"The large-scale homogeneity of the universe makes it very difficult to believe that the structure of the universe is determined by anything so peripheral as some complicated molecular structure on a minor planet orbiting a very average star in the outer suburbs of a fairly typical galaxy."

— Steven Hawking

Astronomy

1st annual space piracy conference will examine threats of orbital crime and smuggling

Space.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 12:05pm
The First Annual Space Piracy Conference aims to explore the risks of piracy in space and solutions to this potentially devastating economic and legal problem.
Categories: Astronomy

Hurricane Season Begins

NASA Image of the Day - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 11:36am
An external high-definition camera on the International Space Station captured this image of Hurricane Idalia at 11:35 a.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 29, 2023. Idalia was a category 1 storm over the Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds of 140 kilometers (85 miles) per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center. June 1 marks the beginning of the 2024 hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean.
Categories: Astronomy, NASA

Small fern species has a genome 50 times larger than that of humans

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 11:00am
A small fern found only on a few Pacific islands has more than 100 metres of DNA in every single cell, more than any other organism that we know of
Categories: Astronomy

Small fern species has a genome 50 times larger than that of humans

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 11:00am
A small fern found only on a few Pacific islands has more than 100 metres of DNA in every single cell, more than any other organism that we know of
Categories: Astronomy

Powerful new NOAA weather satellite set for June launch atop SpaceX Falcon Heavy

Space.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 11:00am
NOAA is set to launch an advanced new weather satellite on June 25 when its GOES-U spacecraft launches atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Categories: Astronomy

Scarlett Johansson’s OpenAI Dispute Raises Questions about 'Persona' Rights

Scientific American.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 11:00am

Emerging AI services present scenarios that could challenge the laws over rights to a persona

Categories: Astronomy

The cold lunar night may have finally swallowed Japan's SLIM moon lander

Space.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 10:00am
Japan's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission failed to respond to a signal sent Monday — but all hope is not lost.
Categories: Astronomy

Can We Solve Social Justice Problems with Math?

Scientific American.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 10:00am

Mathematicians are working on ways to use their field to tackle major social issues, such as social inequality and the need for gender equity

Categories: Astronomy

Watch Rocket Lab launch shoebox-sized NASA climate satellite tonight

Space.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 9:31am
Rocket Lab will launch the second of two cubesats for NASA's PREFIRE climate change mission tonight (May 31), and you can watch the action live.
Categories: Astronomy

Massive, magnetic stars beyond the Milky Way detected for the 1st time

Space.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 9:10am
Astronomers have detected giant, magnetic stars outside the Milky Way for the first time. These infant stars in the Magellanic Clouds could reveal details of early stellar evolution.
Categories: Astronomy

Week in images: 27-31 May 2024

ESO Top News - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 9:10am

Week in images: 27-31 May 2024

Discover our week through the lens

Categories: Astronomy

NASA's X-59 'quiet' supersonic jet passes key safety review ahead of 1st test flight

Space.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 9:00am
NASA's new X-59 supersonic jet has successfully completed its Flight Readiness Review, marking a pivotal step towards its first flight.
Categories: Astronomy

How Many Holes Does the Universe Have?

Scientific American.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 9:00am

The shape of the cosmos could be much more complex than anyone had ever imagined

Categories: Astronomy

These Five Tanning Myths are Dangerous

Scientific American.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 8:00am

Skin-care experts break down dangerous misconceptions about tanning and suggest healthy ways to enjoy summertime sunshine

Categories: Astronomy

How Your Itch Can Make Others Scratch

Scientific American.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 7:30am

Just watching someone scratch themselves on social media switches on the brain network that initiates the physical sensation of itch

Categories: Astronomy

How Old Is the North Star? The Answer Could Change Our Maps of the Cosmos

Scientific American.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 6:45am

The iconic star Polaris appears to be much younger than its true age. The secret: it’s eating another star

Categories: Astronomy

China's Chang'e 6 probe to land on far side of the moon this weekend to return lunar samples to Earth

Space.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 6:00am
China's Chang'e 6 moon mission is studying landing sites on the lunar far side for accessibility ahead of a planned touchdown attempt this weekend.
Categories: Astronomy

‘Pee-Cycling’ Could Help Tackle Cape Cod’s Polluted Waterways

Scientific American.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 6:00am

A cost-effective pollution solution on Cape Cod could start in the bathroom.

Categories: Astronomy

Opticron Oregon 4 PC Oasis 10X42 monocular review

Space.com - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 5:58am
There is an instant feel of quality in this rugged and easy-to-use Opticron Oregon 4 PC Oasis 10X42 monocular.
Categories: Astronomy

This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 31 – June 9

Sky & Telescope Magazine - Fri, 05/31/2024 - 5:18am

Arcturus and Vega highlight the evening, The Big Dipper quickly pivots. And sorry, tell your friends and family who ask that no "dazzling Parade of Planets" is blazing across the sky. Who makes this stuff up??

The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 31 – June 9 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Categories: Astronomy