Topic: Technology
Rubin Observatory Brings Much Needed Joy

Rubin Observatory Brings Much Needed Joy

Ok, so we held off running this last little section while I waited to see if Vera Rubin observatory would put out a First Light press release. Rubin Observatory did not put out a first light press release. They put out a Facebook post saying “on-sky engineering tests have begun at NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory using the world’s largest digital camera!” To me, this sounds like they had first light. In fact, they went on to say, “After installing and testing the LSST Camera, we turned the telescope to the sky—a moment 20 years in the making! Thanks to the years of diligent work from our incredible...

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Robotic arms may rescue clumsy astronauts

Robotic arms may rescue clumsy astronauts

I have a delightfully weird tech story related to future lunar exploration. Research has shown that astronauts working on the moon are most likely to fall over when using tools, and once they fall over, getting up while wearing a space suit that restricts their motion...

Talking to Whales

Talking to Whales

Credit: Jodi Frediani; NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Research Permit 19703 The kinds of life many of us hope to find within our solar system likely won’t be all that intellectual. Those possible microbes on Mars might be able to respond to food or pain, but that’s...