NASA Rings in New Year with Epic Ultima Thule Flyby 4 Billion Miles Away

What a way to ring in the new year. As people around the world celebrated the start of 2019, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft made history with the flyby of Ultima Thule, a mysterious object 4.1 billion miles from Earth in the Kuiper Belt.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2VmYyK4

NASA's New Horizons Spies Elongated Target Ultima Thule Ahead of Flyby

The latest New Horizons image of the Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule reveals its elongated shape.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2Sv1XV8

Record Breaker! NASA Probe Slips into Orbit Around Asteroid Bennu

NASA's asteroid-sampling OSIRIS-REx probe has begun circling its space-rock target, setting a new record for the smallest body ever orbited by a spacecraft.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2TijWOH

In Screening for Suicide Risk, Facebook Takes On Tricky Public Health Role

By NATASHA SINGER from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2RpvZfM

Firm Led by Google Veterans Uses A.I. to ‘Nudge’ Workers Toward Happiness

By DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2SsV0nG

China's Chang'e 4 Mission Ready for Farside Moon Landing

China's Chang'e 4 mission will soon make a historic touchdown on the far side of the moon.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2QazNNn

With First-Ever Landing on Moon's Far Side, China Will Enter 'Luna Incognita'

China's Chang'e 4 mission could have major effects on Earthbound science and politics.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2CGAYAC

5G Is Coming Next Year. Here’s What You Need to Know.

By DON CLARK from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2Qfknr1

Ultima Thule in Pictures: Flyby Views of 2014 MU69 by New Horizons

On Jan. 1, 2019, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft will make history with the first close flyby of a Kuiper Belt object: Ultima Thule. See photos of Ultima Thule and the historic encounter here!

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2BVkLWO

New Horizons' Historic Flyby of Ultima Thule: Full Coverage

On Jan. 1, 2019, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft will ring in the New Year by making history: the first flyby of an object in the Kuiper Belt in the extreme outer solar system. See our full coverage of the flyby of Ultima Thule.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2R32dy0

Moon Landing Prints: Bureau of Engraving and Printing Marks Apollo 11 50th Anniversary

The government agency that prints U.S. money is producing a new set of paper to mark 50 years since the first moon landing. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is offering the "Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Engraved Print Collection."

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2SufkF4

NASA Probe to Make Historic New Year's Day Flyby of Mysterious Ultima Thule. Here's What to Expect.

As 2018 draws to a close, one group of people plans to celebrate something far more unusual — a flyby of Ultima Thule, the most distant solar system object ever explored. Here's what to expect.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2ThTZyM

Trying to Separate Facts from Fiction in Strange Jon Lavine Tale.

December 30, 2018 Albuquerque, New Mexico –  A month ago in my November 29th Coast to Coast, I focused on documents from a 71-year-old Florida retiree named Jon Harold Lavine. On October 30th, he had posted a blog entitled “I’ve Decided To Come Clean” — “During the period 1969 to 2008, I worked with NASA, …

Continue reading "Trying to Separate Facts from Fiction in Strange Jon Lavine Tale."

from Earthfiles http://bit.ly/2EZM3Po

Were MKULTRA “Mind Wipes” Used to Control Secret NASA Programs?

December 30, 2018 Castaic, California – Continuing with John Greenewald    blacked out documents  and Georgetown Medical Center came from MKULTRA / CIA funding through Scheckster …   Interview:   Photo of John Greenewald or Black Vault Logo   John Greenewald, Creator, The Black Vault.com, Castaic, California:  “JOHN, IN YOUR CURRENT BATCH OF MKULTRA DOCUMENTS, …

Continue reading "Were MKULTRA “Mind Wipes” Used to Control Secret NASA Programs?"

from Earthfiles http://bit.ly/2EYkaq8

U. K. Engineer Describes Some Real NASA Secrets.

December 30, 2018  ——- England –  Introduction – Winston provides the original Apollo 15 photographs of the spindle or cigar-shaped object in a crater  YOU CAN SEE THEM AT EARTHFILES – taken iin the — section of the BACK SIDE of the moon on first orbital around to the back side?  WHERE ON MOON? And …

Continue reading "U. K. Engineer Describes Some Real NASA Secrets."

from Earthfiles http://bit.ly/2EZM2ei

Facebook Data Scandals Stoke Criticism That a Privacy Watchdog Too Rarely Bites

By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE and CECILIA KANG from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2EXooyg

Why Are So Many Earth Insects Dying?

“This Oct. 15th, 2018, PNAS report is one of the most disturbing articles I have ever read.”  –  David Wagner, Ph.D., Prof. of Ecology,  Univ. of Connecticut. “If all humankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed 10,000 years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment …

Continue reading "Why Are So Many Earth Insects Dying?"

from Earthfiles http://bit.ly/2R1GPcr

'The Orville' Season 2 Launches Tonight! Here's What to Expect Straight from the Cast.

Season two of "The Orville," which premieres on Fox tonight (Dec. 30). It's been over a year since we last saw the crew of the USS Orville trying to survive both their personal problems as well as the deadly dangers of exploring deep space.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2EVowzj

The Most Watched Space Videos of 2018!

We've got the solar system under surveillance, and it sure does pay off. Here are our picks for the top space videos of 2018.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2EW8Dba

New Horizons Beyond Pluto: What Lies in Ultima Thule's Realm?

As NASA's New Horizons probe nears its second target, we investigate what's lurking at the edge of the solar system.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2TgmfBV

This May Be Life's 'Missing Ingredient'

Billions of years ago, molecules on a lifeless and tumultuous Earth mixed, forming the first life-forms.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2EVjfa2

Private Dream Chaser Space Plane Cleared to Begin Full-Scale Production

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has won NASA approval to begin full-scale production of its Dream Chaser cargo spacecraft scheduled to make its first flight in about two years.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2EYOWjL

How to Watch New Horizons' Ultima Thule Flyby on New Year's Day: A Webcast Guide

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft is about the make the most distant planetary flyby in the history of spaceflight, and you can follow the action live.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2LDaPWj

Launch of New US Spy Satellite Delayed to Early 2019

The launch of an much-delayed U.S. spy satellite has been delayed again, this time to no earlier than Jan. 6, according to the United Launch Alliance.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2GLIgHm

Space Oddity: 10 Bizarre Things Earthlings Launched into Space in 2018

This past year, engineers launched many oddities into space, including a Tesla Roadster, a gold-plated canopic jar and a cosmic disco ball.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2SrDBLU

Making Asteroid Images Look Great: How OSIRIS-REx's Team Creates Those Bennu Photos

As the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft zeroed in on its target, the asteroid Bennu, the object transformed from a fuzzy dot into an incredibly bumpy world full of sharp contrasts. But those images don't produce themselves.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2CGyMct

Nancy Grace Roman, 'Mother of Hubble,' Dies at 93

The astronomer paved the way for space-based telescopes after spending decades fighting institutionalized sexism in science education.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2RoBXgS

NASA's New Horizons Ready for Historic Flyby of Ultima Thule in the Kuiper Belt

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft will ring in the new year with an epic flyby at the edge of the solar system, and the stage is set for a truly historic encounter. And it's happening amid a partial government shutdown.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2TebLmw

When, Where and How to See the Planets in the 2019 Night Sky

Here is a guide to when certain planets will appear brightest and most visible in the 2019 night sky, including Mercury's rare transit of the sun in November!

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2CgvKNo

The Week in Tech: A Peek at the Year Ahead

By NELLIE BOWLES from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2Alb0RL

The Most Fascinating Exoplanets of 2018

In 2018, exoplanet scientists feasted on data from a nearby ice ball, the first exoplanet baby picture, a majority-metal blob the size of Earth and the home planet of a "Star Trek" fan favorite — not to mention the possible first-ever exomoon spotted.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2EPu11E

The Best Space Stories of 2018!

From missions to mysterious radio bursts, 2018 has proved a remarkable year in space science.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2ThGoYm

Instagram Tests Horizontal Scrolling, Then Scrolls Back

By SANDRA E. GARCIA and NIRAJ CHOKSHI from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2ReMyLt

Alien Hunters, Stop Using the Drake Equation

For the precocious hunter of off-Earth life, the Drake equation is the ever-ready, go-to toolkit for estimating just how (not) lonely humans are in the Milky Way galaxy. But it's not useful.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2VbEjPc

JunoCam Images Are Where Science Meets Art and NASA Meets the Public

Science and art each teach us to see the world in a different way — and Candice Hansen is living in both those worlds simultaneously, thanks to her role leading JunoCam.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2Q5kBRE

Experience New Horizons' Encounter with a New World using Mobile Apps

At 12:33 a.m. EST on Jan. 1, 2019, a robotic emissary of humankind will fly past a never-seen-before world in the outer solar system. Here's how to watch with mobile apps.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2QTlrpF

Remember Bitcoin? Some Investors Might Want to Forget

By NELLIE BOWLES from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2CBAQCA

India Curbs Power of Amazon and Walmart to Sell Products Online

By VINDU GOEL from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2TdQJEn

Digital Privacy Is a Big Concern in Europe. For This Reporter, Too.

By MATT APUZZO from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2EKDI18

The Tech That Was Fixed in 2018 and the Tech That Still Needs Fixing

By BRIAN X. CHEN from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2QNXzUx

'Apollo's Daring Mission': NASA's Epic Apollo 8 Moonshot Stars in PBS Documentary

This Christmas season marks the 50th anniversary of one of humankind's most memorable spaceflights: the Apollo 8 moon mission. The new PBS documentary Apollo's Daring Mission chronicles that epic flight.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2AdxMur

Dark Matter Can Be Mapped by Light of Unmoored Stars

Stars that have been torn from their natal galaxies and now float within huge galaxy clusters can serve as dark-matter probes, a new study suggests.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2CAh3Da

The Greatest Spaceflight Stories of 2018!

The year 2018 saw a wide range of milestones in spaceflight, stretching all the way from the sun to the edge of interstellar space. Here are some of the highlights.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2QSW3jO

Encounters with Distant Worlds: An Interview with New Horizons' Alan Stern (Exclusive)

New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern discusses the mission and its Jan. 1 flyby of the mysterious, distant object Ultima Thule.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2BR7peb

Elon Musk Teases New Details About SpaceX's Redesigned Next-Generation Launch System

SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk says a redesigned test vehicle for the company's next-generation reusable launch system could be ready for initial flights early next year.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2Q0hTgg

In Space, Astronaut Anne McClain Draws on Rugby, US Army Experience for Super-Productivity

While every astronaut is scary-busy, NASA astronaut Anne McClain stands out in a crowded field for her productivity.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2RncW61

NASA Astronauts Will Still Ride Russian Rockets After US Craft Arrive

While nothing has been signed officially yet, NASA does plan to continue flying its astronauts on the Russian Soyuz vehicle even after U.S. commercial crew vehicles come online, according to a spokesperson.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2Q1vS5s

Christmas in Orbit! Space Station Astronauts Celebrate a Special Cosmic Holiday

Merry Christmas from the International Space Station! The crew of Expedition 58 beamed home their jolly holiday wishes today (Dec. 25) on the 50th anniversary of the first Christmas in space.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2SiMzuV

Tune In LIVE Dec. 27th Coast to Coast AM with Linda Moulton Howe

3 Hours of Earthfiles news updates with Reporter and Editor Linda Moulton Howe that begin 11 PM Pacific / 2 AM Eastern: — Why Are So Many Earth Insects Dying? Report upcoming. “This Oct. 15th, 2018, PNAS report is one of the most disturbing articles I have ever read.”  –  David Wagner, Ph.D., Prof. of Ecology,  …

Continue reading "Tune In LIVE Dec. 27th Coast to Coast AM with Linda Moulton Howe"

from Earthfiles http://bit.ly/2GBfqZZ

50 Years After 'Earthrise,' a Christmas Eve Message from Its Photographer

On Dec. 24, 1968, Bill Anders orbited the moon as lunar module pilot with the Apollo 8 crew on humanity's first voyage to another world.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2CyZun9

Patreon Bars Anti-Feminist for Racist Speech, Inciting Revolt

By NELLIE BOWLES from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2GQKOEj

NORAD Still Tracking Santa Despite Government Shutdown

If you thought the government shutdown meant you could work in secrecy today, Santa, think again.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2rSha73

The Christmas Night Sky: A Yuletide Stargazing Guide

December is the month of the winter solstice, which a large part of mankind associates with such celebrations as Nativity festivals.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2LydpwH

Cosmic Wreath and Ornaments Decorate the Universe in These Space Telescope Photos

Holiday decorations glimmer under our roofs this season, and so, too, do celestial formations light up our largest home — the universe.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2SjjOOW

In Photos: India's Amazing Launch of the GSAT-7A Communications Satellite

On Dec. 19, 2018, the Indian Space Research Organisation launched the GSAT-7A communications satellite into orbit atop a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. See the launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in photos here!

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2QNl8wx

Pentagon Analyzing Possible Missions for a New Space Development Agency

DoD spokesman: "The intent is to ensure DoD leverages commercial space technology and accelerates the development and delivery of new capabilities."

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2AoibIX

US Air Force Releasing More Data on Orbits of Military Satellites

As the Commerce Department works on plans to take over civilian space traffic management responsibilities, the U.S. Air Force is making more data available on the positions of military satellites.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2CwY10M

George H.W. Bush's Overlooked Legacy in Space Exploration

George H.W. Bush's presidency came at a key turning point in NASA's history and ultimately contributed to the success of the International Space Station, NASA leadership and today's space policy.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2ENg4lM

Against the Blackness of Space: From the First Atlas to 'Earthrise'

The astronauts of Apollo 8 rode the chariot of history to take the first pictures of Earth from space fifty years ago.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2T8EqJw

Massive Star Is So Big It Gives Birth to a Tiny Twin

It's one of the first times such a stellar phenomenon has been observed.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2CxagKQ

Earthrise: 50 Years Ago Today, Apollo 8 Changed Humanity's Vision of Earth Forever

Chances are good that you've never seen Earth in its entirety, on a planetary scale, with your own eyes. Chances are also good that you have seen a photograph of precisely that — like this very image, the first of its kind.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2T3o2de

Launch Photos! SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Soars with 1st GPS III Navigation Satellite

On Dec. 23, 2018, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the first of a new breed of GPS satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. See photos from the amazing launch here!

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2PVyzp2

SpaceX Launches Super-Accurate Next-Gen GPS Satellite for US Air Force

The first advanced, next-gen "GPS III" satellite rode to space today (Dec. 22) atop a two-stage SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 9:21 a.m. EST (1421 GMT).

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2V9tQnJ

Supermoon Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse of 2019: Complete Guide

Overnight from Jan. 20 to Jan. 21, 2019, millions of people in North and South America can enjoy a full hour of a total lunar eclipse.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2Si9LcK

Air Force Open to Reusable Rockets, but SpaceX Must First Demonstrate Performance

The Air Force will need time to review SpaceX's performance as it executes EELV launches before it would consider flying military payloads on reusable rockets.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2EJuGm1

NASA Data Breach Highlights Agency Cybersecurity Problems

A cyberattack that may have compromised information about current and former NASA employees is only the latest sign of ongoing information security problems that have plagued the agency for years.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2CvsegI

Storytime in Space: Canadian Astronaut Reads 'Explorers Club' Children's Book in Orbit

After just two weeks in space, it looks like rookie Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques is feeling really comfortable in microgravity.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2rOrXPG

A New Class of 'Light' Super-Earth May Be Heavy in Rubies and Sapphires

A newfound kind of super-Earth alien planet might glitter with rubies and sapphires, a new study finds.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2BB3a65

The 100 Best Space Photos of 2018!

The year 2018 revealed some truly amazing views of Earth, the planets and the cosmos, and we've got the photos to prove. Check out 100 of the most amazing space photos of the year here.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2QMxMMA

Space Force Proposal Creates an Independent Service Under the Department of the Air Force

A preface to the draft legislative proposal says this "represents an initial effort to statutorily establish a United States Space Force as a 6th Armed Force within the Department of the Air Force."

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2V4ZIJZ

FCC Fines Swarm $900,000 for Unauthorized Smallsat Launch

Swarm Technologies will pay $900,000 to settle an investigation by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission into the startup's launch of four picosatellites on an Indian rocket this January without regulatory approval, the FCC announced Dec. 20.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2LwItNb

Senate Passes Commercial Space Bill

The Senate approved legislation Dec. 20 to reform commercial space regulations and extend the life of the International Space Station, but the passage may be too late for this bill to become law.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2rOScFw

A Dazzling Fireball Over California Thrilled Skywatchers This Week! See the Photos.

Lots of people got to admire, and puzzle over, the fireball that blazed up off the coast of Northern California just after sunset on Wednesday (Dec. 19).

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2EIcw45

This Icy Crater Near Mars' North Pole Is a Winter Wonderland (Photos)

Images of an "ever-icy" Martian crater reveal a distant yet mesmerizing winter wonderland.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2GA7UyB

These Christmas Videos by Space Station Astronauts Are Simply Adorable

Astronauts already decked the halls of the International Space Station for the holidays, if a new video is any indication.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2Gwshg6

Why the F.T.C. Is Taking a New Look at Facebook Privacy

By NATASHA SINGER from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2CuM4Zp

High Winds Delay SpaceX Launch of Advanced GPS Navigation Satellite

The private spaceflight company SpaceX called off the attempted launch of an advanced GPS satellite for the U.S. Air Force on Saturday (Dec. 22) due to high winds in the upper atmosphere. The next attempt will be Sunday.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2SeQuc9

Legendary Scoundrel Harry Mudd Returns In Final 'Star Trek: Short Trek' Trailer: 'The Escape Artist'

CBS is clearly saving the best for last in its four-part "Short Trek" mini-series.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2BBGh2r

Christmas 'Hippo' Asteroid Is Buzzing Earth, Its Closest Flyby in 400 Years

A small asteroid is flying safely by Earth Saturday (Dec. 22) and according to the folks at NASA, it looks just like the mighty hippo in new radar images.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2Cvcj1N

Gallery: Bay Area Fireball Leaves Twisted Sky Trail

A fireball lit up the skies over Northern California on Dec. 19, 2018, and left a spectacular, wind-twisted trail behind it. See photos here.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2SaTo1O

50 Years Ago on Christmas Eve 1968, Apollo 8 Photographed This Earth Rise

                                  December 21, 2018  Albuquerque, New Mexico – Apollo 8, the second manned spaceflight mission in the United States Apollo space program, was launched fifty years ago on December 21, 1968, and became the first manned spacecraft to leave low …

Continue reading "50 Years Ago on Christmas Eve 1968, Apollo 8 Photographed This Earth Rise"

from Earthfiles http://bit.ly/2EHwwDP

Watch the Apollo 8 Crew Recount Their Historic Moon Mission in This Epic NASA Video

In a NASA video released for the 50th anniversary of their launch, astronauts James Lovell, William Anders and Frank Borman recount their dramatic mission around the moon.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2T4QT0W

Ultima Thule Shines a Puzzling Light As New Horizons Spacecraft Approaches

There's something weird going on with Ultima Thule, the distant object that NASA's New Horizons spacecraft will fly by just 10 days from now.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2EC6eSE

Government Shutdown 2018: How It Would Affect NASA

Here's what would happen to NASA if the United States government does indeed shut down after midnight tonight (Dec. 21).

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2V39tsc

December Solstice 2018! Satellites See the Seasons Change from Space

The December solstice arrived today (Dec. 21), marking the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer for the Southern Hemisphere.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2CtwCfS

Vibrant Nebulas and Zodiacal Light Gleam Over Portuguese Waterfall (Photo)

Red-violet nebulas and brilliant star clusters embellish the winter Milky Way in this vertical panorama captured from Pulo do Lobo, a waterfall located in the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve of southern Portugal.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2GD9nnR

Christmas Comet 46P Is Making the Season Bright (and Green) for Scientists

Just in time for Christmas, the latest apparition of a comet shines like a beautiful ornament in the sky — a delightful green-shrouded treat for amateurs and scientists alike.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2R7WLJD

JD.com Chief Richard Liu Will Not Be Charged With Sexual Assault

By TIFFANY HSU and RAYMOND ZHONG from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2rS18de

December Full Moon 2018: The 'Cold Moon' Marks the Start of Winter This Weekend

The Full Cold Moon of Dec. 22, 2018, comes just after a conjunction with the bright star Aldebaran.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2ELDcRs

Shuttle Veterans Buchli, Kavandi to Enter Astronaut Hall of Fame

A member of NASA's "Thirty-Five New Guys" and the 35th woman to fly into space will enter the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in April.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2PUo1Gw

2019 Full Moon Calendar

The full moon happens once a month. Find out when.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2sIzP4o

Winter Solstice 2018! Google Doodle Celebrates Year's Shortest Day

Today marks the solstice, when the seasons change, and Google has designed a pair of charming animated doodles to commemorate the celestial moment.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2rREL7K

Astronaut Mike Massimino on NASA's Apollo 8 Mission: Facebook Live and Giveaway Today!

NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, who flew twice to fix the Hubble Space Telescope, will discuss the importance of the Apollo 8 mission with Space.com today in a Facebook Live between 12:30 p.m. and 12:45 pm. EST (1730-1745 GMT). Tune in!

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2LsQEtU

The Week in Tech: Hostages in the U.S. and China Tech Cold War

By RAYMOND ZHONG from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2PUV3q7

Wild 'Tunnelbot' Designs Could Crack Secrets of Icy Jupiter Moon Europa

The icy shell encasing Jupiter's moon Europa is both a promise and a problem, since it blocks scientists from getting a good look at what's going on under the ice.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2LuDAEn

New Horizons May Make Yet Another Flyby After Ultima Thule

NASA's history-making New Horizons spacecraft may not be done with deep-space flybys after its highly anticipated New Year's Day encounter.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2A9Zrg5

Apollo 8 Launched 1st Astronauts Around the Moon 50 Years Ago Today Despite Big Risks

There's a fine line between daring and reckless, and in hindsight, it might be argued that NASA perhaps fell on the wrong side of that line 50 years ago today.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2PQqO3P

Apollo 8 at 50: NASA Chief Speaks Out on a US Return to the Moon

Spaceflight has changed immensely over the past half century, with the differences highlighted in the contrast between the Apollo program's feverish push and the fitful discussions and abandoned moon missions of recent decades.

from Space.com http://bit.ly/2CsrMQ7

The 2018 Good Tech Awards

By KEVIN ROOSE from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2V3e11Q

Last-Minute Shoppers Increasingly Trust Only Amazon to Deliver

By KAREN WEISE from NYT Technology https://nyti.ms/2ButJdc

Track NASA's New Horizons Flyby of Ultima Thule with Free Pluto Safari App

The free Pluto Safari app let New Horizons fans track the probe's flyby of Pluto in 2015, and now it's set to follow the journey past the distant body Ultima Thule on New Year's Day.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2QKBW7u

Virgin Galactic's Epic 1st Spaceflight Inspires Richard Branson's Message to Grandkids (Video)

Virgin Galactic's first-ever spaceflight last week spurred company founder Sir Richard Branson to pen a touching letter to his grandkids, as a new video shows.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2LrnVpk

Virgin Orbit's Rocket-Launching Plane Keeps Taking Test Flights with LauncherOne

The dazzling first trip to space by Virgin Galactic's crewed SpaceShipTwo Unity may have grabbed headlines last week, but another Virgin space launch company recently hit a milestone of its own.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2QGf74R

U. K.’s Gatwick Airport Shut Down for 20+ Hours By 2 Remotely-Piloted Rogue Drones

“Each time we believe we get close to the operator, the drone disappears. When we look to reopen the Gatwick airfield, the drone reappears. So I’m absolutely convinced it is a deliberate act to disrupt Gatwick Airport.” — Justin Burtenshaw, Police Investigator, Disruptive Aerial Drones, U. K.’s Gatwick Airport, London   December 20, 2018  London, …

Continue reading "U. K.’s Gatwick Airport Shut Down for 20+ Hours By 2 Remotely-Piloted Rogue Drones"

from Earthfiles https://ift.tt/2EGVUcL

Ofo, Pioneer of China’s Bike-Sharing Boom, Is in a Crisis

By RAYMOND ZHONG and CAROLYN ZHANG from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2UZcucV

Quadrantid Meteor Shower 2019: When, Where & How to See It

The 2019 Quadrantid meteor shower will peak on Thursday (Jan. 3), and the moon will be favorable to see the faint display of "shooting stars." Here's our guide.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2gTk9H9

Blue Origin Delays Next New Shepard Launch to Early 2019

Blue Origin's 10th New Shepard flight — scheduled to launch on Dec. 18 before being delayed to no earlier than tomorrow (Dec. 21) — has now been pushed to early 2019, according to a statement the company posted on Twitter.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Sc6cVF

Lunar Eclipses: What Are They & When Is the Next One?

Lunar eclipses occur when Earth's shadow blocks the sun. There are three types; the most dramatic is a total lunar eclipse. Find out when is the next one.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2fj5cAh

Space Gifts 2018: Stellar Deals on Celestron Telescopes and Binoculars

Inspire others to look up this holiday season by giving the gift of a telescope or astronomy binoculars! We've rounded up some of the best deals on Celestron products for sale on Amazon right now.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2AbcP4G

The Best 'Star Wars' Holiday Gifts and Deals in 2018

The holidays are upon us and fans don't have to travel to a galaxy far, far away to score Jedi-worthy deals. May the force be with you!

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2zLxOLo

The Best Lego Deals for Space Fans

Attention, Lego fans! We've scoured Amazon.com for the best holiday shopping deals on Lego sets that are space or science-themed, as well as many science-fiction-themed sets.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2mCMtmv

Space Gifts 2018: The Best Holiday Deals for Space Fans

It's shopping season, space fans, so here's a round-up of the best deals online for out-of-this-world telescopes, toys and more.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2zcS8We

NSF announces awards for soft robotics research

NSF announces awards for soft robotics research

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is investing $20 million in 10 research awards to push forward the frontiers of engineering research in soft robotics.

"Configurable, strong, mobile robots could safely explore environments too hostile for humans, such as disaster zones and the deep ocean," said Dawn Tilbury, NSF's assistant director for Engineering. "They could allow unprecedented extension of human perception and action to places we've only dreamed about, opening up vast ...

More at https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=297532&WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click

This is an NSF News item.

Published December 20, 2018 at 08:30PM
Read more at nsf.gov

See the First 'Men In Black: International' Trailer!

The first trailer for Sony Pictures' "Men In Black: International" has been released, with the memorable "Thor: Ragnarok" duo of Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson teaming up once again to fight aliens.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EBvQin

Dismal Weather Delays SpaceX Launch of GPS Satellite for US Air Force

SpaceX postponed the launch of a new GPS navigation satellite for the U.S. Air Force today (Dec. 20) due to dismal weather over the mission's Florida launch site.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EBrOqC

Uber’s Driverless Cars Return to the Road After Fatal Crash

By KATE CONGER from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2RescBM

SpaceX's 1st Crew Dragon Spaceship Gets Ready for Debut Mission (Photos)

SpaceX just released two new photos of a completed Crew Dragon capsule, which is scheduled to launch on its debut mission to the International Space Station on Jan. 17.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Gzpwuy

NASA's InSight Lander Plops Seismometer on Mars to Hunt Marsquakes

For the first time ever, a robot has deployed a science instrument onto the surface on Mars.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Scy63J

NASA Builds a 'Martian Rock Garden' to Prep Moves for InSight Mars Lander

NASA's Mars InSight lander is gearing up to deploy its science instruments on the Red Planet. Here on Earth, InSight's twin spacecraft, ForeSight, has beat it to the punch.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2A6T3pS

Brilliant Fireball in California Leaves Twisted Trail Over San Francisco (Photos)

A fireball lit up the sky over the San Francisco Bay Area shortly after sunset Wednesday (Dec. 19), leaving an odd, wind-twisted trail in its violent wake.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rLtxC1

Soyuz Crew Returns to Earth After a Memorable 6 Months in Space

Three space station crewmembers returned to Earth today (Dec. 20) after a remarkably eventful stay aboard the orbiting laboratory.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2A7fxH0

Rocket Glitch Delays Spy Satellite Launch Again

Wednesday's (Dec. 19) planned launch of the NROL-71 spy satellite was scrubbed due to a rocket glitch. The liftoff is now scheduled for Thursday (Dec. 20) at 8:31 p.m. EST (0131 GMT on Dec. 21).

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2S9PBBN

5 Ways Facebook Shared Your Data

By JENNIFER VALENTINO-DeVRIES from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2rOjXxW

Facebook Rebuked for Failing to Disclose Data-Sharing Deals

By MICHAEL LaFORGIA, NICHOLAS CONFESSORE and GABRIEL J.X. DANCE from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2Lrl1B0

What We Can Learn About Online Privacy From Climate Change

By ALAN HENRY from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2EERHGv

Wow! Geminid Meteor Shower and Comet 46P Dazzle Skywatchers (Photos)

The Geminid meteor shower of 2018 has lived up to its reputation for being the most spectacular meteor shower of the year, and skywatchers around the world have captured some amazing views of the celestial firework display.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2CoUVfi

Arianespace Launches Spy Satellite for France on Soyuz Rocket

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket successfully launched a new reconnaissance satellite into orbit for France Wednesday (Dec. 19), the first of a new constellation of spy satellites for the French military.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2GxJV37

Where's All the Water on Mars? Scientists (and Future Astronauts) Need to Know

"Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink" epitomized terrestrial seafaring exploration, and precisely the same problem may haunt any future explorers on Mars.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2GtdvXm

From Auroras to Airglow, Returning Astronaut's Home Video from Space a Holiday Treat

Two astronauts and a cosmonaut are scheduled to return home days before Christmas, and one crewmember comes bearing a special gift: breathtaking video footage from space.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rJEILn

‘The Effects Cannot Be Overstated’: When Tech Invaded Media

By JIM RUTENBERG from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2Cnebtj

Facebook Sued by District of Columbia Over Cambridge Analytica

By SHEERA FRENKEL from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2A5yVEA

Google’s Marketing of Kids’ Apps Misleads Parents, Consumer Groups Say

By NATASHA SINGER and JENNIFER VALENTINO-DeVRIES from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2A9pW5b

India Launches Hefty Communications Satellite Into Orbit to Cap Busy 2018

India has successfully squeezed a seventh launch into the year, using an upgraded version of the country's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle to place a massive communications satellite into orbit for the Indian Air Force today (Dec. 19).

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2UX1Qn1

How to Rescue, Repair and Revive Old Family Photos

By J. D. BIERSDORFER from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2S5mK1r

SpaceX, Blue Origin Postpone Rocket Launches Again Due to Technical Issues

Two back-to-back launches by SpaceX and Blue Origin will have to wait a bit longer for liftoff after technical issues forced both companies to call off launch attempts scheduled for today (Dec. 19).

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2A0vNtB

President Trump Issues Order to Create US Space Command

President Trump on Tuesday directed the Department of Defense to establish a U.S. Space Command as a unified combatant command.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2A9n5cm

Matter Sucked in by Black Holes May Travel into the Future, Get Spit Back Out

What happens at the center of a black hole? Not a singularity, as Einstein’s theories predict.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2SgW6m8

NASA's InSight Lander Plays the Claw Game on Mars for 1st Time (Video)

InSight, which landed on the Red Planet on Nov. 26, has already used its claw-like grapple to snag one of its main science instruments, as a newly released image sequence shows.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2A7xd5H

New Horizons Spacecraft on Target for Superclose Flyby of Ultima Thule

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft will indeed get very close to the mysterious, distant object Ultima Thule on New Year's Day.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Bq0wA6

Cosmic Love Triangle forms with Moon, Venus and the Pleiades (Photo)

A beautiful crescent moon with visible earthshine forms a triangle with the Pleiades star cluster and the bright planet Venus just after sunset in this twilight scene.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2QFU4Q5

As Facebook Raised a Privacy Wall, It Carved an Opening for Tech Giants

By GABRIEL J.X. DANCE, MICHAEL LaFORGIA and NICHOLAS CONFESSORE from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2SZUbmf

Mysterious Explosions Persist in Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona

“It’s a big blast. It’s definitely not an M-80, it’s definitely not a firework. It’s definitely some type of explosive powder ordinance.” — Adan Sanchez, resident in 43rd Avenue to 27th Avenue December 18, 2018 Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona – Since October 2018, the Phoenix Police Department and local TV stations have received several reports of …

Continue reading "Mysterious Explosions Persist in Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona"

from Earthfiles https://ift.tt/2CmpkuI

Air Force Launch Commander 'Not Confident' GPS 3 Satellite Will Lift Off as Scheduled

SpaceX on Tuesday scrubbed the Falcon 9 launch of the Air Force’s first GPS 3 satellite. Another attempt is planned for Wednesday at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EvAPkL

World's First Private Moon Lander Will Carry Israeli Time Capsule

The first-ever private moon mission is expected to launch in February 2019, and it will carry some extra-special Israeli cargo to the lunar surface.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Eyh3VE

France, Not Waiting for European Union, to Tax U.S. Tech Firms as ’19 Starts

By LIZ ALDERMAN from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2ClrB9e

Elf on a (Really High) Shelf! Astronaut Brings Christmas Cheer to Space Station

While NASA astronaut Anne McClain can't take her son to space with her, she's spreading Christmas cheer for all kids watching her cosmic Elf on the Shelf campaign.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Ez6HpH

Swift As the Moon's Shadow: Special Solar Eclipse Flight Planned for July 2019

For the next total eclipse of the sun, set for July of next year, an aircraft will fly into the shadow of the moon. And this journey is special.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EtzBXh

NASA Looks to Private Companies for Help Building Reusable Moon Landers for Astronauts

NASA has serious plans to send astronauts back to the moon by 2028, and the agency is looking for help from U.S. companies to develop technology to accomplish this feat.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rHfPzX

Huawei’s ‘Wolf Culture’ Helped It Grow, and Got It Into Trouble

By RAYMOND ZHONG from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2A6d0NA

SpaceX and Blue Origin Just Scrubbed Near-Simultaneous Rocket Launches (Arianespace, Too!)

With no less than FOUR rocket launches by four different companies, today promised to be an epic one for space fans. But by mid-morning, two of the most anticipated launches by SpaceX and Blue Origin were scrubbed by glitches.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Cjj6LN

'Mars' Finale Wraps Season 2 with Terror and Tragedy on the Red Planet

The whirlwind second season of National Geographic's "Mars" concludes tonight (Dec. 17) with a bang. In this final episode, the world watches as boundaries are pushed and lives are both saved and lost on Mars.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rJRGZC

Saturn's Rings Are Beautiful, But They Won't Last

Chances are, you wouldn't recognize Saturn without its trademark thick band of rings. But if you could travel 300 million years into the future, you would need to, because by then, chances are those rings would be gone — and they could disappear even fast

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2GsRng5

Metal Earth Model Kits Celebrate Apollo History and Starliner's Future

A scale model company is celebrating the past and future of U.S. spacecraft with the latest additions to its popular Metal Earth line.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Evwo9Q

Time Travel Is Possible — But Only If You Have an Object With Infinite Mass

Who wouldn't want to travel in time, glimpsing the dinosaurs or peeking at humans 2,000 years from now? Now physicists have designed a time machine that seems deceptively simple.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rHcdhk

Could Life on Mars Be Lurking Deep Underground?

To find life on Mars, scientists may need to "go deep."

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2LmhtQF

Russian Trolls Came for Instagram, Too

By KEVIN ROOSE from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2BsMIor

Watch Blue Origin Launch Its New Shepard Spaceship Today! Tune In @ 9 am ET

Blue Origin, the private spaceflight company founded by Jeff Bezos, will launch experiments for NASA on a suborbital rocket ride today (Dec. 18) using a New Shepard spacecraft and you can watch the action live here. Liftoff is at 9:30 a.m. EST (1430 GMT).

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2GpCDys

Walt Mossberg, Veteran Technology Journalist, Quits Facebook

By DANIEL VICTOR from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2QBl8Qv

You Can Watch FOUR Rocket Launches Online Today By SpaceX, Blue Origin & More!

If you're a space fan, Christmas comes a week early this year. There are four — count 'em, four! — launches scheduled to take place today (Dec. 18), and you can watch them all live.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Bssdbt

A Toaster on Wheels to Deliver Groceries? Self-Driving Tech Tests Practical Uses

By CADE METZ from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2UT2nqb

Will Trump Launch Space Command This Week?

“This new command structure for the physical domain of space, led by a four-star flag officer, will establish unified command and control for our Space Force operations, ensure integration across the military, and develop the space warfighting doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures of the future.” — Mike Pence, U. S. Vice President at Pentagon, August …

Continue reading "Will Trump Launch Space Command This Week?"

from Earthfiles https://ift.tt/2STFX6o

Tech Companies Dragged Feet on Russian Interference Data, Reports Say

By SHEERA FRENKEL, DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI and KATE CONGER from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2S7MhqG

US Mint Reveals Coin Honoring American Indians in Space Program

The United States Mint has revealed the design for its 2019 coin celebrating the roles of Native Americans in NASA history.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2LlrltL

NSF Apps

NSF Apps

Whether you're a teacher, student or just fascinated by science, the NSF Science Zone app will ignite your imagination. If you want the latest news, interviews and discussions about science, technology, engineering, and math, the Science360 Radio app is for you. Learn more about NSF's apps for iOS and Android mobile devices.

More at https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/apps/index.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_51

This is an NSF News item.

Published December 18, 2018 at 02:35AM
Read more at nsf.gov

Steph Curry Tells Former Astronaut Scott Kelly Moon-Landing Comment Was 'Made in Jest'

Steph Curry is sorry for all the trouble his moon-landing comments have caused.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Eq510I

Social Media’s Forever War

By KEVIN ROOSE from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2PEEL4J

Blue Origin to Launch Next New Shepard Test Flight Tuesday

Blue Origin plans to conduct the next test flight of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle Dec. 18 as the company moves closer to flying people into space.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2GrEPFx

Bizarre 'Dark Fluid' with Negative Mass Could Dominate the Universe

Forget about dark matter and dark energy, new research suggests that the existence of 'dark fluid' may solve some of the biggest mysteries in physics.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2CkhVMh

Scientists Proposed a Nuclear 'Tunnelbot' to Hunt Life in Europa's Hidden Ocean

A group of scientists wants to send a nuclear-powered "tunnelbot" to Europa to blaze a path through its thick shell of ice and search for life.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2A3nk8N

'Farout!' Newfound Object Is the Farthest Solar System Body Ever Spotted

A newly discovered object is the most-distant body ever observed in the solar system — and the first object ever found circling at more than 100 times the distance from Earth to the sun.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2QyVVpy

That Eerie Green Comet Visible in the Night Sky Now? We Almost Sent a Probe There.

If you were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the bright green December visitor known as Comet 46P/Wirtanen this weekend as it made its closest approach, you are just a tiny bit luckier than the Rosetta spacecraft.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EAOSGD

Apollo 8 Astronaut James Lovell Looks Back On a Historic Flight Around the Moon

On Dec. 21, 1968, James Lovell and two fellow pilots piled into a tiny capsule and set off into the unknown, becoming the first humans to fly around the moon.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2PJrmbo

NASA Advisory Council Recommends Review of Planetary Protection Policies

The NASA Advisory Council has recommended that NASA review its existing planetary protection guidelines to balance the needs of science and exploration, an effort that could set the stage for a similar revision at the international level.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2URvEBh

Secrets of Planet Birth Revealed in Amazing ALMA Radio Telescope Images

Gas and dust disks around young stars reveal features that suggest planets are off to an early start.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2GmQVjp

Google to Add $1 Billion New York Campus for 7,000 More Workers

By ED SHANAHAN from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2Lo3LfZ

What's the Weather On Mars? How NASA's Insight Lander Will Find Out.

NASA's new Mars lander isn't quite ready to probe the Red Planet's interior yet, but it's starting to get the lay of the land on the surface — and in the atmosphere.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2PJn2ZI

Tech Workers Got Paid in Company Stock. They Used It to Agitate for Change.

By KATE CONGER from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2LmnFYB

DARPA's Next Project: Design A Space Development Agency

Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Mike Griffin directed Fred Kennedy, director of DARPA's Tactical Technology Office, to lead a study team and come up with recommendations for the "implementation of the Space Development Agency."

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EpdeSU

Virgin Galactic Flight Wins Praise From Government and Industry

While some question whether Virgin Galactic's latest SpaceShipTwo test flight actually went into space, a number of government officials and industry organizations have few doubts that it did.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EzrCsF

Tour Jezero Crater! Fly Over the Landing Site of NASA's Next Mars Rover (Video)

A new video gives a bird's-eye view of the ancient lake bed that NASA's next Mars rover will scour for signs of long-dead life.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2UMEzE9

Fireball That Exploded Over Greenland Shook Earth, Triggering Seismic Sensors

These are the first-ever seismic recordings of a meteor impact on ice in Greenland.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2LkmiKb

Rocket Lab Launches 13 Cubesats on 1st Mission for NASA

A Rocket Lab Electron booster lifted off from the company's launch site on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula early this morning (Dec. 16), successfully delivering 13 tiny satellites to orbit for NASA.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rCU2cv

This Week's Top Space Stories!

NASA's InSight lander picks up the sounds of windy Mars, Voyager 2 travels into interstellar space and researchers estimate record-breaking levels of carbon emissions for 2018 in this week's top stories.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2sd6VvC

Awesome Photos! The Geminid Meteor Shower of 2018 in Pictures

In mid-December 2018, the 2018 Geminid meteor shower peaked in what was the best meteor shower of the year. See amazing photos of the 2018 Geminids in our photo gallery here.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2zTS6RF

NASA Lunar Orbiter Now Supporting Commercial and International Missions

A NASA spacecraft originally built as part of the previous effort to return humans to the moon is now playing a key role in the new effort at human lunar return, including aiding commercial landers.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2PEySof

The Rubber Ducky Comet Blasted a Magnetic Path Through Space

Rosetta's comet sent a magnetic shock wave screaming out in front of it, blazing a trail through the stellar wind. And scientists just found it.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2ElWVGn

Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson Looks Ahead to Beginning Commercial SpaceShipTwo Flights

With a first flight to the edge of space under the company's belt, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson believes commercial flights of SpaceShipTwo could begin some time next year.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rDHmm0

Meet OWL and HIBOU! Japan's Asteroid Hoppers Get New Names

Japan's pioneering Hayabusa2 asteroid hoppers have gotten new names.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2GifePq

How to See Ghostly Green Comet 46P/Wirtanen Fly by Earth This Weekend

You can expect a ghostly green blob to grow brighter in the sky near Orion in the coming days, as Comet 46P/Wirtanen makes its closest approach to the Earth in 20 years this weekend.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2S3HQNR

Apple Will Update iPhones in China to Avoid a Ban on Sales

By JACK NICAS from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2QuxEkC

Geminid Meteor Shower 2018: It's Not Too Late to Catch a 'Shooting Star'!

The Geminid meteor shower has already peaked — but you still have time to try to catch sight of what will likely be the best meteor shower of the year.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rBEw0w

Virgin Galactic's Historic Space Trip Heralds a Coming Age of New US Human Spaceflight Leaps

Virgin Galactic just brought human spaceflight back to American soil after a seven-year hiatus — and other private companies are poised to make some giant leaps of their own.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2SLVNzN

This New Full-Length Trailer for 'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 2 Is Spock-tacular!

We get to see lots more of Spock in the new full-length trailer for "Star Trek: Discovery" Season 2 plus, we learn a little more about the so-called "red angel."

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2PA5z6d

US Mint Marks 'First Strike' of Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Curved Coins

The U.S. Mint has struck its initial coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Gjk0Mo

Facebook Says Bug Opened Access to Private Photos

By MIKE ISAAC from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2Ccnk7V

The Week in Tech: Sundar Pichai Has a Chat With Congress

By DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2rDuxYQ

NASA's Voyager 2 Went Interstellar the Same Day a Solar Probe Touched the Sun

Call it a cosmic coincidence: Two probes launched four decades apart, traveled in opposite directions — and ended up using similar instruments to gather milestone data on precisely the same day.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2PxMz8l

Early Universe 'Soup' Cooked Up in Weird Plasma Blobs

For the first split second after the Big Bang, the universe was nothing but an extremely hot "soup" of quarks and gluons — subatomic particles that would become the building blocks of protons and neutrons.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2GiVJpK

'Smoking Gun' Planet: This Neptune-Size Alien World Is Evaporating in Record Time

A gaseous alien world is evaporating at a record rate, shedding considerable light on an exoplanet mystery, a new study reports.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2RZjOTX

See Mars Near the Moon in the Night Sky Tonight! Here's How.

The moon lights the way to the Red Planet tonight (Dec. 14) as the two objects make a close approach to each other in the evening sky.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rCgjHr

After Yellow Vests Come Off, Activists in France Use Facebook to Protest and Plan

By ELIAN PELTIER and ADAM SATARIANO from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2Cc8PBi

'Billion-Dollar View'! See Incredible Footage from Virgin Galactic's 1st Spaceflight (Video)

Watch the vehicles separate, the engine blaze and the horizon spin in dramatic in-flight video taken from today's (Dec. 13) flight of Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2GpJjMK

Richard Branson Biography: Entrepreneur of Space Tourism

Richard Branson, through his company Virgin Galactic, plans to offer flights into space for paying customers by 2015.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2gSP0al

Chase for Talent Pushes Tech Giants Far Beyond West Coast

By JACK NICAS and KAREN WEISE from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2QVNeFu

Meteor Lighted Up New England Plus Reports of “Deep Rolling” Boom Sound and Shaking

“Caught it out bedroom window as I was getting into bed. Crazy bright pulsing light through transom window right over headboard.”  – Ryan B, Portland, Maine December 13, 2018 Albuquerque, New Mexico – After midnight on December 12, 2018, southern Maine residents in the Portland region from Durham to Boothbay Harbor and York County contacted …

Continue reading "Meteor Lighted Up New England Plus Reports of “Deep Rolling” Boom Sound and Shaking"

from Earthfiles https://ift.tt/2PA7l7b

Where DOES Space Begin? Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Flies Right into the Debate

"SpaceShipTwo, welcome to space," reads a triumphant tweet from Virgin Galactic posted during today's successful test flight after the company's vehicle reached 51.4 miles (82.7 kilometers) in altitude.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2BfTmOS

Small Magellanic Cloud: A Satellite Dwarf Galaxy Neighbor

For hundreds of years the Small Magellanic Cloud has provided astronomers with a relatively close-up view of another galaxy.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EuMfG7

NASA's Insight Lander on Mars Spotted from Space!

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter photographed the InSight lander, as well as the hardware that helped the stationary robot ace its Nov. 26 touchdown on the equatorial plain known as Elysium Planitia.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2QtScJP

How YouTube’s Year-in-Review Video Set Off a Civil War

By KEVIN ROOSE from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2SNRGTW

Here's the Weather Forecast for the 2018 Geminid Meteor Shower

For those hoping to get a glimpse of tonight's Geminid meteor shower, the weather across the United States will either be very good or very bad.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2LdMAhf

Hubble Space Telescope Will Track Comet 46P/Wirtanen As It Flies Close by Earth

A comet is set to pass close to Earth this weekend, providing a treat for skywatchers — and for astronomers hoping to learn more about the building blocks of the early solar system.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2SM0uJM

Millions of Degrees and Plasma Dreams: NASA's Parker Solar Probe Basks in the Sun

The Parker Solar Probe is doing well after its first flyby of the sun, and it will soon begin returning groundbreaking data about how our star behaves.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Bf32Jw

Google Doodle Celebrates the Geminid Meteor Shower of 2018 (And It's ADORABLE!)

The 2018 Geminid meteor shower peaks overnight tonight (Dec. 13) and Google is celebrating the celestial light show with a Google Doodle that is simply adorable.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2QymbAr

In Photos: Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Unity Soars to Space in 4th Powered Test

Virgin Galactic conducted its fourth powered test flight of the SpaceShipTwo Unity on Dec. 13, 2018, marking the first time the ship reached space, and the photos are incredible. See photos from the test flight here.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2En5pge

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Reaches Space for 1st Time in Historic Test Flight!

For the first time ever, Virgin Galactic has reached space — by one definition, anyway.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2QrKgsA

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Unity Test Flight Twitter Updates!

Virgin Galactic is conducting the fourth powered test flight of its SpaceShipTwo Unity today and chronicling the attempt - its highest and fastest test flight yet - on Twitter. Check out the awesome updates here. It might even reach space!

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2UIPbEi

Dans les écoles françaises, la leçon du jour : à quel tweet se fier ?

By ADAM SATARIANO and ELIAN PELTIER from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2LdriAl

Geminid Meteor Shower 2018: When, Where & How to See It

The Geminid meteor shower peaks the night of Dec. 13-14. This guide tells you the best times and places to see these shooting stars (no equipment necessary).

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2usEJas

Black Dwarf Stars: The (Theoretical) End of Stellar Evolution

A black dwarf is all that is left after a white dwarf star burns off all of its heat, but retains its mass.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2uLego0

Apple to Add $1 Billion Campus and 5,000 Jobs in Texas

By AMIE TSANG from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2S2oJDS

Boundary of Space Being Reconsidered as Virgin Galactic Test Program Advances

As Virgin Galactic gets closer to its first suborbital flights into space, a potential change in terminology could make it easier for the company to achieve that milestone.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2LevK1x

Geminid Meteor Shower and Shining Comet 46P/Wirtanen Star in Slooh Webcast: How to Watch

The Geminid meteor shower will provide a shining backdrop for the approach of Comet 46P/Wirtanen on Thursday (Dec. 13), shortly before the object's closest approach to Earth in 20 years.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Pzm6an

Look Up! Gleaming Geminid Meteor Shower of 2018 Peaks Tonight

Head for dark, clear skies tonight — overnight Dec. 13-14 — to see the shooting stars of the Geminid Meteor Shower overhead.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2QIVKHN

After Harrowing Launch Abort, Astronaut Nick Hague Is Ready for Another Chance at Space

NASA astronaut Nick Hague is excited to clamber atop a Russian Soyuz rocket 11 weeks from now, even though his first experience with the booster didn't go so well.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EjXRLu

You May Not Even Need a Telescope to See Comet 46P/Wirtanen in the Night Sky This Month

As comets blaze across the night sky, they can bring wonder and excitement to those watching from Earth – or even a sense of impending doom.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2UH9YI4

Auroras, Lightning and Rings of Jupiter Amaze in Surprising NASA Juno Photos

Its main job is to spot the stars, but an ultrasensitive navigation camera on NASA's Juno spacecraft is returning amazing images of Jupiter's rings, auroras, lightning, and even its moonlit dark side.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rBEBS5

Mars InSight's 'Mole' Should Start Burrowing into the Red Planet Next Month

NASA's Mars InSight lander has settled into its new home on Elysium Planitia and is preparing to deploy its instruments — and if all goes well, one device's work should be complete by March.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2GeQTtR

In France, School Lessons Ask: Which Twitter Post Should You Trust?

By ADAM SATARIANO and ELIAN PELTIER from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2LcgHFA

Rocket Lab Postpones Launch of NASA Cubesats Due to Bad Weather

Bad weather forced the private spaceflight company Rocket Lab to postpone the launch of more than a dozen small satellites, including 10 for a NASA education program, company representatives said late Wednesday (Dec. 12).

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2UF2VQk

Exploding Stars Helped Kill Earth's Ancient Sea Monsters, New Study Suggests

Did an exploding star kill the Earth's biggest sharks?

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2C9gpws

NASA Space Lasers Creating Most Detailed Map Ever of Antarctica's Ice

It's measuring the highs and lows of our planet.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EsKhpM

High-Tech Degrees and the Price of an Avocado: The Data New York Gave to Amazon

By KAREN WEISE from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2rxoyVh

Watch Rocket Lab Launch a Cubesat Fleet for NASA Tonight!

The California-based startup Rocket Lab will launch 10 tiny satellites into orbit for NASA tonight and you can watch it all live online.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rHuICx

Yes, You Can Be an Ethical Tech Consumer. Here’s How.

By BRIAN X. CHEN from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2Gg851S

Amazing Photos: Brilliant Comet 46P/Wirtanen Wows Stargazers

See skywatcher photos of the bright-green, naked-eye Comet 46P/Wirtanen during its close approach to Earth in December 2018.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2PySGJx

Smithsonian, NASA Reflect on 'Spirit of Apollo' at National Cathedral

Standing beneath a stained glass window embedded with a piece of the moon, Jim Lovell recalled his journey into lunar orbit 50 years ago.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rwPapz

What Is Parallax?

Parallax is a method of measuring the distance to nearby objects in space. It is also a method used to display 3D images.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2t31EIk

The Most Important Kitchen Tools This Holiday (or Any Season, Really)

By MELISSA CLARK from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2EtupDE

Virgin Galactic to Attempt Flight to Space This Week

Virgin Galactic plans to perform the next test flight of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane as soon as Dec. 13, a flight that could be the first by the vehicle to reach at least one definition of space.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2rxmFYz

Chang'e 4 Spacecraft Enters Lunar Orbit Ahead of 1st-Ever Far Side Landing

China's Chang'e 4 lander and rover spacecraft successfully entered lunar orbit Wednesday (Dec. 12) following a four-and-a-half-day flight to the moon.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2EvdaSm

China's Chang'e 4 Moon Lander and Rover to Touch Down As Toys

China's recently launched mission to land a rover on the far side of the moon will also touch down on toy store shelves.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2zWDvon

A Gift from the Cosmos: Watch Comet 46P/Wirtanen's Holiday Visit Live Online

If holiday travel seems daunting, keep in mind that Comet 46P/Wirtanen traveled all the way from Jupiter's orbit to visit this season.

from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Ei3RUN

Two contract employees die in Antarctica

Two contract employees die in Antarctica

Two fire technicians at the National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station in Antarctica have been pronounced dead following an incident at a generator building that powers a radio transmitter near the station.

The incident, which still is under investigation, occurred on Dec. 12 local time (McMurdo Station keeps New Zealand time).

NSF is not releasing any personal information about the deceased at this time. Their next of kin have been notified.

The workers were ...

More at https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=297454&WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click

This is an NSF News item.

Published December 12, 2018 at 10:03PM
Read more at nsf.gov