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The Red Planet Beckons

This 360-degree panorama from NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity shows the rocky terrain surrounding it as of its 55th Martian day, or sol, of the mission (Oct. 1, 2012). The base of Mount Sharp can be seen at upper left. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

I’ve written a lot about Mars in recent years, and so have lots of other people, so I’m going to muse about a new book by one of those folks, and then talk of my own history of writing and teaching about the Red Planet.

Without a doubt, the planet remains one of the most fascinating places (for me) in the solar system. Perhaps that is why I’m drawn to projects like Uwingu’s “Beam Me to Mars” messaging fundraiser for science education and research. As of this week, nearly two dozen companies and organizations have participated as supporters in this unique project, and many individuals have signed up to send a message to Mars on the 50th anniversary of the beginning of in situ Mars exploration — November 28, 2014. I’ve posted a message of hope and inspiration simply because I have grown up thinking about our neighbor planet since I was a child. If Mars intrigues you as much as it does me, or the idea of actually GOING to Mars catches your attention, check out the project. For a few dollars you can send a message to Mars AND help fund important science and education projects.

Radio Astronomy Reveals a Long and Winding Road in Space

Radio/optical composite of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex showing the OMC-2/3 star-forming filament. GBT data is shown in orange. Uncommonly large dust grains there may kick-start planet formation. Credit: S. Schnee, et al.; B. Saxton, B. Kent (NRAO/AUI/NSF); We acknowledge the use of NASA’s SkyView Facility located at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Wow! Check out this latest image of the Orion Nebula!

Just when you think astronomy can’t get any cooler, something like this comes out: radio astronomers using the Green Bank Telescope (a radio telescope in West Virginia) have found filaments of star-forming gas near the Orion Nebula. Embedded in those filaments are what they think could be large grains of rocky material, the building blocks of planets.

If this discovery is held up through further observations, it would be the first time large particles — perhaps the size of a Lego-type building block — have been detected in such a dense super-nurturing star- and planet-forming nursery. Prior to this, regions of star birth were understood to be thick with dust-sized grains. The existence of larger grains could change the dynamic of planet formation in this and other regions where larger particles exist.

Scott Schnee, an astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and lead on the team doing the work, pointed out that the availability of large-enough (pebble or Lego-sized) planetary building blocks would encourage the formation of planets around newborn stars in the region. “If you want to build a house, it’s best to start with bricks rather than gravel,” he said, implying that it would lead to faster building rates than normal.

Planet formation, similar to building a house, needs material to get started. Most planet nurseries start out with grains of material perhaps no larger than dust specks or maybe sand bits. Over time, those materials stick together to form larger and larger planetesimals, which collide to form planets. If you can start with bigger pieces, that might shorten the planet formation time.

Continue reading Orion’s Pebbled Pathway to Stars and Planets →

The Spacewriter's Ramblings

Humanity’s Fascination with Mars

The Red Planet Beckons

Orion’s Pebbled Pathway to Stars and Planets

Radio Astronomy Reveals a Long and Winding Road in Space

Exploring Science and the Cosmos