A new telescope array has begun to hunt for the most violent and cataclysmic events in the cosmos, clashes so powerful that they cause the very fabric of space and time to “ring.” The BlackGEM array, consisting of three new telescopes located at the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) La Silla Observatory in Chile, will search in visible light for events like neutron star collisions and black hole mergers, which launch ripples in space-time called gravitational waves. “With BlackGEM, we aim to scale up the study of cosmic events with both…
Read MoreMonth: May 2023
‘Crater’ is an old-fashioned kids’ sci-fi flick with out-of-this-world charm (review)
NASA’s Artemis program is stirring up renewed interest in lunar exploration, and retro-style coming-of-age flicks from Hollywood are proving to be very popular with audiences and viewers. So Disney Plus (opens in new tab) has decided to merge those two elements for its new kid-friendly sci-fi film, “Crater.” Directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez (“C.O.G.”), “Crater” unfolds its gripping tale of five adventurous kids in the year 2257 living at a protected mining colony on the surface of the moon who steal a research rover and embark on a wild overland…
Read MoreCould the floating islands in ‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’ exist?
The newest Zelda game sees the intrepid hero Link hop between sky islands. Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (opens in new tab) (TOTK), which dropped for Nintendo Switch on Friday (May 12), features incredible floating islands and platforms to explore. It’s not the first time Link soared into the sky during a Zelda game, but TOTK adds extra flair with new machinery for soaring and exploring. (Minor plot spoilers are below.) Floating islands are long-standing tropes in science fiction books and plots. Avatar, Astro Boy and Elysium brought these flying…
Read MoreNASA, Rocket Lab Announce Coverage for Second TROPICS Launch
After successfully launching the first pair of small satellites earlier this month from New Zealand, NASA and Rocket Lab are now targeting no earlier than 1:30 a.m. EDT Monday, May 22 (5:30 p.m. NZST), to launch the second pair of storm tracking CubeSats into orbit.
Read MoreBold proposal aims to bring NASA’s deep-space Spitzer telescope back to life
The U.S. Space Force wants to bring a venerable NASA space telescope out of retirement. An early-stage study seeks to resurrect the Spitzer Space Telescope, which was shut off in 2020 after 17 years of research exploring heat signatures of the universe. The Space Force awarded startup Rhea Space Activity $250,000 to explore the idea, in partnership with several astronomical heavyweights. “This would be the most complex robotic mission ever performed by humanity,” astrophysicist Shawn Usman, Rhea’s CEO, said of the proposal in a company statement (opens in new tab)…
Read MoreMoon Over the Southern Atlantic
The waxing gibbous Moon stands out against the stark darkness of space on May 3, 2023.
Read MoreDJI Inspire 3 review
Key specs: Camera: 44.7MP Full-frame Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal CameraVideo resolution: Up to 8KFrame rates: 8K up to 75fps / 4K up to 120fps Video transmission range: FPV Camera approx. 9.32 miles (FCC), 4.97 miles (CE/SRRC/MIC) Flight modes: Sport, Normal, Function, Attitude Batteries: 4280 mAh / up to 28 minutes flight time (two used at once) Charger type: Battery Charging Hub 100-240 V AC, max 8 A Weight: 140.91 oz / 3,995 g (includes gimbal camera, two batteries, lens, PROSSD, and propellers) Dimensions: 27.9 x 6.9 x 19.7 inches /…
Read MoreNASA to Select Second Lunar Lander Partner for Artemis Moon Mission
During an event at 10 a.m. EDT Friday, May 19, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, the agency will announce the company selected to develop a sustainable human landing system for the Artemis V Moon mission. The human landing system will take astronauts to and from Gateway in lunar orbit to the surface and back to the lunar space station as part of
Read MoreBest Warhammer 40K games of all time
Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40K is the most popular miniature wargame in the world, and its gothic science fiction setting – much more unique than Warhammer Fantasy’s – is greatly responsible for that. Unsurprisingly, it’s also nurtured tons of video games over the decades. 40K models are typically gorgeous, and its tabletop qualities are enticing for anyone willing to learn the ropes, but its universe gradually became attractive on its own as well. In the distant future, a dogmatic human civilization is under siege from all sides, fighting off armies of…
Read MoreSmithsonian Latino Museum Students to Hear from NASA Station Astronaut
Frank Rubio, a NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station, will speak to students associated with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Latino.
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