The Stellar Survey for October 13 - 19
The Stellar Survey for October 13 - 19
The Euclid Space Telescope has mapped the first section of its eventual, planned 3D space map. | The work thus far only comprises 1% of the total space picture. It will gather data over the course of 6 years to complete the map in full.
The Euclid Space Telescope is also known as the Dark Space Telescope. | Check out this photo, and you’ll see why.
Check out these photos of this week’s Hunter’s moon supermoon, the largest of 2024. | Amazing, isn’t it? Doesn’t the universe just give you chills?
The Europa Clipper mission launched earlier this week! | This probe is set to study Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, in close detail, with one of its aims being to determine if Europa harbours life.
Satellites could cause the next big environmental emergency. | OH GOSH, WHAT A TOTAL SURPRISE.
Missed the aurora? Never fear—more could be coming! | The Sun is still at solar maximum, and will be for some time. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more aurora news!
Did you catch the success of this week’s “chopsticks” return to earth for SpaceX’s fifth test flight for its Starship rocket? I know I rag on Elon Musk a lot, but the achievement of the company here is pretty spectacular. | SpaceX is now planning another chopsticks catch in early 2025—this time for the upper part of the rocket, and not just the booster.
Nuclear-powered rockets could travel to Mars in half the time. | The places you’ll go, friends, if only you can imagine!
Ten thoughtful insights from the “great cosmic unknown”, courtesy of this Big Think interview with astronomer Kelsey Johnson. | I love what she says about science and humility especially. What if, indeed.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is still visible in the early night sky—but won’t be for very much longer. | Get out to see it if you can!
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…a meteor! | The Orionid meteor shower peaks this weekend, meteor lovers!
Check out this gorgeous photo from the annular solar eclipse over Easter Island earlier this month. | I love how you can see extra details of the sun in this picture. Again: isn’t our universe amazing?
SETI’s alien hunt finds that the TRAPPIST planets remain silent. | Radio signals detected from this star system have all been ruled out as regular interference. Ah, well. Maybe next time!
And finally, here’s a great (and terrifying) headline for you to hold as we move through the weekend. | Killer electrons play pinball with space weather around Earth. Has a certain ring, doesn’t it?
We should still rag on Elon Musk :) but damn, that landing was a triumph of astrophysics!