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Never underestimate the power of the Dark Side again and Save 20% on the Lego Emperor's Throne Room Diorama ahead of Star Wars Day, May 4.

Citizen scientists poring over old Hubble Telescope photos discovered a thousand previously unknown asteroids in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Long confined to regions with volcanic activity, geothermal promises to become a much more versatile energy source thanks to new technologies

Over the last few years I have been renovating my home. Building on Earth seems to be a fairly well understood process, after all we have many different materials to chose from. But what about future lunar explorers. As we head closer toward a permanent lunar base, astronauts will have very limited cargo carrying capability so will have to use local materials. On the Moon, that means relying upon the dusty lunar regolith that covers the surface. Researchers have now developed 20 different methods for creating building materials out of the stuff. They include solidification, sintering/melting, bonding solidification and confinement formation. But of all these, which is the best?

Apollo astronauts reported the surface of the Moon to be covered in a fine, powdery material, similar in texture to talcum powder. The material, known as the lunar regolith is thought to have formed by the constant bombardment from meteoroids over millions of years. The impacts bombarded the rocks on the Moon’s surface breaking them down into fine grains. The layer varies in depth across the surface from 5 metres to 10 metres and consists mostly of silicon dioxide, iron oxide, aluminium dioxide and a few other minerals. The fine nature of the dust makes it difficult for astronauts and machinery alike to operate on the surface and its sharp contours make it somewhat hazardous.

After taking the first boot print photo, Aldrin moved closer to the little rock and took this second shot. The dusty, sandy pebbly soil is also known as the lunar ‘regolith’. Click to enlarge. Credit: NASA

Any future engineers that visit the Moon to construct habitats will need to somehow employ the use of this material in their work. A paper published in the journal Engineering by Professor Feng from the Tsinghua University has conducted a review of possible techniques. Almost 20 techniques have been employed and these have been categorised into four main processes. 

In what I can only assume to be a process similar to concrete and its reaction with water, reaction solidification takes regolith particles and reacts them with other compounds. These will have to be transported to the Moon and, when mixed with regolith, will solidify. The process would create a solid material where regolith comprises 60% to 95% of the overall mixture. 

An alternative approach involves sintering or melting the regolith by subjecting it to high temperatures. The approach can create solid material composed of entirely regolith however, temperatures in excess of 1,000 degrees are required and this in itself will pose challenges and safety concerns on the lunar surface. 

Bonding solidification is a process that uses other particles to bond regolith together. Similar to the reaction solidification, the result is 65% to 95% regolith in the final product. It requires lower temperatures than melting making it a safer process and it takes less time than solidification. 

Finally a process known as confinement formation is an intriguing approach which uses a fabric to restrict and constrain the regolith, forming what are ultimately, bags of the stuff. This seems to be an advanced form of sand bag where the particles are not connected as they are in other processes, but still confined. 99% of the final product would be regolith and whilst it is a faster, lower temperature process, it may lack the strength of other techniques. 

Based on a series of articles that were recently made available to the public, NASA predicts it could build a base on the Moon by 2022, and for cheaper than expected. Credit: NASA

Finding the best approach requires consideration of cost, performance, safety, energy consumption, and resource requirements. To address the many components, the team identified the 8IMEM quantification method which includes 8 indicators. Working through the processes that have been identified, the team recommend confinement formation as the best, most cost effective and safest approach. 

The confinement formation, whilst the most cost effective and fastest method may not be suitable for all construction needs. It may be suitable for some laboratory needs for example but when it comes to living quarters may not be the best. The research will help to focus and inform future decisions on construction on the Moon. 

Source : Researchers quantify the ideal in situ construction method for lunar habitats

The post There are Four Ways to Build with Regolith on the Moon appeared first on Universe Today.

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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) A new interactive exhibit at the NASA Glenn Visitor Center replicates the Fluids and Combustion Facility on the International Space Station, enabling users to see how microgravity experiments operate. Credit: NASA/Christopher Hartenstine 

The Ohio Museums Association (OMA) presented NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland with two OMA 2023 Visual Communications Awards during its annual meeting in Sandusky, Ohio, on April 14. NASA Glenn and contractor Impact Inc. received the Gold Award (Level 2) and the Best in Show Award for the updated “Science in Space: Interactive International Space Station Exhibit” at the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, located in Great Lakes Science Center.  

The exhibit replicates the Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF) on the International Space Station, which houses two research facilities — the Combustion Integrated Rack, or CIR, and the Fluids Integrated Rack, or FIR. Both were developed at NASA Glenn with prime contractor ZIN Technologies and are operated remotely from Glenn’s ISS Payloads Operation Center. The FCF supports physical and biological experiments to advance technology development while bringing many benefits back to Earth.   

For more information about the exhibit, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/glenn/new-nasa-glenn-exhibit-spotlights-microgravity-research/.  

Explore More 1 min read NASA Participates in NCAA Women’s Championship Game  Article 1 day ago 1 min read NASA Glenn Teams Up with Cleveland Monsters  Article 1 day ago 1 min read NASA Glenn Joins Big Hoopla STEM Challenge Article 1 day ago

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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Women scientists, engineers, and leaders from NASA stand at center court inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland to hold a large American flag during the NCAA Women’s Championship Game opening ceremony.   Credit:  NASA/Jef Janis  

Just before tipoff at the live national broadcast of the NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship Game on April 7, 31 women scientists, engineers, and leaders from NASA stood at center court inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland to hold a large American flag during the opening ceremony.   

   

Women representing NASA carry a folded American flag off the court after the flag ceremony inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland. Credit:  NASA/Jef Janis  

The crowd cheered as  astronaut Jessica Watkins and professionals from NASA’s Glenn Research Center, NASA Headquarters, and other field centers opened the flag and waved it during the national anthem. Click here to see more images from this exciting outreach experience.  

NASA participants, along with astronaut Jessica Watkins, pose at center court inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland prior to the American flag opening ceremony.   Credit: NASA/Michael Ahn  Explore More 1 min read NASA Glenn Interactive Exhibit Earns Gold Article 1 day ago 1 min read NASA Glenn Teams Up with Cleveland Monsters  Article 1 day ago 1 min read NASA Glenn Joins Big Hoopla STEM Challenge Article 1 day ago

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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)

NASA’s Glenn Research Center joined the Cleveland Monsters to celebrate their total solar eclipse-themed game against the Rochester Americans at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on March 30. NASA Glenn staff were on hand to discuss the total solar eclipse and NASA’s presence at Great Lakes Science Center’s Total Eclipse Fest 2024, April 6-8. NASA also provided a photobooth for guests to use, Eva the astronaut mascot made rounds, and Glenn showcased its Graphics and Visualization Lab through virtual reality glasses experiences and hands-on demos. The Monsters also showed a 2024 Eclipse Countdown Kickoff video during the game.  

 

NASA Glenn’s Gretchen Morales-Valle, front left, and Daniel Phan, back left, share information about the total solar eclipse and viewing safety during the Cleveland Monsters game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. Credit: NASA/John Oldham Explore More 1 min read NASA Glenn Interactive Exhibit Earns Gold Article 8 hours ago 1 min read NASA Participates in NCAA Women’s Championship Game  Article 8 hours ago 1 min read NASA Glenn Joins Big Hoopla STEM Challenge Article 8 hours ago

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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Sam Chamberlin, NASA Glenn Office of STEM Engagement, guides young guests in a hands-on activity demonstrating shape memory alloys during the Big Hoopla STEM Challenge. Credit: NASA/Catherine Graves 

NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland joined in the adventure of the Big Hoopla STEM Challenge held at the Dayton Convention Center on March 17. The free family event for kids (K-8) tied together the excitement of college basketball and the power of STEM education. NASA Glenn Deputy Center Director Dawn Schaible participated in the event, stressing NASA’s support for nurturing STEM education and careers.

NASA Glenn Research Center’s Deputy Center Director Dawn Schaible shares her excitement and support for STEM education during the Big Hoopla STEM Challenge. Credit: NASA/Scott Broemsen 

Glenn’s Office of STEM Engagement staff engaged over 200 students in hands-on STEM activities during the event. Students learned about the total solar eclipse, how to safely view the eclipse, and received eclipse glasses. They also participated in shape memory alloy demonstrations, experienced flight simulations using 360 Oculus goggles, and learned about solar energy by making ultraviolet bead bracelets.  

Explore More 1 min read NASA Glenn Interactive Exhibit Earns Gold Article 8 hours ago 1 min read NASA Participates in NCAA Women’s Championship Game  Article 8 hours ago 1 min read NASA Glenn Teams Up with Cleveland Monsters  Article 8 hours ago

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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The NASA-sponsored Magnificat MagnifiBots team from Magnificat High School in Rocky River, Ohio, earned the Rookie All-Star Award. Credit: NASA/Jef Janis

NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland supported the 25th annual FIRST Robotics Buckeye Regional Competition, March 20 to 23, at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center.

The NASA-sponsored WorBots team from Thomas Worthington High School in Worthington, Ohio, and Worthington Kilbourne High School in Columbus, Ohio, received the Championship Qualifying Award and the Regional FIRST Impact Award. Credit: NASA/Jef Janis

Fifty-five teams of high school students competed in the robotics competition, which aims to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators by engaging them in mentor-based engineering.

The NASA-sponsored Argonauts team from Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School in Cleveland received the coveted Judges’ Award. Credit: NASA/Jef Janis

NASA Glenn employees offered their time and expertise as mentors or volunteers supporting FIRST Robotics teams leading up to the event as well as on competition day. Glenn-sponsored teams took home key awards, and Sierra Lobo’s NASA Machine Shop earned the Volunteer of the Year Award.  

The NASA-sponsored AstroCircuits team from John Marshall School of Information Technology in Cleveland ranked 14th out of 55 teams. Credit: NASA/Jef Janis Explore More 1 min read NASA Glenn Interactive Exhibit Earns Gold Article 8 hours ago 1 min read NASA Participates in NCAA Women’s Championship Game  Article 8 hours ago 1 min read NASA Glenn Teams Up with Cleveland Monsters  Article 8 hours ago

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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Cleveland Metropolitan School District high school students learned about how a robotic dog named “Astro” serves as the eyes and ears for NASA employees conducting inspections in noisy facilities. Credit: NASA/Sara Lowthian-Hanna
 

NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland opened its doors to Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) students to explore various Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.    

NASA Glenn’s Office of STEM Engagement invited high school students onsite to explore center facilities and talk to NASA experts during NASA Career Exploration Day. Students learned about NASA internships, as well as paid STEM engagement learning experiences for CMSD students at NASA Glenn this summer.   

“The career exploration day is two-fold,” said Glenn Education Project Specialist Clarence Jones. “We engage and inspire students to consider STEM careers, and we encourage them to participate in the summer CMSD Career Research Experience.”    

During NASA Career Exploration Day, eleventh graders participated in hands-on STEM engagement activities and saw research demonstrations. They toured several facilities and engaged in a panel discussion with NASA scientists, engineers, and current NASA interns.  

Cleveland Metropolitan School District high school students stand in front of an airplane in the Flight Research Building (hangar) at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Credit: NASA/Jef Janis Explore More 1 min read NASA Glenn Interactive Exhibit Earns Gold Article 8 hours ago 1 min read NASA Participates in NCAA Women’s Championship Game  Article 8 hours ago 1 min read NASA Glenn Teams Up with Cleveland Monsters  Article 8 hours ago

Obese mice that lost weight on a low-fat diet before getting a flu shot had better immune responses than those that lost weight afterwards, suggesting diet and weight loss influence vaccine efficacy

Obese mice that lost weight on a low-fat diet before getting a flu shot had better immune responses than those that lost weight afterwards, suggesting diet and weight loss influence vaccine efficacy

Maybe everything in the outer solar system is an ocean world.

The post How Saturn’s Moon Mimas Might Have Melted appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Dodgy studies and fantastic claims have long powered a belief in devious Russian brain weapons, from mind control to microwave devices   

The molecule that gives cannabis its citrusy smell can make THC less anxiety-inducing

After years of delay, researchers are ready to inject carbon dioxide into jungle plots.

Reflect Orbital plans to launch a constellation of orbiting mirrors to beam sunlight to solar power plants on Earth after dark.

The incentives in science don’t always encourage openness—but being wrong might just be the key to getting it right.

No sign of Ziggy Stardust – but ESA’s Mars Express has snapped the telltale traces of ‘spiders’ scattered across the southern polar region of Mars.

Image: Virtual tour of ESA’s Test Centre