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Cosmos with Cosmos Episode 7: The Backbone of Night
In which we return to cosmos
Posted by Casey Dreier on 2013/12/03 02:55 CST
We return to the big idea of the series – that the universe can be known and we better ourselves in our efforts to understand it – in the best episode of Cosmos so far.
Europe Bypasses Solar System for Upcoming Science Missions
Posted by Van Kane on 2013/11/06 08:44 CST | 3 comments
The European Space Agency has selected two astrophysics observatories as its next large science missions, overlooking every proposed planetary mission. ESA's current selection of planetary missions, however, means it will still be a major player in solar system exploration for the next two decades.
America's Pastime: Planetary Science
Planetary Radio brings the home team to playoff week
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/10/15 12:16 CDT
Apologies to baseball fans and others for the theme of this week's Planetary Radio preview, which has star player Emily Lakdawalla on deck.
Alpha Centauri Planet Hunt Update
Posted by Bruce Betts on 2013/10/15 11:27 CDT
An update from Yale’s Debra Fischer about the Alpha Centauri planet hunt, partially sponsored by The Planetary Society, as well as her team’s efforts to remove “noise” from parent stars to help find exoplanets.
Book review: Europe to the Stars, by Govert Schilling and Lars Lindberg Christensen
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2013/08/16 11:05 CDT
The world's great telescopes capture stunning photographs of stars, nebulae, and other sky phenomena. In Europe to the Stars, authors Govert Schilling and Lars Lindberg Christensen share many such photos. But the real stars of this book are the great telescopes of the European Southern Observatory.
Pretty Picture: A Plethora of Perseids
Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/08/14 12:53 CDT | 3 comments
A pretty picture of the Perseid meteor shower from Mount Lemmon, Ariz.
The coolest video of an expanding supernova you'll see today
Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/08/09 09:32 CDT | 11 comments
Professional astrophotographer Adam Block created a video showing the expansion of M1, the Crab Nebula, using two images taken more than a decade apart.
Upgraded Alpha Centauri Planet Search Underway
Posted by Bruce Betts on 2013/07/26 04:32 CDT
The Planetary Society sponsored Alpha Centauri planet search started using a newly upgraded system in May. Here is a quick update including info from project leader Debra Fischer from Yale about their new system.
Return of the Pale Blue Dot
Join the Wave at Saturn (and Mercury)!
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/07/18 11:27 CDT | 4 comments
You can be part of a planetwide group photo as Cassini and MESSENGER turn their cameras Earthward on July 19.
The Peak of Discovery
Touring the Mount Wilson Observatory with the Hale Family
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/07/16 04:20 CDT
This week's Planetary Radio goes on tour at the Mount Wilson Observatory with descendants of its founder.
Found a Killer Asteroid? Who Ya Gonna Call?
Tim Spahr of the Minor Planet Center on Planetary Radio
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/07/08 04:19 CDT
Astronomer Timothy Spahr directs the Minor Planet Center, the global clearinghouse for asteroids, comets and other relatively small objects in the solar system, including moons. He also coordinates the Society's Shoemaker NEO grant program.
Goodnight, Herschel Space Observatory
Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/06/18 01:29 CDT | 6 comments
The European Space Agency’s Herschel Space Observatory received its final commands yesterday, having depleted the liquid helium required to make its infrared observations.
Astronomy Enters a New Era
Join us for a live webcast about thrilling new tools that will come online in the next decade.
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/05/26 08:45 CDT | 3 comments
A live conversation about just a few of the powerful new instruments that will revolutionize our knowledge of the cosmos once again.
ALMA Adventure--Complete Interviews With Planetary Radio Guests
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/03/26 12:33 CDT | 6 comments
The extended, mostly unedited recordings of my conversations with many of the people I spoke to at the ALMA Observatory in Chile. Also, the full English translation of Chilean President Sebastian Pinera's speech.
Planetary Society Weekly Hangout: the Giant ALMA Observatory, and Asteroid Tracking
Posted by Bruce Betts on 2013/03/20 01:31 CDT
Bruce Betts, Mat Kaplan, and asteroid tracker Robert Holmes on the Planetary Society Weekly Google Hangout. Mat discussed and showed pictures from his trip to the giant ALMA observatory and we'll be joined by asteroid tracker extraordinaire, Robert Holmes.
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2013/03/14 02:00 CDT
This week I'll be talking with NEOWISE principal investigator Amy Mainzer about moving objects that the WISE mission has spotted both inside and outside our solar system.
Atacama Diary for March 10, 2013--Pisco Sours and Liquid Helium
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/03/10 11:10 CDT
Great dinner and great conversation with staff of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, topped by Chile's national drink.
Atacama Diary for March 8, 2013-Noon at LAX
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/03/09 05:32 CST
Another audio blog post, with excerpts from the National Science Foundation briefing on the ALMA Observatory, edited while I was waiting for my planet to Chile at LAX.
Atacama Diary for March 2, 2013--ALMA Explained
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/03/02 07:00 CST
The second in a series of audio blogs chronicling my trip to the driest spot on Earth, Chile's Atacama desert, to see the inauguration of the ALMA Observatory. Al Wootten and Alison Peck tell the story of ALMA.
Atacama Diary
February 25, 2013--The Longest Journey Begins With a Single Dose
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/02/25 11:47 CST | 4 comments
The first in a series of audio blogs chronicling my trip to the driest spot on Earth, Chile's Atacama desert, to see the inauguration of the ALMA Observatory.
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