The 60 minutes interview with Commander Hadfield was pretty intense. I never had any idea that the Columbia deaths weighed so heavily. Even 10 years later he blames himself.

Time lapse footage from the ISS. Can't go wrong. Hair-raisingly beautiful.

[youtube]GOAEIMx39-w[/youtube]

6 Biggest Space Science Discoveries of 2013


An artist concept of NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft leaving the solar system to enter interstellar space.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The year 2013 saw a wealth of discoveries, insights, and milestones that advanced the fields of astronomy and other space sciences. From extrasolar planets to extraterrestrial neutrinos, these finds have made sure that 2013 has been an unforgettable year.

Here's a look back at some of the most stunning space science revelations of the year:

NASA's Voyager 1 reaches interstellar space

After almost 35 years of traveling, scientists reported this year that NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft reached interstellar space in August 2012. Because the solar system doesn't contain helpful "You Are Here" signs to mark its boundary, scientists relied on a powerful solar eruption to determine the density of the molecules in space around the craft.

With the transition into interstellar space, Voyager 1 became the first craft to leave the solar system behind, making it a significant milestone in the annals of space exploration. It is currently about 11.66 billion miles (18.76 billion km) from the sun.

Physicists in Antarctica found the first evidence of cosmic rays from outside the solar system. The energetic rays themselves are difficult to detect, so scientists rely on the discovery of neutrinos produced as the cosmic rays interact with their surroundings. Of the billions of neutrinos that pass through a square centimeter of Earth each second, only a few actually interact with matter.

But using the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, an instrument buried in a cubic kilometer of ice beneath the South Pole, physicists were able to detect two neutrino events that originated beyond the solar system, the first definitive detections since 1987 (and events a million times more powerful than their predecessor). Although the event was too small to pinpoint the origin of the cosmic rays — suspects include supernovas, gamma ray bursts, and black holes — the detection opened the door to a greater understanding of some of the powerful events in the universe.


Ancient Mars could have supported life

Only seven months after its spectacular landing on Mars, NASA's Curiosity rover discovered signs that 6 Biggest Space Science Discoveries of 2013

The year 2013 saw a wealth of discoveries, insights, and milestones that advanced the fields of astronomy and other space sciences. From extrasolar planets to extraterrestrial neutrinos, these finds have made sure that 2013 has been an unforgettable year.

Here's a look back at some of the most stunning space science revelations of the year:

After almost 35 years of traveling, scientists reported this year that NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft reached interstellar space in August 2012. Because the solar system doesn't contain helpful "You Are Here" signs to mark its boundary, scientists relied on a powerful solar eruption to determine the density of the molecules in space around the craft.

With the transition into interstellar space, Voyager 1 became the first craft to leave the solar system behind, making it a significant milestone in the annals of space exploration. It is currently about 11.66 billion miles (18.76 billion km) from the sun.

Physicists in Antarctica found the first evidence of cosmic rays from outside the solar system. The energetic rays themselves are difficult to detect, so scientists rely on the discovery of neutrinos produced as the cosmic rays interact with their surroundings. Of the billions of neutrinos that pass through a square centimeter of Earth each second, only a few actually interact with matter.

But using the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, an instrument buried in a cubic kilometer of ice beneath the South Pole, physicists were able to detect two neutrino events that originated beyond the solar system, the first definitive detections since 1987 (and events a million times more powerful than their predecessor). Although the event was too small to pinpoint the origin of the cosmic rays — suspects include supernovas, gamma ray bursts, and black holes — the detection opened the door to a greater understanding of some of the powerful events in the universe.


Ancient Mars could have supported life

Only seven months after its spectacular landing on Mars, NASA's Curiosity rover discovered signs that ancient Mars could have supported life in the form of primitive microbes. The determination was made after instruments on the rover identified some of the key ingredients necessary for life in the rocks of Mars. Curiosity isn't searching for current life on Mars, only for signs of the Red Planet's potentially habitable environments in the past.

In December, the Curiosity team announced evidence of a freshwater Martian lake near the planet's equator that could have supported life for extended periods of time. The lake likely existed about 3.7 billion years ago, far more recently than scientists previously thought habitable environments existed on the Mars.

More recently, scientists have used NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to determine that dark seasonal streaks near the equator could indicate the presence today of flowing salt water on Mars during the planet's warmer months. Previous signs of existing flowing water on the planet were limited to the poles, while the equatorial regions were considered completely dry.

Altogether, Mars is shaping up to be a far more habitable place after the discoveries of 2013.

Earth Compared to Kepler 78-bPin It An illustration comparing Earth to Kepler 78-b, the most twin-like of the extrasolar planets yet discovered.
Credit: David A. Aguilar (CfA)View full size image
Earth's almost-twin

At the end of October, scientists announced the



discovery of Earth's closest exoplanet twin, in terms of size and composition. The planet, called Kepler-78b, is just 20 percent wider and 80 percent more massive than Earth, and boasts a similar density. But don't look for a twin environment on the rocky planet; it orbits its sun once every 8.5 hours, at a distance of about 900,000 miles (1.5 million km), with surface temperatures reaching more than 3,680 degrees Fahrenheit (2,000 degrees Celsius).

This discovery came shortly after the confirmed extrasolar planet count reached 1,000, a significant milestone since the first planet outside of the solar system was found 20 years ago. But the number of these planets is sure to increase. Of the almost 3,600 planetary candidates announced by NASA'sKepler spacecraft, just over 150 have been confirmed. [Related: Biggest Alien Planet Discoveries of 2013]

But astronomers aren't simply content with increasing the number of extrasolar planets; they want to know more about the alien bodies. In early October, scientists announced that they had produced the first cloud map of a planet outside the solar system. Scientists used the Kepler spacecraft and the infrared Spitzer Space Telescope to study Kepler 7-b, a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting near its sun.

The death of the comet of the century

Hailed as the "comet of the century" throughout 2013, Comet ISON passed by the sun on Nov. 28 before breaking apart. Discovered in September 2012, the orbit of the comet bore striking similarities to the Great Comet of 1680, which was visible in the daylight. From a distance, the comet's brightness suggested it had a large nucleus, which could provide an amazing show in 2013.

Skywatchers around the world tracked the comet as it came into view.


Comet ISON comes in from the bottom right and moves out toward the upper right, getting fainter and fainter, in this time-lapse image from the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory on Nov. 28, 2013. The image of the sun at the center is from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Comet ISON buzzed the sun on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 28). But as the comet passed only 684,000 miles (1.1 million km) from the sun, the gravitational pull and intense heat of the star stripped the comet of its dust and gas, ultimately disintegrating it to the point where only telescopes such as Hubble were able to continue observing it.

Scientists determined that the comet's nucleus was smaller than was previously estimated, which contributed to its rapid destruction. But while the comet of the century may not have put on a great show, its long approach allowed professional and amateur astronomers alike time to prepare and capture a wealth of information, which will improve understanding of the composition and behavior of comets in the solar system.

The Chelyabinsk meteor explosion

http://i.space.com/images/i/000/035/584/i01/chelyabinsk-meteor-soars.jpg?1388191364

On Feb. 15, 2013, a meteor exploded over Russia's Chelyabinsk region, detonating about 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) east of Moscow. Known as a bolide, the exploding fireball injured hundreds of people and damaged hundreds of buildings. The 56-foot (17-meter) rock generated the explosive power of more than 470 kilotons of TNT. [Photos: Meteor Streaks Over Russia, Explodes]

While most of the injuries from the unexpected explosion came from falling glass, the event focused the attention of the world on potential threats from rocky bodies in space. Because smaller asteroids such as the one that caused the Russian explosion are both numerous and challenging to detect, most research to date has focused on larger bodies that would do far more damage if they collided with Earth.

Big Space Missions to Watch in 2014


In August 2014, the ESA's Rosetta Spacecraft will rendezvous with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and deploy its Philae lander, as seen in this artist's impression.
Credit: ESA–C. Carreau/ATG medialab

From a Chinese rover on the moon and new spacecraft orbiting Mars, to private spaceships and the most powerful digital camera ever built, space will be practically buzzing with human activities in 2014.

Here are some of the things to look out for when you're looking up next year:

New arrivals at Mars

Mars is going to be a busy place in 2014. Two new probes are expected to make it into Martian orbit in September and NASA's Curiosity and Opportunity rovers are still sending science back to Earth from the surface of the Red Planet. [11 Must-See Skywatching Events in 2014]

Both India's Mars orbiter Mangalyaan and NASA's MAVEN mission are expected to get into their orbits around Mars in September. MAVEN is going to investigate the Martian atmosphere and hopefully help piece together the history of how the Red Planet lost its atmosphere. Mangalyaan, India's first Mars probe, is designed to beam back images of Mars' surface and hunt for methane in the planet's atmosphere.

Live from the Moon

China became the third country to make a soft landing on the moon with their Chang'e 3 lander at the end of 2013, so its science operations should start gearing up in 2014. The Yutu (Jade Rabbit) rover deployed by the lander will use a robotic arm to collect lunar dust samples for analysis, and it will beam back photos of the moon's surface to Earth.


A NASA spacecraft set to continue its mission into 2014 was already orbiting the moon as Chang'e 3 touched down. The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer mission (LADEE for short) is tasked with investigating the moon's extremely thin atmosphere and probing the dust environment of the natural satellite. It will continue its science operations into 2014.

Other probes like the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiteand the twin Artemis probes are still circling the moon and sending back data to Earth as well.

The recently launched might change the way scientists look at the universe. The European Space Agency probe is tasked with creating the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way ever produced.

The twin telescopes on the spacecraft are expected to map 1 billion stars in the galaxy and even map smaller objects like alien planets circling those stars. The $1 billion mission will enter into its five year science mission after a four month commissioning phase.

Rosetta lands on a comet

Launched in 2004, the Rosetta probe will catch up with its target comet at long last in August 2014. The European Space Agency's comet interceptor Rosetta is expected to catch up to comet 67-P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko just as it sails inside the orbit of Jupiter next year.

Scientists are planning to awaken Rosetta from its deep hibernation on Jan. 20, 2014 to prepare it for the next phase of its $1.4 billion mission. When the probe is less than 1.2 million miles (2 million kilometers) away from the comet, it will start to snap more detailed photos of the comet, gathering more information for the spacecraft's eventual rendezvous.

In November 2014, the probe is scheduled to deploy the Philae lander to the surface of the comet. The lander is expected to beam back unprecedented views from its position on the 2.4-mile in diameter (4 km) comet.

Private spaceships will soar

The year 2014 promises to be a great one for private spaceflight. In the first week of the year, two commercial companies hope to launch private rockets, and more missions will follow as the year goes on.

On Jan. 3, the Hawthorne, Calif.-based company SpaceX will launch its first mission of the year using its upgraded Falcon 9 rocket. The flight will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and carry the Thaicom 6 commercial satellite into orbit, but that is just for starters. SpaceX also has a $1.6 billion deal with NASA for 12 unmanned cargo delivery missions to the International Space Station using the Falcon 9 rocket and its unmanned Dragon capsules. The third mission in that series is also due to launch this year, possibly in February.

One week into the year, on Jan. 7, the commercial company Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., is due to launch its first official cargo mission to the space station using its own Antares rocket and robotic Cygnus spacecraft. In 2013, Orbital Sciences launched an Antares test flight as well as a Cygnus demonstration mission, but the upcoming launch will be the first delivery flight of its $1.9 billion cargo contract for NASA.

And then there are the space tourism companies. Virgin Galactic made huge strides in 2013 with supersonic rocket-powered test flights of its commercial SpaceShipTwo spacecraft, which promises to fly passengers on suborbital spaceflights for $250,000 a ticket. The company is expected to build on that success in 2014, potentially with its first flights into space.

Several other companies, such as XCOR Aerospace, Sierra Nevada Corp., Blue Origin and Boeing, are developing commercial spacecraft for various uses, and should also make more progress in 2014.

Orion Test Flight

2014 might just be the year of Orion. NASA is planning on launching a test flight of their Orion spacecraft — a new crew-carrying capsule expected to bring astronauts to Mars and other deep space destinations — in September 2014.

For the test flight, Orion will plunge through the atmosphere so that engineers can assess the capsule's heat shield. Orion is also expected to make a parachute-aided splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

This unpiloted test flight will be launched atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Eventually, the capsule will be boosted into space by NASA's Space Launch System rocket, a heavy-lifting booster in development now.

International Space Station

The International Space Station will play host to five crews through the course of 2014. The Expedition 38 crew currently staffs the $100 billion orbiting outpost, with Expedition 39 launching in March. Expeditions 40 through 42 are also scheduled to live aboard the station before the year is finished.

Two commercial spaceflight firms will also launch robotic resupply missions to the station under contracts with NASA. SpaceX is expected to launch their unmanned Dragon capsule to the station. Orbital Sciences Corporation is slated to launch its first official cargo mission with the Cygnus spacecraft after successfully completing a test run in 2013.

This view of the twilight sky and Martian horizon taken by NASA's Curiosity Mars rover includes Earth as the brightest point of light in the night sky. Earth is a little left of center in the image, and our moon is just below Earth. Two annotated versions of this image are also available in Figures 1 and 2.
Researchers used the left eye camera of Curiosity's Mast Camera (Mastcam) to capture this scene about 80 minutes after sunset on the 529th Martian day, or sol, of the rover's work on Mars (Jan. 31, 2014). The image has been processed to remove effects of cosmic rays.

A human observer with normal vision, if standing on Mars, could easily see Earth and the moon as two distinct, bright "evening stars."

The distance between Earth and Mars when Curiosity took the photo was about 99 million miles (160 million kilometers).

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, manages the Mars Science Laboratory Project for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. JPL designed and built the project's Curiosity rover. Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, built and operates the rover's Mastcam.

More information about Curiosity is online at http://www.nasa.gov/msl and http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/.

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an idiot

And this from the authority on being an idiot.

I shouldnt be surprised you'd come out and support this fraud

i heard you got banned recently.

welcome back by the way. what kind of a forum would ban someone as reasoned and informed as you?

Edited by ricecrackers: 16/3/2014 02:45:20 AM

I see you're trying to be snide. It's not working.

You've bumped a thread in which you clearly have no interest in to label a guy with a 160 IQ an "idiot".

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an idiot

Does he upset your religious beliefs or something? Is it because he's black? Or are you jealous he has actually done something major with his life?

What is it about Neil degrasse Tyson that is fraudulent?

he actually said this too. (what an idiot)

he actually said this too. (what an idiot)

science is a field of study. its not a fact about anything.
its like saying that music is true. its dumb.

what if two scientists disagree about something? which "science" is true then?



Edited by ricecrackers: 16/3/2014 03:20:33 PM

science is a field of study. its not a fact about anything.
its like saying that music is true. its dumb.

what if two scientists disagree about something? which "science" is true then?

I agree he worded it in a less direct way that what he could have, but it seems you have a naff idea of what science is. Science isn't a "field of study", indeed, science is study. To quote wiki: "Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe." Science is all about figuring shit out via the Scientific Method, which is, as the above explanation says, to prove things via repeatable experiments in the real world based on systematic and impartial testing that anybody can repeat and has a chance to disprove if they collect different data.

Science by it's own method asks to be proven wrong, and by that very method is always right.

So what he's saying is what we can discover with the data as it comes to hand via the Scientific Method about the universe will always be true, even if it makes your baby Jesus cry.

Whether you like it or not.

Edited by paladisious: 16/3/2014 11:44:02 PM

Science - from the latin for "knowledge acquired from observation". If two scientists disagree about something one is right and one is wrong. There's no two ways about it.

sounds more like this new definition of 'science' is creating a new religion
i really want to call it scientology but i believe thats already taken

My god says that slavery is a-ok, and if you say it's not god will be very cross.

Based on my observations of the data currently available I hypothesise Theory X, but if anyone else gets different results from this data, or new data emerges, of course we'll be making a new hypothesis and furthering our understanding of the universe, which is rad and will help everybody.

If science is the new religion, then hallelujah.

Did you seriously just use the Ephesians passage to say that the Christian God supports slavery? :lol:
You can do so, so much better than that :lol:

unless they're both wrong