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Artemis II set for lunar flyby with four-astronaut crew, launch delayed to April
22 hours ago•Source: Yahoo
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7.1 min•17 days ago
Elon Musk Signals SpaceX Shift: From Mars Settlement to a Moon-Based City
Elon Musk revealed on X that SpaceX is pivoting from a Mars-first goal to building a self-growing Moon city, arguing the Moon could be developed in under a decade while Mars would take 20+ years. The shift comes as Blue Origin has begun demonstrating lunar capabilities and as Musk expands into AI via xAI, with plans that include mass-driver concepts on the Moon to enable in-space construction. The move suggests SpaceX may prioritize near-term lunar development and collaboration with NASA, rather than an immediate push to Mars, even as both destinations remain part of Musk’s broader space ambitions.
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Meteor Causes Shaking and Loud Booms Over NYC and NJ
The Hill•1 year ago
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Meteor Explodes Over NYC, Causes Shaking and Loud Booms
The Jerusalem Post•1 year ago
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"Strong Solar Flares Trigger Radio Blackout Warnings"
Multiple sunspot regions on the Sun are currently active, producing strong solar flares that have caused radio blackouts on Earth. NOAA's space weather forecasters are monitoring these regions closely as the Sun approaches its Solar Maximum. The new GOES-19 satellite, set to be operational by spring 2025, will enhance solar storm forecasting capabilities.
Astronauts Capture Mysterious Glowing Orbs and Red Sprites from Space
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick captured a photo of glowing blue orbs, known as red sprites, from the International Space Station. These orbs, caused by thunderstorms off the coast of South Africa, are a rare atmospheric phenomenon that appear above storms due to lightning. The photo, taken on June 3, offers a rare glimpse of these high-altitude lightning events, which are difficult to capture from Earth. NASA encourages citizen scientists to contribute their own photos of sprites to the Spritacular database for research purposes.
"Sun's X-Class Flare Causes Radio Blackouts and Auroras"
A powerful X-class solar flare erupted from sunspot AR3738 on July 13, 2024, causing shortwave radio blackouts across Australia, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Despite the flare's intensity, it did not produce a coronal mass ejection, meaning no significant geomagnetic activity is expected.
"Are New Galaxies Still Forming in the Universe?"
While the initial process of galaxy formation from protogalaxies and dark matter seeds is over, new galaxies are still appearing today through ongoing star formation and mergers of existing material. However, the rate of new galaxy formation is slowing due to the accelerating expansion of the universe driven by dark energy.
Webb Telescope's New Image Confirms Star Formation Theories
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured images of a dozen newborn stars in the Serpens Main nebula emitting gas jets in the same direction, a phenomenon never seen before. This discovery could provide new insights into star formation and the role of magnetic fields in aligning these jets. Further studies are planned to understand the chemical composition of the star-forming region.
NASA Confirms SpaceX Debris Found in North Carolina
NASA confirmed that the burned debris found in Western North Carolina is from a SpaceX spacecraft, bringing relief to Mike Wooten, who discovered the debris in his yard. Wooten expressed his amazement at the rarity of such an event and hopes it will increase space awareness. He is willing to return the debris to NASA or SpaceX for research purposes.
Astronaut Jeanette Epps Shares Breathtaking Space Photo of Central New York
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps, a Syracuse native, captured a stunning photo of the Finger Lakes region from the International Space Station, showcasing Syracuse, Rochester, Lake Ontario, and northern New York State. Epps is part of the NASA SpaceX Crew-8 Mission, which is conducting over 200 scientific experiments.
"Phoenix: The Resilient Exoplanet Defying Stellar Destruction"
NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has discovered an unusual exoplanet named Phoenix, which has managed to retain its atmosphere despite being bombarded by radiation from its red giant parent star. This hot Neptune, located 1,800 light-years away, is smaller, older, and hotter than expected, challenging current understanding of planetary evolution. The findings could provide insights into the future of Earth's atmosphere as our sun undergoes a similar transformation.
Syracuse Astronaut Jeanette Epps Shares Stunning Space Photo of Finger Lakes
NASA astronaut and Syracuse native Jeanette Epps, currently on the International Space Station as part of the SpaceX Crew-8 Mission, shared a stunning photo of the Finger Lakes region, including Syracuse, Rochester, and Lake Ontario. Epps and her crew are conducting over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations to aid future human space exploration and benefit life on Earth. The mission is expected to return in late August 2024.
Northern Lights Possible Across U.S. Due to Increased Solar Activity
A minor geomagnetic storm is expected to impact Earth on June 4, but it is unlikely to make the northern lights visible in Ohio. The aurora borealis typically appears at higher latitudes during such storms. However, a more significant solar event around June 6 could potentially bring the northern lights further south into the United States.