Mercury, our closest neighboring planet to our Sun, experiences extreme daytime temperatures that make its surface scorchingly hot. Craters and basins dot its surface, from small bowl-shaped cavities to multiringed impact craters hundreds of kilometers across. Craters on Mercury are surrounded by massive scarps or cliffs that soar over one mile high, as predicted by…
Since World War II, spacecraft have launched satellites into orbit, landed astronauts on the moon, and probed our solar system – many owing their existence to partnerships formed during the conflict. Wernher von Braun and his team formed one such collaboration, creating the rocket which propelled Yuri Gagarin into space aboard Vostok 1. His journey…
We all know the human body is fascinating, but did you know there are also some weird and disgusting aspects? In this article, we’ll reveal some amazing yet bizarre facts about it that will blow your mind. Introductions set the scene for any piece and play an essential part in building rapport with audiences. 1….
Generations have viewed Apollo 11’s landing as one of the defining moments in human history, and as we approach its 50th anniversary celebrations are marking this event with extra-special celebrations at destinations tied directly to it. Space Center Houston in Texas and other sites have returned to the 1969 look, hosting special events honoring Armstrong,…
As soon as light enters the atmosphere, it becomes scattered in all directions by oxygen and nitrogen molecules. Due to their natural resonance frequency being closer to blue wavelengths than reddish hues, blue light becomes more readily dispersed throughout the sky than its counterparts. So that is why the sky appears as an intense blue…
People have long been afraid that seeing a red Moon signals the start of an imminent catastrophe, yet this phenomenon simply results from passing through Earth’s umbra (shadow). Umbral light passes through Earth’s gaseous atmosphere and is scattered in green and violet wavelengths that combine into coppery red hues, giving an overall coppery red tint….
Hyenas are predators in the wild that consume birds, insects, small mammals and reptiles as their diet. These big brains have evolved to remember individual voices and ranks of clan members, helping them negotiate the strict social hierarchy without unnecessary conflict. A familiar whoop is used as a signal between clan members to signify that…
Minnesota is well known for its rugged pine forests, beautiful lakes, and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Minnesota was also popular in the 1950s and 60s because it was home to an iconic cartoon bear who would appear in beer commercials set to drumbeat music. VocalEssence’s album featuring works by Dominick Argento, Libby Larsen and…
An IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) is a sensor that measures body-frame acceleration and angular rate measurements. IMUs are often integrated into Inertial Navigation Systems (INSs) used to track spacecraft position. IMU sensors can experience both static and dynamic errors that could impede performance. Attitude As the spacecraft rotates in orbit, its attitude must be determined….
