Rocket Tech Explained in Most Popular Thousand Words

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humour, illustration, rocket, science, Space, technology, xkcd

Source: xkcd: Up Goer Five.

Snapshots of the Heavens: Amazing Astronomy Photos

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astronomy, Astrophotography, BBC, BBC Online, photography, Space

Reblogged from Science & Space:

The Royal Observatory has culled through over 800 entries from astronomers and astro-photographers around the world to release its compilation of the best astronomy photos of the year. The contest is run by Royal Observatory Greenwich and Sky at Night Magazine.

Should you have plans to be in London, an exhibition featuring the work is on display at the Royal Observatory Greenwich Planetarium throughout October 2012 in…

Read more… 5 more words

Collection of absolutely stunning images, all taken in this year 2012. These photos with audio commentary on BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19637073

Hexagon spy satellite system pictures

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Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, Hawaii, KH-9 Hexagon, secret documents, Soviet Union, Spy satellite, United States

In 1971, the KH-9 Hexagon was the United States’ most advanced spy device — a brand new photographic reconnaissance satellite as large as a school bus that carried more than 60 miles of high-resolution photographic film for surveillance missions.

The film images were sent back to Earth in recoverable return capsules. Entering the Earth’s atmosphere, the canisters deployed a parachute and were then snagged by a plane in mid-air and returned to base for processing and analysis.

But in July 1971, the third reentry vehicle from the first Hexagon photo-satellite mission was lost, when the parachute broke, sending the canister into the open sea near Hawaii. The bucket sank on impact to a depth of more than 16,400 feet. This was sensitive info — photographs of the Soviet Union’s submarine bases and missile silos — and the decision was made to attempt to recover the valuable intelligence data.

Follow the entire story here: Hexagon satellite system Pictures – CBS News.

History of Mars Exploration

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curiosity, esa, history, infographics, Mars, mars exploration, Nasa, planet science, science, space mission, space missions

There were many attempts to explore Mars using Space missions. As of July 2007 the success rate was 47%. Interestingly, Soviets were the first to attempt it, but Americans were the most successful ones. In coming centuries, the exploration will look different with China and India coming into play. The following infographics tells the whole story:

Source SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration

Related articles

• Listen to Carl Sagan’s message to Mars rover Curiosity explorers (deathandtaxesmag.com)
• What Do You Think Of The Exploration Of Space? [We Ask You] (makeuseof.com)
• Mars One – One way mission to Mars for human settlement. (developerblogging.wordpress.com)

Time-lapse of Venus transit

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astronomy, Nasa, Solar Dynamics Observatory, Sun, Time-lapse photography, Venus, Venus Transit

It’s no science fiction nor it is special effect. It is real time-lapse photography of Venus Transit. Simply amazing!

How habitable are known planets?!

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earth, exoplanet, extrasolar planet, habitability, habitable, habitable zone, habitablezone, Kepler, Life on Mars, Mars, Planet, planet search, Planetary habitability, Space

No doubt Earth is the most habitable of all, but it does not hold the perfect score. Luckily, it’s not human who is making Earth less than perfectly habitable, but rather it is due to “tidal flexing“.

Read on…
Source: Daily chart: Life on Mars and elsewhere | The Economist.

In the shadows of the giant

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astronomy, Astrophotography, Cassini, Nasa, Planet, Satellite, Saturn, Tethys, Titan

 

The immensity of Saturn | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine.

Orange Sun Oozing

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Activity, Astronomy Picture of the Day, Solar, Sun, Time-lapse

This is the sort-of time-lapse video of the Sun, made out of observations carried out by my friend, Bruno Sánchez. This shows how the Sun’s surface changes regularly, in this video in the span of an hour. Watch it for yourself!

This video appeared for third time on Astronomy Picture of the Day. For more information about this phenomenon, follow this link:
APOD: 2011 November 6 – Orange Sun Oozing.

Kepler mission: a search for earth-sized planet

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COROT, Kepler Mission, Space

The quest to find a earth-like planet continues. Kepler Mission is a proper addition after european CoRoT mission. CoRoT was kept as an open secret with tedious french connection, even rather very open scientific community has no direct access. I think it will change with Kepler, which has gone social with its own presence in Twittverse. I wish the whole team all the best and am looking forward to first results.

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