After 6 long years in the cold darkness of space, Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft completed its mission and returned to Earth, complete with its store of asteroid dust collected from asteroid Ryugu. According to Reuters, the mission led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was to find out more about the origins of the solar system, and maybe even the origin of water, which is essential in sustaining life on Earth. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft was launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre in 2014 and landed on Ryugu after four years of travelling through the harshest environment known to man. The spacecraft then made its way back to Earth in November 2019 after collecting the relevant samples from the asteroid. The spacecraft landed in the Australian desert, around the Woomera area, 450km north of Adelaide. The Hayabusa team tweeted out images of the retrieval of the asteroid sample with even Elon Musk chiming in. It is thought that asteroids were formed at the dawn of the solar system, which leads scientists to speculate that the sample could contain organic matter that may have contributed to life developing on Earth. “What we are really doing here is trying to sample this pristine rock that has not been irradiated by the sun,” astrophysicist Lisa Harvey-Smith told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. As far as scientific research goes, this is a huge step forward. Asteroids are believed to be some of the oldest formations in the universe and unlocking its secrets could give us answers to questions that have not yet even been asked. Are you wanting to explore the cosmos? Buy model rockets in the UK from our online store today. Source: https://www.jupiterfuture.com/blogs/space-1/japans-hayabusa2-spacecraft-returns-to-earth via Jupiter Future https://jupiterfuturespaceshop.wordpress.com/2020/12/21/japans-hayabusa2-spacecraft-returns-to-earth/
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A new super planet has been discovered for the first time using a radio telescope, with radio emissions having only detected a small number of cold brown dwarfs, as they’re also known, in the past – and all of those had first been detected by infrared surveys beforehand. According to the Independent, brown dwarfs are, in fact, quite the opposite and are rather on the big side, anything from between 15 and 75 times the mass of Jupiter, with gaseous atmospheres similar to some of the planets in our solar system. You may also hear them referred to as failed stars because of how they shine. Planets shine by reflecting light but stars do it by producing their own. Even though they’re so sizeable, brown dwarfs can’t sustain the nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium, which is what makes stars shine. Brown dwarfs do, however, emit light at radio wavelengths in much the same way that Jupiter does, accelerating charged particles such as electrons to produce radiation, including radio waves and aurorae. This brown dwarf has been called Elegast, discovered using data from the Low-Frequency Array telescope in Europe. It was later confirmed using telescopes at the top of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Earlier last month (November), the government also announced that the European Space Agency has been given the go-ahead to develop the world’s first space telescope that will study how exoplanet atmospheres form and evolve. The Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exploanet Large-Survey (or Ariel!) is expected to launch in 2029, following a rigorous review process that has been taking place this year. Check out our range of astronomical telescopes in our online store. Source: https://www.jupiterfuture.com/blogs/space-1/new-super-planet-discovered-using-a-radio-telescope via Jupiter Future https://jupiterfuturespaceshop.wordpress.com/2020/12/08/new-super-planet-discovered-using-a-radio-telescope/ If, like many people, you’ve developed a greater interest in the night sky since the pandemic began, or maybe your kids have become avid stargazers and a telescope is on their Christmas list, there are a few factors to bear in mind before you rush out and buy astronomical telescopes in the UK. As an article for Forbes recently pointed out, telescopes are specific scientific instruments and it really helps to know how they work if you want to get the most out of one. There are more variations of telescopes than you might first appreciate, so begin by deciding what you want to get out of owning one (and what you want to be able to see). Also remember that if you’re considering getting started in astrophotography that you’ll need to find a telescope that enables you to take photos through it. Another important point, according to the publication, is that to get the most out of a telescope you need to understand the night sky itself. Spend time studying the stars without any instruments to help you. This will ensure you know where different constellations, planets and stars are located in the night sky and that, in turn, will allow you to align your telescope correctly once you’ve bought it. Being patient is another tip worth bearing in mind because it takes time to learn not only how to navigate the night sky, but also how to get the best from your telescope to appreciate some of the finer details. There are reports that a decade-old plan by NASA to put a large telescope on the moon could be gathering support again. If the project were to go ahead, it would see a telescope constructed on the moon’s surface, potentially allowing scientists to study the first stars to form in the universe. Source: https://www.jupiterfuture.com/blogs/space-1/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-telescope via Jupiter Future https://jupiterfuturespaceshop.wordpress.com/2020/11/27/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-telescope/ A very rare photo of astronaut Neil Armstrong on the surface of the moon as among thousands of space photographs that are up for auction at world-famous auction house Christie’s in London. According to a press release, there are over 2,400 photographs that document the ‘golden age of space exploration’, and the most comprehensive collection of such ever to have come up for auction. “This is probably humanity’s greatest creative and ingenious achievement, landing a man safely on the surface of the moon and bringing him back to Earth,” said James Hyslop, Head of Science and Natural History at Christie’s. “Looking at some of these images, you can really be transported to the surface of the moon.” The “Voyage To Another World” collection has been curated by private collector Victor Martin Malburet and is a mix of iconic images and others that were unreleased at the time by NASA. Many of the photographs taken during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 from the surface of the moon were of Buzz Aldrin, with Neil Armstrong being tasked with the majority of the photography, and Mike Collins remaining in orbit around the moon. However, towards the end of the mission, Buzz took the camera and managed to get a shot of Neil, which was forgotten about in the aftermath of the history-making mission, which was only rediscovered in the 1980s. This photo is expected to be the sale’s top lot. Another photograph due to go under the hammer is of Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin when he managed to photograph himself during a 1965 Gemini XII mission, effectively the first selfie in space! Among the other photos up for sale are early images of the far side of the moon from the late 1950s, the Apollo missions in the 1960s and 70s, and photos taken from Mars. Christie’s online auction runs from November 6-20, 2020. What space photos would you love to see hanging on your wall? If you want space art posters, visit our online store! Source: https://www.jupiterfuture.com/blogs/space-1/rare-space-exploration-photos-up-for-auction via Jupiter Future https://jupiterfuturespaceshop.wordpress.com/2020/11/16/rare-space-exploration-photos-up-for-auction/ NASA has announced it will fund 21 research proposals designed to advance human space exploration. The agency has revealed that the research will specifically focus on astronaut health and performance during future long-duration missions that travel beyond low-Earth orbit. It is hoping that this work will help it develop future manned missions to both the Moon and Mars, and potentially beyond. Through the research, NASA aims to develop technology that can improve human health and performance during space flight. Another aim of these projects is to identify potential problems that humans may face during long-duration missions and to find ways of mitigating them. Among the proposals selected for funding are “Recovery timeline of spaceflight-induced central nervous system changes”, which will be headed up by Rachael Seidler at the University of Florida, and “Investigating long-term structural and functional changes in the eye and brain after spaceflight”, a project being led by Brandon Macias at the Johnson Space Center. In total, NASA will provide $19.3 million over the next one to five years to fund the various proposals it has selected. In supporting this research, NASA intends to increase the likelihood of astronauts successfully completing their missions, as well as working to support their long-term health and wellbeing. National Geographic recently explored how the credentials to become an astronaut have evolved over the years from early space exploration to now. Aside from needing to be in peak physical condition to undergo the rigors of space travel, the astronauts of the future will need to be able to cope psychologically with long periods of isolation. Putting together the correct team for each mission, particularly those that will involve spending long periods on a base or travelling through space, will be crucial too. Know someone who’s mad about space? Buy space jewelry for them so they can show off their passion with style. Source: https://www.jupiterfuture.com/blogs/space-1/nasa-focusing-on-research-to-advance-human-space-travel via Jupiter Future https://jupiterfuturespaceshop.wordpress.com/2020/10/30/nasa-focusing-on-research-to-advance-human-space-travel/ With Halloween just around the corner, there’s not long left to plan your costume and if you can’t decide, going for a space theme could be just the inspiration you’ve been looking for all this time. What’s great about going for a costume that’s out of this world (see what we did there?) is that there are countless options to choose from, whether you want to be an astronaut, an alien, a planet, a spaceship, or a character from your favourite sci-fi space movie. The hardest part will be making up your mind! Check out our range of space themed costumes to see if there’s something there that tickles your pickle. You could go as a rabbit astronaut, for example, or even a Stormtrooper if Star Wars is your favourite film franchise of all time. We also have Star Trek white robe cloaks for the Trekkies among you, silver pilot jumpsuits, spacesuits for children and aquanaut astronaut cosplay costumes, so you’ll have a great time sifting through our online shop to see what you can find. No doubt you’re all looking forward to lots of trick or treating this year, but it’s important to remember that there is still a global pandemic going on, so it’s essential that you celebrate the holiday in a covid-secure way. There are still lots of ways in which you can celebrate Halloween 2020, whether it’s through virtual events online, community events outside and socially distanced from others, or just staying at home as a family and painting pumpkins. We’d love to hear what you’ve got planned, so get in touch to let us know. Source: https://www.jupiterfuture.com/blogs/space-1/6-space-themed-halloween-costume-ideas via Jupiter Future https://jupiterfuturespaceshop.wordpress.com/2020/10/27/6-space-themed-halloween-costume-ideas/ It’s amazing what we’re still learning about some of our closest neighbours in the solar system. Mars has long been a source of fascination for us and now it seems that the idea of Martian life isn’t as far-fetched as we might have thought. The latest discovery is that there are several large liquid bodies under the south pole on Mars, which have been described as subterranean lakes. Researchers made the discovery using data collected by a radar instrument on the Mars Express spacecraft, which was launched by the European Space Agency and has been orbiting the red planet since December 2003. The Independent pointed out that, as well as lending more support to the idea that there could be life on Mars, this latest discovery will also be important in “planetary protection”, which means not contaminating other worlds with life from Earth when we make it to the surface of other planets. Speaking to the BBC, co-author of the study Graziella Caprarelli, from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, said that they believe these bodies of liquid will have a very high salinity. Scientists have even conducted experiments here on Earth showing that water with dissolved salts of magnesium and calcium perchlorate can stay liquid even at temperatures as low as -123 degrees C, the news provider revealed. “These experiments have demonstrated that brines can persist for geologically significant periods of time even at the temperatures typical of the Martian polar regions,” Ms Caprarelli stated. If you love space, pick up some space art paintings on canvas to give you an extraterrestrial view until you’re able to book a space flight and see the sights for yourself! via Jupiter Future https://jupiterfuturespaceshop.wordpress.com/2020/10/05/lakes-found-on-mars/ When Hollywood tries to take a peek into the future, the attempts are usually more art and fantasy than science and technology. Which is fine, as our favourite Sci-Fi shows are focussed on making entertaining stories rather than showing scientific realism, and liberties can be taken with what is actually possible if it serves the plot. But there is a whole range of popular Sci-Fi films and TV series that vary wildly with their realism, from Star Trek’s warp engines and transporters and Star Wars’ hyperdrives and lightsabers to the theoretical physics in Interstellar to the Newtonian physics of The Expanse. Writers of TV shows have a lot to consider when it comes to knowing what makes a good Sci-Fi series. Mostly, audiences are happy to enjoy the ride without questioning the realism too much. Few Trekkies question the impossibility of beaming down to the planet, or the USS Enterprise crossing vast distances in the blink of an eye. But the concepts used in these shows need to have some basis in science. Are the show’s ships and gadgets in line with what we know is, or could be possible, even if purely theoretically? For example, beam weapons are possible, that they’d shoot bullet-like pulses and go ‘pew pew’, less likely. In theory, on a long enough time frame, set the show far enough in the future, then any technology that can exist will exist. It might take us the best part of a year to travel to Mars now, but how long in the future might it be when it takes as much time as it does to fly from London to New York? Or London to France? Or as quick as driving to the next town? Sometimes we find that the Sci-Fi technology used in shows not that long ago is now with us. Star Trek The Next Generation’s 24th-century PADD devices are now our 21st-century iPads. Many people, not too long ago, would have thought that easily available drones were the product of a Sci-Fi show, but here we are, and you can buy quadcopter drones now from our online store! Source: https://www.jupiterfuture.com/blogs/space-1/how-realistic-are-our-favourite-sci-fi-shows via Jupiter Future https://jupiterfuturespaceshop.wordpress.com/2020/09/10/how-realistic-are-our-favourite-sci-fi-shows/ Space travel is inching ever closer, with a luxury space hotel set to launch next year and would-be citizen astronauts increasingly keen to pull on their space boots and explore the final frontier. But given that this is still months away, we all need to find other ways in which to indulge our passion – and, thankfully, Netflix has decided to lend a helping hand with new series Away, which tells the tale of Commander Emma Green who leaves her family behind to lead an international crew of astronauts on a three-year mission to Mars. It stars two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, as well as Josh Charles (who you may recognise from The Good Wife) and Vivian Wu (The Last Emperor and The Pillow book), created by the team behind Parenthood. The first season will be available on Netflix from September 4th, so we don’t have too long to wait now, with just a week or so left of August (somehow). But if you can’t wait that long and need your fix of interstellar action right now, there are all sorts of other shows you can catch in the meantime to help keep you going. There are two seasons of Lost in Space to catch if you haven’t already done so, or what about Another Life, about astronaut Niko Breckenridge and her crew who go on a high-risk mission to explore the genesis of an alien artifact. And then, of course, there’s Space Force, a Steve Carell and Greg Daniels creation centred on a group of people establishing the United States Space Force, with the aim being to get boots on the moon by 2024. For space themed clothes and lots more, check out our online shop. Source: https://www.jupiterfuture.com/blogs/space-1/make-sure-you-catch-away-the-new-netflix-space-series via Jupiter Future https://jupiterfuturespaceshop.wordpress.com/2020/08/25/make-sure-you-catch-away-the-new-netflix-space-series/ When it comes to global development issues such as malaria, forced labour and human trafficking, you might not think that space would hold the answers – but it seems that this may, in fact, be the case after all, with the UK Space Agency using space to resolve problems such as these. New funding to the tune of £3.4 million has just been made available for ten cutting-edge projects by the International Partnership Programme, designed to use space expertise in satellite technology and data services to deliver solutions to real-world problems. To help tackle the problem of malaria, satellites and airborne and ground-based sensing technology will be used to detect breeding grounds for mosquitoes, supporting efforts to tackle the disease at its source. Sprayer drones can then be used to release biocontrol agents and kill larvae without affecting other species. Space solutions will also be used to help protect wildlife habitats in Kenya, as well as improving resilience to flooding in Bangladesh, with the region suffering the most prolonged monsoon rains in decades. A new National Space Innovation Programme was also recently launched, with £15 million in funding made available for projects relating to earth observation, communications and international partnerships. The first £10 million will go towards projects focusing on the development of more advanced instruments and data analysis techniques to support climate science, and communications projects such as autonomous vehicles, AI and robotics, with satellite communications filling in the gaps in connectivity in remote areas. Looking to buy tech gadgets right now? See what we’ve got in stock in our online shop. Source: https://www.jupiterfuture.com/blogs/space-1/space-the-solution-to-tackling-global-development-issues via Jupiter Future https://jupiterfuturespaceshop.wordpress.com/2020/08/25/space-the-solution-to-tackling-global-development-issues/ |