Universe Today - August 10, 2005

Aug 10, 2005 - If you're a regular visitor to Universe Today, either through the website, or subscribed to the email newsletter, I want you to consider switching over to the RSS feed. In my opinion, this is the best way to get your news through the Internet. I made the switch a few months to using a news feed reader, and I'm really impressed.

I've put together a brief page that explains the benefits of RSS, and how to find a feed reader (like Bloglines). And more importantly, how to make sure you're subscribed to the Universe Today news feed. :-)

If you totally disagree with me, and think RSS sucks, please let me know, but so far, I'm a total convert. Also, please give me any feedback if my news feed looks strange in your feed reading software.

Thanks!

Fraser Cain
Publisher
Universe Today
Image credit: John Chumack. Click to enlarge
Aug 10, 2005 - Astrophotographer John Chumack with DIRAS Observatory Team took this picture of the newly discovered 10th Planet with 8 minute exposure on the 31st Jul. and 10 minute exposure on 1st Aug. John used a 0.30 meter FL. 11.9 Takahashi Dall-Kirkham Scope and Software Bisque ParaMount and FLI CCD.

Do you have photos you'd like to share? Post them to the Universe Today astrophotography forum or email them to me directly, and I might feature one in Universe Today.
Saturn's moon Epimetheus just beneath the ring. Image credit: NASA/JPL/SSI Click to enlarge
Aug 10, 2005 - Saturn's small moon Epimetheus is seen here just beneath the planet's ring plane. The bright, knotted core of Saturn's F ring is visible, with thin, dusty strands on either side. Epimetheus is only 116 kilometers (72 miles) across, and part of it is illuminated by reflected light from Saturn. Cassini took this image on June 20, 2005 when it was 1.8 million kilometers (1.1 million miles) from Epimetheus.
Discovery resting on the runway at Edwards Air Force Base. Image credit: NASA Click to enlarge
Aug 10, 2005 - With Discovery's return to flight complete, NASA is counting up the accomplishments for this shuttle mission: 14 days in space, three spacewalks, all four space station gyros returned to service, high resolution images of launch and in-orbit, and the first spacewalk to the underside of the shuttle. Discovery will now be ferried back to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida atop a modified Boeing 747 aircraft.
Spiral galaxy NGC 4565. Image credit: ESO Click to enlarge
Aug 10, 2005 - Since we're inside the Milky Way, it's impossible for us to see what our whole galaxy looks like. But we can look at similar galaxies and get a pretty good idea. Astronomers from the European Southern Observatory have photographed two galaxies - NGC 4565 and M83 - which are very similar to the Milky Way. NGC 4565 is perfectly edge on, so we can see the central bulge. M83 is face on, so we can see its magnificent spiral arms and central structure.
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Image credit: NASA Click to enlarge
Aug 10, 2005 - After a one-day delay, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is ready for launch on Thursday, August 11. The first launch window opens from 1150 to 1335 UTC (7:50 to 9:35 am EDT). If the spacecraft fails to launch during this period, there will be additional windows every day through August. It's expected to arrive at Mars in March 2006, where it will perform a series of aerobraking maneuvers for a full half-year before it arrives in its final science orbit.