Japan's launch has been suspended because of strong winds
Space Science and Astronomy thread
- Thread starter DaveH
- Start date
India launches a mission to the sun after successful moon landing
Chandrayaan-3: Isro puts India's Moon lander and rover in 'sleep mode'
It is hoped the Vikram lander and Pragyaan rover will reawaken when the next lunar day starts.
www.bbc.co.uk
'Once-in-a-lifetime' comet to be visible in UK skies next week - see when
Brits will get their best chance to see the newly discovered Comet Nishimura (Comet C/2023 PI) with the naked eye next week - see exactly when.
www.edp24.co.uk
Next week for those who may be interested.
MunkyHeed
Striker
DaveH
Striker
Where to find it'Once-in-a-lifetime' comet to be visible in UK skies next week - see when
Brits will get their best chance to see the newly discovered Comet Nishimura (Comet C/2023 PI) with the naked eye next week - see exactly when.
Next week for those who may be interested.
Comet C/2023 P1 Nishimura
Satellite predictions and other astronomical data customised for your location.
DaveH
Striker
OSIRIS-REx returned home samples successfully.
It is amazing when you think about it. Probe launched on rocket, undocked once out the atmosphere and a blast of thrusters set it off on it's way to perfectly arrive at a moving target, and asteroid. Scoop samples off the surface of the asteroid, automatically seal them in containers before heading back to earth. Once near our atmosphere, a sturdy sample return container is fired into the atmosphere and it slows down with a heat shield and parachutes to land exactly where it was supposed to.
These things are not like driving a car or a plane. You have limited propellant for manoeuvres so you can't just drive it back directly, Star Trek style. The trajectory had to be calculated before launch with only a limited amount of slight changes needed. Gravity and orbital mechanics did the main bit. The animation here is great.
www.theplanetstoday.com
Kick the probe into an orbit slightly different to Bennu, knowing that after a couple of years the two would be in sync, then kick it off again knowing after a few more years it's orbit would cross the path of earth, the two would meet and be captured in earth's gravity.
Osiris-Rex: Nasa confirms return of asteroid Bennu samples
A capsule carrying debris from asteroid Bennu lands safely in the Utah desert.
www.bbc.co.uk
It is amazing when you think about it. Probe launched on rocket, undocked once out the atmosphere and a blast of thrusters set it off on it's way to perfectly arrive at a moving target, and asteroid. Scoop samples off the surface of the asteroid, automatically seal them in containers before heading back to earth. Once near our atmosphere, a sturdy sample return container is fired into the atmosphere and it slows down with a heat shield and parachutes to land exactly where it was supposed to.
These things are not like driving a car or a plane. You have limited propellant for manoeuvres so you can't just drive it back directly, Star Trek style. The trajectory had to be calculated before launch with only a limited amount of slight changes needed. Gravity and orbital mechanics did the main bit. The animation here is great.
OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Flight Path to Bennu
OSIRIS-REx spacecraft animation - positions from launch to now and beyond.
US issues first ever fine for space junk to Dish Network
Dish Network will have to pay $150,000 for failing to move an old satellite far enough away from the Earth.
www.bbc.co.uk
TwasOnTheFifthOfMay
Striker
The Texas Cities That Lost a Solar Eclipse
Earth’s spin has speeded up in recent years—with consequences for two cities at the edge of the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023.
www.timeanddate.com
This is pretty cool.
Need to click on insta link and swipe to second image
Need to click on insta link and swipe to second image
daventry cat
Striker
it is insanely good
Orionid meteor shower to light up the skies
The streaks of light from the debris of Halley's comet will be at their peak on Saturday.
www.bbc.co.uk
Wet and dank outside but tomorrow better chance
Roker Mackem
Striker
Thanks for posting this, its blown my mind
errant
Striker
Copying a local lad, and I suspect mlf…it is insanely good
D
Deleted member 46791
Guest
You might want to try Rother Valley Optics mate. You can drop them an email direct from their website, tell them what you're after, and they'll advise you. I use these and they're great to deal with. They actually have quite a few telescopes on their website that are within your budget.
www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk
Neptune and Uranus seen in true colours for first time
Analysis shows that our ideas of the colours of the planets Neptune and Uranus have been wrong.
www.bbc.co.uk
