NASA's Image of the Day is this picture of a "massive crack across the Pine Island Glacier, a major ice stream that drains the West Antarctic Ice Sheet."
1
Results tagged “nasa”
Beautiful, Depresssing Photo Of 19-Mile Crack In Antarctic Glacier
Watch Out: A Giant Solar Storm Is Coming At Us!
Who cares about seasonally appropriate weather finally coming, you guys? The sun just farted in our general direction! According to officials the strongest solar flare in more than six years is "bombarding the Earth with radiation." Woot!
Video: Space Station Captures Incredible Image Of Comet
NASA astronaut Daniel Burbank, the commander of the International Space Station, saw what he described as a “green glowing arc” rising above the earth’s horizon on Wednesday night. What he caught sight of some 240 miles above Tasmania was actually Comet Lovejoy, a "sungrazer" (a comet on a path that takes it near the sun) recently discovered by amateur astronomer, Terry Lovejoy. Burbank was in awe of the sighting, which you can see in a video below; he called it “the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in space.”
Close Encounters: NASA Discovers Two New Earth-Sized Planets!
You know the trippiest thing about space? It just goes on forever, man! And there's so much out there! Like the two new planets that NASA just discovered, hanging out 1000 light-years outside of our solar system, looking suspiciously similar in size to our very own Earth.
Space Shuttle Enterprise Is Now Officially A New Yorker, Says NASA
Why does this make us want to do the Evil Laugh? Anyway, the Space Shuttle Enterprise is ours, all ours. Earlier today, NASA officials signed the giant hunk of space machinery over to to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
Video: Government Scientist Explains Why Asteroid Hurtling Toward Earth Is No Cause For Alarm
As you've probably heard, an asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier will be passing very close to our planet tonight. Don't panic! Even though this is the closest approach by an asteroid of this magnitude that scientists have known about in advance—and if it hit us it would make a crater four miles wide and 1,700 feet deep, creating a shock equivalent to a magnitude seven earthquake—there is no cause for alarm. In this video, a scientist on the government's payroll explains why everything's going to be just fine, addressing humanity from what appears to be a windowless, climate-controlled bunker:
Satellite Falls To Earth, But NASA Not Sure Where 6 Tons Of Debris Went
The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) satellite that NASA said would fall to the Earth some time this weekend entered the Earth's atmosphere last night/early this morning. Where it landed, though, is a mystery.
Scientists To Give 20 Minute Heads-Up If The Satellite Will Fall On You This Weekend
Hey, guys, not trying to freak you out or anything, but remember that NASA satellite that's falling out of space? The one where NASA was all, "we don't know when or where, but keep an eye out?" Well, they still don't know where, but they do know when: this weekend. Per NASA:
Warning: NASA's Giant Satellite Crashing Back To Earth
Nevermind that pesky 9/11 anniversary warning—the real danger in coming weeks is headed from space. One of NASA’s old satellites that’s been hanging out in space for the past six years is about to come crashing back into Earth, and they don’t know exactly when or where, but you should probably start digging that hole now.
Video: See Hurricane Irene From Space!
Since all anyone really wants to talk about today is Hurricane Irene—which had slowed down a little bit by 2 p.m. today according to the National Weather Service but is still "expected to remain a hurricane as it moves along the Mid-Atlantic coast on Sunday"—we would be remiss not to share this legitimately awesome hi-res video that NASA has just released of Hurricane Irene FROM SPACE:
End Of An Era: Five Space Shuttle Moments Worth Revisiting
Break out the astronaut ice cream, it's the end of an era. As of today, NASA's space shuttle program has come to end, with Atlantis returning to earth. Reuters reports that NASA workers lined the runway at the Kennedy Space Center before dawn greet the crew, and shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach says, "I saw grown men and grown women crying today... Human emotions came out the runway today. You couldn't suppress them."
Final Shuttle Astronauts Treated To Some R.E.M. In Space
The four astronauts of the final space shuttle mission were greeted by R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe while on board Atlantis. From earth, Stipe sang them part of "Man On The Moon," acapella. He then told them:
Getting To Know NYC's Space Shuttle: The Enterprise
As America's space vehicles are launched into retirement, and the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum anticipates its very own shuttle, the Enterprise, the press is busy kicking its tires... or at least reflecting back on the glory days. For the shuttle Enterprise, there really aren't that many exciting stories (except that time the cast of Star Trek came to visit) because it never orbited space. However, this week the NY Post had astronaut Richard Truly pen a thoughtful look back at the Enterprise's days with NASA.
Houston Cries, Blames Obama For NASA Spacecraft Snub
As the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and New Yorkers cheered over getting the NASA shuttle Enterprise, there were some unhappy campers—specifically ones in Texas. NASA also announced the shuttle Endeavor will go to LA's California Science Center, the Discovery will go to the Smithsonian and the Atlantis will go to Cape Canaveral, Florida. Texas Congressman John Culberson (R) said, "It is sad and unfortunate that politics played such an obvious role in the placement of theses retiring Orbiters. The thought of an Orbiter not coming home to rest at Space Center Houston is truly tragic. It is analogous to Detroit without a Model-T, or Florence without a da Vinci."
We Have Liftoff: Shuttle Enterprise Is Coming To The Intrepid!
While NASA still hasn't made an official announcement, sources say that the Shuttle Enterprise will be landing in New York City! It's final trip will have it landing on the deck of the Intrepid (okay, so it will probably be towed there), where later today they'll be screening the official announcement on a 40-foot wall.
Countdown To NASA's Space Shuttle Announcement
Tomorrow NASA will finally be announcing who will receive their retiring space shuttles. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum has been lobbying for one for a while now, and they just informed us that tomorrow they're offering free admission to anyone who wears a space-themed piece of clothing. They'll also be broadcasting "NASA’s historic announcement" on a 40-foot-wall there; that's currently scheduled to happen between 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Reminder: SUPERMOON Tonight!
If you don't have rooftop access in your building, tonight might be the night to finally bite the bullet and break in. Due to the moon's elliptical orbit, the moon will appear bigger and closer tonight than it has in about 18 years, making it just that much easier to yell at. "It is called a supermoon because this is a very noticeable alignment that at first glance would seem to have an effect. The 'super' in supermoon is really just the appearance of being closer, but unless we were measuring the Earth-Moon distance by laser rangefinders...there is really no difference." said NASA's Dr. James Garvin. Here's a video explaining it:
Radiation From Huge Solar Flare Will Make Pretty Auroras
The biggest solar flare in four years exploded on the surface of the sun on Valentine's Day, probably coinciding with the exact moment when you saw the bill for dinner. A particle cloud has been barreling out from the giant star, and there have been concerns that the radiation could disrupt communication and navigation satellite. In China radio communication has already been affected, and AFP reports that this could "trigger blackouts around the world." But don't worry about the particle storm; NASA's Dean Pesnell insists, "It won't hit us dead-on." Which is exactly what the NASA scientist in the movies would tell the media before fleeing to his well-stocked bunker.
Can NASA Fix New York's 911 System?
New York's overbudget consolidated Emergency Communications Transformation Program (ECTP), which brings together police and fire 911 services into one happy package, has had a rough go of it. Indeed, just last month Comptroller John Liu rejected a $286 million contract request for the project citing its soaring budget and lack of organization. So now ECTP is...looking to NASA for help? Oh yes, it most certainly is.
And We Have Thundersnow!
The sleet predicted for this evening has come and along with it we seem to be getting a touch of hail and that elusive meteorological beast, the thundersnow. Just ask Twitter. We've heard reports of it over all over the city—did you see thundersnow?
Aliens Don't Exist... Or Are Forcing NASA To Speak Up!
Buzzkill Aldrin! Aliens don't exist... or do they? While the lamestream media is reporting that NASA's arsenic-loving bacteria do exist, they're not space aliens... or new to Earth... and were, in fact, deliberately manipulated in a lab by scientists. The outcome is still interesting though, as Boing Boing notes, the "bacteria can not only eat arsenic, they can use it in their DNA—completely replacing phosphate, which is one of those chemicals we thought was necessary for life to happen."
Tomorrow's NASA Press Conference: Aliens Exist!
We just received a message from the NASA Solar System Ambassador for New York City, in preparation of NASA's big announcement tomorrow regarding an "astrobiology finding." And as anyone with Google knows, that pretty much means THE ALIENS ARE HERE. (Perhaps that is why the sky looked so creepy and foreboding this afternoon.) Really though, they are here... in fact, you are probably friends with aliens on Facebook!
NYC From Above
NASA astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock is on Twitter... and is sending transmissions from space. His photos from above include one of Hurricane Earl, sending everyone "many prayers from space." He tweeted the above photo on August 28th, saying, “The City That Never Sleeps… New York, New York on a clear summer night." [via MoneyRies]
Video: NASA Sets Up Telescope In Battery Park
While the city awaits a space shuttle, NASA has brought in a full-scale model of their James Webb Space Telescope as part of the 2010 World Science Festival. This will be the world's most powerful spacescope, and its replica is currently on display at Battery Park. Columbia University physicist Brian Greene explains its power, saying, "We may be able to finally get an understanding of how galaxies form, how planets form, how stars form, in detail. Maybe we'll figure out the dark energy that we've learned is the fusion of the cosmos forcing space to expand."
Space Nerds Unite For Shuttle Rally!
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum took its rally for a space shuttle underground today, to the shuttle train out of Grand Central. Gov. Paterson, Borough Presidents Scott Stringer (Manhattan) and Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn), Intrepid Museum President Bill White and a lot of space shuttle enthusiasts gathered to ask NASA to gift us one of their retired space shuttles (you can sign the petition here). How can they say no to that face?
Local Astronaut Wants Shuttle In NYC
There's more rallying around bringing a space shuttle to NYC. The Intrepid is still waiting it out to see if they'll be delivered one of the three space shuttles from NASA next year—up for grabs are the Endeavour, Atlantis and Discovery. The Daily News talked to one local, 47-year-old Mike Massimino—an astronaut himself! He told the paper, "I would love to see one there. I think that would be a great place for it. A lot of people live in New York, and a lot of people visit New York, so that's a pretty good argument." While the big delivery wouldn't be made til next year, NASA says they are close to deciding if one will be coming our way. You can help out by signing the museum's petition, which has already been signed by nearly 50,000.
NYC Still Lobbying For Space Shuttle
Last year the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, along with around 20 other institutions, requested that NASA gift them a space shuttle—after they had announced they would be decommissioning the Endeavor, Atlantis and Discovery. Now that it's nearly decision making time, state officials are lobbying for the donation... as soon as this weather clears up, that is.
NASA Crashing Stuff Into The Moon This Morning
In hopes of seeing whether there's water or ice on the moon, NASA is crashing two spacecraft onto the moon's surface. The AP explains, "The crashing spaceship was launched in June along with an orbiter that's now mapping the lunar surface. LCROSS -- short for Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite and pronounced L-Cross -- is on a collision course with the moon, attached to an empty 2.2-ton rocket that helped get the probe off the ground."
Those Strange Lights Were Just Boring Rockets
There was a lot of chatter about strange lights in the sky last night, from the Bowery to Queens, with one tipster saying, "My boyfriend and I were eating dinner on our roof across from the New Museum and saw a strong point of light that slowly emitted a wash of light that grew then receded until it totally faded away. It was definitely NOT a chopper plane or anything we've ever seen." This took place around 8 p.m., prime time for an alien invasion.
See the Space Station Tonight?
Chris from the Boiled Peanut blog in Cincinnati points out that the Space Station could be seen above the Ohio city Sunday night, and according to NASA it'll be visible above New York City tonight! NASA has set up an entire page so you can find all space sightings that will take place world wide. Keep your eyes peeled around 8:42 p.m. tonight—our weather go-to-guy Joe Schumacher tells us, "I think there's a good chance the skies will be clear." But you know, there's always light pollution blocking us from seeing the sky's offerings. If there is no visibility, there's always the Urban Space Station, which will be completed in 2010. Except that'll be at NYU, which is way less exciting.
send a tip
tips@gothamist.comsubscribe
Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from Gothamist.