July 17, 2024 – NeRDs Moonbase

‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ episode 8: How open-ended is the conclusion?

July 17, 2024 NeRD

The twisty mystery of season 1 of The Acolyte wasn’t a ‘whodunit’ after all, but focused on why the murders were happening instead. While the first half of the season felt underbaked, it was episode 5 that turned things around, with the following two chapters doing most of the season’s compelling character and thematic work. Last week in episode 7, we finally found out what really transpired on Brendok 16 years before the main events of the series. Now, the finale closes that story arc, gives some characters closure, and…

The James Webb Space Telescope is studying an exoplanet’s eternal day — and eternal night

July 17, 2024 NeRD

What’s the James Webb Space Telescope’s favorite movie? Eternal sunshine of the exoplanet WASP-39 b, perhaps. In a new study, data from the James Webb Space Telescope reveals details of this mysterious gas giant exoplanet, which orbits a star about 700 light-years away from Earth. WASP-39 b is tidally locked to that star, which means the same side of the planet always faces its star. In other words, half of the planet experiences perpetual day, and the other experiences perpetual night. But the dividing line isn’t black and white — there’s a…

Experience the Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Mission

July 17, 2024 NeRD

Digital content creators are invited to register to attend the launch of the ninth SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket that will carry astronauts to the International Space Station for a science expedition mission. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission is targeted for no earlier than mid-August from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch will carry NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, commander; Nick Hague, pilot; and Stephanie Wilson, mission specialist; along with Roscosmos cosmonaut…

These durable Celestron Nature DX 12×56 binoculars have dipped below $200 at Amazon

July 17, 2024 NeRD

In our hands-on Celestron Nature DX 12×56 review a few years ago, we gave these attractive-looking binoculars 4.5 stars out of 5. We still think they deserve their place in our best binoculars guide, where they proudly sit as the best binoculars for affordable stargazing. The well-respected Celestron Nature DX 12×56 binos have dipped below $200 when you apply the extra $15 discount at checkout. They are rubber-armored, fog-proof, and waterproof, so they are perfect for outdoor use. You need not worry if you are caught out in inclement weather…

NASA, SpaceX Invite Media to Watch Crew-9 Launch to Space Station

July 17, 2024 NeRD

The crew of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station poses for a photo during training in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX Media accreditation now is open for the launch of NASA’s ninth rotational mission of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft that will carry astronauts to the International Space Station for a science expedition. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission is targeted for no earlier than mid-August from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center…

The Next Full Moon is the Buck or Thunder Moon

July 17, 2024 NeRD

23 Min Read The Next Full Moon is the Buck or Thunder Moon Mule deer buck, Yellowstone National Park The Next Full Moon is the Buck or Thunder Moon; the Hay or Mead Moon; Guru Purnima; Asalha Puja (aka Dharma Day or Esala Poya); and the start of Vassa. The next full Moon will be Sunday morning, July 21, 2024, appearing opposite the Sun (in Earth-based longitude) at 6:17 AM EDT. For the International Date Line West and the American Samoa and Midway time zones this will be late Saturday…

Science Activation’s PLACES Team Facilitates Second Professional Learning Institute

July 17, 2024 NeRD

3 min read Science Activation’s PLACES Team Facilitates Second Professional Learning Institute The NASA Science Activation Program’s Place-Based Learning to Advance Connections, Education, and Stewardship (PLACES) team successfully led their second Professional Learning (PL) Summer Institute (SI) at Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Flagstaff, Arizona from June 11-13, 2024. The team led a group of 13 educators through a variety of powerful place-based data-rich (PBDR) experiences across the three-day SI. PL kicked off with teachers engaging in an intensive field experience at Hat Ranch that leveraged the ecological expertise of…

NASA STEM Program for Indigenous Communities Honored for Excellence

July 17, 2024 NeRD

2 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) An image of a Zhaabondwaan, Anishnaabe traditional teaching lodge in Ontario, Canada, 2023. NASA has been selected by the International Astronautical Federation to receive its 2024 “3G” Diversity Award, which recognizes organizations for their contributions to fostering geographic, generational, and gender diversity in the space sector. NASA’s Indigenous Community-Based Education (CBE) Program is a consortium of partnerships between NASA and numerous, diverse Indigenous communities which co-create unique educational programs for the youth. Through these partnerships, which have been cultivated…