space

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In space no one cleans up after you

Since Emily Post has yet to compile a space etiquette volume for you, NASA astronauts seem to be picking up the slack. According to New Scientist, experienced space cadets are concerned that fledgling space tourists are going to get on each others' nerves, and squander their opportunity to enjoy the upper atmospheres, so they're providing tips to the newbies. What's on the list? Pretty obvious things like don't stare at the sun (people have burned their retinas trying to photograph it), and don't play... READ ON

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"Beware of pludog" doesn't have the same ring

We know, we know. It's been a week since Pluto was demoted, and it's time to come back to Earth and get on with our lives. But before we resign ourselves to accepting that from now on, Pluto will be a planet only in our hearts (and on our t-shirts), we'd like to second Joan Bushwell's point that by the astronomers' logic, Pluto is also not a dog: Having recently realized that Pluto has a number of characteristics not ordinarily found in Canis lupus familiaris, the members of the panel -- after much heated... READ ON

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Buy a shirt, save the planet. (No, not our planet.)

We don't care what the International Astronomical Union thinks -- today, we're taking our cues from Yahoo News (which labeled the link for this Pluto story "http://...planet_mutiny") and officially declaring this blog a Plutocracy. We will be campaigning for Pluto's reinstatement from now until, well, until both the former planet and ours are set right again. You can join us and help our cause in two ways: 1. Write to the IAU here. 2. Buy our shirt commemorating Pluto's downfall -- just think what a... READ ON

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The last blob, and the first winner

This week's contest has taught me two things about our readers: (a) You are funny. (b) You are smart. Approximately three milliseconds after I posed the initial question ("what is that thing?"), Drew Hicks wrote in to tell us it was: a picture of the rock Vesta. About 500 kilometers across, it orbits out past Mars. The image is a false color conglomerate made by the Hubble telescope. The small portion of the picture shown actually shows a large crater that covers pretty much its entire southern... READ ON

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Dark side of the moon landing

Since we seem to be on a rock n' roll kick today, I thought I should share this, via YesButNoButYes: A reel of film held for 20 years in a Sydney vault could unlock the mystery of what happened to the original tapes of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The reel belongs to Australian film producer and rock video director Peter Clifton, who had all but forgotten a pristine 16-millimetre film of the moon landing was part of his vast personal film catalogue. Mr Clifton had ordered the reel in 1979 for a... READ ON

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The end of the world is nigh, or something

This image was on NASA's website... READ ON

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The Chinese space program has MPD

And you thought NASA had trouble defining its mission: Check out these old posters from China's space agency. The country clearly wanted to spread something throughout the universe, but whether that was Communism or fluffy flowery panda-happiness, we don't... READ ON

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Not Your Grandma's Ant Farm!

In my mind, ant farms are sort of pegged to the same era of science toys as chemistry sets and DNA snap-tite models (the kind endorsed by Watson and Crick!). They're all mythical kids' toys I've heard of, but never really got to enjoy. I guess that's why I'm happy to see that the ant farm is making a comeback (this time without Uncle Milton). The modern version from AntWorks uses a gorgeous blue gel created by NASA that glows when you plug in the frame. The substance acts as both habitat and food for your... READ ON

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In space, no one can hear you burp

Astronauts on the International Space Station got a taste treat last month that would make plenty of Earthbound proles jealous: a meal from Emeril "BAM" Lagasse, who'll be chatting with (and hopefully getting four-star reviews from) the spacemen tomorrow. On the menu: jambalaya, mashed potatoes with bacon, green beans with garlic, rice pudding, and mixed fruit. Hungry yet? If the cuisine has as much spice as Lagasse is known for, all the better for the astronauts. In space, some astronauts say that food... READ ON

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Watercooler Ammo: Hot Hot Heat

Now that you've had your 1,354th conversation about the weather, you're probably running a little low on things to say about it -- so let us drop some trivia like it's, er, hot: * The highest temperature ever recorded on Earth most likely occurred in Death Valley, California in high summer, 1913. During that time, the national weather service recorded 56.7Â°C (134Â°F). Other sources report an even toastier day of 136Â°F or 58Â°C in Al Aziziyah, Libya, in September 1922. * The surface of the... READ ON