Astronomy
The State of the Universe: Matter and Age Up, Dark Energy Down
The European Space Agency's Planck mission has generated a map of the infant universe that refines our understanding of what it's all made of and has upped its age by 100 million years.
Post on May 03, 2013 by Ben Burress from KQED Science
Antiques Roadshow of the Solar System
As a space-faring culture, we have now left our marks across the solar system, on planets, moons, asteroids, and in the empty space between them. Some of these “marks” are yet-functioning robotic spacecraft. Some are litter, scattered about the place like so many discarded soda cans, plastic grocery bags, depleted batteries, and defunct electronic devices. Are we trashing our solar system?
Post on Apr 19, 2013 by Ben Burress from KQED Science
Solar Maximum: Fizzle, or Finale Yet to Come?
Has the sun's predicted Solar Maximum in magnetic activity ended early and after a disappointing performance–or is it getting ready to delivery a spectacular finale and a double-peak Solarmax?
Post on Apr 05, 2013 by Ben Burress from KQED Science
Gliese 667 Cc: Musing the Possibilities of Another Earth
Since the first extra-solar planet was found in 1992, we've made some decent progress in exploring other worlds out there, and may even be zeroing in on that "other Earth."
Post on Mar 22, 2013 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
Attack of the Killer Electrons! New Mission Searches for Mysterious Space Particles
They're out there… lurking in Earth's magnetic fields and damaging any satellite in their path.
Audio Report on Mar 08, 2013 by Lauren Sommer from KQED Science
Comets May Have Delivered Life's Early Building Blocks
The building blocks of life on Earth may have originated in space.
Post on Mar 08, 2013 by Sean Greene from KQED Science
Post on Mar 08, 2013 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
The Mars Rover Curiosity Digs a Little Deeper
On February 8th, the rover Curiosity used its drill to bore a hole into a slab of flat bedrock, marking the first time we have probed deeply into the interior of a Martian rock in search of the secrets of Mars' past it may hold.
Post on Feb 22, 2013 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
Asteroid 2012 DA14: In Line For a Rim Shot
Duck! Here comes asteroid 2012 DA14, grazing close to where you live on February 15th!
Post on Feb 15, 2013 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
Mars Mountain Climbing Mashup!
The comparison between Earth-side mountain exploration and the planned expedition by the Mars rover Curiosity came to my mind as I read a book my family got me over the holidays: Last Climb, the story of the legendary Mount Everest expeditions of George Leigh Mallory.
Post on Jan 25, 2013 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
Placing a Bet on the Surface of Mars
As Curiosity gets ready to use its rock drill for the first time, we can hypothesize on what it will find.
Post on Jan 17, 2013 by Andrew Alden from QUEST Northern California
The Stars Go For the Gold
The middle-aged adage that we are made from stardust, made popular by Carl Sagan back in the 1970s, pops up in my thoughts now and then. Not just pretty words; it's the literal truth!
Post on Jan 11, 2013 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
Weighing in With Gravity
Feel like you've gained a couple of pounds over the holidays? Try the geo-gravitation weight loss field trip plan!
Post on Dec 28, 2012 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
Touch the Sun at Chabot Space & Science Center
Just in time for the imminent event of Solar Maximum, Chabot Space & Science Center is opening a new solar exhibition that features the latest in stunning ultraviolet satellite imagery from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory!
Post on Dec 14, 2012 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
Top KQED Science & QUEST Stories from 2012
From the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to killer whales, bicycles to cheese — it's been another year of diverse storytelling from the KQED Science and Environment team. Here's a round-up of the top 10 stories shared on our website (based on page views) that you've enjoyed in 2012.
Post on Dec 10, 2012 by Jenny Oh from KQED Science
Still Curious About Mars in 2012
NASA is preparing to make a big announcement concerning Mars and a recent discovery by the SAM instrument on board the rover Curiosity, though has qualified the nature of the announcement to scientifically interesting, and not "earth-shaking" as the blogosphere has hyped it in speculation.
Post on Nov 30, 2012 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
The Leonids Are Back!
The Leonids are back: the annual meteor shower of November that offers us the chance to see a bit of very ancient history disintegrate in a fiery second.
Post on Nov 16, 2012 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
Ten Random Astro-Facts to Entertain and Boggle
I decided that instead of blogging on just one topic in astronomy, I'd blog about ten of them!
Post on Nov 02, 2012 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
Found In Space: Exoplanet Alpha Centauri Bb
If you've been keeping up on the now very frequent reports of new extrasolar planet discoveries, here's a news flash: an Earth-sized exoplanet has been found orbiting the nearest star!ei
Post on Oct 19, 2012 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
News From Mars: A River Ran Through It
NASA's Curiosity rover, now exploring the alluvium at the base of Mount Sharp in Gale Crater for over two months, has struck pay dirt: the gravel and river stone conglomerate laid down by an ancient Martian stream!
Post on Oct 05, 2012 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
