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The Space Shuttle

After 30 years and more than 100 missions launching observatories and building the space station, the shuttle's mission is complete.
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Latest Features

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  Europe's Alliance With Space Droids

  Between video games and sci-fi movies, a robotic squadron of miniature satellites come to life aboard the International Space Station, obeying the commands of young students.
  
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  Spacewalkers Move Crane, Install Experiment

  International Space Station Expedition 30 Flight Engineers Oleg Kononenko and Anton Shkaplerov wrapped up a six-hour, 15-minute spacewalk Thursday.
  
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  Water: A Chemical Solution

  Can you imagine not having access to safe and clean drinking water? Space engineers who design the International Space Station systems share the same need as those concerned about the lives of people in remote areas of Earth.
  
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  Predicting Liquid Behavior in Space

  You're a space explorer on a long journey. To continue your trip, you stop off at the local U.S. fuel depot in orbit to refuel your spaceship!
  
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  Discovery and Atlantis Permanently Powered Down

  The "vehicle powered" light is turned off for the last time as two shuttle orbiters' flight decks go dark.

Feeding a Galactic Dragon

 

Artist's concept of a quasar's engine

A team of radio astronomers has obtained the most detailed view yet of the fuel that feeds a monstrous black hole in the center of a remote quasar galaxy.
The team found a cold ring of gas around a supermassive black hole in the fiery nuclear region of quasar galaxy "QSO I Zw 1," the most detailed observational evidence yet that gigantic molecular clouds fuel massive star formation in the galactic neighborhood of the black hole. A small fraction of this material might eventually find its way along streamers to the very center, just to be sacrificed to the black hole as fuel to power the brilliant quasar.
The ring of gas clouds is likely the site of intense star formation as the clouds collapse under their own gravity, according to the team, and the observation is a significant first step to determining if there is a link between star formation and quasar activity.
"Quasar galaxies are extremely remote, and this observation is at the limit of current capability," said Dr. Johannes Staguhn, a radio astronomer with Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI), Lanham, Md., who is stationed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Staguhn is the lead author of a paper on this research to be submitted to the Astrophysical Journal, and the work will be presented January 9 during a poster session at the 201st American Astronomical Society meeting in Seattle, Wash.
Quasars can outshine a trillion suns, and are believed to be the fiercely bright cores of galaxies that harbor black holes weighing in at millions to billions of suns. A black hole, so named because nothing, not even light, can escape its intense gravity once past its boundary, is suspected of being the engine that powers a quasar.
While many galaxies have massive black holes lurking in their centers, in quasar galaxies, the black holes "breathe fire" as they feed on vast amounts of interstellar gas that somehow makes its way into the galactic center. The gas whirls around the black hole before plunging in, like water down a drain. This generates intense friction, heating the gas and causing it to shine brightly.
The team selected QSO I Zw 1 for the challenging observation because although remote, it is still one of the closest quasars, at about 800 million light years away (in the direction of the constellation Pisces.) (One light year is almost 9.5 trillion kilometers, or about six trillion miles, and most quasars are billions of light years away.) The team used radio emission (108 GHz) from cold carbon monoxide (CO) molecules in the dense gas clouds of QSO I Zw 1 to map the location, density, and velocity of the clouds. Although quasars are dazzling in visible light, they are relatively dim in radio, so the observation was not washed out by the quasar's glare.
The National Science Foundation's Berkeley Illinois Maryland Association (BIMA) radio telescope array at Hat Creek, Calif., was used to make the observation because of its ability to resolve fine detail, called spatial resolution. The larger the telescope, the higher the spatial resolution, and the BIMA array links telescopes electronically (via interferometry) to achieve the effective resolution of a single telescope up to two kilometers (about 1.25 miles) across. The high resolution permitted the team to observe areas in QSO I Zw 1 less than a kiloparsec (3,260 light years) across, the first time detail at this scale has been seen in such remote objects. (A typical large galaxy, like our own Milky Way, is about 100,000 light years across.)
The ring of gas clouds is about 4,000 light years from the galactic center, rotating around it at about 200 kilometers per second (almost 125 miles/sec.), and contains the mass of more than a billion suns, according to the observation. Despite the unusual optical brilliance of the quasar, these are ordinary characteristics of luminous galaxies, according to the team.
Other observations indicate that QSO I Zw 1 is interacting with a neighboring galaxy. Observations of closer galaxies suggest that galactic interactions (collisions and near misses) cause bursts of star formation, and the team is curious about whether such interactions ignite quasar activity as well.
"We have hints that some of the cold gas clouds may be moving toward the galactic center, but since the observation is at the limit of the telescope's capability, the signal to noise ratio is too poor to confirm this," said Staguhn. "More detailed observations that will help determine if a link exists between bursts of star formation and quasars will have to wait for improved radio telescopes, like the proposed Atacama Large Millimeter Array."
The research was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The team includes Staguhn, Dr. Andreas Eckart of the University of Cologne, Germany, Dr. Eva Schinnerer of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro, N.M., and Dr. Peter Teuben, University of MD, College Park.

After Trio of Explosions, Scientists Say Supernova Is Imminent

09.30.04

 

Three powerful blasts from three wholly different regions in space have left scientists scrambling. The blasts, which lasted only a few seconds, might be early alert systems for star explosions called supernovae, which could start appearing any day now.

Image above: Artist's concept of Supernova. Click on image to view animation (1.9 MB). Credit: NASA

The first two blasts, called X-ray flashes, occurred on September 12 and 16. These were followed by a more powerful burst on September 24 that seems to be on the cusp between an X-ray flash and a full-fledged gamma-ray burst, a discovery interesting in its own right. If these signals lead to supernovae, as expected, scientists would have a tool to predict star explosions and then watch them go off from start to finish.

A team led by Dr. George Ricker of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology detected the explosions with NASA's High-Energy Transient Explorer (HETE-2). Science teams around the world using space- and ground-based observatories have joined in, torn and conflicted over which burst region to track most closely.

"Each burst has been beautiful," said Ricker. "Depending on how these evolve, they could support important theories about supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. These past two weeks have been like 'cock, fire, reload.' Nature keeps on delivering, and our HETE-2 satellite keeps on responding flawlessly."

Gamma-ray bursts are the most powerful explosions known other than the Big Bang. Many appear to be caused by the death of a massive star collapsing into a black hole. Others might be from merging black holes or neutron stars. In either case, the event likely produces twin, narrow jets in opposite directions, which carry off tremendous amounts of energy. If one of jets points to Earth, we see this energy as a "gamma-ray" burst.

Image above: Scientists believe gamma ray bursts can be triggered by a star's collapse. Click on image to view animation. (4.19 MB) Credit: NASA

The lower-energy X-ray flashes might be gamma-ray bursts viewed slightly off angle from the jet direction, somewhat similar to how a flashlight is less blinding when viewed at an angle. The majority of light particles from X-ray flashes, called photons, are X rays -- energetic, but not quite as powerful as gamma rays. Both types of bursts last only a few milliseconds to about a minute. HETE-2 detects the bursts, studies their properties, and provides a location so that other observatories can study the burst afterglow in detail.

The trio of bursts from the past few weeks has the potential of settling two long-standing debates. Some scientists say that X-ray flashes are different beasts all together, not related to gamma-ray bursts and massive star explosions. Detecting a supernova in the region where the X-ray flash appeared would refute that belief, instead confirming the connection between the two. Follow-up observations of the September 24 burst, named GRB040924 for the date it was observed, are already solidifying the theory of a cosmic explosion continuum from X-ray flashes up through gamma-ray bursts.

More interesting for supernova hunters is the fact that X-ray flashes are closer to Earth than gamma-ray bursts are. While the connection between gamma-ray bursts and supernovae has been made, these supernovae are too distant to study in detail. X-ray flashes might be signals for supernovae that scientists can actually sink their teeth into and observe in detail. Yet for now, it is just watch and wait.

"Last year the discovery of GRB030329 by HETE-2 sealed the connection between gamma-ray bursts and massive supernovae," said Prof. Stanford Woosley of the University of California at Santa Cruz, who has championed several theories concerning the physics of star explosions. "These two September bursts may be the first time we see an X-ray flash lead to a supernova. We might know very soon."

In addition to all of this, GRB040924 goes on record as generating the fastest response ever for a gamma-ray burst satellite. HETE-2 detected the burst and relayed information through the NASA-operated Gamma-ray Burst Coordinates Network in under 14 seconds, which led to an optical detection about 15 minutes later with the Palomar 60-inch telescope, just north of San Diego. Dr. Derek Fox of Caltech was the lead on this observation.

Image above: HETE-2 and the Gamma-ray Burst Coordinates Network. Click on image to view animation (3.79 MB). Credit: NASA

"We all expect much more of this type of exciting science to come after the launch of Swift," said Dr. Anne Kinney, director of NASA's Universe Division. Swift, to launch in October, contains three telescopes (gamma ray, X ray and UV/optical) for quick burst detection, swift relay of information, and immediate follow-up observations of the afterglow.

HETE was built by MIT as a mission of opportunity under the NASA Explorer Program, collaboration among U.S. universities, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and scientists and organizations in Brazil, France, India, Italy and Japan.

Additional information about the physics of star explosions:

While many scientists say that X-ray flashes are gamma-ray bursts viewed slightly off angle, another theory is that the star explosion that causes the X-ray flash is rich in baryons (a family of particles that includes protons and neutrons), as opposed to leptons (particles that include electrons). A baryon-dominated blast would produce more X rays, and a lepton-dominated blast would produce more gamma rays. This is because the baryons move more slowly than leptons; and slower moving matter would make a softer (lower-energy) burst at all angles.

Image above: This computer simulation shows the distribution particles in the jet as it breaks out of the star. Yellow and orange are very high energy and will ultimately make a gamma-ray burst. Note also the presence of some small amount of energy in mildly relativistic matter (blue) at larger angles off the jet. These will produce x-ray flashes that may be much more frequently seen. Click on image to view animation (5.96 MB). Credit: Weiqun Zhang and Stan Woosley

According to Dr. Stanford Woosley, the supernova / gamma-ray burst connection is this: When a massive star runs out of nuclear fuel, its core will collapse, yet without the star's outer part knowing. A black hole forms inside surrounded by a disk of accreting matter, and, within a few seconds, this launches a jet of matter away from the black hole that ultimately makes the gamma-ray burst. The jet pierces the outer shell of the star about nine seconds after its creation. The jet of matter, in conjunction with vigorous winds of newly forged radioactive nickel-56 blowing off the disk inside, shatters the star within seconds. This shattering represents the supernova event, and the amount of radioactive nickel-56 gives its brightness. However, from our vantage point, we will not see the supernova until about two weeks after the gamma-ray burst because the region is enshrouded by gas and dust, blocking light.

 

taylor lautnerTaylor Lautner - Biography Taylor Lautner Last Editor: anushatweety Taylor Lautner Biography - Name : Taylor Lautner Birth name : Taylor Daniel Lautner Date of birth : 11 February 1992 Place of birth : Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Profession : Actor Height : 5' 9" (1.75 m)Taylor Lautner - Biography Taylor Lautner Last Editor: anushatweety Taylor Lautner Biography - Name : Taylor Lautner Birth name : Taylor Daniel Lautner Date of birth : 11 February 1992 Place of birth : Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Profession : Actor Height : 5' 9" (1.75 m)

Taylor Lautner - Biography

Last Editor: anushatweety

Taylor Lautner Biography -   Name : Taylor Lautner Birth name : Taylor Daniel Lautner Date of birth : 11 February 1992 Place of birth : Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Profession : Actor Height : 5' 9" (1.75 m)

BIBIR LOVE KITA

   Sumpah gue baru ngerasain sama yang namanya di dandan ala orang gaje, dan langsung berjoget ria diatas panggung, dengan gerakan seadanya aja .Tak hanya di bibir tetapi juga di pipi, meskipun seperti itu tapi kita tetap harus tampil pede,, agar semua orang tertarik .. :)

Ternyata "Alien" Sudah di Bumi Membaur dengan Manusia

SHUTTERSTOCK

Pesawat Alien

LONDON, KOMPAS.com — Ilmuwan Bulgaria menyatakan, alien atau makhluk luar angkasa sudah ada di bumi di antara kita. Mereka bahkan mengklaim sudah membuat kontak dengan makhluk cerdas di luar bumi itu.

“Alien sudah ada di antara kita, dan mengawasi kita sepanjang waktu,” kata ilmuwan Bulgaria, Lachezar Filipov, kepada media Bulgaria.

Mereka mengaku bekerja untuk memecahkan serangkaian simbol kompleks yang dikirimkan ke mereka. Kini mereka sedang mengerjakannya. Hal itu dikatakan oleh ilmuwan dari Space Research Institute milik Pemerintah Bulgaria.

Mereka mengklaim telah menjawab 30 pertanyaan yang telah dikirim alien. Lachezar Filipov, Wakil Direktur Space Research Institute dari Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, mengonfirmasi hasil riset itu.

Ia mengatakan, pusat riset telah menganalisis 150 lingkaran pada ladang (crop circles) dari seluruh dunia. Mereka yakin hal itu akan menjawab pertanyaan.

“Mereka tidak bermusuhan dengan kita. Mereka ingin membantu kita, tetapi kita belum berhasil menjalin kontak lansung dengan mereka.”

Mr Filipov bahkan mengatakan, Vatikan setuju bahwa alien itu ada.

Manusia tidak bisa menjalin kontak dengan alien melalui gelombang radio, tetapi melalui kekuatan pikiran.

“Ras manusia akan memiliki kontak langsung dengan alien 10-15 tahun mendatang,” katanya.

“Mereka kritis pada sikap amoral manusia yang mengganggu proses alami,” katanya.

Publikasi soal alien ini dilaksanakan di tengah debat mengenai kontroversi peran, kelayakan, dan reformasi Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Minggu lalu, persoalan ini memicu debat antara Menteri Keuangan Bulgaria Simeon Djankov dan Presiden Georgi Parvanov. (telegraph/rr)

Inilah 10 Fakta Tentang Hidup di luar Angkasa

Posted on 28 Oktober 2011

1. Satu hari mengalami 17x matahari terbit

Matahari terbit dan terbenam setiap 90 menit di orbit , sehingga sangat sulit untuk tidur nyenyak karena tidak adanya hari normal / siklus malam. Untuk mengatasi ini, administrator ISS mengatur jadwal astronot untuk menjaga agar kegiatan mereka sesuai. Jam onboard ISS diset ke Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Untuk menjaga astronot tetap pada jadwalnya, Mission Control melakukan panggilan saat bangun tidur. Untuk mengisi waktu Mereka biasanya memainkan musik dan kegiatan sejensnya

2. Kamu Akan Tumbuh lebih tinggi

Tanpa gaya tekan gravitasi, tulang belakang kamu berkembang dan kamu tumbuh lebih tinggi, biasanya antara 5cm dan 8cm. Sayangnya, tinggi ekstra dapat membawa komplikasi, yang dapat mencakup masalah sakit punggung dan saraf.
3. Berhenti Mendengkur

Sebuah studi 2001 menunjukkan bahwa astronot yang mendengkur di Bumi tertidur diam di ruang angkasa. Itu karena gravitasi memainkan peran yang dominan dalam generasi apneas, hypopneas, dan mendengkur. NASA bahkan telah merekam aktivitas awak kapal yang sering mendengkur , tetapi efek gravitasi nol muncul untuk mengurangi mendengkur.
4. Beberapa makanan dan bumbu membutuhkan penambahan air untuk dimakan

Dalam pesawat, garam dan merica tersedia tetapi hanya dalam bentuk cair. Hal ini karena astronot tidak menaburkan garam dan merica pada makanan mereka di ruang angkasa. Garam dan merica hanya akan mengambang. Sangat berbahaya karena bisa menyumbat ventilasi udara, mencemari peralatan atau terjebak dalam mulut, mata atau hidung astronot.
5. Astronot terlama yang tinggal di pesawat selama 438 hari

Rekor untuk misi terlama dipegang oleh kosmonot Rusia Valeri Polyakov, yang menyelesaikan 438 hari (atau 14 bulan) perjalanan dinas di dalam stasiun ruang angkasa Mir pada tahun 1995
6. Hanya 3 orang yang pernah meninggal di pesawat antariksa

Para awak dari Soyuz 11, Georgi Dobrovolski, Viktor Patsayev dan Vladislav Volkov, tewas setelah undocking dari stasiun ruang angkasa Salyut 1 setelah tinggal tiga minggu.
7. Hampir setiap astronot mengalami space sickness

Dengan tidak adanya gravitasi, sinyal dari sistem vestibulary dan reseptor tekanan menjadi kacau. Efeknya biasanya menyebabkan disorientasi pada tubuh: banyak astronot tiba-tiba merasa diri mereka seperti terbalik, atau bahkan mengalami kesulitan dalam penginderaan lokasi lengan dan kaki mereka sendiri. disorientasi ini adalah penyebab utama dari apa yang disebut Space Adaptasi Syndrome
8. Hal yang paling sulit adalah untuk Adaptasi ketika kamu kembali dari ruang angkasa

Ketika mereka kembali ke bumi, astronot harus beradaptasi kembali seperti pengalaman ketika mereka pertama kali ke ruang angkasa. Ada satu fase adaptasi yang agak lama untuk di biasakan, Beberapa kosmonot Rusia telah melaporkan bahwa beberapa bulan setelah penerbangan , mereka masih sesekali melepaskan cangkir atau benda lain di udara – dan bingung ketika jatuh ke lantai
9. Radiasi Cosmic membuat kamu melihat Silauan saat berkedip

Menatap keluar dari kapsul ruang mereka, astronot Apollo menyaksikan pemandangan yang manusia belum pernah lihat sebelumnya. Mereka melihat pemandangan bumi yang biru terang terhadap. Mereka melihat sisi jauh Bulan. Mereka juga melihat kilatan cahaya aneh di dalam bola mata mereka!
10. Kamu mungkin harus mengambil spons mandi untuk kebersihan diri

Sementara stasiun seperti Skylab dan Mir telah dilengkapi dengan pancuran,Banyak astronot mengganti spons mandi dengan menggunakan waslap atau handuk basah. Hal ini akan mengurangi jumlah air yang dikonsumsi. Setiap astronot juga akan memiliki kit kebersihan diri dengan sikat gigi, pasta gigi, shampoo, pisau cukur dan perlengkapan mandi dasar lainnya.

history of teleskop luar angkasa

Sejarah

Pada tahun 1962, Akademi Sains Nasional Amerika merekomendasikan untuk membangun sebuah teleskop angkasa raksasa. Tiga tahun kemudian, tepatnya pada tahun 1977, kongres mulai mengumpulkan dana untuk proyek tersebut. Pada tahun yang sama pula, pembuatan teleskop angkasa Hubble segera dimulai.
Konstruksi teleskop Hubble, berhasil diselesaikan pada tahun 1985. Hubble di'angkasakan' untuk pertama kalinya pada tanggal 25 April 1990. Padahal, Hubble direncanakan untuk mulai dioperasikan pada tahun 1986. Tetapi, pengoperasiannya ditunda sementara karena bencana Pesawat Angkasa Challenger. Beberapa tahun setelah dioperasikan, Hubble mengirim gambar yang buram dan tidak jelas. Pada akhirnya NASA menemukan bahwa lensa pada teleskop tersebut bergeser sebanyak 1/50 ketebalan rambut manusia! Pada bulan Desember 1993, pesawat ulang-alik Endeavor dikirim untuk memodifikasi Hubble dengan menambahkan kamera baru untuk memperbaiki kesalahan pada lensa primernya.