Universe Today - November 30, 1999

Universe Today - November 30, 1999

the
U N I V E R S E
T O D A Y

Space Exploration News From Around the Internet, Updated Every Weekday.
November 30th, 1999 - Issue #130
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-- UNIVERSE TODAY STORY SUMMARY --

* Six New Planets Discovered
* UK Establishes Panel to Investigate Asteroid Threat
* China's First Manned Flight Can't Be Too Far Off
* Mir is Y2K Compliant


SIX NEW PLANETS DISCOVERED
------------------------
Using the giant Keck 1 observatory in Hawaii, astronomers have
discovered 6 new giant planets orbiting nearby stars. What's
exciting about their discovery; however, is the fact that five
of them are located in the habitable zone around their
stars - a distance where the temperature from the star
can help support life.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/science/DailyNews/sixplanets991129.html
http://www.astronomynow.com/breaking/9911/29sixplanets/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_542000/542251.stm
http://cnn.com/TECH/space/9911/29/space.planets.reut/index.html
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/112999/planets_fox.sml
http://www.msnbc.com/news/340436.asp
http://www.spacedaily.com/spacecast/news/extrasolar-99z.html
http://www.wired.com/news/reuters/0,1349,32771,00.html


UK ESTABLISHES PANEL TO INVESTIGATE ASTEROID THREAT
------------------------
In an effort to begin collaboration to help protect the Earth from
the threat of asteroid impact, the UK Government has set up a special
panel. Science Minister Lord Sainsbury wants to establish the
government's stance on the issue, and has organized a team to give
him the answers he needs. It's estimate that an asteroid large
enough to end humanity hits once every 100,000 to million years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_541000/541376.stm


CHINA'S FIRST MANNED FLIGHT CAN'T BE TOO FAR OFF
------------------------
In a recent interview, Zhao Bing, director of the planning, finance
and marketing department of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle
Technology said that considering their recent success, a manned space
flight was probably just around the corner. He wouldn't reveal a
timeframe, however.

http://cnn.com/TECH/space/9911/29/space.china.reut/index.html
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/112999/china.sml
http://www.msnbc.com/news/340632.asp


MIR IS Y2K COMPLIANT
------------------------
Although the future of the Mir spacestation is in question, it turns
out Y2K won't be a problem. A Russian space official told the
Itar-Tass news agency. The computer core has been upgraded several
times since its launch in 1986, and recently with code to ensure
the year 2000 wouldn't be a problem.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/329383.asp

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Space News from SpaceDaily.com for today

A World For A Breath of Air
http://www.spacedaily.com/spacecast/news/mars-atmosphere-99a.html

Shuttle/Station Delays Still Define NASA
http://www.spacedaily.com/spacecast/news/nasa-99l.html

Robotic Science Station Opens Dec 3
http://www.spacedaily.com/spacecast/news/mars-polar99-99i.html

A Planetary Bonnaza
http://www.spacedaily.com/spacecast/news/extrasolar-99z.html

Ballistic Science Hits Mars
http://www.spacedaily.com/spacecast/news/penetrate-99b.html

Toronto Goes Tropo Over Pollution
http://www.spacedaily.com/spacecast/news/eo-99v.html

Lifting The Veil On The X-ray Universe
http://www.spacedaily.com/spacecast/news/xmm-99a.html

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subject line "UNSUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER".

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