Answer to this question varies with the season: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be observed through naked eye at various points throughout the year. Careful daily observation will reveal each planet’s orbit around the sky; Mercury and Venus move at an especially rapid pace, while Mars and Jupiter tend to follow behind at…
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 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….
Astronomers have long known that Saturn’s iconic rings are gradually dissolving, potentially within 100 million years. Recent research based on data collected by NASA’s Cassini probe indicates this trend is occurring even faster than predicted. What happens if Saturn loses its rings? What are the rings made of? Saturn’s rings are composed of rock, ice…
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…
Up until recently, only two spacecraft had ever visited Mercury: NASA’s Mariner 10, which accomplished three flybys between 1974 and 1975. Mariner 10 was successful in using Venus’ gravity to speed towards Mercury and sent back fuzzy images of its heavily cratered surface. Meanwhile, MESSENGER proved more successful, mapping all of it and discovering water…
The sky is actually an intricate mosaic of many colors depending on time of day and weather conditions, with blue being created by sunlight being scattered by particles in the atmosphere – shorter wavelengths like blue tending to be scattered more often than others such as violet. Air molecules scatter blue light, while larger particles…
Control room engineers watch closely as the spacecraft they have worked tirelessly on for months approaches the Moon. Telemetry data indicates everything is running smoothly, and landing should occur soon – then all goes silent. Five of seven Surveyor spacecraft made successful uncrewed lunar landings and collected samples, successfully exploring its surface. Surveyor 1 This…
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…
