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A single-image photoclinometric 3D reconstruction of the Mars avalanche from HiRISE. Image data: NASA/JPL/UA; 3D model: Bernhard Braun

Remember the amazing image of an avalanche on Mars back in 2008, captured by the HiRISE camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter? Bernhard Braun from UnmannedSpaceflight.com has now created several different 3-D views of the event, providing never-seen-before, ground-level observations by using special software he developed that can create three dimensional images from one 2-dimensional picture. Normally, to create a 3-D image you need at least two images, or you have to combine images with data from an instrument such as a laser altimeter. But Braun's single-image photoclinometric 3D reconstruction algorithm, also known as "shape from shading" allows the shape of three dimensional objects to be recovered from shading in a two-dimensional image. Braun told Universe Today that since developing the software, one of the areas he has wanted to "visit from the ground" is the famous dust avalanche caught live in action by HiRISE. His images provide an entirely new — and stunning — view of Mars.
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Read the rest of Stunning New Looks at the Mars Avalanche (575 words)

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For Goldilocks, the porridge had to be not too hot, and not too cold … the right temperature was all she needed.

For an Earth-like planet to harbor life, or multicellular life, certainly temperature is important, but what else is important? And what makes the temperature of an exo-Earth "just right"?

Some recent studies have concluded that answering these questions can be surprisingly difficult, and that some of the answers are surprisingly curious.
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Read the rest of Nailing Down Goldilocks: What's "Just Right" for Exo-Earths? (684 words)

© Jean Tate for Universe Today, 2010. |
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One of the objects that crashed in Mongolia. Image: MUFON

Two objects reportedly crashed to the ground near Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia on Feb. 19, 2010. The first object, according to the report on the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) witness database, weighed 10 kg, while the second larger object weighed approximately 2 tons. Other than that, there's not a lot of information available about the objects. But of course, UFOers are having a field day, calling the image, above, that accompanied the report a "leaked UFO crash" picture. But the object looks suspiciously like a rocket or jet engine, or perhaps a rocket nose cone. Objects that crash to Earth likely have a very terrestrial origin. We'll provide an update when any news becomes available. But if you are looking for a few laughs, check out the comments on Io9.

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A Coronal Mass Ejection. Credit: Solar Storm Watch

Sun-worshiper alert! Now you can have the chance to help scientists spot and track solar storms and be involved in the latest solar research. The 'hottest' new Citizen Science project from the "Zooniverse" is Solar Storm Watch. Volunteers can spot storms and track their progress as they hurtle across space towards our planet. Your "clicks" and input will help solar scientists better understand these potentially dangerous storms and help to forecast their arrival time at Earth. "The more people looking at our data, the more discoveries we will make," said Dr. Chris Davis, Project Scientist with the STEREO mission. "We encourage everyone to track these spectacular storms through space. These storms are a potential radiation hazard for spacecraft and astronauts alike and together we hope to provide advanced warning of their arrival at Earth."
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Read the rest of New Citizen Science Opportunity: Solar Storm Watch (394 words)

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Post tags: Citizen Science, Solar Astronomy, Solar Storm Watch, Zooniverse

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New image of NGC 346, the Small Magellanic Cloud. Credit: ESO

It's not Earth, Wind and Fire*, but light, wind and fire in this dramatic new image of the Small Magellanic Cloud (NGC 346) that will make you want to Keep Your Head to the Sky**. The light, wind and heat given off by massive, Mighty Mighty ** Shinging Star(s)** have dispersed the glowing gas within and around this star cluster, forming a surrounding wispy nebular structure that looks like a cobweb. As yet more stars form from lose matter in the area, they will ignite, scattering leftover dust and gas, carving out great ripples and altering the face of this lustrous object. But, That's the Way of the World** in this open cluster of stars, that we just Can't Hide Love** for.
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Read the rest of Elements of the Universe Shown in New Image (171 words)

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I've now posted the answer in the original post.

Check back next week for another Universe Puzzle!

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The NASTAR Suborbital Scientist Training Program provides space flight physiology training for prospective ‘Suborbital Scientist-Astronauts’ interested in understanding how to take advantage of emerging low-cost, frequent suborbital ‘human-in-the-loop’ experiments and Research & Education Mission (REM) opportunities.

12 Suborbital Scientists signed up to participate in the inaugural course on January 12-13, 2010 at The National AeroSpace Training And Research (NASTAR) Center, located just outside Philadelphia, PA. The researchers, students and grad students that participated were supported from the following institutions: SwRI, Boston University, the Denver Museum of Natural Sciences (DMNS), the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Central Florida and the University Space Research Association (USRA).

The NASTAR Suborbital Scientist Training Program includes an overview of the commercial space research industry, high altitude training, suborbital space flight training and distraction factor management training. Trainees practice comprehensive Astronaut training techniques and learn how to mentally and physically prepare themselves and their experiment for the extreme environmental conditions experienced during spaceflight.

Courses Available. Contact NASTAR Center at 215-355-9100 or info@nastarcenter.com to sign up or go to www.nastarcenter.com for further information on this, or other courses. Video courtesy of NASTAR and Jim Arthurs, Image Shoppe

Hickson 31 (Credit: NASA, ESA, and S. Gallagher (The University of Western Ontario), and J. English (University of Manitoba))

Have you heard of 'living fossils'? The coelacanth, the ginko tree, the platypus, and several others are species alive today which seem to be the same as those found as fossils, in rocks up to hundreds of millions of years old.

Now combined results from the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer, Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX), and Swift show that there are 'living galaxy fossils' in our own backyard!
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Read the rest of Better Late Than Never: Dwarf Galaxies Finally Come Together (741 words)

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