TYB
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
March 2, 2025
The Hubble Ultra Deep Field in Light and Sound
Have you heard about the Hubble Ultra-Deep Field? Either way, you've likely not heard about it like this please run your cursor over the featured image and listen! The Hubble Ultra-Deep Field (HUDF) was created in 2003-2004 with the Hubble Space Telescope staring for a long time toward near-empty space so that distant, faint galaxies would become visible. One of the most famous images in astronomy, the HUDF is featured here in a vibrant way with sonified distances. Pointing to a galaxy will play a note that indicates its approximate redshift. Because redshifts shift light toward the red end of the spectrum of light, they are depicted here by a shift of tone toward the low end of the spectrum of sound. The further the galaxy, the greater its cosmological redshift (even if it appears blue), and the lower the tone that will be played. The average galaxy in the HUDF is about 10.6 billion light years away and sounds like an F#. What's the most distant galaxy you can find?
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Progress Cargo Craft Docks to Station Resupplying Crew
March 1, 2025
The unpiloted Progress 91 spacecraft arrived at the aft port of the orbiting laboratory’s Zvezda Service module at 6:02 p.m. EST, March 1.
The spacecraft launched at 4:24 p.m. EST (2:24 a.m. Baikonur time) Feb. 27, on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The Roscosmos spacecraft is delivering about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 72 crew aboard the International Space Station and will remain docked for approximately six months before departing for a re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere to dispose of trash loaded by the crew.
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/03/01/progress-cargo-craft-docks-to-station-resupplying-crew/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oASe_fX6Mc
Smooshing for Science: A Flat-Out Success
Feb 28, 2025
The Perseverance team is always looking for creative ways to use the tools we have on Mars to maximize the science we do.
On the arm of the rover sits the SHERLOC instrument, which specializes in detecting organic compounds and is crucial in our search for signs of past microbial life. But finding these organics isn’t easy.
The uppermost surface of most rocks Perseverance finds on Mars have been exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun and the long-term oxidative potential of the atmosphere, both of which have the potential to break down organic compounds.
For this reason, obtaining SHERLOC measurements from a “fresh” rock face is ideal. Last week the rover cored a serpentine-rich rock aptly named “Green Gardens,” resulting in a fresh pile of drill tailings.
To get this material ready for the SHERLOC instrument, which requires a smooth area to obtain a measurement, the science team did something for the first time on Mars: We smooshed it!
Using the contact sensor of our sampling system, designed to indicate when our drill is touching a rock as it prepares to take a core, Perseverance pressed down into the tailings pile, compacting it into a flat, stable patch for SHERLOC to investigate.
This unorthodox approach worked perfectly! The resulting SHERLOC spectral scan of these fresh tailings — which include serpentine, a mineral of key astrobiological interest — was a success.
These flattened drill tailings are a great example of how a bit of out-of-the-box (or out-of-this-world!) thinking helps us maximize science on Mars.
With this success behind us, the rover is rolling west toward the heart of “Witch Hazel Hill,” where more ancient rocks — and who knows what surprises — await!
https://science.nasa.gov/blog/smooshing-for-science-a-flat-out-success/
Milpitas Open Space Authority director dies
UPDATED: March 2, 2025 at 7:21 AM PST
Mike Flaugher, a longtime Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority director who represented Milpitas on the board, died on Saturday, Feb. 22.
As director of District 2, Flaugher also represented communities from North San José and Berryessa.
He first joined the authority as a member of the Citizen Advisory Committee in 2012 before being elected to the board in 2014.
“Mike was a terrific partner in getting things done,” said board chair Helen Chapman in a release.
“No matter how complex the issue, he focused on the work and on fulfilling his own personal commitment to protecting the environment. … He championed these values in all the organizations he served.”
Throughout his extensive public service career, Flaugher held leadership roles in organizations including the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council, Berryessa Business Association, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Volunteer Coordinating Committee and the San José Parks and Recreation and Neighborhood Services Commission.
An Air Force veteran, Flaugher served in the Air force Reserves for 15 years and worked for National Semiconductor for 20 years.
The authority will publicly honor Flaugher at a future board meeting. The board of directors will decide whether to fill the District 2 vacancy through a special election or by appointment.
“As we remember Mike Flaugher, we honor his legacy of service and the positive impact he has had on his community,” said Andrea Mackenzie, the authority’s general manager.
“His vision and efforts will guide us as we work to continue connecting the communities we serve to the open spaces he so dearly cherished.”
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/02/milpitas-open-space-authority-director-dies/
'Take Marjorie!' Dem lawmaker Jasmine Crockett jokes about sending GOP colleague to space
March 1, 2025 10:25PM ET
Texas Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett on Saturday joked about sending her Republican colleague and nemesis, Marjorie Taylor Greene, to space.
Appearing on CNN's Saturday night comedy series, Have I Got News for You, Crockett was asked about what famous people might be going on a trip to space.
In reality, singer Katy Perry is currently planning the trip to space with Jeff Bezos' company.
When the host guessed that another Republican, Lauren Boebert, might be going to space, Crockett responded, "No, no, no, no."
"Take Marjorie. Oh, please, god, yes," she said.
https://www.rawstory.com/crockett-mtg-space-please/
Earth shines over the moon in amazing 1st photos from private Blue Ghost lander. 'We're all in that picture.'
March 2, 2025
Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander may have only just touched down on the moon, but it's already beaming home spectacular views of Earth from the lunar surface after a historic landing today (March 2).
These incredible images from the moon taken by the private Blue Ghost lander were shared by its builder, Firefly Aerospace, just hours after the lunar landing.
Blue Ghost touched down in Mare Crisium (the Sea of Crises), after deftly performing two hazard avoidance maneuvers and achieving a precision landing within 328 feet (100 meters) of its target zone near the volcanic feature Mons Latreille.
"This is an incredibly challenging technical feat to pull off, to land, anything on the surface of the moon," Joel Kearns, Deputy Associate Administrator for exploration in NASA Science Mission Directorate said during the press conference.
Shortly after landing, Firefly Aerospace unveiled this image from the surface of the moon, it is the first image acquired by the Blue Ghost lunar lander.
The images were released by Blue Ghost's S-band imagery, with higher resolution X-band imagery expected in the next few hours when the lander deploys its main antenna.
Firefly opted to forgo a live video stream of the landing from the Blue Ghost to free up communications bandwidth for telemetry and for several instruments that were in action during the descent, including a critical hazard avoidance system that helped the lander avoid at least two potentially dangerous boulders on the surface, according to Ray Allensworth, Firefly's spacecraft program director.
"NASA expected it to be relatively hazard free, but that doesn't mean there's no hazards, so you always have to be prepared for that," Allensworth said in the briefing. "And the lander was, and we were able to operate around that and land safely."
The second image captured by the Blue Ghost lander shows the lander sitting on the moon's surface with a distant pale blue dot — Earth — in the background.
If you take a closer look at Earth reflected in the lander's panels, you can make out distinct details of our home planet.
Shortly before the press conference ended, Firefly released this stunning image from the surface of the moon. "We're all in that picture," one of the panelists said.
With the landing complete, Blue Ghost will now begin 14 days of surface operations, the equivalent of one full lunar day.
"This next 14 days is going to be really challenging, and we're going to work to provide all the science data from all 10 clips payloads, but I'm confident that the team will get through it," Jason Kim, Firefly Aerospace CEO said during the press conference.
A major highlight of the mission will take place on March 14, when Blue Ghost captures high-definition images of a total eclipse as Earth obscures the sun from the moon's perspective.
Meanwhile, those of us on Earth will witness the same event as a total lunar eclipse, turning the moon a deep, eerie red.
On March 16, the lander will document the lunar sunset and study how levitating dust behaves in response to solar activity, a phenomenon first observed during Apollo 17.
Leading up to the landing, Blue Ghost traveled 2.8 million miles over 45 days, downlinking 27 GB of data and supporting scientific studies, including record-breaking signal tracking from the Global Navigation Satellite System and radiation measurements through the Van Allen Belts.
With the hardest part behind them, Firefly is now focused on completing surface operations and continuing to demonstrate the capabilities of commercial lunar missions.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/missions/earth-shines-over-moon-in-amazing-1st-photos-from-private-blue-ghost-lander-were-all-in-that-picture
https://fireflyspace.com/blue-ghost/
Is it time to revisit what NASA's Viking lander found on Mars in 1976?
March 2, 2025
Back in 1976, the dual NASA Viking landers came to full stop on the Red Planet.
Their life detection experimental findings still reverberate within the scientific community – fueling the on-going discussion on a key question: Is there life on Mars?
Fast forward to today, a new paper tackles and reconsiders the results of the Viking Biology experiments.
Perchlorate finding
The most significant change since those 1970's experiments were conducted was the discovery of high levels of perchlorate on Mars. Perchlorate, plus abiotic oxidants, explains the Viking results and there is no requirement to postulate life on Mars.
"The discovery of perchlorate on Mars by the Phoenix mission has provided a basis for explaining the results of the Viking Landers," the newly issued paper notes.
"Thermal decomposition of perchlorate in the ovens of the [Viking] instrument can explain the lack of organics detected.
Accumulation of hypochlorite in the soil from cosmic ray decomposition of perchlorate can explain the reactivity seen when nutrient solutions were added to the soil in the Viking Biology Experiments."
However, the paper adds, "a non-biological explanation for the Viking results does not preclude life on Mars."
Revisit the results
The just-released paper — "The Viking biology experiments on Mars revisited" – has been authored by noted Mars researchers Christopher McKay, Richard Quinn and Carol Stoker.
All three authors are from the space science division of NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California, near San Francisco.
"With Mars sample return on the horizon and the prospect of future missions to Mars, perhaps even including life detection instruments, it may be timely to revisit the results of the Viking Biology Experiments," the research team suggests.
"Since Viking landed on Mars, many things have changed, and many things have not. What has not changed in the past 50 years is our understanding of the limits of life in cold and dry environments."
In a communiqué with Christopher McKay, he told Space.com: "It is important to note that we are not saying that the Viking results imply 'no life on Mars.' Nor are we saying the Viking results imply there is life on Mars."
McKay said that their core point is that the Viking results are saying there is perchlorate and other oxidants on Mars, “and that is what the Viking biology experiments responded to.”
What this means is that the results of the Viking Biology experiments can’t be used to justify an approach to astronaut health and safety or a sample and/or astronaut quarantine policy for return to Earth that assumes no life on Mars.
New data
In their paper for the scientific journal, Icarus, the research trio explains that there have been big changes resulting from missions to Mars.
"The most important new data, by far, was the surprising discovery from the Phoenix Mission that the soils of Mars contain about 0.5% perchlorate," they observe.
"This incredibly high concentration of perchlorate is still not adequately explained but the implications for the Viking results are profound."
The space scientists in their paper explain that the perchlorate model and the resultant conclusion that Viking did not detect life in the surface soils of Mars will factor into any discussion of sample return or astronaut return from Mars.
"The Outer Space Treaty prohibits 'adverse changes in the environment of the Earth resulting from the introduction of extraterrestrial matter.'
Future experiments are needed to better understand the chemistry of Martian soils and the possibility of life persisting there," McKay and colleagues add.
Good targets
In summing up their research paper, they conclude that the perchlorate model for the Viking results "does not prove that there is no life on Mars, nor does it imply that the continued search for evidence of life on Mars, past or present, is pointless."
Indeed, as the research team suggests, "we strongly argue for the search for evidence of extant life in future missions. Good targets are salt deposits and polar ground ice."
https://www.space.com/mars-viking-lander-1976-results
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019103525000132?via%3Dihub
302d Airlift Wing confirms new commander during formal ceremony
March 1, 2025 7:53 PM
The 302d Airlift Wing held a formal change of command ceremony today at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. In attendance were Airmen, family and friends.
After serving as commander for more than two and a half years, Col. Christopher Sedlacek transferred command of the wing to Col. Elissa Granderson overseen by Maj. Gen. Melissa Coburn, 22nd Air Force commander.
Sedlacek guided the wing through many exercises, achievements and mobilizations during his leadership tenure.
Over the course of the past two and a half years the 302d AW was involved in more than 20 large-scale exercises and deployments around the world including Germany, Jordan, Belize and parts of Africa in joint and international operational environments.
The 302d AW was also activated to fly its aerial firefighting special mission four times during Sedlacek’s leadership accomplishing 101 drops and supplying 273,294 gallons of fire retardant over its 101 total days of activation.
“Thank you for your unwavering commitment, steady leadership and selfless devotion to the 302d AW,” said Coburn to Sedlacek. “Your leadership throughout your tenure has been nothing short of exceptional.
You have navigated this wing through times of change and challenge, always keeping your focus on the mission and, most importantly, on your people.
You leave behind an incredible legacy, one build on a foundation of excellence.”
Before the ceremonial transfer, Sedlacek addressed the wing for the last time as their leader.
“As I stand before you today, I'm filled with a deep sense of gratitude and pride,” said Sedlacek. “Serving as 302d AW commander has been one of the greatest honors of my career.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the men and women of the 302d AW. Your unwavering commitment, resilience and professionalism has been the driving force behind every achievement we've accomplished.
All of you have played a crucial role in achieving our unit's successes and I am immensely proud to have served alongside each and every one of you.”
The incoming commander, a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, was previously the 403rd Operations Group commander at Keesler AFB, Mississippi.
Along with the 403rd Wing’s primary mission to organize, equip, train and employ airlift forces, the wing also has a weather reconnaissance special mission commonly known as Hurricane Hunters.
Granderson has participated in numerous multinational training exercises around the world as C-130 pilot. She has supported drug interdiction missions, humanitarian relief efforts and deployments in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and Africa.
“Granderson has demonstrated the ability to lead, has a strong dedication to the mission and I am thrilled to have her take command of this amazing unit today,” said Coburn.
“She is the epitome of service and a combat proven warrior. The challenges ahead are significant but I am confident she and the Airmen of this wing are ready to face them head-on.”
After accepting the flag from Coburn, Granderson stood before the wing for the first time as new commander.
"I can already tell I'm coming to a really great wing," said Granderson to those in attendance. "You all are awesome; you're moving forward and I can feel your energy.
The leadership team has already included me in so much and showcased the energy and pride in the wing.
I'm really energized about the tremendous efforts you all are undertaking. I'm truly impressed and ready for what's next."
https://www.302aw.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4086587/302d-airlift-wing-confirms-new-commander-during-formal-ceremony/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0612011/
Drone causes disruption in search for missing man in Chippenham, England
2 March 2025 | 4.14pm
Wiltshire Search and Rescue (WILSAR) were forced to temporarily halt aerial operations while out looking for 21-year-old Sebastian Sailes earlier today (Sunday).
It came after an unknown drone flew close to the the charity’s own drone – which was working together with a crew on a boat on the River Avon.
A WILSAR spokesperson has since asked people to avoid sending drones into the air nearby.
They said: “We’d like to ask members of the public to not fly their drones near us when we’re working.
“Our own pilot had to land their airframe when an unknown drone flew in close proximity today, while they were working in tandem with a boat crew.”
In a post on the Wiltshire 999s Facebook page, prior to the incident — after comments online suggested people take drones to assist the search — we warned people against it.
ournalist Daniel Jae Webb wrote: “Regarding the ongoing search for Sebastian, we have seen posts online suggesting hobbyists with drones should assist.
“Please DO NOT fly drones in the search area without permission of the search lead at Wiltshire Police.
“Police and WILSAR drones are operating in this area, as is the police helicopter. Hobbyists flying drones in the vicinity will only hinder the emergency services.”
https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/drone-disruption-search-man-chippenham/
The russian 2S5 Giatsint-S Goes Underground—A Sign of Drone Warfare's Dominance?
March 2, 2025
Recently, photos surfaced on social media showing a 152mm 2S5 Giatsint-S self-propelled artillery system literally buried in the ground. This system belongs to the russian occupation forces engaged in battles against Ukraine's Defense Forces.
What stands out is the scale of the shelter the russians dug for their artillery. Another notable aspect is the mere presence of the Giatsint-S in these images, as this system rarely appears in public materials related to the russian Armed Forces.
At first glance, this may seem paradoxical, but in reality, it is a deliberate tactical adaptation that has emerged at this stage of the russian-Ukrainian war. The primary reason behind it is the dominance of drones on the battlefield.
This aligns with findings from a recent report by the British think tank RUSI (Royal United Services Institute), which examines current front-line developments.
The report highlights that both russian forces and Ukraine's Defense Forces actively disperse their artillery systems and position them in underground shelters.
Such tactics enhance survivability against counter-battery fire and the widespread use of attack drones. Even minor drone damage can necessitate the premature replacement of a gun barrel—a costly and time-consuming process.
And even for russian forces, artillery barrels are a finite resource. As a result, at this stage of the war, artillery operations have shifted toward subterranean positioning, requiring separate shelters for artillery systems, ammunition depots, and personnel.
In the specific case of the russian 2S5 Giatsint-S, burying it appears to be the only viable protection method.
This system lacks an armored cabin to shield its crew, and even the crude addition of protective grates has been deemed impractical by the occupiers.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that the emergence of the 2S44 Giatsint-K wheeled self-propelled artillery system has revived interest in the Soviet-era 2S21 Msta-K project.
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/the_russian_2s5_giatsint_s_goes_undergrounda_sign_of_drone_warfares_dominance-13695.html
House panel on gov’t secrets unlikely to tackle UFOs: Journalist
Updated: Mar 2, 2025 / 12:25 AM CST
A U.S. congresswoman has expressed interest in interviewing UFO whistleblowers to learn more about Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), but one investigative journalist is doubtful the effort will succeed.
Ross Coulthart says Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., seems well-intentioned, but he notes her Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets has only a six-month lifespan, no significant powers and a full plate that also includes looking for files surrounding the deaths of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, among other topics.
“She doesn’t even have the powers of subpoena,” Coulthart said of Rep. Luna.
“A lot of people, myself included, are getting increasingly skeptical that the administration is promising a lot to get a quick headline, but are they actually going to follow through?”
Coulthart has interviewed a former U.S. Airforce airman and government contractor who claims to have taken part in a government program to handle and retrieve nonhuman technology.
Helicopter pilot Jake Barber said he transported a white, egg-shaped object the size of an SUV.
On another occasion, he observed a flying disc with eight discernible edges, something he referred to as an “eightgon.”
Coulthart’s continuing reports on the issue of UAPs come amid renewed interest in the topic based on new documentation about unexplained sightings.
Last year, residents in the Northeast reported seeing large drone-like objects overhead.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/space/ufo/house-panel-ufos-government-secrets/
Why Is Houston the Epicenter of UFO Reports in Texas?
Published: March 2, 2025
If there’s one Texas city where you’re bound to see something unusual in the sky, it’s Houston. And honestly, it makes sense.
Why Are There So Many UFO Sightings in Houston?
For starters, Houston is massive—over 7 million people call the metro area home. More people mean more eyes on the sky, leading to more “Did you see that?!” moments.
Then there’s NASA’s Johnson Space Center. When you live near one of the world’s leading space research hubs, you naturally pay more attention to what’s flying overhead.
Houstonians might not just see something weird—they might actually recognize that it’s out of the ordinary.
Light Pollution & Flight Paths Add to the Mystery
Houston’s bright city lights make it harder to see stars, but they also create optical illusions that can make objects appear more mysterious.
On top of that, the city’s busy air traffic, with planes constantly crisscrossing the sky, can make it tricky to distinguish everyday aircraft from something truly unexplained.
UFO Sightings Are Surging in Other Texas Cities
While Houston leads the state in UFO reports, other major Texas cities aren’t far behind. Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin have all reported a significant number of strange sightings.
With large populations, busy airports, and nearby military bases, these metro areas are prime locations for unexplained aerial activity.
Texans Love a Good UFO Story
Whatever the reason, Texas remains a prime destination for UFO enthusiasts and skywatchers alike.
Whether it’s real or just another case of mistaken identity, one thing is clear—Texans love looking up and wondering what’s out there.
https://kfyo.com/ixp/178/p/texas-houston-ufo-sightings/