Anybody with access to a backyard telescope or binoculars can view Saturn’s magnificent rings, but soon these iconic features will fade from view temporarily over the coming months. Saturn’s orbit around the sun puts it at an angle, hiding its rings temporarily from view. Don’t worry though; when its path returns to normal they will…
NASA spacecraft names are as symbolic as their missions are effective. While NASA follows certain guidelines when selecting mission names, creativity can still come into play here. Motherboard reports that the process for naming began in the early ’60s with the creation of the Project Designation Committee. Voyager NASA originally designed two spacecraft as part…
Saturn’s icy rings won’t disappear any time soon, even though they might become harder to see for some time due to an event known as “ring plane crossing”. Once every 13 to 16 years, Saturn’s ring plane passes close enough to Earth that their presence becomes difficult for us to discern from Earth’s perspective –…
Saturn’s rings have long been an object of fascination. Viewed straight on, their thin outlines can be seen. Earth passes through the plane of Saturn’s rings every 13 to 15 years and views them edge-on at one of Saturn’s equinoxes, providing us a rare view. It doesn’t signify an impending disaster for our planet, but…
Mercury and Venus, unlike most rocky planets in our Solar System, are typically not considered suitable places for life to exist; their harsh conditions make them unsuitable as candidates for life support systems. Yet engineers have created spacecraft capable of withstanding these inhospitable worlds’ harsh environment. Scientists have recently discovered that Venus’ atmosphere contains phosphine,…
Studies on human settlement on Mars have been ongoing since at least 1960; however, only recently has there been any realistic chance for such an endeavor to become reality. Travel to Mars poses numerous risks. Astronauts could experience bone loss as they remain immobile for long stretches. Life on Mars Mars’ surface is inhospitable to…
Whenever asked which planet is closest to Earth, most will answer Venus due to the fact that at their closest points together Venus comes closer than Mars does. However, the order may not be as apparent at first glance due to planetary orbits that are not circular but instead elliptical in shape. Venus Venus, often…
An international mission to Neptune and Triton has long been overdue; such an expedition could shed more light on what these ice giants represent. Like Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune are ice giants; planets with only trace amounts of hydrogen or helium present. But unlike Jupiter, their orbital periods are short enough for missions to Uranus…
Exploring the first signs of spring can be an exciting activity that helps children connect with nature. Additionally, it may inspire outdoor adventures like bluebell walks or wildflower hunts! Watch for daffodils and primrose blooming across woodlands, parks and roadside verges beginning early March; or listen out for drumming woodpeckers as they mark their territories…
