http://www.whyy.org/91FM/skytalk.html?rss A weekly discussion of what's new and interesting in astronomy with astronomer Derrick Pitts and WHYY-FM's Dave Heller. http://www.whyy.org/podcast/images/skytalk_pod.jpg http://www.whyy.org/skytalk?rss 300 300 en-us Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:30:08 EST Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:30:08 EST Copyright 2009 WHYY webmaster@whyy.org WHYY Public Radio No http://www.whyy.org/91FM/skytalk.html?rss It wasn't long ago that commercial space exploration was considered out of reach, but now companies like Google are upping the ante. Google is offering a $30 million dollar prize for the first company to come up with a launch vehicle that can go to the moon, traverse the surface, and send back pictures of the experience. There is even a space hotel scheduled to open in 2012, but it will cost a lot more than your average getaway. Also, the Messenger mission gleans new information from Mercury. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST 5:09 It wasn't long ago that commercial space exploration was considered out of reach, but now companies like Google are upping the ante. Google is offering a $30 million dollar prize for the first company to come up with a launch vehicle that can go to the moon, traverse the surface, and send back pictures of the experience. There is even a space hotel scheduled to open in 2012, but it will cost a lot more than your average getaway. Also, the Messenger mission gleans new information from Mercury. http://www.whyy.org/podcast/news/st20091109.mp3 http://www.whyy.org/91FM/skytalk.html?rss It's finally time to push the clocks back an hour and grab an extra hour of sleep, but what's behind this change in daylight? It has to do with being in the northern part of the earth. Those living nearer to the equator won't see so much change in daylight. After a couple of weather delays Ares I launched on Wednesday successfully. Although this fight was only 5 minutes long the successful launch means we can look forward to the launch vehicle serving as a booster system in the future for cargo or astronauts to get to International Space Station, the moon or even mars. Also, take a look at many planets in the night sky this week and on Tuesday night the moon will be passing in front of the star cluster Pleiades, also known as Seven Sisters. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST 5:09 It's finally time to push the clocks back an hour and grab an extra hour of sleep, but what's behind this change in daylight? It has to do with being in the northern part of the earth. Those living nearer to the equator won't see so much change in daylight. After a couple of weather delays Ares I launched on Wednesday successfully. Although this fight was only 5 minutes long the successful launch means we can look forward to the launch vehicle serving as a booster system in the future for cargo or astronauts to get to International Space Station, the moon or even mars. Also, take a look at many planets in the night sky this week and on Tuesday night the moon will be passing in front of the star cluster Pleiades, also known as Seven Sisters. http://www.whyy.org/podcast/news/st20091102.mp3 http://www.whyy.org/91FM/skytalk.html?rss Thirty-two planets have been discovered beyond our solar system, which is a step forward in the search for planets like earth. Don't forget to join a planet party near you to view the many planets in the night sky this week. Derrick Pitts gives you tips on how to view these objects burning brighter than anything else in the night sky. Also this week will be the first launch of the Ares I-X launch vehicle, a critical test due to how the launch components have been integrated. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EDT 5:09 Thirty-two planets have been discovered beyond our solar system, which is a step forward in the search for planets like earth. Don't forget to join a planet party near you to view the many planets in the night sky this week. Derrick Pitts gives you tips on how to view these objects burning brighter than anything else in the night sky. Also this week will be the first launch of the Ares I-X launch vehicle, a critical test due to how the launch components have been integrated. http://www.whyy.org/podcast/news/st20091026.mp3