The waxing gibbous Moon shines with Jupiter and Saturn on its way to full. And as summer turns to fall, Deneb replaces Vega as the zenith star after dusk. The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, September 17 – 25 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreMonth: September 2021
Inspiration4 commander Jared Isaacman places 1st-ever sports bets from space
SpaceX’s all-private Inspiration4 mission has notched another spaceflight first — although most parents are probably hoping this one doesn’t inspire their kids to similar action. Jared Isaacman, the tech billionaire who paid for and commands the Earth-orbiting Inspiration4, has placed two bets on NFL football with the BetMGM Sportsbook, part of the MGM Grand casino in Las Vegas. They’re the first-ever official sports wagers made from the final frontier, BetMGM representatives said. “This is a truly historic moment. Thanks to Shift4 Payments for the incredible honor of asking BetMGM to…
Read MoreOculus Quest 2 vs. Valve Index: Which VR headset should you buy?
We’re looking at the high and low end of VR headsets today as we pit the Oculus Quest 2 vs Valve Index. VR has come a long way over the years; if you’ve finally decided to take the leap into virtual reality, you’ve chosen an excellent time to do so. Graphics are better than ever, there’s now an enormous amount of videos, apps, and games to choose from, and the technology has advanced to the point where you can enjoy intricate experiences and huge, detailed worlds rather than simple tech…
Read MoreOculus Quest 2 review
Now that VR has been established as more than just a flash in the pan, there’s no time like the present to dive in, whether you’re into gaming or just embracing VR for the wider experiences it offers. It used to be that there were just two basic tiers; Google Cardboard, which had you putting your mobile phone in a special viewer, and wallet-emptyingly expensive headsets. But now, you’re almost spoilt for choice. The Oculus Quest 2 is Facebook’s latest foray into the field and, despite its name, is its…
Read MoreNASA to Announce Landing Site for Artemis Lunar Robotic Rover
NASA will host a media teleconference Monday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. EDT, to announce the lunar landing site for the agency’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER).
Read MoreGetting Started in Planetary Imaging
It’s planet season! Here are some tips to help you start imaging the giant planets while they’re in easy view. The post Getting Started in Planetary Imaging appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreAir Taxi Flight Testing
NASA’s Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology Project’s Mobile Acoustics Facility is parked in the background of Joby’s prototype aircraft near Big Sur, California.
Read MoreSpaceX launches four civilians into orbit on historic Inspiration4 flight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX made history tonight as it launched a crew of private citizens on a jaunt around Earth. For an added bonus, the rocket landed on its drone ship, marking the company’s 92nd booster recovery. The mission, called Inspiration4, blasted off from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center here in Florida at 8:02 p.m. EDT (0002 GMT) — the start of a planned five-hour window. A four-person crew was strapped inside a Crew Dragon spacecraft which sat perched atop a slightly sooty 229-feet-tall (70 meters) Falcon…
Read MoreBest Star Wars books 2021
Our rundown of the 11 best Star Wars books takes a tour of the extended universe, glances behind the scenes of the movies, and even throws in a few heartwarming novelties for good measure. After all, the sparkling constellation of “Star Wars” books offers a tantalizing and immersive universe to experience that galaxy far, far away in myriad flavors and styles, truly providing something for both hardcore and casual fans of all persuasions. With the summer on the way out and new “Star Wars” literary works ripe for the…
Read MoreSian Proctor makes history with SpaceX’s Inspiration4 as first-ever Black female spacecraft pilot
Sian Proctor is making history as the first-ever Black female spacecraft pilot. Proctor, a geoscientist, artist and science communicator, has been paving the way in the space sector for decades. Now, years after being a finalist in NASA’s astronaut candidate program back in 2009, she is realizing her dream of becoming an astronaut as she launches to orbit with the Inspiration4 mission tonight (Sept. 15). While the mission itself is making history as the first all-civilian mission to launch to orbit, Proctor is accomplishing a major first herself as the…
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