Carnival of Space 121 – Our moon, Jupiters moon, black holes and Space Technology Now and in the Future

1.
Centauri Dreams sends “Lightcraft: A Laser Push to Orbit” It is about a laser-powered launch technology that could drastically change the economics of getting to LEO (low earth orbit). Experiments continuing.

2. Out of the cradle covers the lunar lander challenge and the success and vehicles of Armadillo aerospace.

3. The Planetary society blog covers some first results from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

4. Weird warp looks at our best [us space program] hope for seeing a man on the moon and some alternatives.

5. Orbital Hub looks at PROBA-2, which is part of an ESA program called In-Orbit Technology Demonstration Program, which is dedicated to the demonstration of innovative technologies.

Among the new equipment and technologies demonstrated by PROBA-2 are new models of star trackers, GPS receivers, and reaction wheels, a new type of lithium-ion battery, an advanced data and power management system, composite carbon-fibre and aluminum structural panels, and magnetometers. PROBA-2 also hosts a digital Sun-sensor, an experimental solar panel, and a xenon gas propulsion system.

6. 21st Century Waves talks about the ambitious Japanese space bases solar power plans.

Japan announced their spectacular new $ 21 B space-based solar power initiative. According to Japan’s Institute of Energy Economics, the Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and IHI Corp. will lead a 15-company team that will build the first major solar power plant in space. Via microwaves, it will eventually beam enough energy back to Japan for nearly 300,000 houses.

Black Holes, Nova’s and Stars
7. The Chandra X-ray observatory images a black hole that is emitting jets of of radio emission enhanced with iron

8. Astro Swanny covers a dwarf nova outburst

9.
Dynamic of Cats looks at the exoplane of the star HD61005


Jupiter’s Moons
10. Phil Plait of Bad Astronomy looks at Jupiter’s moons lighting Jupiter’s aurora borealis.

11. An article covers a paper which discusses spectroscopic observation of Jupiter’s moon Io acquired using NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) in Hawaii during five eclipse reappearances in April, May, and June 2004.



Our moon and Apollo Related
12. Cheap astronomy podcast on the Celestial Sphere

Cheap astronomy podcast on Ed White’s glove

13. Beyond Apollo looks at the LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) radio lab

14. Collect Space tracks down Apollo moon rocks:
Where Today Are The Apollo 11 Lunar Sample Displays?

Where Today Are The Apollo 17 Goodwill Moon Rocks?

15. Habitation intention talks about the urgency of space habitation

Astronomy for Newcomers and Amateurs

16. Spacewriter ramblings talks about whether young should focus on outreach to the public now or later.

17. Many people enjoyed seeing the space shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station flying across the sky together recently, and it seems that “ISS spotting” is becoming something of a spectator sport for experienced and new skywatchers alike.

CUMBRIAN SKY has a new “Beginner’s Guide” to ISS spotting, complete with recommendations for which websites to go to for pass predictions, and tips and hints about how to see the ISS, and other spacecraft, from where you live.

18. Simostronomy has a personal tale of a recent late night as an amateur astronomer in his observatory below.

19. Alice’s Astroinfo looks at the September and October sky of 2009 (planets and constellations).

Canada Related Space
20. Commercial Space has a collection of canadian focused space news.

21. Mang’s bat has links to 4 star parties around Ontario, Canada

Propulsion Based on Exploiting Mach’s Effect
22. A second article with answers to various questions in comments on mach effect propulsion.

Questions spurred from the first nextbigfuture article on mach’s effect propulsion which has an interview with Paul March

Mach Effect investigation could be a path to the unification of general relativity and quantum mechanics. Here is links to abot 20 hours of Stanford lectures on General relativity and another 20 on quantum mechanics plus a short video from one of the investigators of mach’s effect for potentially revolutionary propulsion.

If Mach’s effect can be used for propulsion as envisioned then what has been envisioned in terms of space travel in capabilities in Star Trek and even possibly wormholes for Faster than light travel and communication becomes possible. The work is based on solid General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics and understanding of inertia and the experiments are being carefully conducted. Success development would be a candidate for one of the greatest accomplishments of humanity.

Late Arriving
23. The Skinny on Solar System Sizes from Music of the Spheres

Music of the Spheres reports on some graphics and tools that make it easier to grasp the relative sizes of planets, moons, and other objects in our solar system.