Blog Archive
Visiting the San Diego SpaceUp Unconference
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2012/02/14 08:38 CST
Emily Lakdawalla and I drove down to the 3rd annual San Diego SpaceUp Unconference on February 4. We had great fun hanging out with the other space geeks.
NASA Budget Pushes Science to the Brink
Posted by Bill Nye on 2012/02/13 01:16 CST | 2 comments
Today, NASA announced its budget for its fiscal year 2013. As you might imagine, there are large budget cuts. But, the planetary science program has been cut disproportionately. NASA's allocations are out of balance.
Photos and video: Bill Nye at the 2012 White House Science Fair
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2012/02/09 05:17 CST
On Tuesday, Bill Nye was privileged to attend the second White House Science Fair. Here are some photos and video of the event.
The Quest for the "WOW!": one man's search for SETI's most promising signal
Posted by Amir Alexander on 2012/01/27 11:00 CST
Today's 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast Offers a Free, Online Astronomy Class!
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2012/01/26 09:06 CST
The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast begins this year's effort with an interview with Bruce Betts, who will be starting an online astronomy course. A transcription of the interview is included in this post, as well as a link to the podcast.
Posted by Bruce Betts on 2012/01/13 10:35 CST
We explore space for the noblest goals of science and exploration, and we often persevere in spite of challenges. But space exploration is fraught with bad things happening, or, to use the technical term, ouchies. The Planetary Society's Phobos LIFE biomodule will re-enter the Earth's atmosphere in the next few days with the rest of the Phobos-Grunt mission.
How Spacecraft Make Color Pictures--Emily's Slides From the December, 2011 Planetary Radio Live
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2012/01/02 02:07 CST
How Spacecraft Make Color Pictures--Emily's Slides From the December, 2011 Planetary Radio Live
Project for Awesome Video On Behalf of the Planetary Society
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2011/12/22 12:22 CST | 1 comments
WhirledSol posted a cool Youtube tribute to the Planetary Society a year ago, and we just now found it! It has a nice explanation of why we are so passionate about space exploration.
Nighttime Water Ice Clouds Predicted by Models are Confirmed by MCS Observations
Posted by Jim Shirley on 2011/10/25 12:00 CDT
A daily cycle of cloud formation in the Martian tropics during northern summer is driven largely by solar radiation and the associated solar thermal tide. Models predict a striking pattern of cloud formation above the high altitude volcanoes of the Tharsis region. At mid-day, the atmosphere is typically free of clouds due to elevated temperatures. Beginning in the early evening hours, atmospheric cooling at altitudes above 20 kilometers begins to foster water ice cloud formation. During the night, the altitude of cloud formation descends closer to the surface.
The National Science Foundation's Science360 Radio
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2011/10/18 06:36 CDT
Announcing a new service! The National Science Foundation's Science360 Radio will fulfill your science needs. Science360 Radio has over 100 shows in it's lineup, including Planetary Radio, so go take a listen. Links inside.
Mars Missions Supported, Planetary Voices Heard
Posted by Charlene Anderson on 2011/10/13 05:38 CDT
Mars Missions Supported, Planetary Voices Heard
Posted by Ted Stryk on 2011/10/04 10:53 CDT
Awards for Planetary Society figures at the 2011 Division of Planetary Sciences / European Planetary Science Congress meeting
Shoemaker NEO Grant Update: Asteroid discoveries from La Sagra
Posted by Jaime Nomen on 2011/08/22 04:41 CDT
In spite of some bad weather conditions during the first part of this year, the new camera bought with funds from a Planetary Society Shoemaker Near Earth Object grant helped us to discover and confirm ten new near-Earth objects.
House subcommittee votes to slash NASA
Posted by Bill Nye on 2011/07/07 04:54 CDT
Today the U.S. House of Representative subcommittee charged with appropriating funds to NASA mandated a draconian cut of almost $2 billion from the space agency's proposed budget.
Shuttle LIFE Organisms Return from Space
Posted by Bruce Betts on 2011/06/09 05:40 CDT
Shuttle LIFE Organisms Return from Space
We did it -- Shuttle LIFE launches!
Posted by Bill Nye on 2011/05/16 09:39 CDT
Today at 8:56 a.m. EDT, Space Shuttle Endeavour launched on its final mission, and we are part of this historic moment!
Posted by Bill Nye on 2011/05/05 02:32 CDT
Last Saturday, April 30, 2011, the Planetary Society roasted and toasted Lou Friedman -- our cofounder and retiring Executive Director.











