13.05.10: Finding Martian Lava Tubes.

Martian lava tubes as seen by THEMIS. 
   A key hunt on the Martian surface is underway. Since the Pathfinder series of landers in the mid-90’s, NASA’s mantra has been to Follow the Water. Scouring the surface of Mars, we see signs of ancient water erosion, as evinced by complex braidings, channels and scarps…
Or is it? [...]

09.05.10: First Re-Visit of a Comet in the Works.

An artists’ impression of Stardust NExT at comet Temple 1.
  NASA engineers directed the Stardust spacecraft to fire its rockets briefly on the of 17th of February, putting it on course for a new mission; a flyby of comet Tempel 1 February 14th of next year. If that comet sounds familiar, it should be; Tempel [...]

05.04.10- STS-131 Shuttle Discovery Launch!

 
   Incredible… The predawn launch of STS-131 space shuttle Discovery went off without a hitch early this morning; with a waning gibbous Moon, International Space Station pass, and lingering noctilucent clouds, the launch was a beautiful sight to behold. Of course, we were on launch vigil at Astroguyz HQ about 100 miles to the west. [...]

25.03.10- Apophis: Mostly Harmless.

 
   Everyone’s favorite Near-Earth asteroid received a down grade over the past few months. Since its discovery in 2004, asteroid 99942 Apophis has garnered much attention for its close passage by Earth on April 13th, 2029. 2006 predictions put an impact in the range of 1-in-45,000 against, but there has always been the pesky chance [...]

Adventures in Amazon Sales.

 
   We have a not-so-secret addiction here at Astroguyz HQ; books and CDs. For decades now, we’ve brought several of these paper and plastic trinkets home almost daily, some to be glanced at or listened to maybe once, never to be heard from again. Heck, we love music, and a good book is just a [...]

12 Very Special Events for the Century.

“Bizarreness” is part of our business in astronomy. We always get the top billing with the “how big, how far, how bright” records, but one thing that is hard to quantify is just how unique certain events are. Here, I present you a quick list, a baker’s dozen of astronomical oddities that are worth [...]

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