TYB
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
December 31, 2024
The Twisted Disk of NGC 4753
What do you think this is? Here’s a clue: it's bigger than a bread box. Much bigger. The answer is that pictured NGC 4753 is a twisted disk galaxy, where unusual dark dust filaments provide clues about its history. No one is sure what happened, but a leading model holds that a relatively normal disk galaxy gravitationally ripped apart a dusty satellite galaxy while its precession distorted the plane of the accreted debris as it rotated. The cosmic collision is hypothesized to have started about a billion years ago. NGC 4753 is seen from the side, and possibly would look like a normal spiral galaxy from the top. The bright orange halo is composed of many older stars that might trace dark matter. The featured Hubble image was recently reprocessed to highlight ultraviolet and red-light emissions.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
>“We need to get organized. Things need to be solved to understand what is about to happen”.
Probably a good idea regardless so we are all on the same page.
>Don’t be shocked if Q goes very mainstream, very soon.
Been waiting for that, trying not to Leroy Jenkins the whole thing kek
NASA Administrator Pays Tribute to President Carter
Dec 29, 2024
The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on Sunday’s passing of President Jimmy Carter:
“President Carter was the pinnacle of a public servant, dedicating his life to making our world a better place. He showed us each and every person has the power to make a difference.
From providing for those in need, protecting the environment, and championing civil and human rights, President Carter was a good man who always strove to do what was right.
He embodied the very best of humanity and his life and legacy are an example to the United States and the world.
“NASA’s Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object from Earth, carries a message from President Carter that captures his core goodness and grace:
“’If one such civilization intercepts Voyager and can understand these recorded contents, here is our message:
This is a present from a small distant world, a token of our sounds, our science, our images, our music, our thoughts, and our feelings. We are attempting to survive our time so we may live into yours.
We hope someday, having solved the problems we face, to join a community of galactic civilizations. This record represents our hope and our determination, and our good will in a vast and awesome universe.’
“President Carter understood an important truth: that we find common ground when we look to the stars.
His words will forever belong to the heavens, and his legacy has forever bettered our country – and our Earth.
The NASA family and I are keeping the Carter family close in our thoughts. May President Carter rest in peace.”
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-administrator-pays-tribute-to-president-carter/
NASA Images Reveal Massive Building Project in China's Desert
Updated Dec 31, 2024 at 4:32 AM EST
China's rapid expansion of solar power is a significant step in addressing global climate challenges.
By June 2024, China accounted for 51 percent of the world's solar farm capacity, leading the globe in renewable energy generation, according to Global Energy Monitor's (GEM) Global Solar Power Tracker.
The Kubuqi project alone is expected to produce 180 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually by 2030, enough to power Beijing and beyond.
Beyond energy generation, the project has environmental and agricultural benefits. The solar panels slow desertification, reduce wind speeds and create shaded areas that preserve moisture.
This makes it easier to grow grasses and crops, contributing to the greening of desert areas.
The solar farms are strategically placed in a sunlit, flat region south of the Yellow River, between Baotou and Bayannur.
Currently, about 5.4 gigawatts of capacity have been installed, and major installations, such as the Junma Solar Power Station, are already operational.
Junma, completed in 2019, resembles a galloping horse and holds a Guinness World Record for the largest image made from solar panels.
The installation generates enough electricity each year to meet the needs of 300,000 to 400,000 people.
Additionally, a new transmission line will deliver 48 billion kWh annually to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, stretching the project's benefits beyond Inner Mongolia.
China's solar capacity has seen unprecedented growth, increasing by nearly 40,000 megawatts annually between 2017 and 2023, according to GEM.
This pace far outstrips the growth in the U.S. in second place globally, which added approximately 8,100 megawatts annually during the same period.
Li Kai, an energy official in Dalad Banner, where part of the great solar wall is located, told the state-sponsored media outlet China Daily:
"All of the projects are invested in by state-owned companies, some of which are centrally administered ones, and so local governments don't have to make any investment at all.
In total, approximately 50,000 job opportunities will be generated by 2030."
By 2030, the completed solar great wall will provide enough renewable energy to cover Beijing's entire electricity needs while supporting surrounding regions.
This model of large-scale renewable energy projects may inspire similar efforts globally.
https://www.newsweek.com/nasa-images-reveal-solar-great-wall-china-desert-climate-change-2007554
Sols 4402-4415: Rover Decks and Sequence Calls for the Holidays
Dec 30, 2024
Earth planning date: Friday, Dec. 20, 2024
Welcome to the 2024 holiday plan for Curiosity! This year we’re spanning 14 sols to last us through the Earth new year. And this is my fourth year operating Mastcam during the holidays (throwback to 2023 Marsmas!).
I already knew to expect a long day, so I got my lunch prepared — blew Mars a kiss in the pre-dawn sky — and headed to work at 0600 Pacific time to start planning prep.
Luckily my team got a head start on Mastcam images by including a full 360-degree panorama, post-drive, last plan, so I just had to fill in some gaps and cover some buttes with our higher-resolution camera.
In total we’re only planning about 438 images this holiday, which is a pretty light haul if you can believe it!
We also didn’t pass SRAP to unstow the arm (again) today, which is a bummer for science but usually makes my job easier since Mastcam doesn't have to worry about where the arm might be during our imaging. One instrument’s coal is another instrument’s present!
So we’re doing things a little funky this holiday. We’re planning science on the first, seventh, 13th, and 14th sols — with a drive and a soliday! The hardest part of this plan was keeping it all straight in our heads.
Without any contact science planned, MAHLI went on holiday early (actually, she’s been out all week!) and APXS only had to babysit an atmospheric integration, which doesn’t require any arm motion.
ChemCam has three LIBS and four RMI mosaics planned, which is definitely more than usual. But actually, the highest sequence count for today goes to Mastcam! Our usual limit is around 20 sequences for complexity reasons, but today I delivered 34 total sequences.
Of those 34 sequences, 10 are for tracking surface changes from wind, seven are for measuring the atmospheric opacity, three are ChemCam LIBS documentations, three are for documenting our location post-drive, two are large mosaics of Texoli and Wilkerson buttes, and two are for noctilucent cloud searching (our first attempts to find clouds this Martian winter!).
With any luck, we’ll start passing SRAP again in 2025 after another approximately 58-meter drive (about 190 feet). Until then, Earthlings — Merry Marsmas and Happy Earth New Year!
https://science.nasa.gov/blog/sols-4402-4415-rover-decks-and-sequence-calls-for-the-holidays/
NASA spots house-sized asteroid set to fly alarmingly close to Earth on New Years Eve
19:02 ET, DEC 30 2024
NASA scientists warned of a large, house-sized asteroid poised to pass very close to Earth on New Years Eve, marking the second space rock to come into close proximity to the planet this month.
The asteroid is called 2024 AV2 and will approach Earth at 9:17 AM IST on Dec 31. This 53-foot-wide asteroid will move at 28,227 km/h and pass Earth at a distance of 2,580,000 kilometers—roughly 6.7 times the distance between Earth and the Moon.
The asteroid 2024 AV2 is a member of the class of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), which are objects of scientific interest because they orbit in close proximity to Earth.
Despite its size, it is not large enough to qualify as a "potentially hazardous asteroid," which is a classification given to objects larger than 492 feet that pass within 7.5 million kilometers of Earth.
Despite its close approach, NASA says 2024 AV2 is not a threat to Earth.
Should an asteroid of this magnitude ever make it into Earth's atmosphere, friction would probably cause it to break up, leaving the surface with little to no harm.
However, since even small changes in an asteroid's track could pose hazards in the future, ongoing monitoring is essential.
NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) tracks asteroids such as 2024 AV2 using state-of-the-art technologies, according to the agency.
To guarantee accurate projections and early warnings, sophisticated telescopes and missions like Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NEOWISE provide comprehensive data.
Future missions like the NEO Surveyor, which is expected to launch in 2028, are designed to improve detection capabilities so NASA is better equipped to handle any threats.
In order to evaluate and reduce the likelihood of future collisions, efforts are focused on identifying and monitoring objects larger than 140 meters through initiatives like the Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO).
Notably, NASA's strategy to improve asteroid deflection techniques includes missions such as the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART).
Earlier this month, the sky over Russia was lighted by a stunning fireball that was produced when a tiny asteroid named 2024 XN1,, about 70 cm in diameter, entered Earth's atmosphere.
Scientists from all over the world meticulously tracked its trajectory once it was discovered just 12 hours before impact, and they were able to anticipate its atmospheric entrance with a mere ten-second margin of error.
The asteroid broke up as it entered, strewing tiny pieces around a secluded wooded region in Yakutia.
The captivating sight of luminous fireballs glinting across the sky was seen by the locals.
In order to detect such occurrences early and provide timely warnings, space agencies such as NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are constantly improving their detection capabilities.
After significant asteroid impacts in 2022 WJ, 2023 CX1, and 2024 BX1, which all burned up in Earth's atmosphere and captivated observers, this is the fourth verified impact in 2024.
https://www.themirror.com/news/world-news/nasa-spots-house-sized-asteroid-882924
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=2024%20AV2
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/isros-spadex-mission-today-a-first-step-for-india-to-set-up-its-own-space-station-7323737
https://www.isro.gov.in/mission_SpaDeX.html
ISRO's SpaDeX Mission A First Step For India To Set Up Its Own Space Station
Dec 31, 2024 18:37 pm IST
Only three countries in the world - United States, Russia, and China - have the ability to carry out docking of two spacecraft or satellites in outer space.
India is now on the cusp of achieving that feat as ISRO's last mission of 2024 - named SpaDeX - lift-off from Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota at 2200 hrs (10 pm) IST.
SpaDex is short for Space Docking Experiment. This involves an experimental docking, subsequent interlocking and pressure checks, and undocking of two satellites.
The mission is important for ISRO's future moon missions, including Chandrayaan 4. It is also particularly important for India's plan to set up its own space station.
In October this year, the government had announced that India will have its own Space Station called the Bharatiya Antriksh Station by 2035.
So far, there are two other space stations - the International Space Station, built by the United States (NASA) and Russia (Roscosmos).
The US side of the ISS is built by NASA and European Space Agency or ESA. The second space station is being built by China, and is called the Tiangong Space Station. India aims to set up the third.
Every time astronauts or cosmonauts are sent to space, especially the International Space Station, the shuttle or capsule they travel in needs to perform a docking manoeuvre.
Only after the docking procedure is complete, and the two objects are securely interlocked, can the astronauts get into the pressurised cabin of the space station.
ISRO'S DOCKING EXPERIMENT EXPLAINED WITH THE HELP OF 'INTERSTELLAR'
Docking in space is one of the most difficult and complicated procedures - the slightest of errors can lead to a catastrophe - an example of which was shown in the epic sci-fi movie Interstellar
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where Cooper and the crew had to navigate a near-impossible and heart-pounding docking scenario after a minuscule error by Dr Mann sends the Endurance space station into an uncontrolled spin due to a catastrophic decompression.
The scene highlights a complex docking manoeuvre.
Just like in the movie, where there was a Lander spacecraft and a Courier spacecraft, ISRO's mission has two spaceships - the Chaser (SDX01) and the Target (SDX02), each weighing 220 kilograms.
As the names suggest, the aim of the mission will be for the chaser to chase the target while both are orbiting Earth at a high speed and dock with it expeditiously.
ALL ABOUT ISRO'S SPADEX MISSION
The SpaDex mission lift-off at 2200 hrs (10 pm) IST on December 30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO's launch was onboard the workhorse PSLV-C60 rocket, which put the two spacecraft in low-Earth orbit, roughly 475 km above the Earth's surface.
The inclination of the two spacecraft will be at 55 degrees facing the Earth. After being deployed in a circular orbit, the two spacecraft will grow apart by around 20 kilometers over 24 hours.
The scientists will first carry out several other experiments under the POEM-4 mission - a parallel mission to SpaDex (explained below).
The scientists sitting at ISRO's mission control in Bengaluru are expected to initiate the intricate and precise docking and undocking manoeuvre in the later half of the first week of January.
If successful, India will create history by becoming only the fourth nation in the world to possess such technological ability.
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According to ISRO, the main objectives of the SpaDeX mission include:
To develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft.
The demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft, which is essential for future applications such as in-space robotics.
Composite spacecraft control, including remotely controlling it both in space and from mission control.
Payload operations after undocking.
This mission is crucial for India's ability to set up its own Space Station.
It will also give India's RLV or Reusable Launch Vehicle - India's variant of NASA's iconic space shuttle - docking capability in future.
HOW THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION WAS BUILT
Among other key missions, NASA's space shuttle was used by the United States to construct the US side of the International Space Station.
Russia too used their own space shuttle to build the Russian side of the International Space Station.
While NASA had a series of space shuttles, starting with Columbia and evolving into Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour, Russian space agency Roscosmos named their space shuttle Buran.
Here is a insightful video of how the International Space Station - the largest man-made space object - was built by the US and Russian space shuttles using the docking mechanism and robotic arms in addition to astronauts and cosmonauts:
ISRO'S POEM-4 MISSION - AND EXPERIMENT WITH MICROGRAVITY
Besides the space docking manoeuvre, there is another key mission objective. ISRO plans to experiment with microgravity during the PSLV rocket's fourth-stage.
ISRO aims to use the spent fourth stage, which it has termed POEM-4 or PSLV Orbital Experimental Module 4, as a platform for carrying our experiments with microgravity.
According to the space agency, it provides an opportunity for the scientific community to carry out certain in-orbit microgravity experiments for an extended duration of up to three months using the POEM platform, which otherwise would end up as space debris immediately after the mission objective of injecting the primary payloads of the mission.
A total of 24 payloads are part of the POEM-4 mission, of which 14 payloads are from ISRO/DOS centres and 10 payloads are from various Non-Government Entities (NGEs) comprising Academia and Start-ups that have been received through IN-SPACe.
One of the fourteen payloads by ISRO is of a robotic arm - again a crucial element to constructing India's own space station in future. For now the experiment will involve a robotic arm to demonstrate the capturing of tethered debris.
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(J)C before D
New Year Honours recognition for space sector
31 December 2024
Roy Gibson, the first Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA) has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) while Lizzie Kerr, former Director of the trade association UKspace, is named a Member of the British Empire (MBE).
Roy, who celebrated his 100th birthday in July and has been a leader for multiple international space organisations during his 70-year career, is recognised for his services to space.
Lizzie, who formerly worked at satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat and stepped down from UKspace in 2024, has provided support to a plethora of UK space related committees, working groups and various stakeholders.
She is recognised for her services to the space industry.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said:
I would like to congratulate Roy and Lizzie on behalf of everyone at the UK Space Agency, their recognition in the New Year Honours is fantastic news and thoroughly deserved.
Roy’s visionary leadership through the early years ensured ESA’s enduring success. He has continually championed space and driven forward the UK’s ambitions.
It has been a privilege to spend time with Roy, who is a role mode of expertise, humility, and clarity of thought.
Lizzie has also been a fantastic advocate for the UK space sector, transforming UKspace and ensuring the voice of its members is heard.
Lizzie supported the sector through some incredible challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, and her leadership has had a huge impact.”
The New Year Honours recognises the achievements of hundreds of people across the UK.
There are also significant awards for Paul Fellows, Chair of the Cambridge Astronomical Association, who receives a BEM for services to astronomy; and Professor Martin Wooster, a satellite Earth observation expert at King’s College London, who is made an MBE for services to landscape fire research and wildfire monitoring.
Roy Gibson
As Director General Roy Gibson played a pivotal role in establishing ESA’s work on space exploration, science and research, laying the groundwork for groundbreaking and Nobel-winning scientific discoveries and promoting international collaboration in space.
He oversaw programmes including the Ariane launcher, the joint ESA-NASA space station, Spacelab, ESA’s astronaut programme, telecommunications and meteorological programmes.
Roy was also the first Director General of the British National Space Centre, the UK Space Agency’s predecessor, and was instrumental in its establishment.
He worked at Inmarsat, a satellite telecommunications company, and at EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.
He then served as an aerospace consultant to the EU Commission and played a key role in setting up the European Environment Agency, further developing himself as a trusted expert.
During his 70-year career, Roy’s influence, leadership and commitment to scientific enquiry has had a sustained and deeply positive impact on the UK and European space policy, the effects of which continue to facilitate discovery, science and exploration that continues to deepen our understanding of the universe.
Lizzie Kerr
After taking up her role as Director of UKspace in September 2018, Lizzie transformed the organisation and ensured it played an important role in helping shape Government policy, including on the National Space Strategy and regulation of UK launch capabilities.
She spent 17 years at Inmarsat including 9 years as the Sales Director for Government Services based in Singapore.
Prior to this she served in the Royal Navy and subsequently, whilst at Inmarsat, served in the Reserve forces.
During the Covid-19 pandemic Lizzie worked with the UK Space Agency to maintain an effective flow of information between the space sector and government and provided support for the sector.
This included a portal for the space sector to provide a central source of relevant up-to-date information, advice and news that would support the national effort to fight the virus and help the government take actions to make the space sector resilient.
As well as a weekly Covid-19 sector survey, which helped to inform both government ministers and policy officials.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-year-honours-recognition-for-space-sector
Elon Musk’s New ‘Kekius Maximus’ Identity on X Sparks Online Frenzy
December 31, 2024
Elon Musk has stirred online conversations again by changing his display name on the social media platform X to “Kekius Maximus”.
Musk also updated his profile picture to a version of the popular meme “Pepe the Frog”. The image depicts Pepe wearing golden armor and holding a video game controller.
The name "Kekius Maximus" has drawn attention, especially among cryptocurrency enthusiasts. It is linked to a meme-based cryptocurrency token called Kekius Maximus (KEKIUS), which operates on platforms like Ethereum ETH $3,383.75 and Solana SOL $197.04.
As of writing, KEKIUS experienced a sharp rise in value, increasing by over 800% within 24 hours to $0,1329.
PEPE PEPE $0.0000211 has also gained momentum. The memecoin saw a price surge from $0.00001864 to $0.00001971 within 24 hours.
Musk has not explained the reason for his name change or the connection to the token, but his actions have stirred curiosity.
The memecoin Pepe responded to Musk's action by posting on X, "Game on Elon Musk", with the profile picture of Musk's X account accompanying the post.
Additionally, Musk mentioned that "Kekius Maximus will soon reach level 80 in hardcore PoE", a reference to the popular video game Path of Exile.
Some speculate this might be a playful nod to gaming or online culture rather than a direct endorsement of the cryptocurrency.
On November 22, Elon Musk has achieved a new milestone in his financial journey. How much is his current net worth?
https://www.bitdegree.org/crypto/news/elon-musks-new-kekius-maximus-identity-on-x-sparks-online-frenzy
https://www.bitdegree.org/crypto/news/worlds-richest-man-elon-musk-shatters-records-with-348-billion-fortune
https://dexscreener.com/solana/5fah49mvwe4gtwugyerywfrb5eqfvlfn7imfvb1gp7bx
https://x.com/pepe/status/1873988285028245546