AstroMigration

@AstroMigration@universeodon.com

Follows and boosts #astronomy, #space and #AstroPhysics experts.

Follow this account for curated topical posts.

Click on "Following" below to view the current list of expert accounts.

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Banner Artwork: Julio Lacerda https://linktr.ee/julio.lacerda
Avatar Artwork: Brandon Pilcher https://brandonpilchersart.com

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. Browse more on the original instance.

sundogplanets, to random
@sundogplanets@mastodon.social avatar

In addition to the bazillionty things I said I would do this week, I need to get my astrobiology students to pick their final project topics: they have to evaluate a work of scifi on the plausibility of its aliens using what they learned from my astrobiology course.

I've asked here before, but I'll ask again: what are some scifi works that have really great aliens and/or alien worlds?

My list so far:

AstroMigration,

@jdlbt @sundogplanets

Fantastic book! And so is the first book A Memory Called Empire. Such smart beautiful writing!

AstroMigration,

@sundogplanets

Vernor Vinge Zones of Thought series has really good aliens: A Fire Upon The Deep (1992),
A Deepness in the Sky (1999)

fraser, to random
@fraser@m.universetoday.com avatar

Ground-based gravitational wave observatories like LIGO and Virgo have revolutionized our understanding of merging black holes and neutron stars, but there's a limit to their sensitivity. The detectors will need to go to space to find mergers between even more massive black holes. This week, ESA gave the official go-ahead to build the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. A contractor will be chosen in 2025, and it's expected to launch in 2035.

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Capturing_the_ripples_of_spacetime_LISA_gets_go-ahead

AstroMigration,

@fraser

The science and engineering for LISA is absolutely astounding. Check out these great lectures by the two incredible scientists most responsible for LIGO and the first detection of gravitational waves:

Rainer Weiss - Public Lecture: Exploring the Universe with Gravitational Waves >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=_LKdSfm3uo4

Kip Thorne - 2018 Reines Lecture: Exploring the Universe with Gravitational Waves >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxhp4GBr1Zg

And imagine what LISA will entail! We are truly living through an amazing time!

GirlInSpace, to news

These cubes aren’t moving....

video/mp4

AstroMigration,

@TonyVladusich @RoboRev @GirlInSpace

It seems to have to do with the way the facets of the cube are lit in successive flashes.

fraser, to random
@fraser@m.universetoday.com avatar

Engineers have been studying the possibility of space-based solar power for decades, and it's always mostly science fiction because of the high launch costs and challenges in transmitting power to Earth. But another idea is to use space-based reflectors that target solar energy collectors on Earth as they fly over. These would extend the useful operating time of the solar plants without needing to convert and beam the power to Earth.

https://theconversation.com/reflectors-in-space-could-make-solar-farms-on-earth-work-for-longer-every-day-220554

AstroMigration,

@fraser Interesting idea, but just imagine the impact on astronomy. Maybe missing something here, but if passive Starlink satellites are a problem, just think what havoc a bunch of massive orbiting spotlights would cause.

franco_vazza, to Astro
@franco_vazza@mastodon.social avatar

Glad I had success in convincing a few important "radio" people to join mastodon:

@annalisa_bonafede

@kamlesh_laxmi

the next step will be to convince them to post, too!

AstroMigration,

@franco_vazza @annalisa_bonafede @kamlesh_laxmi

When they do start posting this account will reboost their posts. Thank you for the heads up.

AstroMigration, to Astronomy

Notice

@AstroMigration is back on regular schedule. Normal curation has resumed boosting selected posts from and experts daily.

AstroMigration, to random

Notice

@AstroMigration has been on a reduced schedule for the last few days and sporadic posting will continue through next week due to vacation. Normal curation will resume after January 8th.

GraniteGeek, to SF
@GraniteGeek@newsie.social avatar

This lifelong Heinlein/Asimov fan agrees. Their stories are the wrong model for over-rich geeks.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tech-billionaires-need-to-stop-trying-to-make-the-science-fiction-they-grew-up-on-real/

AstroMigration,

@GraniteGeek

Seems like they are doing pretty good job of creating William Gibson's vision though.

pomarede, to scifi
@pomarede@mastodon.social avatar

series I completed watching recently:

⭐️ Battle Star Galactica
⭐️ The Expanse
⭐️ Star Trek: The Next Generation
⭐️ Raised by Wolves
⭐️ Foundation
⭐️ Star Wars: The Mandalorian
⭐️ Star Wars: Andor
⭐️ Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi
⭐️ Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett

Now onboard:
⭐️ Star Trek: Deep Space 9
⭐️ For all Mankind

AstroMigration,

@pomarede

Seems you are into Star Wars. The animated Star Wars: Bad Batch is entertaining. Generally not a fan of animation, but this one was was pretty good.

JohnBarentine, to space
@JohnBarentine@astrodon.social avatar

"This new era of missions has some scientists rattled. Future landers aim to drill for ice and other materials, potentially iron and rare earths, which are of interest to mining firms. And this is where the conflict lies." (via @guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/dec/08/nasa-hands-over-control-as-new-era-of-moon-missions-readies-for-lift-off

AstroMigration,

@JohnBarentine @guardian

Just as we charged into LEO without thinking it all out, it seems we are now rushing to the moon in a 21 century version of an unconstrained land grab.

AstroMigration, to Astronomy

Today the fantastic FediFollows account @FediFollows posted a great list of picks of the day (https://social.growyourown.services/@FediFollows/111511777539646577). While many of these were already followed and curated by this account many also were not. Today all accounts from this list have been added to @AstroMigration .

If you want to follow ALL these accounts and add them to a List titled "Astronomy":

  1. Upload this .csv >>> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTkTRtoZw_LNpUEHbzMucIEe5WalrlYZdoqzOQ4SUha0fX0ZdOqMGCbi0JVYeY7DZVQhsiUVng_WI0_/pub?output=csv
  2. Go to Preferences >>> Import and export >>> Import, then choose "Lists" from the dropdown.
  3. CHECK that Merge is selected.
  4. Browse to the file FediFollows_AstroList.csv and click UPLOAD and CONFIRM.
  5. IMPORTANT! If you do not want to see these new accounts in your home feed now you need to go to Lists and click on Astronomy then click the little slider icon in the top right and select "Hide these posts from home"
AstroMigration, to random

Want to issue an apology to Simeon Schmauß @stim3on

Back on August 5, 2023 Simeon posted this fantastic image of the Curiosity rover he processed (https://fosstodon.org/@stim3on/110839178786376410) to celebrate its 11th birthday.

@AstroMigration boosted the post, and also used the image in a @mastodonmigration post (https://mastodon.online/@mastodonmigration/110841155583618664), but failed to credit Simeon for the image, thinking it was a NASA image. Even so, it is the policy of this account to always credit content sources and posts, and deeply regret that there was an oversight in this case. To compound the error, also failed to notice when Simeon called attention to the attribution failure twice in the long reply thread.

Today, Simeon posted about a case of attribution failure by another account (https://fosstodon.org/@stim3on/111478974188285138), and also mentioned this case as still unresolved. Upon noticing this @mastodonmigration edited the post to provide the attribution.

Simeon, deepest apologies for neglecting to attribute your amazing work back in the August.

ianRobinson, to SpaceX
@ianRobinson@mastodon.social avatar

This is a good analysis of the super heavy booster and Starship flight from earlier today. By Scott Manley. @ScottManleyHimself

https://youtu.be/hF2C7xE9Mj4?si=-OwKEdkas2XyLQee

AstroMigration,

@ianRobinson @ScottManleyHimself

Thanks for posting this. Very interesting analysis.

AkaSci, (edited ) to SpaceX
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

SpaceX starship lifts off.
Hot-stage separation.
First stage explodes.
2nd stage self-destructs.
Praises galore.
Artemis astronauts will have to a wait a bit longer.
Don't pack your bags for Mars yet.

1/n

AstroMigration,

@AkaSci

Are we sure that the 2nd stage self destructed?
Do we know how far up 2nd stage (or the debris) is, and where it will come down?
Did it reach LEO?
Is the debris a danger to either orbiting satellites or anything on the ground?
If it is coming down, are they just going to let it sink into the sea?
Where did the first stage debris land?
Does SpaceX have any clean-up requirements for first stage debris?

AstroMigration,

@AkaSci

Best report found so far is confusing and says the rocket reached both 51 miles (90 km) and 91 miles (148 km), so maybe close to orbital height which can be as low as 100 miles (160 km), but not a danger to StarLink or other LEO satellites.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/spacex-starship-launched-test-flight-texas-after-last-one-blew-up-2023-11-18/

If it is that high up there where will it come down?

AstroMigration,

@AkaSci @planet4589

Thank you. Do you have a link to any of the confirmations of the second stage self destruct?

AstroMigration,

@notsoloud @AkaSci

Here is an article that quotes SpaceX:

"Shortly after separation, the booster encountered an unexpected explosion. That explosion happened far from Starship which continued to head up into space. However, at some point beyond that, SpaceX says the self-destruct system was fired on the upper stage towards the end of its burn. These explosions happened well above the Gulf of Mexico in an area that was cleared of boat traffic ahead of the launch time. SpaceX has provided no updates with specifics as to what exactly happened as of press time."

The article goes on to describe the intended impact and debris plan near Hawaii.

https://weatherboy.com/spacex-starship-destroyed-over-gulf-of-mexico-after-successful-launch/

AstroMigration,

@AkaSci @planet4589

Thank you.

AstroMigration, (edited )

@AkaSci

YouTube analysis from Scott Manley (@ScottManleyHimself, but not active on Mastodon) here: https://youtu.be/hF2C7xE9Mj4?si=-OwKEdkas2XyLQee

Thanks to @ianRobinson and @KJ7OFH for posting the link.

AstroMigration,

@Powareverb @AkaSci

Interesting speculation. Wonder if it was intended to go into orbit or was just going to be ballistic all the way to Hawaii? Did they intend a deorbit burn? What was the intended max altitude?

AstroMigration,

@AkaSci

https://infosec.exchange/@BPlanZ/111434643345436009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWhhWRR_sk0&t=2063s

AstroMigration,

@Powareverb @AkaSci

Thanks. Got it.

JohnBarentine, to space
@JohnBarentine@astrodon.social avatar

The Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) has released a "Code of Conduct on Space Sustainability". The Code is the result of more than seven months of negotiation among multiple parties and commercial space operators.

One of the four pillars of the Code is "Limiting satellite reflectivity and the related impact on optical astronomy".

See the full report on: https://gsoasatellite.com/wp-content/uploads/GSOA-Code-of-Conduct-Paper.pdf

AstroMigration,

@JohnBarentine

Seems that this code is full of caveats and wishy washy language like "to the extent possible...". Unfortunately, it is unlikely that industry will regulate themselves, and without any regulatory authority we seem to be on a collision course with disaster.

sundogplanets, (edited ) to random
@sundogplanets@mastodon.social avatar

I am excited that the editor reacted positively to my suggestion to use this beautiful/awful long-time-exposure photo of the sky full of satellite streaks: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap220614.html

My opinion piece about satellite pollution will get published eventually! Looking forward to proofs soon I hope...

AstroMigration,

@sundogplanets

Fantastic! Thank you for fighting the good fight.

On this subject, do you know of any efforts to create a computer simulation of satellite constellation traffic in LEO to determine the risk of a Kessler Syndrome collision event and the possible aftermath cascade?

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