http://www.planetary.org A guide to interesting stuff going on in space science, space exploration, and space advocacy. Convio Content Management System Module en-us www.planetary.org-337637121 http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2012/05221532.html The apparently simple device of running Cassini images together like a flipbook makes for a dramatic movie, especially with the help of well-timed musical cues. Tue, 22 May 2012 17:46:58 -0500 www.planetary.org-337611884 http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/jason-davis/spacex-successfully-launches.html SpaceX moved closer to spaceflight history last night as their Falcon 9 rocket rose from its launch pad, sending the Dragon capsule on a journey to berth with the International Space Station. Tue, 22 May 2012 15:27:28 -0500 www.planetary.org-337600780 http://www.planetary.org/blogs/bruce-betts/full-astronomy-course-online.html Full Free Intro Astronomy Class Now Online Tue, 22 May 2012 14:57:19 -0500 www.planetary.org-335613866 http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/Some-Details-About-Transits-of-Venus.html The upcoming rare transit of Venus is one step in a long dance among Earth, Venus and the Sun. Transits of Venus follow a peculiar pattern—two transits 8 years apart, then 105.5 years with no transits, then two transits 8 years apart, then 121.5 years with no transits, for a total cycle of 243 years—and thereby hangs a tale. Tue, 22 May 2012 06:01:58 -0500 www.planetary.org-337357796 http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2012/05211206.html Cassini obtained its first high-resolution images of Methone on May 20, 2012. Methone is one of the smallest regular moons of Saturn, having a diameter of only about 3 kilometers. It was the first moon that Cassini discovered, very early in Cassini's mission at Saturn, in 2004. Mon, 21 May 2012 15:41:20 -0500 www.planetary.org-336918708 http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/jason-davis/spacexs-falcon-9-aborts.html The launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule was aborted last night a half-second before liftoff, due to abnormally high pressure readings in engine number five. Sat, 19 May 2012 10:51:28 -0500 www.planetary.org-336785085 http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2012/05181612.html Image magician Daniel Machacek has done it again, producing a jaw-dropping view of Mars from Viking Orbiter 1, featuring a frosty Argyre basin and stretching across to a series of faults called Thaumasia Fossae. Fri, 18 May 2012 18:56:32 -0500 www.planetary.org-336776256 http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/a-j-s-rayl/mer-update-2012-03-31.html March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb at Meridiani Planum, Mars: Opportunity felt the cold wind on her solar panels, then "settled" in a little more, working through the depths of its fifth Martian winter, as the team honored one of its own up there, and the Mars Exploration Rover mission logged month number 99 of exploration. Fri, 18 May 2012 17:41:04 -0500 www.planetary.org-328647381 http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2011/3178.html Weekend watching: 3D Movie from Mars Fri, 18 May 2012 14:00:27 -0500 www.planetary.org-334787886 http://www.planetary.org/blogs/20120509-bringing-a-little-star-power.html On May 8, 2012, Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson brought their unique brand of motivational speaking to Capitol Hill. In a standing-room-only lunch discussion in one of the meeting rooms for the Committee on Space, Science, Technology, these two space superstars, along with planetary scientist Louise Prockter, explained to members of Congress, staffers, and media why we must continue to invest in planetary exploration. Thu, 17 May 2012 18:33:26 -0500