How to watch a solar eclipse and do some science! The next great eclipse is upon us, with viewers across North America. It’s an amazing experience, but also an opportunity to do science. Let’s talk about what we can learn from this momentous event.
Apr 1st: Orbital Resonances
Several of the planets and moons in the Solar System are in orbital resonance, orbiting in a geometric lockstep. And not just the Solar System, astronomers have found the same resonances in other star systems.
Mar 25th: Solar System Volcanoes
The Solar System is more volcanically active than we thought. Today, we’ll explore volcanism on other worlds.
Mar 18th: How Peer Review Fails
You’ve probably heard that the best kind of science is peer-reviewed research published in a prestigious journal. But peer review has problems of its own. We’ll talk about that today.
Mar 11th: NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC)
NASA works on many missions using tried and true technology, but they also invest in creative ideas that could drive the future of space exploration. It’s called NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts or NIAC.
Mar 4th: NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Program
As more commercial companies are targeting the Moon, NASA is working with partners to deliver its payloads to the lunar surface. Today let’s talk about NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Program.
Feb 26th: Space Weapons
Last week we learned that Russia might be planning nuclear weapons to take out satellites in space. What is the current and future possibility of weapons in space and what are the treaties designed to prevent them?
Feb 19th: What Goes Into Sample Return Missions From Asteroids & Comets?
Scientists have retrieved samples from other objects in the Solar System, including comets and asteroids. What does it take to return a piece of rock from space, and what have we learned so far?
Feb 12th: What Goes Into A Sample Return Mission? Moon & Mars
We’ve sent robots to other worlds but the amount of science we can deploy can’t compare with the vast science labs we have on Earth. That’s why more and more missions are for a sample return.
Feb 5th: China’s Space Program
We’re so familiar with NASA’s exploration efforts in space, but you might be surprised to learn that China launches almost as many rockets as the US. Let’s give a brief overview of China’s space exploration plans.