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Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
365 Days of Astronomy Podcast: Unmanned Space Exploration in 2011
Today the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast aired my contribution, Unmanned Space Exploration in 2011, about what to look forward to in solar system exploration this year.
Solar eclipses from space: Hinode and SDO
Two spacecraft that keep their ever-watchful eyes on the Sun -- NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and JAXA's Hinode -- were doing their thing, when something large wandered past: the Moon.
Door 29 in the 2010 advent calendar
Time to open the twenty-ninth door in the advent calendar. Where in the solar system is this fractured flowing ice?
Door 26 in the 2010 advent calendar
Time to open the twenty-sixth door in the advent calendar. Where in the solar system is this rayed crater?
Lunar eclipse tonight, mid-eclipse at 08:17 Dec 21 UT
Unless you live under a rock you probably know that there is a total lunar eclipse tonight, one that should be particularly favorable for viewing from North America but which will be at least partially visible to viewers in South America, Europe, and easternmost Asia and Australia too.
Door 19 in the 2010 advent calendar
Time to open the nineteenth door in the advent calendar. Where in the solar system are these folded rocks?
Door 18 in the 2010 advent calendar
Time to open the eighteenth door in the advent calendar. Where in the solar system is this brush-stroked surface?
Door 9 in the 2010 advent calendar
Time to open the ninth door in the advent calendar. Where in the solar system is this jumble of boulders and fissures?
Door 7 in the 2010 advent calendar
Time to open the seventh door in the advent calendar. Where in the solar system is this icy bridge?
Best "Arsenic and Odd Life" coverage
Last night I asked via Twitter for recommendations for articles that did the best job explaining the significance of the work, by people who actually read the relevant paper in Science.
Arsenic and Deep Space?
If you or I ingest arsenic, well...it doesn't go so well. If you are, on the other hand, a certain species of bacterium from Mono Lake, California, ingesting this seemingly toxic metal is simple enough.
What's the significance of this unremarkable spot on the Moon?
This was a fun image released by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera science team. Take a look at it and see if you can figure out what the significance of the red arrow is.
I can't wait for MAHLI to land on Mars
JPL has just released some test images from the camera that has just been installed on the end of the Curiosity rover's robotic arm.
Five amazing engineering camera videos from Chang'E 2
I couldn't believe these videos when I first saw them: five views from engineering cameras of important events in the Chang'E 2 spacecraft's journey to the Moon.
First pictures from Chang'E 2 released
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced the success of Chang'E-2 lunar mission on Monday. Yong-Chun Zheng, an associate professor at the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, presents the mission's first released pictures.
Field trip to Piton
Rosaly Lopes relates her time at a workshop in Piton.
First view of Piton volcano, Reunion Island
There are about 60 volcanologists here at the meeting and we are wondering if the volcano is going to erupt and, if it does, what we will be able to see.
Expedition to Piton volcano, Reunion Island
It so happens that there is a Calderas Workshop going on the same week as DPS and I was invited to talk about planetary calderas. I chose several on Venus, Mars and Io to focus on.
It's International Observe the Moon Night
Hey everybody, go out and look up at the Moon! It's International Observe the Moon night.
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter press briefing: silicic volcanoes on the Moon
I'm listening to a press briefing from several members of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter science team, regarding three papers published today in Science.