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Friday, July 2, 2021

July 2 - Space Atomic Clock, Hubble Safe Mode

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Check out this video from NASA about the Deep Space Atomic Clock! It's a great technological achievement and a mind-expanding concept. See the video here.

Deep Space Atomic Clock sets record in 1st test

An atomic clock designed to change the way we navigate in space has succeeded in its space-based first test run. Here on Earth, GPS satellites carry atomic clocks to help us navigate to our destinations without, for example, calling back home for instructions on which roads to take. Likewise, the Deep Space Atomic Clock will give robotic space probes and future human travelers more autonomy - more self-governance - when navigating at distances beyond Earth's moon. Watch a video and read more.

Hubble in safe mode, might run on backup computer

The Hubble Space Telescope is currently in a protective safe mode. A degrading computer memory module appears to have been the source of the halt. In safe mode, the telescope is not carrying out its regularly scheduled observing program. It's not pointing toward targets or collecting data, but the telescope stays powered via its solar panels. Hubble has been idle since June 13. NASA first announced the safe mode on June 16. NASA’s latest report on June 30 said that: "... over the next week or so, the team will review and update all of the operations procedures, commands and other related items necessary to perform the switch to backup hardware." Read more.

Virgin Orbit successfully launches 7 satellites in 3rd mission

Virgin Orbit celebrated the success of its 3rd-ever space mission on June 30. The successful launch carried 7 satellites to their target orbits. The company’s air-launched rocket, LauncherOne, took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in Southern California beneath the wing of its Boeing 747 carrier plane, also known as Cosmic Girl. The rocket deployed high above the Pacific Ocean almost an hour later. Virgin Orbit announced via Twitter that all 7 payloads had successfully reached their target orbits shortly afterwards. Read more.

Astronomers and science aficionados, represent!

Everyone needs a go-to, cozy sweatshirt to curl up in, so go for one that's soft, smooth, and stylish. It's also perfect for when you’re stargazing on these cool summer evenings. What are you waiting for?
 

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Summer Triangle star: Vega is bright and blue-white

On July evenings, look eastward in the evening for the season's signature star pattern. It's an asterism called the Summer Triangle and, as you might guess, this pattern consists of 3 stars. They are blue-white Vega, distant Deneb and fast-spinning Altair. Deneb and Altair coming soon!  Read about Vega.

Lightning on the Plains

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Glenn Hughson in Lawrence, Kansas, captured this photo of a lightning bolt and car lights on June 25, 2021. He wrote: "I came to this spot to watch the sunset in between some persistent thunderstorms in Lawrence, Kansas. I showed up too late, though, and missed the best of it. As it was getting dark, I noticed some good lightning in the distance, so I pointed my camera in its general direction, then took some long exposures in hope that I'd catch some lightning while the shutter was open. Unexpectedly, a single bolt of lightning struck a distant hill, and was almost dead-center in my frame as a car was passing by!" Thanks, Glenn, great shot!

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