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Japan’s ispace aims for 2022 moon landing for private Hakuto-R spacecraft 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 15, 2020
It’s a one-year delay from a previous 2021 target

By David Aragorn
Betelgeuse’s Mysterious Dimming Likely Caused by Huge Outburst 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 15, 2020
The red supergiant Betelgeuse is one of the brightest stars in the night sky and appears even more luminous because it is so close to Earth, only 650 light-years away. But the star also periodically changes in brightness, which was first noted in the 1830s by the British astronomer John Herschel. Betelgeuse experienced an unexpected dimming during December 2019 and the first quarter of 2020, reaching an historic minimum on February 7-13. This dimming has mystified astronomers, who scrambled to develop several theories for the abrupt change. Ultraviolet observations by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope suggest that the dimming was probably caused by an immense amount of superhot material ejected into space. The material cooled and formed a dust cloud that blocked the starlight coming from about a quarter of Betelgeuse’s surface.

By David Aragorn
Mars becomes Planet Hulk in eerie nightglow animation of UV-emitting atmospheric phenomenon 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 15, 2020
If ever there might be a suitable world that Marvel’s Jade Giant might want to settle down on, it’s this spooky, green-tinted rendering of Mars’ nightside atmosphere delivered by the enterprising folks at NASA.

By David Aragorn
Pentagon forming task force to investigate military UFO sightings 0
- From Around the Web, UFO News
- August 14, 2020
The Pentagon is expected to unveil a task force dedicated to investigating reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) from service members led by top officials in the coming days.

By David Aragorn
Record-Breaking Stars Discovered Around The Milky Way’s Supermassive Black Hole 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 14, 2020
Astronomers looking at the core of the Milky Way have discovered some of the most extreme stars in our galaxy. Orbiting the central supermassive black hole known as Sagittarius A*, one of these stars is now the fastest ever discovered in the galaxy, moving at around 8 percent of the speed of light.

By David Aragorn
The secret to turtle hibernation: Butt-breathing 0
- Earth Mysteries, From Around the Web
- August 14, 2020
To breathe or not to breathe, that is the question.

By David Aragorn
‘Black dwarf supernova’: Physicist calculates when the last supernova ever will happen 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 14, 2020
The end of the universe as we know it will not come with a bang. Most stars will very, very slowly fizzle as their temperatures fade to zero.

By David Aragorn
Japan’s ‘Bigfoot’ still influences Hiroshima town after 50 years 0
- Earth Mysteries, From Around the Web
- August 14, 2020
A nighttime drive on a mountain path half a century ago led to a legend that forever changed this community and could now be instrumental in its survival.

By David Aragorn
Milky Way-like galaxy found in deep space puzzles astronomers 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 13, 2020
Using a clever gravity trick, researchers locate a distant galaxy reminiscent of our own. Current theories say it shouldn’t be there.

By David Aragorn
Regular bricks can be transformed into energy storage devices 0
- From Around the Web, Science & Technology
- August 13, 2020
Whether humans were erecting Neolithic dwellings, ranch-style homes or modern McMansions, bricks have been a favorite of builders for thousands of years.

By David Aragorn