Universe

A Black Hole Inferno

Submitted by Jur on Tue, 09/07/2010 - 21:08

Black holes are some of the most elusive objects in the Universe. They can form when a massive star collapses under its own weight. Because they are very dense, the gravitational pull of black holes is so strong that nothing can escape, not even light. Thus they have long remained black and mysterious.

But now, thanks to ESA's and NASA's X-ray observatories, XMM-Newton and Chandra, astronomers have a much clearer picture of where black holes are and what they can actually do. And that can be quite dramatic!

Average: 4.5 (2 votes)

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Hubble In Popular Culture

Submitted by Jur on Mon, 09/06/2010 - 21:44

Inspiring People With Awe For The Universe.

When Hubble was launched in 1990, every astronomer knew it had an opportunity to make profound breakthroughs in science. A few realised its potential as a tool for inspiring people with awe for the Universe. But could anyone have predicted how deeply Hubble would become embedded in popular culture?

Average: 4.5 (2 votes)

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Mars 500 - Human Spaceflight Mission To The Red Planet

Submitted by Jur on Fri, 08/27/2010 - 21:44

Human exploration of our Solar System is an important focus for ESA. The European Space Agency has started on the path to making this a reality in the future. Making sure that our astronauts are prepared mentally and physically for the demands of long exploration missions is imperative a mission's success. In light of this, ESA is undertaking a cooperative project with the Russian Institute for Biomedical Problems (IBMP) in Moscow, called Mars500.

Average: 4.5 (2 votes)

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Sex In Space? Mary Roach on the NASA Zero-Gravity Sex Hoax

Submitted by Jur on Wed, 08/25/2010 - 21:49

Packing for Mars author Mary Roach debunks an alleged NASA study on sex positions in a zero gravity orbital environment. "It's the greatest hoax on the Internet," she says. Roach also recalls what cosmonaut Aleksandr Laveykin, who spent 174 days in space, had to say on sex in space.

Average: 3.5 (2 votes)

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The Search For Hidden Dimensions

Submitted by Michiel on Wed, 08/25/2010 - 09:01

Brian Greene explains how extra dimensions may solve several problems in physics, and gives his stance on the possibility of a "multi-verse".

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What is the Universe Expanding Into?

Submitted by Jur on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 17:04

If the universe is expanding, then what is it expanding into?

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The Missing Universe: Searching For Anti And Dark Matter

Submitted by Jur on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 12:49

The purpose of the anti and dark matter detective AMS is to help scientists to better understand fundamental issues on the origin and structure of the Universe by observing antimatter and dark matter. As a by-product, AMS will gather a lot of other information from cosmic radiation sources on stars and galaxies millions of light years from our home galaxy. Not only astronomers, but also particle physicists are zealously waiting for AMS data.

Average: 5 (4 votes)

Wonders of the Solar System: Did Tornadoes Create the Solar System?

Submitted by Jur on Fri, 08/20/2010 - 15:48

Tornadoes are among the most destructive and violent weather patterns on Earth. Is it possible that the same forces responsible for tornadoes also helped create the solar system? The early solar system may have begun with a massive cloud moving in spiral motion, much like a tornado