I’m delighted to host the 42nd (42nd!) edition of the Carnival of Space, the largest and (even if we do say so ourselves) the best collection of astronomy and space writing on the web. Thanks to everyone who sent entries in – I had an excellent time sorting through them.
I thought we’d start as far away as possible today, and head toward Earth. When traveling about the Universe, it’s best to bear in mind that we can’t see most of what’s there (not matter how hard we try) as Starts with a Bang reminds us. Speaking of the invisible, there’s bad news from the observatory that discovered the first black hole.
We are making progress in exploring the nearby Universe, though, and APOD have the details on a familiar-looking solar system.
Entering the solar system, we pass an unremarkable point some 550 times as far from the Sun as the Earth is. Unremarkable, that is, apart from the fact that, as Centauri Dreams reports, it could be the destination for the FOCAL mission to create the world’s most powerful telescope. For basic navigation, Phil’s found someone to give him a hand.
My favourite post of the week is from Emily at the Planetary Society, who spent some time taking a good, hard look at Saturn’s moons. So should you. And while we’re here, join Catholic sensibility in taking a good long look at Tethys, the ‘Jan Brady of the Saturnian system’.
Anyone flying about the crowded inner solar system better have a better grasp of celestial mechanics than even that 7-year-old, and Ian Musgrave’s explanation of why Venus doesn’t reach greatest elongation in 2008 is a good place to start.
Any traveller visiting the solar system for the first time would be stuck by the Earth’s unusually large neighbour, the Moon. I’m convinced that watching the subtle drama of a lunar eclipse would rank high on any guidebook’s list of ‘must sees’. Of course, you haven’t lived untyil you’ve seen one from the Moon, and Rob at Orbiting Frog has a sneak preview.
On the way into the atmosphere, be careful to dodge the remnants of the American spy satellite which had an encounter with a guided missile last night. Astroprof’s article, here, discusses hydrazine’s role in
spacecraft. As you might expect, shooting down spacecraft also provides fodder for the space cynic, and Mars Odyssey joins in too.
After all that traveling, it’s good to hear about a safe return to Earth. Visual astronomy has a shuttle’s eye video for you. If all of that whets your appetite for more space travel, then Next Big Future has details of the development of private manned spaceflight.
Or if you’d rather stick to good ol’ government work, here’s New Frontiers on NASA’s Orion spacecraft. Orion will be launched on top of their new Ares boosters, and Robot Guy says
Whatever spacecraft you choose, drive safely, watch out for missiles, and see you at next week’s Carnival of Space.
Chris
Astroprof’s Page » Carnival of Space #42 on February 21, 2008
[...] Chris Lintott is hosting the 42nd Carnival of Space this week. Check it out. This is another big one, with lots of blog postings showcased about all sorts of topics. So, go check it out. [...]
Carnival of Space #42 « Catholic Sensibility on February 21, 2008
[...] February 2008 Carnival of Space #42 Posted by catholicsensibility under Astronomy, The Blogosphere Chris Lintott hosts the 42ndCarnival this week, pointing out my “Tethys as Jan Brady” post along with Emily’s great piece on Saturn’s moons on the planetary society’s blog. Emily even has poor Tethys in Jan’s screen position in her montage of Cassini images. [...]
Todd on February 21, 2008
Chris, thanks for hosting and mentioning my post on Tethys. Did you notice that Emily has that moon in Jan Brady’s “spot” in a few of her montages?
Lunar Eclipse: Clouded out here! | Starts With A Bang! on February 21, 2008
[...] And if you haven’t gotten enough Astronomy yet, take a look at this week’s Carnival of Space, where they link to my awesome post about why we need dark matter! [...]
Demony wokół mnie » Carnival of Space 42 on February 21, 2008
[...] The Carnival of Space has reached its very special 42nd anniversary and is being hosted by Chris Lintott. – source [...]
Twitter Response from @astronomyblog « TweetTrack on February 21, 2008
[...] February 21, 2008 The 42nd Carnival of Space is hosted by Chris Lintott: http://chrislintott.net/2008/02/21/carnival-of-space-42/ [...]
Ed Minchau on February 22, 2008
Hey Chris, nice job on the carnival. I appreciate that you mentioned my article, but people are going to have a hard time finding it without the link.
http://robot_guy.blogspot.com/2008/02/wishing-their-problems-away.html
Star Stryder » Blog Archive » Carnival of Space (with a British accent)- by Pamela L. Gay on February 22, 2008
[...] This week’s carnival jumps across the “pond” to Chris Lintott’s self named blog. Check it out. [...]
A Mars Odyssey » Blog Archive » Atlantis Returns Home Safe on February 22, 2008
[...] By the way, the Carnival of Space 42nd edition is out, sponsored by Chris Lintott at his “Chris Lintott’s Universe.” Considered the best collections of astronomy and space writing on the web, it is well worth the effort to check it out. Written by Nancy L. Young – Houser You Like It? : Share It! These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
Will Gater's science writing and astronomy on February 22, 2008
Carnival of Space no. 42…
Chris is hosting the 42nd Carnival of Space over on his blog where you can read about moons, missiles and the ‘meatball’.
……
Universe Today » Carnival of Space #42 on February 22, 2008
[...] Click here to read the Carnival of Space #42 [...]
The Fool on February 22, 2008
Hey nice post, and of course thanks for including New Frontiers in this weeks edition.
The Fool
Centauri Dreams » Blog Archive » 42nd Carnival of Space on February 23, 2008
[...] The 42nd Carnival of Space is online at Chris Lintott’s Universe, good reading for the weekend and a way to keep up with the growing number of astronomy weblogs. Centauri Dreams readers in particular will want to check out Emily Lakdawalla’s Showing Off Saturn’s Moons, examining these exotic bodies in connection with the recent series of articles on Cassini findings in Icarus. Emily discusses image techniques and also links to a Microsoft Access-formatted database of all Cassini images released to the general public up until now. Great stuff for those looking for imagery either for publication or the sheer wonder of the scenery. [...]
Tim on February 24, 2008
I see that the old 72 inch ad DD is finally being retired. Pictures of that old scope brought back 40 year old memories of many cold winter nights spent trying to get good spectra graphs of late type stars for may masters thesis. I recall breaking a few glass photographic plates while, with hand freezing, trying to properly insert them in the old girl. Even then, the lights of Toronto were a bit of a problem!
Zeta Connection » Blog Archive » Space writing round up on February 25, 2008
[...] Just a reminder that the very latest Carnival of Space is out. From astronomy to space flight, there’s a little something for everyone. [...]
Sorting Out Science » Blog Archive » Carnivalia on February 27, 2008
[...] Carnival of Space #42 [...]
Carnival of carnivals by Astronomy Down Under on February 29, 2008
[...] Last week, Chris Lintott hosted the Carnival of Space #42 and ordered the entries by distance from the Earth: from what’s beyond our horizon, through the possible location of the world’s most powerful telescope, all the way to Phoenix, including everything in between. [...]
Carnival of Space 42 | Orbiting Frog on April 8, 2008
[...] This week is Chris’ turn to host the Carnival of Space. [...]