Although she didn't say so, Colón is certainly referring to K2-18 b, an exoplanet 8.6 times as massive as Earth that is 120 light years from our Solar System. Astronomers believe this may be a "hycean" exoplanet, meaning it has water oceans on its surface and a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Astronomers had previously studied this planet with the Hubble Space Telescope, but their interest was magnified when the Webb telescope—which became operational last year after launching in late 2022—made some intriguing observations. Among the molecules found by Webb was dimethyl sulfide. Answers to come So what is dimethyl sulfide? It's an organic compound that you may have smelled if you've ever cooked cabbage. It is emitted by phytoplankton in the Earth's oceans as part of their metabolism process. Critically, on Earth, dimethyl sulfide is only produced by life. That does not prove the existence of life on K2-18 b—but if dimethyl sulfide exists there, it is certainly a hair-raising clue. https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/...-hasnt-found-life-out-there-at-least-not-yet/
I thought y'all might enjoy these. Every winter, Cambridge University's astronomy department does open nights to the public where either a professor or doctoral student does a half hour lecture on whatever they're working on, and then they have a bunch of telescopes on the front lawn. I've been going to the lectures for a few months now and just discovered that a bunch of them are online. I've linked the playlist above. The protocluster one I saw yesterday was kinda meh but I've enjoyed the other ones I've been to
Having just completed a binge-watch of "For All Mankind" I can attest to the thread title, but also say: "Space never fails to scare the shit out of me"
The Dragon space capsule or whatever, getting ready to dock with the space station with some snowy mountains in the background
This is an interesting read https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/...-did-space-shuttle-commanders-lock-the-hatch/
Anybody have plans for the Total Eclipse coming up in early April? I live like 5 miles from the centerline of the path of totality, in a pretty rural area west of Austin, and the county officials out here are going in pretty heavy on warning people who live here and own property/acreage, about just how many people are going to be invading the area. They are basically telling people to be sure and lock up all ranch gates, and put up any extra security measures because roads are going to be jammed and people will be looking for a place to get to as close to the center of the path as they can by any means Hotels for an hour any direction have all been booked at crazy inflated prices for months, rv parks are all booked, etc
Probably get a little bit lonely that you're never coming 'round. Maybe get a little bit restless and then dream of something wild.
I'm 40 years old in a few months. If I live to be 80, I wonder how realistic it is that I'll get to see a sunrise on the moon. Commercial space travel seems like an eternity away
more likely that in 15-20 years there’ll be away to extend ur life to 120 and you MIGHT be able to catch it then if ur loaded
It's amazing to me that countries are still struggling to do what we accomplished in 1969, 55 years ago
TBF, our first lunar landing only worked because we had a really good pilot sitting in it and managed to find an acceptable landing spot when the original one was fucked.
They’re also doing it for way less $$. I read Indias moonlanding only cost 75 million. We spent $257 billion adjusted for inflation,
This is very cool https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/...t-comes-next-in-aerial-planetary-exploration/
up close with a satellite mission. @ESA is currently studying two mission concepts that would fly to Apophis as it approaches. This was one of the major topics of discussion during a recent gathering of space agencies who are primarily responsible for preparing space-based responses to potentially dangerous asteroids.
It's big. Always mind blowing how big the continent of Africa is. Can contain the US, India, and Australia.
Some kids from a local college all got to write their names on the capsule. First Us landing on the moon in 51 years.