The NASA New Horizons probe is quickly approaching Pluto. It will be the first time we'll have a good look at the planet (I still call it a planet despite its downgrade by "experts") and its moon Charon. Features are really beginning to stand out on Pluto. For those interested in the exploration, this link scopes out all that is available. http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2015/06240556-what-to-expect-new-horizons-pluto.html
Thanks for sharing this. Technology is exciting, especially when it gives us the chance to see things that we haven't been able to really examine before. I also love the fact that you can now view cameras and live video on the internet. I remembered that Pluto is no longer considered a planet, but I can't remember why?
"In August 2006 the International Astronomical Union (IAU) downgraded the status of Pluto to that of "dwarf planet." This means that from now on only the rocky worlds of the inner Solar System and the gas giants of the outer system will be designated as planets." "Why is Pluto no longer a planet? (Everyday Mysteries: Fun Science ...c www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/pluto.html Despite IAU's lauded opinion, I still consider it a planet. In any case, a spectacular photo has been released by NASA... and more to come. Watch for a live telecast at the time of closest approach when pictures are arriving. I think It will be on the Science cable channel, but I expect NASA will also broadcast at least some of the action. http://www.nasa.gov/feature/new-image-of-pluto-houston-we-have-geology
I think exploring space is cool and all, but isn't there like trillions of dollars deficit in the USA? Shouldn't we be spending money on more important matters and issues? How much do we spend every year on space exporation, millions if not billions? I don't know guys, looks like priorities are on war and other planets.
There are some who still believe that in the distant future when earth's resources are depleted we'd have to extract them from somewhere. They have faith that faster spaceships that would get earthmen anywhere in the Milky Way pretty fast can be built. Nonetheless since all money spent now on space exploration is wasted, I think them scientists should first work on the means of getting to some distant planet in the Universe fast and then more money can be channeled their way because we'd be certain that we can get any minerals we need from other planets.
Sorry, with all due respect, questioning the worth of NASA's value to the economic growth and advancements in technology and science to the USA and the world doesn't fly in my book. But then I grew up during the post WW II era of rocketry. The benefits, in my opinion, far outweigh the relatively small portion of the national budget spent on NASA. The USA government and media was shocked when Sputnik launched, leading the race to space. I could directly listen to Sputnik, beeping away, on my shortwave radio... and my tape recording was better quality than the aired on ABC, CBS and NBC. Bottom line, we wouldn't have the wonderful tiny electronic toys of today and the advancements in forecasting weather, climate and solar conditions. Regardless of one's politics, you have to be impressed that scientists using mathematics and physics can deliver a miniaturized instrument package to a dwarf planet currently ~3 billion miles from Earth. I'm looking forward to the flyby.
Definitely looking forward to it. I'm a huge fan of space and especially space exploration. With regards to the budget issues. Yes the budgets of most governments are pretty crap at the moment. But space exploration is not to blame for that, the problems are much bigger than the tiny percentage that goes towards the space agencies. There are tens if not hundreds of ways the governments are throwing money away, start there instead of cutting down on space exploration which not only improves our understanding of the universe, our own planet etc. but also improves technology. Just think of the amount of things you do that are possible because of space exploration. Used a gps to drive to a friends place? Checked the weather recently? These are just a couple of everyday things that wouldn't be possible without satellites. The amount of information to be found out there is phenomenal, would be downright idiotic not to go and search for it.
Memory still works. The Discovery-owned cable channel Science -- http://www.sciencechannel.com/ -- will be broadcasting the flyby. Schedules and a channel-finder are on the web site.
Caught the end of a NASA press conference this morning. NASA TV will start coverage at 7:30 am EDT Tuesday. FWIW it looks like the mobile device connectivity has been improved as my smartphone went directly to the stream. Before I had to navigate through a batch of menus.
Pluto is larger than previously believed. And not the times of near approach and receipt of the first data set. http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33513905
