them during one of my regular trips out to Paranal a few years ago. It's mind-blowing to see something so large and massive moving with such control and precision. The E-ELT is going to be something to behold when it is in action.
 
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