Skytalk

Eclipse alert . . . but just barely

Dave Heller/WHYY — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:07:39 +0000

The most minimal of penumbral lunar eclipses takes place Saturday night, though with clear skies, anyone can enjoy the nice May full moon. Look for Saturn east of the moon Wednesday night. Sunset triumvirate - Mercury, Jupiter, Venus are positioning themselves for a rare match-up.

Nominate your name to travel to Mars

Dave Heller/WHYY — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:19:23 +0000

Not as big as the Big Bang, but this Big Blast blows away any other explosion ever seen by astronomers. The supermassive black hole at the core of our Milky Way galaxy is generating more heat than expected. And when NASA's MAVEN mission launches, you can add your name to those going along on the trip.

New moon = Dark skies = Great celestial viewing opportunities

Dave Heller/WHYY — Mon, 06 May 2013 04:03:57 +0000

For a challenge, check out the Eta Aquarid meteor shower through Friday, 5/10. For an easier challenge, there are planets aplenty overhead. Richard Branson's successful SpaceShip One Test last week puts the project on pace to offer passengers an out-of-this-world experience by this time next year.

Not too old for an "out of this world" walk

Dave Heller/WHYY — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:03:30 +0000

At the age of 59, International Space Station cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov set a new record last week by becoming the oldest spacewalker ever. Interested in going to Mars? Mars One project applications are being accepted through August 31! Night Sky highlights this week: Jupiter, Saturn and Venus.

Philadelphia Science Festival Continues

Dave Heller/WHYY — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:56:13 +0000

Tonight's Lyrid Meteor shower and Thursday's lunar eclipse are noted, though not noteworthy. The Kepler satellite reveals three planets in the so-called Goldilocks zone; not so close to the sun that the planet boils, or not so far it freezes, but an orbiting distance where the temperature is just right for liquid water.

Come to the Carnival!

Dave Heller/WHYY — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 04:03:24 +0000

The Philadelphia Science Festival gets underway Thursday, with the bigger-than-ever Carnival on the Ben Franklin Parkway scheduled for Saturday; NASA proposes bringing an asteroid into lunar orbit; and Wallops Island Launch Facility to launch its first commercial Antares launch vehicle.

Shedding light on dark matter

Dave Heller/WHYY — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:33:01 +0000

A scientific experiment aboard International Space Station offers up data indicating the presence of a type of particle that might be the product of dark matter interactions. The Mars Rovers are on "light duty" this month - blame the sun! And Friday is the 52nd anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s flight as the first human in space.

NASA considers cutbacks due to sequestration

Dave Heller/WHYY — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:33:05 +0000

NASA's education and public outreach activities may come to a halt - part of efforts to pare $1.2 trillion dollars over the next decade. SpaceX Dragon completes the second of 12 cargo missions contracted with NASA for International Space Station resupply.

Faster than a speeding bullet . . . WAY faster than a speeding bullet

Dave Heller/WHYY — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:45:08 +0000

Astronomers catch sight of the fastest orbiting body yet - a small star circling a black hole every two-and-a-half hours! Remarkable land-based telescope technology allows scientists to confirm the existence of water vapor on a planet 130 light-years away.

Curiosity generates 'thirst' for more information about the Red Planet

Dave Heller/WHYY — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:19:36 +0000

The Mars Rover hits paydirt, or more appropriately pay-clay pointing to water, water everywhere; including possibly drops to drink. It's a testimony to technology, and the rigor of scientific methodology. Also, we get tips for continued viewing of Comet Panstarrs.