SpaceX launched 23 of its Starlink internet satellites from Florida on Sunday (March 10). A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Starlink spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:05 p.m. EDT (2305 GMT). Related: Starlink satellite train: How to see and track it in the night sky The first stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lands on the droneship “Just Read the Instructions” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Image credit: SpaceX via X) The Falcon 9’s first stage came back to…
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Our solar system
Benro Rhino 24C Two Series travel tripod and VX25 head review
Unless you’re lucky enough to live near a dark sky site, most astrophotography sessions involve traveling to those dark sky areas — this could be by car, airplane, train or hiking. Having a lightweight, reliable travel tripod is essential. If this sounds like something you’re missing, let us introduce you to the Benro Rhino travel tripod. Specifications Weight: 3.8 lbs / 1.74kgMaximum payload: 39.7 lbs / 18kgMaximum Height: 66.3-inches / 1.69mFolded length: 19.3-inches / 490mmLeg sections: 4Head: Ball-headAccessory mounts: 3Feet: Rubber or spiky It’s compact and lightweight, made of excellent…
Read More10 things you probably didn’t know about the 2024 total solar eclipse
On April 8, 2024, North America will experience the world’s longest land-based total solar eclipse in over a decade. The path of totality will cross parts of four states in Mexico, 15 U.S. states, and five Canadian provinces, allowing around 40 million people to witness the celestial spectacle. You can watch the total solar eclipse live here on Space.com. And keep up with all the actions with our total solar eclipse 2024 live updates blog. But how much do you know about it? From exactly how long the moon’s central…
Read MoreThe next chapter of lunar exploration could forever change the moon — and our relationship to it (op-ed)
Aparna Venkatesan is an astronomer and dark-sky advocate in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University of San Francisco. John Barentine is an astronomer, historian, author, science communicator, and founder of Dark Sky Consulting, LLC. For as long as there have been humans, the moon has been a calendar, ancestor, ritual, inspiration, and origin story for humanity. Its monthly and subtler generational cycles have been — and are still — painstakingly recorded and celebrated by cultures around the world since prehistoric times. These recurring sequences include the “major lunar…
Read MoreThis Week In Space podcast: Episode 101 — Nukes in Space
On Episode 101 of This Week In Space, Tariq and Space.com’s Brett Tingley discuss the recent reports and delve into the history of the militarization of space by Russia, China, and the United States. Russia is building a secret nuclear-powered space weapon, but what does that mean for the rest of us? Tariq and Brett delve into the history of nuclear weapons and reactors in space, as well as the existing international treaties governing weapons of mass destruction in orbit. They also cover the week’s top headlines, including SpaceX’s upcoming…
Read More‘Star Wars’ salutes Women’s History Month with Ahsoka Tano, Mon Mothma and more
March is the calendar page where we honor and salute Women’s History Month each year and nowhere do the female stars shine brightest than Marvel Comics’ batch of celebratory “Star Wars” variant covers spawned from a galaxy far, far away. Scattered across the full spectrum of iconic “Star Wars” characters, from deadly assassins to leaders of the Rebellion and famed Jedi Knights to key political figures, Marvel is rolling out the red carpet for seven of the franchise’s legendary heroic women for a respectful spotlight event all month long. The…
Read More‘3 Body Problem:’ Watch final trailer for Netflix’s alien invasion saga (video)
As spring descends upon the Northern Hemisphere later this month, an arrival of another kind will manifest itself. Netflix’s ambitious sci-fi saga “3 Body Problem” drops on March 21, and we’ve got a mystery-fueled final trailer to share that might have you watching the skies. “3 Body Problem” — from “Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with “True Blood’s” Alexander Woo — is a lavish, eight-episode adaptation of the first book in the “Remembrance of Earth’s Past” novel trilogy by bestselling author Cixin Liu. Ahead of…
Read MoreSave 33% on ISO-certified solar glasses ahead of April 8 total solar eclipse
The upcoming solar eclipse is in exactly one month, so now’s the time to make sure you own a safe viewing kit for the event. Amazon is offering 33% off a two-pack of Soluna’s solar viewing glasses, which will arrive with time to spare. Grab a third off Soluna solar viewing glasses when you get them from Amazon. The solar viewing glasses meet ISO 12312-2:2015 standards for direct sun observation. The manufacturer, Soluna, is also an American Astronomical Society (AAS) approved supplier of safe solar viewers, so you can rely…
Read MorePotensic A20 Mini drone review
When you’re first getting into drones, the thought of spending hundreds of dollars/pounds on even a beginner camera drone can be daunting. The most common concern for beginners is that they might crash or lose their drone. So, before buying one of the more expensive best beginner drones available, the Potensic A20 Mini Drone could be the perfect option for you to hone your flight skills first. Key Specs Camera: No camera Video resolution: N/A Frame rates: N/A Weight: 6.7oz / 190g Flight Modes: Standard, orbit, headless, flip Compatible with:…
Read MoreWidespread solar storm struck spacecraft near the sun, Earth and even Mars
Space weather may seem like a tale from a galaxy far, far away — but when solar storms impact us on Earth, we’re directly affected. These storms are what give rise to the Northern Lights, for instance. They can even lead to temporary disruptions in our communications systems and power grid. From these solar flares, we can learn so much — and a recent release from NASA shares how, back in 2021, one in particular had a brilliant story to go with it. As space agencies continue to send astronauts…
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