Like Mercury, rocky planets may undergo changes due to internal forces which push and pull at crustal material, creating landforms such as volcanoes, mountains, and canyons. These forces are known as tectonics and may contribute to landform formation such as volcanoes. Scientists have various hypotheses as to what caused Mercury’s scarred surface, one being its…
Spacecraft are vehicles capable of traveling into outer space and operating there, typically used for purposes such as Earth observation, navigation and colonization of outer space. Spacecraft employ fuel cells to produce electricity in space. This technology was first employed during the 1960s to power United States spacecraft. Definition Spacecraft are vehicles designed to operate…
Scientists are still trying to gather answers about Mars. They wish to know whether the planet ever supported life and how its evolution might have progressed. Researchers must also understand what it will be like for future manned spacecraft to travel there, including weather forecasting and how to access safe drinking water sources. How long…
As throwing something into the air causes it to follow a curving path, so too do satellites require an equal balance of momentum from their rocket and gravity in order to remain in orbit. Only when this equilibrium has been found can spacecraft remain stationary within their orbital path. Some orbits, like those occupied by…
Salmon and other seafood is great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and selenium–all essential components for good health. But some consumers may be wary about mercury levels in fish products. Mercury can be found naturally in our environment and biomagnifies into food chains as larger predatory species consume smaller prey species. Both the FDA…
Last week, scientists announced the discovery of an Earth-like planet orbiting Proxima Centauri — our closest star and source of life — which might support life. This exoplanet represents one of the nearest possible candidate planets for human habitation ever found so far. But how close are we cosmically speaking? To answer that question, we…
After 50 years have passed since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first set foot on the moon, it can be easy to forget just how expensive their accomplishment was. According to The Planetary Society, Project Apollo alone required $25.8 billion (in today’s dollars). That price tag still baffles, particularly considering NASA’s current budget constraints. Cost…
Mercury remains a puzzle to scientists. NASA’s MESSENGER orbiter revealed many mysteries surrounding Mercury, such as its abnormally large core and abundance of volatile substances not expected. European Space Agency’s bepiColombo probe will soon take an intimate look at Mercury, yet its primary mission isn’t taking stunning images. Mercury’s surface Mercury’s surface is covered in…
The Saturn V rocket safely transported Apollo 11’s lunar module Eagle with Commander Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin on board to the moon for their successful moon landing. Armstrong and Aldrin used Eagle’s ascent stage to rejoin Collins before departing lunar orbit and heading back towards Earth using Eagle’s ascent stage…
