Kuxan Suum
Path to the Center of the Universe
Kuxan Suum
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  • Can we travel in time? According to Stephen Hawking, yes !!! He believes humans could travel millions of years into the future. Moving backwards is impossible, because it “violates a fundamental rule that cause comes before effect.” Also, we need a very powerful time machine, a spaceship that can travel at higher than light speed. His theory may be validated with data from the Large Hadron supercollider in Geneva. Read more about Hawking's views at news.com.au (May 2010)
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  • Happy Birthday, Hubble! The most extraordinary space telescope is now 20 - Yes, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched from the Space Shuttle Discovery on April 25, 1990. Since then, the Hubble has traveled 2.8 billion miles, capturing an extraordinary 570,000 images of our magnificent universe. One usually gives presents to the one celebrating a birthday; in this case is the Hubble that gives us the best gift of all. Visit the Hubble site to feast your eyes with the Mystic Mountain.  http://hubblesite.org
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  • Tonight, raise your eyes to the heavens.... On the evening of March 20, 2010, Nature will give us a sky show of indescribably beauty. It will begin as soon as the sky turns dark. The Moon will come out first, a chubby glorious crescent hanging about a third of the way up to the western horizon. And when the twilight blue fades and turns the horizon dark, you will see that the Moon is not alone. The gorgeous Pleiades will be there as well. On this night the Moon will party with the Pleiades in a close encounter of rare loveliness. If you don't see it now you'd have to wait until the year 2023!
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  • Kepler finds its first five exoplanets! NASA's Kepler space telescope, designed to find Earth-size planets in the habitable zone of sun-like stars, has discovered its first five new exoplanets. The planets are giant hot Jupiters, but soon I'm sure Kepler will discover an Earth-like small planet. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2010/04jan_fiveplanets.htm?list2471
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  • Where is Voyager now? Has it crossed the Local Fluff?   Scientists report that the solar system is passing through an interstellar cloud that physics says should not exist. In the Dec. 24th issue of Nature, a team of scientists reveal how NASA's Voyager spacecraft have solved the mystery. Read the FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/23dec_voyager.htm?list2471 
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  • Water on the Moon! NASA Science News for November 13, 2009 - At a press conference, researchers revealed data from NASA's LCROSS mission indicating that water exists in a permanently shadowed lunar crater. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/13nov_lcrossresults.htm?list2471
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  • Second exoplanet with ingredients for life!  NASA JPL astronomers detected water, methane, and carbon dioxide in exoplanet HD 209458b. The organic compounds were detected with data from the Hubble and Spitzer telescopes. I keep wondering if soon it'll be discovered that indeed we have living relatives somewhere across the universe.
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  • Giant Ribbon Discovered at the Edge of the Solar System! NASA Science News for October 15, 2009 - NASA's IBEX spacecraft has discovered a vast, glowing ribbon at the edge of the solar system. One mission scientist calls the discovery "shocking" and says theorists are "working like crazy" to explain the finding. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/15oct_ibex.htm?list2471 
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  • Watch spacecraft crash on the Moon! NASA Science News for October 5, 2009 - On Friday morning, Oct. 9th, you can watch a pair of spacecraft crash into the Moon with your own eyes. The purposeful impacts are the climax of NASA's LCROSS mission to unearth signs of water in lunar soil. Today's story tells how and where to look. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/05oct_lcrossvg.htm?list2471
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  • Spectacular! The most gorgeous views of the Universe brought to us by the new Hubble Space Telescope! Have you seen them? The amazing views of distant galaxies, swarming with colorful stars can make one cry and wonder.... - Today, astronomers declared the Hubble Space telescope a fully rejuvenated observatory with the release of spectacular new images and data from four of its six operating science instruments. NASA Science News for Sept 9, 2009 - FULL STORY AND IMAGES at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/09sep_hubbleimages.htm?list2471
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  • Hunting for Antimatter Galaxies - NASA Science News for August 14, 2009: A powerful cosmic ray detector to be installed on the International Space Station will search for antimatter galaxies and other exotic phenomena in the Universe. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/14aug_ams.htm?list2471
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  • Kepler spotted the giant!  NASA Science News for August 6, 2009 - NASA's new planet-hunting Kepler space telescope has detected the changing phases and atmosphere of a planet a thousand light years away. You must see the crisp light curve for the hot exoplanet that Kepler gets and compare with the signal from a ground telescope; amazingly clear! FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/06aug_kepler2.htm?list2471
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  • Speak up about Human Space Exploration! Visit NASA's Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans committe page and let them know you support it.  http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf/home/index.html
  • Celebrate Lunar Landing Anniversary! Give a party! Dance! or just watch the footage from the amazing historical spaceflight drama.
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  • Return of the Mars Hoax - NASA Science News for June 9, 2009---There's an email going around claiming that Mars will look as big as a full Moon on August 27th. Could this possibly be true? Find out in today's story from Science@NASA: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/09jun_marshoax.htm?list2471
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  • Atlantis Lift Off!  NASA Science News for May 11, 2009 - After a smooth countdown and picture-perfect liftoff, space shuttle Atlantis and a crew of seven astronauts are in space, ready to begin their 11-day mission to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis lifted off Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:01 p.m. EDT on May 11th. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/11may_hubblemission1.htm?list2471
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  • True Cosmic Blast from the Past!   NASA Science News for April 28, 2009 : A gamma-ray burst detected by NASA's Swift satellite has smashed the previous distance record for the most powerful explosions in the Universe. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/28apr_grbsmash.htm?list2471
     
  • NASA's twin STEREO probes are entering a mysterious region of space to look for remains of an ancient planet which might have orbited the Sun not far from Earth. If they find anything, it could solve a major puzzle--the origin of the Moon. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/09apr_theia.htm?list2471
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  • Hubble Celebrates the International Year of Astronomy with the Galaxy Triplet Arp 274. On April 1-2, the Hubble Space Telescope photographed the winning target in the Space Telescope Science Institute's "You Decide" competition in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA). The winner is a group of galaxies called Arp 274. Visit Hubble site to see the gorgeous photograph
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  •  PAMELA Positron Observations May Indicate Dark Matter. Space.com (4/2, Moskowitz) reports, "When dark matter is destroyed, it leaves behind a burst of exotic particles, according to theory. Now scientists have found a possible signature of these remains." According to a new study in Nature, the PAMELA spacecraft found an overabundance of positrons, which could be formed from dark matter particles colliding. "Positrons are often created when cosmic rays interact with atoms in the gas and dust between stars. But this source cannot produce enough positrons to account for PAMELA's findings. Another possibility is that the positrons PAMELA found were produced by...pulsars." More data from PAMELA or the Fermi Space Telescope is needed to rule out the pulsar source. 

     
  • NASA Planet Hunter Blasts into Space! NASA Science News for March 6, 2009: In a night launch of stunning beauty, NASA's Kepler spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral on Friday night, March 6th, on a mission to find Earth-like planets circling other stars. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/06mar_keplerlaunch.htm?list2471

  • Are there worlds like ours? Are we alone in the Galaxy? NASA Science News for February 20, 2009: NASA's Kepler spacecraft is about to begin an unprecedented journey that could ultimately answer these ancient questions. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/20feb_kepler.htm?list2471

  • Gamma Ray Flares from a Star 30,000 light years away from Earth. NASA Science News for February 10, 2009 - A gamma-ray flare star is putting on a remarkable show for NASA spacecraft. Highlights include ghostly x-ray "light halos" and eruptions packing more total energy than the Sun puts out in 20 years. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/10feb_sgr.htm?list2471

  • The FERMI Space Telescope. Today, August 26, 2008, NASA revealed first light images and announced a new name for its latest space telescope. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/26aug_firstlight.htm?list2471

  • Noctilucent clouds: A NASA Story.  High above Earth, astronauts on board the International Space Station have taken one of the best-ever photos of electric-blue noctilucent clouds. Their image, featured in today's story from Science@NASA, highlights a growing mystery: Where do these clouds come from and why are they spreading? FULL STORY at NASA http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/25aug_nlc.htm?list2471

  • Solar Sails: A NASA Story. Have you ever stared up at the night sky, felt a gentle breeze, and wished you could set sail for the stars? Get in line. Many great thinkers from history have had the same idea. This long-held fancy could soon become reality with one solar sail mission on the drawing board and another already on the launching pad, slated to blast off this summer. FULL STORY at NASA http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/31jul_solarsails.htm?list2471

  • Solar Eclipse: This Friday, August 1, 2008, millions of people in China will witness a well-publicized total eclipse of the sun. Less widely reported is the partial eclipse, which *billions* of people across a quarter of the globe can observe and enjoy. Today's story from Science@NASA explores the delights of partiality. FULL STORY at NASA: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/29jul_solareclipse.htm?list2471

  • Lunar rocks reveal signs of water!  The Los Angeles Times (7/10, Hansen) reports that "A new analysis of volcanic glass recovered from the moon decades ago found the rocks contain traces of the constituents of water, challenging a long-held notion that the moon is perfectly dry." This discovery suggests that there was, and still could be, water deep inside the moon! Let's find out more at www.space.com/news  

  • A Telescope made of Moondust! NASA Science News for July 9, 2008:   Mix moondust with epoxy, add a dash of carbon nanotubes, and spin. The result? A parabolic mirror perfectly suited for a giant lunar observatory. A NASA-supported scientist has discovered this new recipe for making telescopes out of moondust, and to prove it works he has spun a "moondust mirror" here on Earth. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/09jul_moonscope.htm?list2471

  • Voyager reveals the shape of the Solar System. Today S. Borenstein reports on the discovery by Voyager 2 that the heliosphere is "dented" and not round like scientists had assumed. "Voyager 2 hit the southern edge of the Solar System nearly 1 billion miles closer to the Sun than Voyager 1 did to the north." Read on: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080702/ap_on_sc/sci_solar_system_3;_ylt=AlWCFc.3GYkkOJyfg13ecp3lmlUA

  • According to New Scientist, "Hubble captured a close-up of the remnant of a supernova that exploded in the Milky Way on 1 May 1006.". The article notes that "the explosion is one of the brightest in recorded history and was visible with the naked eye." It shows a composite image made from the visible light emited by hydrogen atoms in the remnant.  Go to the article: http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn14241-hubble-snaps-ghostly-ribbon-of-light.html

  • This summer, NASA engineers will try to realize a dream older than the Space Age itself: the deployment of a working solar sail in Earth orbit. The sail is NanoSail-D and it is scheduled for launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket on July 29, 2008.  FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/26jun_nanosaild.htm?list2471

  • Martian soil could potentially support plant life!  Among other news on Thursday, June 26, 2008, an ABC World News story reported: "Tonight, NASA scientists say they are flabbergasted...by new evidence about life on Mars. The intriguing findings come from the Phoenix Lander, which has already discovered ice on the red planet." Soil analysis conducted by the Phoenix lander "shows that Mars dirt is pretty much like what you find in your backyard, apparently with nutrients that could support life."                                                                                               Meanwhile, the Houston Chronicle today added that, "The soil Phoenix analyzed next to its north pole landing site has the right chemistry and mineral nutrients to grow green beans, turnips and asparagus." Imagine, the martian soil may be good to grow the vegetables to feed future explorers! The terraforming of Mars is now more feasible than ever.

  • Google launches new space race to the Moon. Full story at: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/06/20/google.lunar.xprize/index.html

  • In 1967, Surveyor 3 landed on the Moon. Two years later, Apollo astronauts visited the little unmanned spacecraft and brought pieces of it home to Earth. Now, a portion of Surveyor's robotic arm, the scoop it used to sample moondust, is teaching researchers some long-lost secrets.      FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/20jun_apollorelic.htm?list2471

  • Water found on Mars! Today NASA released a photo of a trench dug by Phoenix that shows white "chunks" that have disappeared over time, leading scientists to believe the chunck are ice. Visit JPL site for more info: www.jpl.nasa.gov

  • Sometimes you just can't believe your eyes. This week is one of those times. Check out the full Moon on June 18th and prepare to be deceived! FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/16jun_moonillusion.htm?list2471

  • Phoenix lander transmits detailed images of Martian soil.  Visit JPL for more http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/phoenix/main.php

  • NASA Science News for June 10, 2008: NASA has a daring new mission on the drawing board: Solar Probe Plus, a spacecraft tough enough to visit the sun itself. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/10jun_solarprobe.htm?list2471
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  • NASA Science News for May 29, 2008: NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has found a bizarre ring of material around the magnetic remains of a star that blasted itself to smithereens. Although rings and spheres of material are common in the universe, this one is not quite like any ring astronomers have seen before. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/29may_magnetar.htm?list2471
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  • NASA Science News for May 25, 2008: NASA's Phoenix spacecraft landed on Mars Sunday, May 25th, to begin three months of examining an arctic site chosen for its likelihood of having frozen water within reach of the lander's robotic arm. Check today's story for details of the landing and first pictures beamed back from the landing site. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/25may_phoenix2.htm?list2471
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  • NASA Science News for May 22, 2008: Gravitationally speaking, the moon is a strange place. Satellites in lunar orbit feel odd, sideways tugs and sometimes end up nose down in the moondust. Astronauts standing in the middle of lunar lava seas weigh more than they do standing on the shore. A new NASA mission named GRAIL aims to map the moon's quirky gravity field and thus pave the way for future exploration. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/22may_grail.htm?list2471
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  • Space Weather News for May 18, 2008: The 2008 "ISS Marathon" gets underway this week when the International Space Station spends three days (May 21-23) in almost-constant sunlight. Sky watchers in Europe and North America can see the bright spaceship gliding overhead two to four times each night.  The ISS is as bright as Venus or Jupiter, so even people in light-polluted cities can see it.  Please use our new and improved simple Satellite Tracker to find out when to look:
    http://spaceweather.com/flybys

    SPACE STATION MOVIE: Today's edition of spaceweather.com features a must-see movie of the International Space Station flying over Germany on May 12th.  Although it looks like footage from a satellite or high-powered telescope, the movie was made by an amateur astronomer using a backyard 5-inch refractor.  As a result of ongoing construction (every shuttle flight in recent months has added a new
    piece to the ISS), the space station is now a wide and easy target for amateur-class telescopes.  Catch the show at http://spaceweather.com.

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  • NASA Science News for May 13, 2008: NASA's Phoenix lander is getting ready to touch down on Mars and begin an unprecedented investigation of the Red Planet's arctic realm.  FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/13may_phoenix.htm?list2471

          Let's celebrate the landing of the Phoenix Mars Lander on May 25!


Kuxan Suum
Welcome
About Book
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Life in Space
Space News
Contact Me
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Maya Astronomy
Copyright by Dora Musielak