Deep Space and Interplanetary Exploration - Houston, we are go for launch!

[rebs]

But it’s not a good theory if it gives the wrong answers...  Which is - as I understand it - what it looks like at this time.

Absolutely.  It shows that our most beholden theories likewise provide wrong answers.  Newtonian theory is going to be 400 years old in the blink of an eye.  We're still taking steps to find a replacement that provides clearer answers.  Examining new theories along the way is part of the process.

[marauder648]

Ya folks might like this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTHj_pvEYYE&ab_channel=melodysheep and this channels stuff in general.

[Daryk]

Excellent video, thanks marauder! :)

Newton's "theory" is more accurately Newton's "model"... All models are wrong, some are useful.  Newton's is in the latter category (at least if you use the right unit conversion factors)... ;)

I'll give those video creators credit for at least getting New Earth right... :D

[rebs]

As the following article says, there will be a "Super Blue Moon" later in August.

Saturn will be positioned in the sky near it, making the spectacular ringed gas giant easier to locate than usual for amateur viewers.  Indeed, this should be a great chance provided weather cooperates in the areas of anyone interested in seeing the show.

https://www.space.com/blue-moon-supermoon-august-2023

[worktroll]

Russia has reported an “abnormal situation” on its moon-bound Luna-25 spacecraft, which launched earlier this month.

The country’s space agency, Roscosmos, said on Saturday that the spacecraft ran into unspecified trouble while trying to enter a pre-landing orbit and that its specialists were analysing the situation.

From The Gruinard

Under the current circumstances, all I can say is "Oh dear, how sad, never mind."

Go, go, Chandrayaan-3!

[rebs]

Thought this was a fun find...

I would have shrunk it a bit, but didn't want to lose any resolution.  So warning - it's bigger than your screen, folks.

[worktroll]

Luna-25 update:

"The apparatus moved into an unpredictable orbit and ceased to exist as a result of a collision with the surface of the Moon," Roskosmos said in a statement.

[Daryk]

Yet another reminder that "space is hard".  Especially when you're rushing... ::)

[rebs]

Indeed.  Space is no place for a nervous person.

[Daryk]

Or anyone literally under the gun... ;)

[rebs]

Or anyone literally under the gun... ;)

In this case, Too True!

[Prospernia]

To be fair under current system generation rules the chances of an M-Class star hosting a habitable planet - without lots of Fiat - are already ... fairly low. As in one in a couple thousand or so. Too lazy to run the numbers.

It should be noted for Trappist-1b that the atmosphere observation only has a 1-sigma reliability for 0.01 bar, i.e. under evaluation of the observation there's a 32% chance that it is denser than 10 millibar. Mars' atmosphere for comparison has about 6 millibar.

Which book is that in?   (The only book I have for generating planets is Star Wars, which, surprisingly generates habitable, Earth-like planets with every roll!!!).

Fiat is the name of the game; I don't dare try to bring in actual astronomy into the Battletech Universe; it's more of a guide-line than cannon-rules.

[Wrangler]

Chandrayaan 2 orbiter spotted the Apollo 11 and 12 landing sites.

[Daryk]

I'm sure some will now say the Indians are in on the conspiracy... ::)

[worktroll]

Seeing those pics warmed my heart.

[Daryk]

That too, that too... :)

[rebs]

The old Ring Nebula, one of my favorites.  This incredible image was taken by the JWST sometime around July or early this month.  (To to be fair, I have a great many favorites when it comes to pictures of astronomical objects.)

This planetary nebula produced by a dying star has become the subject of renewed interest as of late, especially by researchers in Cardiff. 

Check it out in the link below.

https://news.yahoo.com/astronomy-dying-star-analysed-cardiff-162942608.html

[rebs]

I'm sure some will now say the Indians are in on the conspiracy... ::)

With ignorance and conspiracies becoming so common, I've quit arguing about any of it on the socials. 

By fanatically believing nonsense, many people are giving the rest of us who value actual knowledge and reason a great advantage, and I'm not giving that up.

[Kit deSummersville]

I'm sure some will now say the Indians are in on the conspiracy... ::)

I was going to ask why it was orbiting above Hollywood. 

[Sabelkatten]

I was going to ask why it was orbiting above Hollywood. 

It can't be an indian fake. If it was a Bollywood production there would be a song&dance number as the probe passed over the site! 

Of course to a conspiracy theorist that would just indicate India isn't actually real... 

[Prospernia]

I laugh at Moon-Landing Conspiracy-theories, because, I know the REAL, truth; There's no such thing as the, "Moon".

[rebs]

The moon is real, and it's tasty too.  The proceeds of all smoked bacon cheddar sold around the world go to Neil Armstrong's and Buzz Aldrin's families.

[rebs]

Indian moon rover Pragyan has rolled out onto the surface of Luna.

Check it out in the link bellow.  Great article.

https://www.space.com/chandrayaan-3-rover-first-steps-on-moon

[rebs]

China's reusable aerospace vehicle has landed after a lengthy orbital mission taking well over two thirds of a year to complete. 

Interesting article too.

https://www.space.com/china-space-plane-lands-may-2023

[Wrangler]

The Curiosity Rover is still trucking along.  It took this amazing picture of what been dubbed the Dingo Gap.



Its amazing desolate Mars is, yet if these pictures are unaltered how it reminds me of a desert on Earth (minus very non-blue hazy skies).

[Sabelkatten]

Regarding Curiosity Perseverance; I bought and built the LEGO model last week. It was the best value for money set I've ever bought! Highly recommended!

[Daryk]

The $600 one? ???

[Sabelkatten]

Sorry, got my rovers mixed up. 

I meant the new 42158 Perseverance set. $100 recommended price, I believe? I bought mine for 960 Skr.

[Daryk]

Whew!  That's more within the realm of the possible for my wife for Christmas! Thanks! :)

[BirdofPrey]

Its amazing desolate Mars is, yet if these pictures are unaltered how it reminds me of a desert on Earth (minus very non-blue hazy skies).

There's a reason the middle of nowhere Arizona or Utah or the like is often used as a Mars analog.

Also the sky does look like that here when there's a dust storm coming.
Doesn't look alien to me at all.