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LA Fires From Space: Satellite Images Reveal Paths of Devastating Blazes
Updated Jan 09, 2025 at 6:51 AM EST
The fires in Los Angeles County have grown so large they can be seen from space, as satellite images have revealed the impact of the devastating blazes sweeping across the area.
Images taken by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s GOES-West Satellite show just how much the county's two biggest blazes, the Palisades and Eaton fires, which are burning in the Pacific Palisades and the Pasadena/Altadena regions of LA, have grown since they started on January 7.
Firefighters are also battling several other fires in the county, including the Sunset, Hurst, and Lidia fires.
LA County is the most populated county in America. So far, at least 70,000 residents have been told to evacuate due to these fires, and 1.5 million more were without power as of the afternoon of January 8.
LA is used to wildfires, however these fires are occurring outside of "fire season," and are being fueled out of control by high Santa Ana winds and unseasonably dry conditions.
California received a Federal Disaster Declaration on January 8 to allow for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid in the area.
There are now more than 7,500 local state and federal firefighters on the ground, as well as 1,162 fire engines, 23 water tenders, six air tankers, 31 helicopters, and 53 dozers fighting the fires.
While firefighters were able to contain 40 percent of the Lidia fire, and 10 percent of the Hurst fire, another fire, the Sunset fire, broke out on Wednesday night prompting a new evacuation order in the Hollywood Hills.
The Palisades fire was burning at 2,921 acres at midnight on January 8, and is now at 17,234 acres 24 hours later. Similarly, the Eaton fire has spread from 1,000 to 10,590 acres within a day.
California Governor Gavin Newsom: "To the heroes, firefighters, and first responders battling these fires in Los Angeles: Your sacrifice and determination inspire the entire state. California is deeply grateful for your dedication and service."
President Joe Biden: "We're prepared to do anything and everything, as long as it takes, to contain the Southern California fires and help reconstruct. But we know it'll be a hell of a long way. The federal government is here to stay as long as you need us."
The California Department for Emergency Services has warned that Southern California is "not out of the woods," as the high winds and dry conditions are expected to continue fueling the fire through Friday.
The Eaton and Palisades fires are still at 0 percent containment, despite the amount of personnel on the ground.
https://www.newsweek.com/la-fires-space-satellite-images-paths-blazes-2012167
https://www.newsweek.com/before-after-satellite-images-reveal-destruction-california-wildfire-2012153
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/satellites-watch-as-la-wildfires-burn-out-of-control-in-california-video
NASA to Test Solution for Radiation-Tolerant Computing in Space
Jan 08, 2025
Onboard computers are critical to space exploration, aiding nearly every spacecraft function from propulsion and navigation systems to life support technology, science data retrieval and analysis, communications, and reentry.
But computers in space are susceptible to ionizing solar and cosmic radiation. Just one high-energy particle can trigger a so-called “single event effect,” causing minor data errors that lead to cascading malfunctions, system crashes, and permanent damage.
NASA has long sought cost-effective solutions to mitigate radiation effects on computers to ensure mission safety and success.
Enter the Radiation Tolerant Computer (RadPC) technology demonstration, one of 10 NASA payloads set to fly aboard the next lunar delivery for the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative.
RadPC will be carried to the Moon’s surface by Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander.
Developed by researchers at Montana State University in Bozeman, RadPC aims to demonstrate computer recovery from faults caused by single event effects of ionizing radiation.
The computer is designed to gauge its own real-time state of health by employing redundant processors implemented on off-the-shelf integrated circuits called field programmable gate arrays.
These tile-like logic blocks are capable of being easily replaced following a confirmed ionizing particle strike.
In the event of a radiation strike, RadPC’s patented recovery procedures can identify the location of the fault and repair the issue in the background.
As an added science benefit, RadPC carries three dosimeters to measure varying levels of radiation in the lunar environment with each tuned to different sensitivity levels.
These dosimeters will continuously measure the interaction between Earth’s magnetosphere and the solar wind during its journey to the Moon.
It will also provide detailed radiation information about Blue Ghost’s lunar landing site at Mare Crisium, which could help to safeguard future Artemis astronauts.
“This is RadPC’s first mission out into the wild, so to speak,” said Dennis Harris, who manages the payload for the CLPS initiative at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
“The RadPC CLPS payload is an exciting opportunity to verify a radiation-tolerant computer option that could make future Moon to Mars missions safer and more cost-effective.”
Under the CLPS model, NASA is investing in commercial delivery services to the Moon to enable industry growth and support long-term lunar exploration.
As a primary customer for CLPS deliveries, NASA aims to be one of many customers on future flights.
Marshall manages the development of seven of the 10 CLPS payloads carried on Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar lander.
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/nasa-to-test-solution-for-radiation-tolerant-computing-in-space/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBnkK5GvBJU
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Florida universities unite to propel space exploration
January 9, 2025
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is entering a new era of collaboration that will propel the nation’s space exploration by leveraging the world-class expertise at three Florida universities.
As outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday, the institutions will provide critical research and development support for NASA’s Moon to Mars Initiative, which aims to advance human presence and exploration throughout the solar system.
University of Florida, University of Central Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University are the charter members of the Florida University Space Research Consortium, designated in 2024 as the state’s official space research entity.
Officials from those schools alongside NASA leaders and other distinguished guests participated in the signing ceremony held at Kennedy, marking a critical milestone in a one-of-a-kind partnership to advance research, technology development, education, and communication between the spaceport and the state’s growing space industry.
“Through this agreement, NASA will benefit in new and exciting ways from our longtime partnership with the universities that make Florida shine,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
“As we move deeper into this golden era of space exploration, a new generation of thinkers and leaders will lead the way – thinkers and leaders like the researchers, faculty, and students of the Artemis Generation, whom we are pleased to work with through the consortium.”
The creation of the consortium was the result of more than a year of effort by agency and university leaders, with the agreement serving as the official start of partnering activities.
Florida is the only state with a university consortium affiliated with one of NASA’s centers.
Present at the event was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“It was great to visit the Space Coast Jan. 8 to announce the Florida University Space Research Consortium — our state’s official space research entity.
Home to a thriving aerospace industry and world-class higher education institutions, Florida is the ideal place to launch this initiative.
We are primed to lead the nation in developing a blueprint for state-space partnerships into the future.”
The mission of the consortium is to foster a symbiotic relationship between NASA Kennedy and Florida’s universities to drive innovation in space exploration, research, and technology through academic collaboration, joint projects, and workforce development.
“The launch of the Florida University Space Research Consortium is a significant milestone for our state’s aerospace sector, bringing together our world-class education system with cutting edge research and development,” said Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez.
“This consortium will undoubtedly further strengthen and deepen Florida’s position as the leader in the global aerospace economy.”
The memorandum of understanding marks the dawn of a new era of cooperation between the Florida spaceport and the state’s university system.
NASA plans to expand beyond the three charter universities to other state universities interested in participating.
The push to enhance research and technological collaboration with universities has been a priority at NASA for years and has seen success at other NASA centers across the country.
“This agreement is a shining example of what it looks like when we link arms and create a space for the whole to be greater than all our parts,” said Janet Petro, Kennedy Space Center director and a signatory on the agreement.
“This symbiotic partnership makes way for collaborative research opportunities and increased exposure to advanced technology, significantly enhancing NASA’s research output in fields such as aerospace engineering, materials science, robotics, and environmental science, all of which are necessary for long-term human exploration as we learn to live and work deeper into space than ever before.”
The agreement is also a significant milestone for the UF Astraeus Space Institute, which launched in 2024 and is bringing together researchers from across the university, as well as world-class leaders in space science and technology, to promote human capabilities in space mission innovation.
“Florida’s universities have long been prodigious sources of talent, skill and audacious thinking,” said Mori Hosseini, chair of UF’s Board of Trustees.
“This consortium is a perfect way to harness those assets to help lift the great state of Florida and our nation in their quest to keep us at the forefront of space exploration and advance America’s global leadership.”
https://news.ufl.edu/2025/01/nasa-collaboration/
>She sees everything AI
Pale Blue is Bringing Water-Based Propulsion to Space
January 9, 2025
Pale Blue, a Japanese startup developing water-based propulsion systems for satellites, announced an agreement with D-Orbit yesterday to demonstrate the technology on two missions in 2025.
The agreement will bring Pale Blue’s 1U+ Water Ion Thruster to space aboard D-Orbit’s ION Satellite Carrier—scheduled to launch in June and October.
It runs on water, man: There’s never been a wider variety of propulsion systems available to satellite operators.
As the orbital freeways get more congested, these systems can help to avoid debris, leaving enough juice to deorbit sats at the end of their lifespans.
However, Pale Blue’s system intends to make that technology as environmentally friendly as possible, without sacrificing capability.
Using water as a propellant means companies won’t have to deal with the challenges that come from handling toxic fuel propellants on Earth.
At less than 2kg, the system boasts a total impulse of 7,000 Ns, giving satellites enough thrust to perform multiple maneuvers on orbit without sacrificing much bus space.
Multiple thrusters can also be clustered together to provide additional thrust for larger sats or more dynamic maneuvers.
Ocean of opportunity: For Italian startup D-Orbit, the agreement marks the company’s entrance into the Japanese space market, which it hopes will flourish in the years to come.
“As our first collaboration with a Japanese company, this contract highlights our commitment to strengthening ties within Japan’s advanced space sector and expanding D-Orbit’s reach in the Asia-Pacific region,” said D-Orbit’s Sales Development Manager Ash Takao in a statement.
https://payloadspace.com/pale-blue-is-bringing-water-based-propulsion-to-space/
BepiColombo snaps Mercury's dark craters and volcanic plains
9 January 2025
These pictures of Mercury’s pockmarked surface are the last we’ll see before the BepiColombo mission begins orbiting the solar system’s innermost world in late 2026.
Since launching in 2018, the joint European-Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft has flown by Mercury six times, using each successive approach to reduce its speed and adjust its flight path to make it easier to get into orbit.
While the mission’s main scientific instruments haven’t yet been put to use, the spacecraft’s monitoring cameras have given us some of the clearest views we’ve ever had of the Swift Planet.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has now released three of the most captivating images from BepiColombo’s most recent flyby on 8 January, taken from around 300 kilometres above Mercury’s surface as it flew over the planet’s north pole and northern regions.
“It meant getting up at 5.30am, but once close-up images started to appear in our shared folder, it was worth it,” says David Rothery at the Open University, UK.
“We had studied some simulated views in advance and used these to devise our imaging strategy, but what we saw was better than expected.”
The image above, taken over the planet’s north pole, shows the clear division between sunlight and darkness on Mercury, which researchers call the terminator line.
Mercury has some of the hottest temperatures in the solar system where sunlight falls on its scorched surface, but it also has some of the coldest, in craters that are permanently shadowed by their rims.
Some of these shadowed crater regions can be seen lying along the terminator line in the image.
“It was great looking down on Mercury’s north pole, and even seeing the sunlit tip of the central peak inside the crater Tolkien, whose floor is in permanent shadow,” says Rothery.
Scientists have found some evidence that these cratered regions contain frozen water.
One of BepiColombo’s main mission objectives is to discover whether that water really exists, and how much there is.
Mercury also contains an expansive volcanic plain known as Borealis Planitia, which BepiColombo spied on its flyby.
Researchers think these plains were formed from vast lava flows more than 3 billion years ago that flooded existing craters, some of which can be seen in the above image.
Most of these flooded plains are smooth, with a few impact craters that must have been formed more recently.
The Caloris Basin, which at 1500 kilometres wide is Mercury’s largest crater, appears as a semi-circular patch of lighter-coloured ground extending from the horizon towards the bottom left of the image.
Scientists hope to learn more about how this crater, the Borealis Planitia and the solidified lava flows between are connected once BepiColombo starts orbiting the planet.
The bright region near the top of the planet in this image is called Nathair Facula, and researchers think it is the remnant of Mercury’s largest ever volcanic eruption.
The centre of the region is a 40-kilometre-wide volcanic vent, which appears to have been the source of at least three huge eruptions that spewed volcanic material for hundreds of kilometres.
“[Nathair Facula] was right on the verge of what we expected to be able to make out, but having published on it based on images from the previous NASA mission to Mercury, it was exciting to glimpse it again,” says Rothery.
“It is a very important science target for several of BepiColombo’s instruments when we get into orbit, because it offers our best chance to work out what it is about Mercury’s composition that has allowed explosive volcanic eruptions to continue through much of the planet’s history.”
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2463412-bepicolombo-snaps-mercurys-dark-craters-and-volcanic-plains/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14266025/LA-wildfires-SPACE-Satellite-images.html
Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Invests In 3D-Printed Rocket Maker As SpaceX-Led Space Race Heats Up
January 8, 2025 11:51 PM
Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google and former executive chairman of Alphabet Inc. has reportedly invested in Relativity Space Inc., a company specializing in 3D-printed rockets.
Relativity Space, headquartered in Long Beach, California, was established in 2015 with the ambition of creating rockets that are nearly entirely 3D-printed.
The company, which encountered fundraising hurdles in 2024, launched its first rocket, Terran 1, in 2023 but failed to achieve orbit.
They have since redirected their efforts towards the larger Terran R, anticipated to launch in 2026.
According to Bloomberg, Schmidt has been supporting the company since last year.
Schmidt’s investment came at a time when the company faced difficulties in securing capital for the development of Terran R and its daily operations.
The company was valued at $4.2 billion in 2021, with investors such as Fidelity Management & Research Company, Jared Leto, and Mark Cuban.
Schmidt, who served as Google’s CEO until 2011 and later as executive chairman, has been involved in various philanthropic and investment endeavors since leaving the board in 2019.
Schmidt and Relativity Space have yet to respond to Benzinga‘s queries.
The investment by Eric Schmidt in Relativity Space comes at a time when the modern space race is intensifying, with private companies vying for dominance in orbit.
This new era, often referred to as “Space Race 2.0,” presents significant investment opportunities as private enterprises, such as SpaceX, lead the charge.
In 2024, SpaceX achieved a milestone with 134 launches, showcasing the rapid advancements in the industry. Relativity Space, despite its initial setbacks, remains a key player in this competitive landscape.
https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/01/42890773/former-google-ceo-eric-schmidt-invests-in-3d-printed-rocket-maker-as-spacex-led-space-race-heats-up
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-09/ex-google-ceo-eric-schmidt-said-to-be-relativity-space-investor
Venus and the moon light up the night sky in gorgeous photos from around the world
January 8, 2025
The moon and Venus put on quite a show for skywatchers around the world this week.
On Jan. 3, 2025, the "Evening Star" Venus and a waxing crescent moon crossed the night sky in an event known as a conjunction, where two objects share the same right ascension or celestial longitude.
Both Venus and the moon appeared in the Aquarius constellation, separated by less than three degrees in the sky.
Venus is particularly bright in the night sky this month, outshining even Sirius, the brightest star.
For observers at mid-northern latitudes, the planet remains visible for about four hours after sunset throughout January, making it an excellent time to observe Earth's "evil twin," as showcased in the stunning photos below.
Josh Dury caught this gorgeous photograph of the moon and a brilliant star-pointed Venus from The Mendip Hills in Somerset, U.K., around 5 p.m. local time on Jan. 3, 2025.
Meanwhile, Space.com writer Harry Bennett saw the pairing from the United Kingdom as the moon appeared as a thin sliver in the night sky.
Astronomer Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project caught the pair from his observatory in Manciano, Italy as Venus shone just above the moon.
The moon and Venus were bright enough to stand out among brightly lit lanterns as seen from Yinchuan, in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
Photographer Thierry Monasse in northern France snapped the pairing as seen between trees at sunset, shining brightly enough to be seen as the sun was still lighting up the evening sky.
Rui Santos of Living Impressions Photography caught the pair shining above buildings in Leiria, Portugal.
https://www.space.com/stargazing/venus-and-the-moon-light-up-the-night-sky-in-gorgeous-photos-from-around-the-world
https://www.space.com/the-universe/comets/once-in-a-160000-year-comet-g3-atlas-could-shine-as-bright-as-venus-next-week-heres-what-to-expect
Once-in-a-160000-year comet G3 ATLAS could shine as bright as Venus next week. Here's what to expect.
January 9, 2025
The brightest comet in nearly 20 years — comet G3 ATLAS (C/2024) — is expected to reach its peak brilliance later this week into early next week.
The only question is: "Will you actually be able to see it?"
This celestial paradox belongs to Comet 2024 G3 (ATLAS), which was first sighted on April 5 of last year by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) survey, in images obtained with a 0.5-meter (19.7-inch) reflector telescope located in Rio Hurtado, Chile.
At the time of discovery, the comet was 407 million miles (655 million km) from Earth and shining at an exceedingly faint magnitude of +19. That's roughly 158,000 times dimmer than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
A preliminary orbit for this comet indicated that it was going to pass exceptionally close — less than 9 million miles (14 million km) from the sun in mid-January 2025; only about one-quarter the distance of Mercury, the closest planet to the sun.
However, these initial calculations also suggested that G3 ATLAS was a new comet coming directly from out of the Oort cloud, a vast bubble composed of countless billions of icy objects encircling our solar system, located perhaps 10 trillion miles (16 trillion km) from the sun.
Small sun-skirting comets originating from the Oort Cloud, making their first approach to the sun, often disintegrate before reaching perihelion (their closest approach to the sun).
But after G3 ATLAS’s orbit was refined, it was determined that it was actually a dynamically old comet, having made at least one previous close approach to the sun, with an orbital period of roughly 160,000 years.
This provided hope that — having survived a prior close encounter with the sun — this comet could survive its impending close brush and possibly put on a bright display after the start of the new year.
Unfortunately, to date, the predicted path of G3 ATLAS has only favored those in the Southern Hemisphere. Practically the entire predicted track of this comet lies through constellations well south of the celestial equator.
For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the comet’s path over the past month has taken it through the southern constellations of Lupus and Scorpius, and it currently resides in Sagittarius.
This means that for observers north of the equator, the comet has been positioned much too low on the southeastern horizon and perpetually obscured by the glow of bright morning twilight.
However, as the comet is now coming down the “home stretch” before it whips around the sun, it has begun to brighten dramatically.
For a relatively short time, its path will curve just far enough north to give those north of the equator a fighting chance to glimpse it.
Recent observations collected on the Comet Observation database (COBS) suggest that, on Jan. 2, 2025, G3 ATLAS experienced a sudden outburst, showing a nearly four-fold increase in apparent brightness.
However, John Bortle, a well-known and highly reputable comet observer, expressed ambivalence about this unexpected brightness spike. In an email to Space.com, Bortle noted:
"The apparent instability exhibited in the recent magnitude increase usually can be interpreted as a bad sign that the comet is showing evidence of breaking up, but some other unusual features that have been reported such as the 'shadow of the nucleus' is a classic feature of any large comet near perihelion, and not a sign of disruption."
Still, Bortle is uncertain about G3 ATLAS's ultimate fate, "I think chances of its survival are about 50:50," Bortle noted.
Another noted comet observer, Nick James of the British Astronomical Association, also took note of the comet's latest surge of brightness. He was recently quoted at Spaceweather.com as stating: "The sudden jump in brightness was significant.
This could have been an early sign of disintegration, but since then the comet is still brightening. It looks as if this outburst has not been fatal."
Another noted comet observer, Nick James of the British Astronomical Association, also commented on the comet’s latest surge in brightness.
"The sudden jump in brightness was significant. This could have been an early sign of disintegration, but since then, the comet is still brightening. It looks as if this outburst has not been fatal," James told Spaceweather.com.
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G3 ATLAS will always be positioned very near the sun, raising the main question: Will it get bright enough to be readily seen against the twilight sky?
Unfortunately, that is difficult to predict. Like snowflakes, no two comets are exactly alike. Astronomers have developed mathematical equations to forecast brightness, but it’s especially challenging for new or long-period comets like G3 ATLAS, where no prior visits are recorded.
On January 4, Daniel Green of the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams in Cambridge, Massachusetts, issued an updated circular on G3 ATLAS, forecasting its brightness based on its development in recent weeks.
The comet is expected to reach perihelion on Jan. 13 at 10:17 Universal Time (UT), at a distance of 8,695,216 miles (13,993,594 km) from the sun.
Later that same day, it will come closest to Earth at a distance of 87.1 million miles (140.1 million km).
Green predicts the comet could reach a maximum magnitude of -3.2, placing it between the brightness of Jupiter and Venus, which are prominent in our evening sky.
"The comet will be close to the sun when brightest, but it’s becoming difficult now even for Southern Hemisphere observers to see," Green told Space.com. "It’s really hard to call these comets when close to the sun like this, in terms of visibility."
Indeed, although Green's forecast suggests G3 ATLAS will get quite brilliant, its close proximity to the sun makes it rather debatable as to whether a casual observer will be able to pick it out against the bright twilight sky.
If the comet were to become brighter, however, it might be easier to see. For that to happen, we would need to consider forward scattering.
Forward scattering in comets is a phenomenon that occurs when sunlight is scattered by dust particles in a comet's tail and coma, causing the comet to appear brighter.
This happens when a comet is between the Earth and the sun, or when the Earth-comet-sun angle is high. Forward scattering can make a comet appear significantly brighter, especially when the phase angle is high.
It is similar to the effect of driving toward the sun with a dusty windshield.
Forward scattering in comets occurs when sunlight is scattered by dust particles in a comet’s tail and coma, causing the comet to appear brighter.
This phenomenon happens when a comet is between the Earth and the sun, or when the Earth-comet-sun angle is high.
Forward scattering can significantly enhance a comet’s brightness, especially when the phase angle (Earth-comet-sun angle) is high. It’s similar to the effect of driving toward the sun with a dusty windshield.
In the case of G3 ATLAS, its phase angle is predicted to reach a maximum of 115 degrees late on Jan. 13. How much this will enhance the comet’s brightness is debatable.
From my own calculations, I estimate the comet could brighten to a magnitude of -4, putting it on par with Venus. However, others predict an even greater enhancement.
The most extreme prediction comes from Dutch amateur astronomer Gideon van Buitenen, who forecasts a peak magnitude of -6, nearly three times brighter than Venus!
Still, the odds of this extreme brightening happening are low.
As of now, there appears to be a three-day window — Jan. 12 through 14 — for observers in the Northern Hemisphere to glimpse G3 ATLAS.
Your first opportunity will come early on Jan. 12. From mid-northern latitudes, the comet will rise about 35 minutes before sunrise and will be positioned 5 degrees directly above the sun at local sunrise.
So, beginning about 25 minutes before sunrise, slowly scan/sweep along the east-southeast horizon with binoculars to try and sight the comet.
On the evening of Jan.14 , the comet will set 35 minutes after the sun and at local sunset will be positioned about 7 degrees almost directly above the sun.
So, beginning about 10 minutes after sunset, slowly scan/sweep along the west-southwest horizon with binoculars to try and sight the comet.
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Watch the moon hide the 'Seven Sisters' of the Pleiades star cluster tonight
January 9, 2025
Whenever the moon shines near the Pleiades in December and January, it's nearly full. And on Thursday night, Jan. 9, the 10-day old moon will actually pass through the Pleiades. Most North American observers will be able to watch as the moon passes in front of more than a few stars in this cluster (called an occultation) within a few hours, amid the dazzling lunar glare.
Typically, an occultation of a specific star is not a "hit-or-miss" proposition; each month the moon will pass in front of that star as seen from various parts of our planet. Such a pattern is called a series and can last a few years or more.
For North America, the current spectacular series began Nov. 16, when the Pleiades disappeared at the bright edge and reappeared from behind the dark edge of a waning gibbous moon. As far as the United States and Canada are concerned, the most favorable passages of the moon across the Pleiades during 2025 will come on Jan. 9, and again on Feb. 6 — specifically favoring the central and western US — and during the morning hours of July 20. There will be other opportunities in 2026 and 2027.
The last series of occultations of the Pleiades took place between 2005 and 2010. Since this cluster lies 4 degrees north of the ecliptic — that great circle on the celestial sphere representing the sun's apparent path during the year — it can be occulted only when the ascending node of the moon's orbit is in the Pisces-to-Sagittarius part of the ecliptic.
This situation repeats every 18.6 years, the time required for the ascending node to complete one circuit of the ecliptic. Hence a new "season" of Pleiades occultations began in September 2023 and will continue until July 2029. After 2029 the moon will pass south of the Pleiades until the next series commences in 2042.
When to watch
On Jan. 9, skywatchers can watch the dark limb of the 82%-illuminated waxing gibbous moon creep across this beloved star cluster, popularly known as the "Seven Sisters." The details vary depending on your location, but out in the western U.S. and Canada the moon will already be among the Pleiades stars soon after the sun has set and the twilight sky darkens.
https://www.space.com/stargazing/watch-the-moon-hide-the-seven-sisters-of-the-pleiades-star-cluster-tonight
Japan's wooden satellite exits International Space Station
Wed 8 Jan 2025 // 14:45 UTC
LignoSat was sent to the ISS in November 2024 on a mission to demonstrate that wood could be a viable material from which to build spacecraft.
The goal of the satellite includes studying how the selected wood reacts when exposed to the environment of space and its resistance to cosmic radiation.
Researchers will also monitor geomagnetic levels to determine whether the geomagnetic field can penetrate the satellite and interfere with the electronics.
According to NASA, three wood species had previously been exposed to space before honoki magnolia was selected to construct the cubesat.
The 10cm long wood panels used in the constructions were assembled using a Japanese wood joinery method called "Blind Miter Dovetail Joint." This method means that glue and nails are not required.
Researchers are considering wood for spacecraft construction as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials.
While America's finest news source, satirical website The Onion, humorously noted "delays" encountered by Russia in "carving" its contribution to the ISS in 1998, JAXA's project is a serious demonstration of how wood could be an alternative to aluminum and other metals that generally go into satellite construction.
LignoSat was part of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Small Satellite Orbital Deployer-30 (J-SSOD-30) CubeSat deployment mission, handled by the JEM Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS).
It is expected to spend a few months in low Earth orbit before eventually reentering the Earth's atmosphere and burning up.
Considering the rate at which satellites are being launched into orbit – SpaceX sent a batch of 24 Starlink satellites into space earlier this week – the prospect of building the spacecraft out of materials with less of an environmental impact is appealing, although LignoSat does incorporate components made from more conventional materials.
According to a J-Stories report, researchers hope that more of the aluminum parts used to attach electronic components to the wooden box could be replaced by wood in the future.
In the report, Koji Murata of the Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, said, "If the launch of the wooden satellite proves that timber can be used in space, it should change how we look at timber on Earth and lead to new uses and a reevaluation of the material."
https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/08/japans_wooden_satellite_leaves_the/
Former Pentagon space policy official Stephen Kitay joins startup True Anomaly
January 8, 2025
True Anomaly, a space technology startup focusing on national security applications, announced Jan. 8 the appointment of Stephen Kitay as senior vice president of space defense, marking a significant addition to its executive team as the company seeks to expand its footprint in the defense sector.
Kitay, a prominent figure in U.S. space policy, was instrumental in the establishment of the U.S. Space Force during his tenure as deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy.
He also played a legislative role in shaping the Space Force as a staff member on the House Armed Services Committee.
Most recently, Kitay served at Microsoft, where he led strategic ventures within Azure Space, integrating commercial technologies into defense applications.
The appointment comes at a crucial time for the Colorado-based company, which is developing specialized satellites for military training and space domain awareness.
True Anomaly’s flagship product, the Jackal satellite, is designed for rendezvous and proximity operations — capabilities that are viewed as increasingly important as space becomes more contested.
True Anomaly is currently preparing for the “Victus Haze” mission under contract with the U.S. Space Force, part of the military’s Tactically Responsive Space program.
The mission will demonstrate advanced in-orbit capabilities, with True Anomaly’s Jackal operating alongside a Rocket Lab spacecraft.
Kitay told SpaceNews he will focus on building relationships with customers and lawmakers in Washington, D.C., while positioning True Anomaly’s technology as a training platform for Space Force operators.
He emphasized the growing intersection of commercial space technology and national security interests as private companies seek to address emerging threats in space.
He highlighted True Anomaly’s approach that combines satellites, software, artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies to tackle complex defense challenges.
“We’re at a unique time where private-sector innovation can provide solutions much faster and cheaper than traditional defense procurement processes,” Kitay said.
“The threats have never been greater. The competition has never been greater,” Kitay added, highlighting the critical role of space in national security and everyday life.
He noted that the space defense industry is now at an inflection point, with private companies taking the lead in developing cutting-edge technologies with the potential to address urgent defense needs.
https://spacenews.com/former-pentagon-space-policy-official-stephen-kitay-joins-startup-true-anomaly/
DesJarlais to chair House panel overseeing military space, nuclear programs
January 8, 2025
Rep. Scott DesJarlais is taking the helm of the House Armed Services Committee’s space and nuclear weapons oversight panel.
His appointment was announced Jan. 7 as part of the Republican reshuffle for the 119th Congress.
The Tennessee lawmaker’s ascension to chair the Strategic Forces Subcommittee comes as Pentagon leaders warn that Beijing is rapidly expanding its space warfare capabilities, potentially threatening the satellite networks that underpin U.S. military power.
DesJarlais, who has served in Congress since 2011, replaces former Colorado Rep. Doug Lamborn, who has retired.
He will oversee a broad portfolio including missile defense, nuclear deterrence and military space programs – areas where House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) has promised aggressive oversight amid growing great power competition.
The commercial space sector could see a boost under DesJarlais’ leadership.
The six-term congressman has pushed for deeper integration of private space capabilities into military systems, arguing that commercial innovation could help the Pentagon move faster and cheaper in responding to emerging threats.
In previous subcommittee hearings, DesJarlais has advocated for procurement reforms that would make it easier for the Defense Department to buy commercial products and services.
He also has backed measures aimed at helping smaller, innovative companies compete against traditional defense contractors — positioning himself as an advocate of acquisition reform at a time when many see bureaucracy holding back U.S. space capabilities.
The Strategic Forces gavel gives DesJarlais significant influence over policy and funding for some of the military’s most sensitive programs, from nuclear modernization to classified space systems.
With Rogers promising to focus heavily on competition with China, the subcommittee is likely to push for new investments in space defenses and more aggressive steps to counter Beijing’s anti-satellite weapons programs.
The Strategic Forces Subcommittee has oversight of the Pentagon’s and Energy Department’s nuclear weapons programs, missile defense systems and military space activities.
Its work often focuses on highly classified programs that form the backbone of U.S. strategic deterrence.
https://spacenews.com/desjarlais-to-chair-house-panel-overseeing-military-space-nuclear-programs/