Outer Space & Universe
Outer Space & Universe
Space, also known as outer space, is the near-vacuum between celestial bodies. It is where everything (all of the planets, stars, galaxies and other objects) is found.
On Earth, space begins at the Kármán line (100 km above sea level). This is where Earth's atmosphere is said to stop and outer space begins. This is not a firm boundary but is a convention used by scientists and diplomats.
Items in space are free to move back and forth; up and down; and left and right. These three dimensions are what make 3D space. Items also move forward through time, which is sometimes called the fourth dimension.
The majority of space contains very little matter and so most of it is a vacuum. Scientists do not know how big space is but we do know that space is extremely big, and is always expanding.
According to the big bang theory, all matter and energy in the Universe was compressed into a very small space. Then it exploded and started expanding. Space is still growing in size today; this means the distance from one galaxy to distant galaxies is getting longer.
Gravity is the force that keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth and the planets in orbit around the Sun. Gravity can stretch and bend space similar to how a heavy ball placed on a stretched sheet of rubber will cause the rubber to stretch. The scientist who discovered that space can bend is named Albert Einstein. How gravity bends space is part of his theory of general relativity.
Astronauts, Cosmonauts, Taikonauts and Spationauts
An astronaut is any person who is trained by NASA to travel and perform tasks in space. Although the space traveler may not necessarily be a United States citizen, each astronaut does go through a rigorous training regiment by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Other space travelers go by other names then astronaut depending on their country of origin.
In the United States, astronaut is derived from the Greek words ástron (star) and nautis (sailor). While, in Russia, a space traveler goes by the name космонавт (English: cosmonaut), which is derived from the Greek words kosmos (universe) and nautis (sailor). Westerners call a space traveler from China a taikonaut, based on the 1998 writings of Chiew Lee Yik and Chen Lan where the term tàikōng (great emptiness), Chinese for “space”. In China, the term yuháng yuán (universe navigator) is used for space traveler.
Only the United States of America (United States), Russia (earlier, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), and the People’s Republic of China (China) have sent manned spacecraft into space. Other countries have assisted these countries by sending their own space travelers on space missions. For instance, a French space traveler is called a spationaut (from the French word spationaute), which is derived from the Latin spatium (space) and Greek nautis (sailor). (plural in Greek nautes = sailors)
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10:25
How To Deploy Tiny Satellites From Space Station | Video
Added 822 Views / 0 LikesJAXA's ISS Program Manager Masazumi Miyake explains how 3 nanosatellites (aka cubesats) were deployed from the Japanese 'Kibo' Experimental Module on Nov. 19. 2013. Read more about it here: http://goo.gl/UGcX1M
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01:15
Can Comet ISON's Tail Survive Solar Storm? | Video
Added 822 Views / 0 LikesIn 2007, a coronal mass ejection from the Sun tore off Comet Enke's tail. As Comet ISON approaches its closest approach to the Sun, it could suffer the same fate. All things ISON here: http://goo.gl/rgQ0u6
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05:42
Latest ISS Supply Mission Blasts Off From Baikonur | Video
Added 803 Views / 0 LikesThe Progress 53 cargo ship successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a mission to resupply the International Space Station.
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01:51
Comet ISON's Fate - Three Possibilities Explained By NASA | Video
Added 873 Views / 0 LikesThe manager of NASA's Near-Earth Object Program office Don Yeomans, explains what will be left, if anything, of the possible 'comet of the century' after its date with the Sun (Nov 27th, 2013). All things ISON here: http://goo.gl/rgQ0u6
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10:38
Where Will Comet ISON Go If It Survives? - Exclusive NASA Interview
Added 903 Views / 0 LikesNASA Scientist Dr. Michelle Thaller talks to SPACE.com's @TariqjMalik about the possible 'comet of the century' two days prior to its Nov. 28th, 2013 date with the Sun. All things ISON here: http://goo.gl/rgQ0u6
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01:01
Best Yet Comet ISON Footage From STEREO Released | Video
Added 859 Views / 0 LikesNASA's STEREO-A spacecraft has had its eyes set on the comet for the past few days and has delivered the best time-lapse to date. Comet ISON and the smaller Comet Enke, along with Earth and Mercury can be seen. (looped 3X) All things ISON here: http://goo
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08:28
Thanksgiving On Space Station: What's On The Menu? | Video
Added 813 Views / 0 LikesFood scientist Vickie Kloeris gives SPACE.com's @MiriKramer the run down on the food that the ISS crew will be eating on Thanksgiving 2013.
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00:57
Dragon's Head Nebula Explored With Very Large Telescope | Video
Added 868 Views / 0 LikesA lesser known region of the Large Magellanic Cloud, NGC 2035 (right), has been photographed using the European Southern Observatory telescope in Chile. The effects of new star birth and stellar death are on display. Read more here: http://goo.gl/MGKKHx C
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01:05
Still Intact Comet ISON Enters SOHO's Field Of View | Video
Added 745 Views / 0 LikesOn Nov. 27th, 2013, the NASA/ESA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) captured ISON as it closes in on its Thanksgiving Day date with the Sun. It's traveling at 240,000 mph and is currently surviving the high heat, according to Spaceweather.com. All
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01:18
Comet ISON'S Tail Starts To Bend On Thanksgiving Sun Approach | Video
Added 863 Views / 0 LikesAs the comet approaches perihelion on Nov. 28th, 2013, it has significantly brightened and its tail has started to bend . The NASA/ESA SOHO spacecraft has captured imagery. All things ISON here: http://goo.gl/rgQ0u6
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01:18
Comet ISON Still Alive As It Nears Thanksgiving Perihelion | Time-Lapse Video
Added 645 Views / 0 LikesThe possible 'comet of the century' continues to brighten as it nears its 1:45pm EST - Nov. 28th, 2013 date with the Sun (the point of its closest approach). The NASA/ESA SOHO spacecraft has captured imagery. All things ISON here: http://goo.gl/rgQ0u6
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01:41
RIP Comet ISON? Icy Visitor Missing After Sun Flyby | Video
Added 839 Views / 0 LikesThe comet has most likely disintegrated under the high heat and gravitational stress of the Sun on Nov. 28, 2013. It is not visible in Solar Dynamics Observatory footage and NASA scientists confirmed that they do not see it. All things ISON here: http://g
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00:47
Comet ISON Is Alive!? Survives Sun Swing? | Video
Added 871 Views / 0 LikesReports of Comet ISON's demise may have been premature. Its nucleus may still be intact and the coma is brightening as of Nov. 29, 2013 although the outbound ISON seems smaller after its encounter with Sol. All things ISON here: http://goo.gl/rgQ0u6
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01:41
Comet ISON's Ghost Seen By Two Spacecraft | Video
Added 966 Views / 0 LikesA wispy remnant of the comet survived its whip around the Sun, but is quickly starting to fade from sight. Imagery from NASA/ESA SOHO probe (Nov 30th - Dec 1st) and NASA's STEREO spacecraft (Nov 28th and 29th) are time-lapsed. All things ISON here: http:/
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02:45
Safe Spacecraft? Use a Diaphragm | Video
Added 689 Views / 0 LikesNASA is vacuum testing the carbon fiber barrier between the Orion capsule and the propellent stage. Its main purpose is to keep dangerous gasses away from the spacecraft. More about Orion here: http://goo.gl/MGS25O Credit: NASA / MSFC
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06:08
The Gift Of Backyard Astronomy: December 2013 Skywatching Guide
Added 735 Views / 0 LikesWant to know where to find Venus and Jupiter in the morning or the double star in Cassiopeia. Check out the Hubblesite's latest guide to the best places to look in the night sky. - Best Telescope Reviews and Buying Guide: http://goo.gl/0qokRy Credit: Spac
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03:22
What's In An Alien Planet's Atmosphere? | Video
Added 832 Views / 0 LikesWhen a planet transits its star, the change in light tells its tale. Size, mass and atmospheric composition can be derived. Especially critical: Does it have oxygen, the marker of life? ---- Signs of Water Found on 5 Alien Planets: http://goo.gl/uxz5Qb Cr
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02:27
Secretive Blue Origin Company Test Fires New Rocket Engine | Video
Added 869 Views / 0 LikesIn one of the few behind-the-scenes looks at the private space company's assets, the hydrogen/oxygen fueled BE-3 rocket engine is test fired. Its being tested for use on the company's orbital launch vehicle. Read more here: http://goo.gl/5Osslt
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02:15
US Air Force X-37B Space Plane Launches 3rd Mystery Mission | Video
Added 843 Views / 0 LikesThe U.S. Air Force's secretive X-37B space plane program launches its third mission, OTV-3, on Dec. 11, 2012 using a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket. The mission marked the first reflight of an X-37B robotic space plane. Read more about the secret m
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02:32
Phases Of Venus And Geminids Reign In December 2013 Skywatching | Video
Added 719 Views / 0 LikesVenus shines its brightest at 4.9 magnitude this month, the Geminid Meteor Shower peaks in mid December and more!. - - Best Telescope Reviews and Buying Guide: http://goo.gl/0qokRy