Innholdsfortegnelse for No. 58 i All About Space

Ice houses on Mars Sending materials to the Red Planet is costly so we’ll need to build future bases with local materials. Printing with ice may be the answer © CloudsAO; SEArch “ The robots will add fibres into the ice to increase its strength, so the ice walls will be self-supporting” iBot These robots spray the collected water onto the inside of the membrane to build up the ice wall. They would have nozzles for water, fibre reinforcement and insulation. EFTE membrane This is the inflatable pressure wall that forms the outside of the base. Once finished it protects the ice from the atmosphere to stop it sublimating again. Aerogel insulation The inner core is surrounded by transparent insulation to keep heat in and protect the ice walls. This…

Planet of the month This month’s planets Planet-watchers are spoiled for choice this month, with bright planets on view both after sunset and before sunrise… Uranus Right Ascension: 01h 20m 42s Declination: +07° 49’ 15” Constellation: Pisces Magnitude: +5.7 Direction: East Discovered on 13 March 1781 by William Herschel, Uranus is now often referred to as an ‘ice giant’ world by planetary scientists, to help distinguish it – and its neighbour, Neptune – from the gas giants. Compared to its much larger and more garish attention-seeking neighbours, Jupiter and Saturn, Uranus is rather shy and bland. It is ‘just’ four-times wider than Earth and could ‘only’ hold 63 Earths. Its system of 27 moons is far smaller than both Jupiter’s and Saturn’s, and its system of rings is darker and…

How to… Capture a meteor shower using time-lapse Photographing ‘shooting stars’ can be quite tricky, but here’s a method that will help catch those quick flashes of light © Jeff Dai; Alamy You’ll need: • DSLR camera • Wide-angle lens • Sturdy tripod • Intervalometer • Spare memory card There are meteor showers which occur regularly, some of which can give spectacular displays. The Leonids shower, which peaks this November, is certainly one of them. But photographing them can be a challenge! It seems to be the case that your camera is never pointing in the right direction, or the shutter is never open when a really nice shooting star crosses the sky. However, if you use a wide-angle lens and a programmable shutter release for your DSLR camera –…

How to… Shoot the Pleiades star cluster Now on display in Taurus, this deep-sky object provides the perfect opportunity to try your hand at wide-angle shots You’ll need: • Small telescope • Equatorial tracking mount • DSLR camera • Infrared or remote shutter release Most people are familiar with the Pleiades star cluster. Its seven bright stars in a small group are instantly recognisable on a winter’s evening. But there are, in fact, many more than seven stars in the cluster. It is now thought that there may be over 1,000 stars associated with the group. Less well known is that there is also a nebula associated with the Pleiades. This is a faint reflection nebula that is difficult to see visually, but it shows up well in long-exposure astrophotographs.…

Telescope advice Meade Adventure Scope An entry-level spotting scope with an unusual design, this brand new series from Meade Instruments is ideal for viewing night-sky objects and wildlife “ The overall design of the Adventure Scope is exquisite, showing off a well-made and robust build that’s prevalent in Meade instruments” Telescope advice Cost: £99.99 From: Hama UK Ltd Type: Spotting scope Aperture: 80mm Best for... Intermediate Medium budget Terrestrial observing Planetary viewing Lunar viewing Digiscoping A new range of spotting scope from Meade Instruments Ltd, the Adventure Scope series, supplied with apertures of 60mm and 80mm, is ideal for those who are keen to observe nature and want to break into astronomy – we recommend the spotter with the larger objective lens for optimum light-collecting ability. As with all telescopes,…

Roger Penrose His academic work has changed and shaped the way we currently see space © Shutterstock Scientific theory has taken many twists and turns over the decades, with fresh discoveries casting new light on old ideas and deep thinking leading to startling conclusions. Theorist Roger Penrose has never been shy when discussing hypotheses that go against the current belief systems and his contributions to physics and mathematics have earned him the greatest of respect. Penrose was born on 8 August 1931 in Colchester, England. His mother was a doctor and his father was the pioneering psychiatrist and medical geneticist, Lionel Penrose. He graduated with a first class degree in mathematics from University College London, and completed his PhD at St John’s College, Cambridge in 1957. But it was his…

Moon helps to unlock secrets of dinosaur-killing asteroid Craters on our natural satellite could aid our understanding of our planet's past Buried underneath the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico is the Chicxulub impact crater, a circular depression some 180 kilometres (110 miles) in diameter and 20 kilometres (12 miles) deep, which was created when a smaller body collided with Earth. It has been dubbed the dinosaur crater because the asteroid that struck this spot is understood to have hastened the end of yesteryear’s giant beasts. Gaining a better understanding of this crater is difficult though, because it is buried under one kilometre (0.62 miles) of sediment. So, instead, scientists have been turning their attention to the Schrödinger impact basin on the Moon, which is not only starkly similar but also exposed…

Water suspected on nearby metal world A large asteroid, thought to be the core of a destroyed protoplanet, appears to have volatiles on its surface © NASA; ESA; Hubble; JPL-Caltech; SSI; ESO; L. Calçada; Nick Risinger According to new observations, the asteroid 16 Psyche may have water on its surface, despite earlier studies showing no signs of liquid. Dr Vishnu Reddy, assistant professor at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, says volatiles such as water or hydroxyl could be present and could show how such compounds found their way to Earth. Psyche is one of the ten most massive asteroids in the asteroid belt and, at over 200 kilometres (124 miles) across, it is believed to be the core of a protoplanet that was destroyed by impacts billions…

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE CONTACT ALIEN LIFE? Preparing the world for the biggest discovery in the history of humanity Written by Jonathan O’Callaghan “ Despite evidence suggesting there should be plenty of habitable worlds out there, we still haven’t heard anything” In August 2016, the world was gripped with the news that a possible signal from an intelligent alien race had been received. Picked up by a Russian radio telescope, its discoverers had no explanation for the signal, which appeared to be artificial, and suggested it could be our first sign of alien life. Alas, it was not to be. The signal, like so many before it, turned out to be interference from Earth, most likely a satellite in orbit. But the event highlighted a key point – there is…

An alien discovery How the detection of a signal might change life on Earth Politics There will be heated discussion on how humanity should be represented, if we respond. Culture Discovering that we are not the only life in the universe would have a large impact on our culture. Science Perhaps the message would contain explanations of advanced scientific concepts, furthering our knowledge. Conspiracies If people can believe the Moon landings were faked, you can be sure some will not believe this news either. Religion Some religions may deny the discovery. Others may embrace it within their beliefs.…

Fate of the universe THE FATE ULTIMATE OF THE UNIVERSE Could the end of the cosmos be a cataclysmic event that tears space apart? Written by Giles Sparrow © Tobias Roetsch  How will the universe end? It’s a question that has fascinated mystics and philosophers for centuries, but one that’s only interested astronomers in the past few decades. For a long time, scientists assumed that the cosmos was eternal, with neither a beginning nor an end – it was only in the mid-20th century, after growing evidence convinced astronomers that the universe began in a Big Bang, that the possibility of an equally finite cosmic doomsday was considered. “ The universe has changed radically throughout its history and will continue to do so into the future” The evidence of modern…

Heading for a Rip? The presence of dark energy has a profound effect on the evolution of our universe, from the earliest times to the far future © Tobias Roetsch 1. Big Bang The universe originated as a hot, dense point of matter and expanding space-time some 13.8 billion years ago. 2. Early inflation A fraction of a second after the Big Bang, the universe went through a sudden and violent phase of expansion called inflation – could it be linked to dark energy? 3. Transparent universe 380,000 years after the Big Bang, subatomic particles combined to form atoms, and the universe became suddenly transparent. 4. First galaxies The first stars and galaxies coalesced around filaments of matter that had already begun to form through Baryon Acoustic Oscillations in the…

Explorer’s Guide Europa One of the most fascinating elements of our Solar System, this Jovian moon could hold the key to life beyond Earth Europa may only be the sixth closest moon to Jupiter – and the smallest of the gas giant’s four Galilean satellites – but its impact on astronomy and how we perceive our place in the wider cosmos has made it one of the most important celestial bodies in our little corner of space. Discovered by pure chance on 8 January 1610 by Galileo Galilei himself, the Jovian moon wasn’t just a surprising encounter – it changed the very fabric of our place in the universe and rocked everything from the calculations of science to the theology of faith. For centuries, humans had believed the Earth was…

SpaceX’s plan to colonise Mars The CEO of private space company SpaceX, Elon Musk, has outlined his ambitious plans to send 1 million people to the Red Planet – using a so-called Interplanetary Transport System Written by David Crookes  There are many questions about space, but one in particular has intrigued humankind for some time. Is there life on Mars? We still don’t have a definitive answer but if plans put forward by Elon Musk come to fruition then, at some point in the near future, there certainly will be: us, or at the very least, those of us who can afford it. “ The aim is to build a sustainable civilisation, as a way of future-proofing life ahead of the inevitable extinction event that will one day wipe all…

What’s in the sky? 12 NOV The Taurids reach their peak of around ten meteors per hour 12 NOV Conjunction between the Moon and Uranus in Pisces 14 NOV The Moon appears large as it makes its closest approach to Earth 18 NOV The Leonids reach their peak of around 20 meteors per hour 21 NOV Dwarf planet Ceres reaches opposition in Cetus 22 NOV Asteroid 18 Melpomene reaches opposition in Cetus 25 NOV Conjunction between the Moon and Jupiter in Virgo 27 NOV The Moon appears small as it reaches its furthest point from Earth Naked eye Binoculars Small telescope Medium telescope Large telescope Planetarium 26 November 2016 Moon phases Illumination percentage Planet positions All rise and set times are given in GMT…

Theophilus crater Get to know one of the most striking but overlooked impacts on the lunar surface © NASA As November slides into December, turbulent weather fronts often sweep across the country, scrubbing the atmosphere clean of haze to produce the first frosty nights of the year, with brittle air perfect for lunar observations. On these beautifully still nights the Moon seems brighter and is a dazzling sight through binoculars or a telescope. It’s always tempting to look at your favourite lunar features, but this month why not track down something you’ll almost certainly have seen before but not spent time looking at properly? Sandwiched between northern Sinus Asperitatis and the dark stain of Mare Nectaris to the southeast, Theophilus is one of the most striking craters on the Moon.…

Improving your meteor pictures Here’s how to get some great photographs of the Leonids Make sure that you have a good focus. You can do this by zooming in on your view screen and slowly adjusting the focus on your lens. Don’t be guided just by the infinity focus mark on the lens, as this may not be accurate. Local light pollution may make a difference to what ISO setting you use. You’ll need to experiment to see what gives the best result. Also, once you have positioned your camera and framed your shot, avoid the temptation to move it just because you see a bright meteor in a part of the sky where your camera isn’t pointing. The next one could be right through your frame! 1 Get your…

LAUNCH PAD YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE UNIVERSE @ NASA Inspecting an expandable space habitat on the ISS Astronaut Kate Rubins stops to smile for the camera as she carries out a routine check of the Bigelow Aerospace Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), which was attached to the International Space Station (ISS) in early September (inset). These inflatable partitions are designed to take up less room on a spacecraft while providing a greater volume for living and working in space when expanded. In the first checkup of BEAM since its installation in May, Rubins thoroughly inspected the habitat by collecting radiation monitors and sampling surfaces inside the habitat to assess the microbe environment. After confirming that the module was indeed in good condition, the astronaut opened up and entered the activity…

Dramatic seasonal changes seen on Saturn’s largest moon Winter is taking a grip on Titan’s southern hemisphere and a strong vortex, enriched in trace gases, has developed over the south pole Just as we’re wrapping up warm for a long, cold spell, so too is Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has shown winter taking hold on the southern hemisphere of Titan – a polar reversal of its atmosphere in the 12 years since Cassini arrived at Saturn. “Cassini has been the ideal platform for observing the pattern of seasonal changes on Titan in exquisite detail and for the first time,” says Dr Athena Coustenis of the Observatoire de Paris. “We arrived at the northern mid-winter and have now had the opportunity to monitor Titan’s atmospheric response through two…

Private 'Project Blue' begins hunt for life A new venture has been launched to find another life-bearing planet A bid to build and launch a compact space telescope that can directly image the habitable zone of our stellar neighbours has been launched, and it is hoped that the next Earth will be found within a decade. Project Blue hopes to point its 50-centimetre (20-inch) aperture telescope at Alpha Centauri A and B and is convinced that its efforts could capture photographs of Earth-like planets that are 0.5 to 1.5 times the size of Earth. An array of space, science and research institutions are leading the project, including the New York-based BoldlyGo Institute, Mission Centaur, the SETI Institute and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. It will involve creating a telescope equipped…

Our signals into space The primitive attempts we’ve made so far to initiate contact with another race © Ed Crooks Cosmic Call 1 Sent: 1999 Sent by: Yevpatoria RT-70 telescope Sent from a radio telescope in Crimea, the signal targeted four Sun-like stars with four messages. Cosmic Call 2 Sent: 2003 Sent by: Yevpatoria RT-70 telescope The second phase of Cosmic Call transmitted photos and multimedia files to five stars. Teen Age Message Sent: 2001 Sent by: Yevpatoria RT-70 telescope Six Sun-like stars were targeted with a recording of a theremin – an early electronic musical instrument. A Message From Earth Sent: 2008 Sent by: Yevpatoria RT-70 telescope A signal was sent to the exoplanet Gliese 581 c, which is 20 light years from Earth. Pioneer plaque Sent: 1972/1973 Sent…

Kip Thorne The science of Interstellar Physicist Kip Thorne, the scientific advisor for Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster, reveals why the plotline may not be as far-fetched as it seems Interviewed by Rafael Maceira Garcia “I think we are likely to have a reliable understanding of the laws of quantum gravity within the next 30 years” INTERVIEW BIO Kip Thorne American theoretical physicist, Kip Stephen Thorne, is best known for his contributions to gravitational physics and astrophysics. He is a longtime friend and colleague of Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking and, until 2009, was the Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics at Caltech, US. Thorne is one of the world’s leading experts on the astrophysical implications of Einstein’s theory of relativity. He consulted with Christopher Nolan on the science for the film Interstellar,…

The expanding universe Astronomers use a wide variety of techniques to measure their way to the edge of the cosmos and find traces of dark energy Galactic Cepheids Direct measurements reveal patterns in star behaviour that can be used to extend the distance ladder, such as Cepheid variables. Parallax measurements The most direct measurements in our neighbourhood rely on parallax – the shift in position of stars when viewed from opposite sides of Earth’s orbit. Standard candles Cepheids are unstable yellow supergiant stars that pulsate in a cycle, which relates to their intrinsic brightness and reveals their distance. Gaia’s breakthrough The parallax effect is tiny, but ESA’s advanced Gaia satellite is expanding its usefulness across much of the Milky Way. Exploding stars Type 1a supernovae are far rarer than Cepheids,…

How SpaceX will get you to Mars SpaceX has already planned out how it intends to get people to the fourth planet from the Sun The lift-off During lift-off, the booster will have 127,800kN (27,730,000lbs) of thrust. It will soon reach maximum aerodynamic pressure as it begins its ascent into space. Refilling in orbit The craft heads to its parking orbit. The rocket booster is fitted with the propellant tanker and launched. It meets the craft and refills it, before returning to Earth. During the flight Passengers have sleeping areas and on-board entertainment for the 80-day trip. Solar arrays give 200kW of power as the craft coasts at 100,800km/h (62,634mph). Arrival at Mars Each craft will last 12 trips to and from Mars, while the boosters can be reused 1,000…

The Bull and Charioteer's deep-sky wonders In the late autumn, the constellations of Taurus and Auriga are packed with objects for telescope owners The constellations of Taurus and Auriga are a rich hunting ground, full of star clusters and nebulae to delight the telescope user. Quite apart from the famous open star cluster of the Pleiades, which is great to explore with a telescope of any size, there are other clusters that are equally rewarding. There are nebulae, too, perhaps the most famous of these being the Crab Nebula (M1), which was the first object on Charles Messier’s well-known list. Head into the constellation of Auriga, which is attached to Taurus by the star Elnath, also known as Beta Tauri, and you’ll find a chain of impressive star clusters and…

Me & My Telescope Send your astrophotography images to photos@spaceanswers.com for a chance to see them featured in All About Space Paul Swift Valencia, Spain Telescope: Vixen VSD 100 f/3.8 “I have a background in the arts and worked professionally as a cinematographer and lighting cameraman – astrophotography made for a natural change in focus. I have always wanted to turn my camera to the night skies and moving from London to the less light-polluted city of Valencia, Spain, presented me with the perfect opportunity to do just that. The combination of exploring deep space and the creative and technical art form that is astrophotography has offered a powerful and alluring vocation. On any clear night, I can be found setting up under darkening skies for a night of astrophotography.”…