Disk Detective: Search for star systems with planet-forming debris

February 3, 2014 TopSpacer

Zooniverse has opened a new citizen science program called Disk Detective:

Scientists are combing our galaxy looking for stars that could be harbouring planet-forming disks. They need your help to explain this puzzling part of stellar evolution!

What is WISE looking for?

WISE is a NASA mission surveying the whole sky in infrared. This project is looking at stars to find dusty debris disks, similar to our asteroid field. These disks suggest that these stars are in the early stages of forming planetary systems. Learning more about these stars can tell us how our Solar System formed.

How will my contribution help?

Computers often confuse debris disks around stars with other astronomical objects. We need your help to sort out what stars actually have these disks from Galaxies and Nebulae.

Read about the project here: Disk Detective: The Newest Astronomy Citizen Science Project – astrobites

Contests and Games, Education, Simulators

Space Pioneer – updates and new video

February 3, 2014 TopSpacer

I wrote here previously about the Kickstarter campaign to fund development of the game Space Pioneer by Space Enigma Studios. Since then they have posted Updates on the project and they have a new video as well:

Activism, Living in Space, Space Policy

Video: The reasons for going to outer space

February 2, 2014 TopSpacer

At the TEDxPCC event, Will Pomerantz, the Virgin Galactic Vice President for Special Projects, gave his answers to the question, “Why is it worth it to explore outer space?

Living in Space, Space Settlement, Space Systems

Misc: ISS gardening, Slowing cancer in micro-g, Space elevators, Terraform Mars vs Big Habs

February 2, 2014 TopSpacer

Cosmonauts on the ISS have a small garden now:

NASA Image

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One type of cancer cells becomes less aggressive in microgravity: Cancer Cells Tamed By Trip To Outer Space: Low-grav experiments may point the way toward more effective treatments on Earth – Popular Science.

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Check out the latest space lift news and developments in the International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC) Newsletter – January 2014.

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Some numbers involved in terraforming Mars versus building large O’Neill type in-space rotating habitats: Terraforming Mars vs Orbital Habs – Hop’s Blog.