Science
An inventive plan by a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate student would spray paintball pellets onto a large asteroid that is headed toward a collision with Earth. Such a plan, according to its designer, would avert a pending collision with the asteroid by forcing it off course and away from our planet. Read about his plan, and see it in an animated video.
Energy company, Energy Australia, is claiming potential savings of $253 million a year on their energy bills for residential energy customers in the eastern states following the launch of new software which uses a combination of leading technology and behavioural science to drive “large-scale savings”.
How did Voyager 1 get to be the furthest human-made object out in space?
By William Atkins
The NASA Voyager 1 spacecraft is about to traverse the boundary between the Sun's influence and interstellar space. We accomplished this feat with some inventive mathematics and a slingshot method developed through a computer program by a diligent graduate student? Find out more here!
Blue Origin, spearheaded by Jeff Bezos of Amazon, successfully conducted a pad escape test on October 19, 2012. The test was part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP). See the video of the mission.
As part of an eclipse that occurs almost entirely over the Pacific Ocean, far north Queensland will be treated to a spectacular view in mid November.
American and Canadian psychologists research the handshake and find evidence on just how important the handshake is for interactions among people in business and social situations. C'mon, give me a good handshake to show me you are confident!
According to the latest research from a collection of 24 studies on cranberry juice and bladder and kidney infections, English and Australian researchers conclude that "cranberry juice cannot currently be recommended for the prevention of UTIs", or urinary tract infections.
Planet discovered next door to our solar system: Alpha Centauri Bb
By William Atkins
A planet has been discovered circling Alpha Centauri B, a star that is about 4.3 light-years away from Earth. Other than our Sun, Alpha Centauri B, along with two companions, is a member of the closest star system to us. This discovery is exciting to astronomers, and adds to the hundreds of planets already found orbiting stars.
Time-lapse video shows space shuttle Endeavour maneuvering through LA
By William AtkinsThe space shuttle Endeavour traveled about 12 miles the weekend of Sunday, October 14, 2012, going from Los Angeles International Airport to the California Science Center in Exposition Park. See the long trip condensed down to 3 minutes in a time-lapse video.
A giant blue eyeball washed up on shore in Pomano Beach in Florida last week. Its original owner was a mystery until scientists started to investigate. They came up with the answer. Find out here and watch the videos of this interesting and "eye-opening" story.
