Another "this should be on the news" item spotted by David:
This was only discovered in 2004, and its origin remains a mystery, though Dr Dombard (made up name?) thinks he has the answer.
What you are looking at is a 20km high icy rim on the Saturnian moon Iapetus.
Full story here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11932069
Another of Saturn's moons, Rhea has its own weird and wonderful features, in particular: blue ice:
And that's just in the first 43 days of data collection.
Full story here: http://www.universetoday.com/2010/06/15/new-worlds-to-explore-kepler-spacecraft-finds-750-exoplanet-candidates/
Spotter: David
Remember the "Martian bacteria" from 1996?
At the time there was a lot of heated debate about whether it was the real deal or not, but David has spotted this article which says that more advanced High Resolution Electron Microscopy is adding to the body of evidence that is really is an ancient Martian micro-fossil:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0911/24marslife/
What's this?
The Earth!
It was taken by Rosetta, the spacecraft which will land on a comet in a few years, then hitch a ride as it heads towards the sun:
Rosetta's meeting with Churyumov-Gerasimenko is set for the May of 2014.
The probe will go into orbit around the 4km-wide ball of ice and dust and place a small lander called Philae on its surface.
As the comet moves into the inner Solar System, radiation from the Sun will cause the comet's ices to sublime - they will turn straight from a solid to a gas. Material will be ejected at supersonic speeds.
Gas and dust will be thrown out around the comet to form a coma, and away from the comet to form tails.
The Rosetta orbiter and lander will watch and record these events as the comet hurtles along at speeds up to 135,000km/h.
Full story:
See this on the BBC website?
New details are emerging about the life-forms that survive in one of the world's most inaccessible places.
The bizarre diversity of nature never ceases to amaze. 2 new discoveries: Swima bombiviridis a deep sea worm which releases glowing body parts to distract predators:
Full story and video clip here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8210645.stm
and the Spanish Ribbed newt that uses its own exposed ribs as weapons!
When attacked, the Spanish ribbed newt pushes out its ribs until they pierce through its body, exposing a row of bones that act like poisonous barbs.
The newt has to force its bones through its skin every time it is attacked.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8212000/8212623.stm
We've talked before about planets discovered in other Solar Systems, but how about this: planets in other galaxies!
The full story is here:
Recent Comments