Space

China lands unmanned spacecraft on Mars for first time 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- May 15, 2021
State-run media says landing ‘spectacularly conquered’ a new milestone; it joins US Perseverance rover which landed in February

By David Aragorn
Exploding Stars are Titanium Factories 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- May 15, 2021
If you’re a fan of titanium, you should head to the nearest supernova. You’ll get more than enough of it. And its presence can help astronomers understand how supernovae work.

By David Aragorn
A study of Earth’s crust hints that supernovas aren’t gold mines 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- May 14, 2021
A smattering of plutonium atoms embedded in Earth’s crust are helping to resolve the origins of nature’s heaviest elements.

By David Aragorn
Mysterious Wobbles in Saturn’s Rings Reveal Clues About Its ‘Fuzzy’ Interior 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- May 13, 2021
What’s in a gas giant?

By David Aragorn
Faraway NASA probe detects the eerie hum of interstellar space 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- May 13, 2021
The classic 1979 sci-fi horror film “Alien” was advertised with the memorable tagline, “In space no can hear you scream.” It did not say anything about humming.

By David Aragorn
Next stop, space: NASA Webb telescope undergoes final tests 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- May 12, 2021
NASA engineers are getting one last look at the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): a final test to show that its 18 gold-tinted mirror segments can unfold into a precise honeycomb configuration. After the test concludes this week, the giant instrument will be folded up, packed into a shipping container, and shipped off to French Guiana, where it will launch into space on 31 October.

By David Aragorn
Astronomers keep finding mysterious circular rings in the sky and don’t know how to explain them 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- May 12, 2021
Lord of the radio rings.

By David Aragorn
Planet-forming disks around stars may come preloaded with ingredients for life 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- May 12, 2021
Methanol found around a hot, young star must have formed in cooler interstellar environs

By David Aragorn
NASA spacecraft begins 2-year trip home with asteroid rubble 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- May 11, 2021
With rubble from an asteroid tucked inside, a NASA spacecraft fired its engines and began the long journey back to Earth on Monday, leaving the ancient space rock in its rearview mirror.

By David Aragorn
Is there a pattern to the universe?0
- From Around the Web, Space
- May 11, 2021
Astronomers are getting some answers to an age-old question.

By David Aragorn