The Cosmic Tap » astronomy

NASA Phoenix: We Did It

Anthony — Sun, 25 May 2008 23:54:49 +0000

NASA’s Phoenix has completed its 422 million mile journey, successfully executed its extremely tricky EDL (entry, descent, and landing) sequence, and is safely on the ground on Mars. It is now communicating with NASA at eight megabits per second and preparing to be the first earthly probe to dig below the Martian soil for life. Amazing shit.

All Eyes on NASA’s Phoenix

Anthony — Sun, 25 May 2008 07:02:44 +0000

Just a few hours until touchdown. Updates here.

Harvard Astro-Comb Scours for Earthlike Worlds

Anthony — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:49:27 +0000

Cool stuff at Discovery News.

Cool Avalanche Shots from Mars

Anthony — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:51:54 +0000

NASA has some cool new shots from the MRO.

News From Mars: Glaciers and Asteroid Dangers

Anthony — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:08:44 +0000

First, a piece at BBC about an active glacier that ESA’s Mars Express has identified on Mars. [Thanks, Jay.]

Second, apparently an asteroid is on a collision course with the red planet as well. Experts say there’s a better than 1% chance of an impact. Last time we saw anything similar was in ’94 with Shoemaker-Levy with Jupiter. But this would be a “scientific bonanza,” say experts.

Follow-Up: Mysterious Deep Space Blast

Anthony — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:31:40 +0000

More on the funky deep space blast I covered a few months back.

Northern Lights Energy Source Discovered

Anthony — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:00:26 +0000

Cool piece of news resulting from NASA’s Themis missions.

China’s First Lunar Satellite Sends Back Photos

Anthony — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:51:04 +0000

Check ‘em.

Mysterious Energy Burst Stuns Astronomers

Anthony — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:47:39 +0000

At PhysOrg and NPR.

Tonight’s Eclipse

Anthony — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:04:42 +0000

Enjoy.