Saturday Space Reads
Because we all need a little space on Saturday.
When studies of tree rings created a discrepancy in seventeenth century sun cycles, a team of Japanese and Belgian astronomers looked back at the sketches of Johannes Kepler to crack the code. Also, we were today years old when we learned tree rings contained “fingerprints” of solar activity.
Jealous of the Artemis astronauts scheduled to fly to lunar orbit next year? For only $260, you can have your own Space Launch System right now. Okay, maybe it’s a little small – and made from plastic bricks – but give it a (le)go before you criticize.
What do astronauts and footballers have in common? A trainer, apparently.
Not that the Mars Sample Return needs any more pressure, but scientists are pretty stoked about “the most compelling rock that we have collected so far” from the Red Planet. Features of the rock hint at the presence of microbes from an ancient river valley, but we won’t know much for certain until we can examine it back on Earth.
We’d be remiss not to share this read, which is really more of a visual experience, demonstrating how NASA’s new camera exposes the shadowed craters of the moon.
One of the main perceived challenges of human travel to Mars is time, and the consequences of how much time the journey requires. A new hurdle being considered is the shelf life of modern medications. Because when you’ve got a killer headache in deep space, expired Ibuprofen is a cruel tease.
Saturday Space Jam:
This edition of Saturday Space Reads is brought to you by the Space Resources program at the Colorado School of Mines.
This edition of Saturday Space Reads is also supported by the Open Lunar Foundation. Open Lunar's work sets precedents, creates pathways, and builds projects that enable a peaceful, cooperative lunar presence. Learn more about Open Lunar's work by joining their upcoming events.
Interesting news sampler. Please don't put a paywall just yet.....