The Solar Cycle Everything we’ve seen so far on the solar tour has been shaped by the Sun’s activity, which ebbs and flows over an 11-year cycle. To understand the Sun’s effects on space, we need to get to the bottom of the solar cycle. How one scientist predicts the solar cycle Solar scientist Lisa …
The Solar Wind Ah, the solar wind – that steady stream of particles our Sun sheds to space. The solar wind fills every nook and cranny of interstellar space, pelting planetary atmospheres and shaping their long-term fate. Space weather Hey Parker, how’s the weather out there? There’s weather in space – but we’re not talking …
A Swing by Venus Greetings from the solar tour! We have arrived at Venus. Venus and Earth are twins, both rocky and similar size and structure. Studying Venus helps scientists understand what makes Venus inhospitable and Earth habitable. But Venus is closer to the Sun, and spacecraft that have flown there in the past have …
Payloads: Bio-Analyzer: A blood sample was analyzed using the Bio-Analyzer and processed using the Cellular Labeling instrument. The sample was then remixed to introduce bubbles in order to test the bubble mitigation procedures. Bio-Analyzer is a Canadian Space Agency (CSA) onboard instrument that serves as a platform for scientific experiments on the ISS. The instrument …
Space biology led the research schedule for the seven-member Expedition 66 crew aboard the International Space Station on Friday. The orbiting lab’s three guests also spent their day on a variety of Russian space experiments. NASA Flight Engineers Mark Vande Hei and Kayla Barron partnered up throughout the day replacing components inside the Advanced Plant …
Every December we have a chance to see one of our favorite meteor showers – the Geminids. The shower is currently active until Dec. 17 and will peak on the night of Dec. 13 into the morning of Dec. 14, making those hours the best time for viewing the meteor shower. The Geminids are caused …
The Space Between Hello from interplanetary space! This solar tour stop may seem empty, but there’s more than meets the eye. Empty space, full of plasma If you look closely, the space between the planets is filled with dust, particles, magnetic fields and a mysterious substance called plasma. Hear from scientists Doug Rowland and Don …
Payloads: Bio-Monitor: The Garment Data Unit was connected to the Bio-Monitor Controller to transfer the data for downlink. The garment and headband were then doffed and hung out to dry. Bio-Monitor is a Canadian onboard instrument that serves as a platform for scientific experiments on the ISS. The instrument performs on-orbit monitoring of crew member …
Three individuals are adapting to life aboard the International Space Station following Tuesday’s launch and docking aboard a Russian crew ship. The seven-member Expedition 66 crew is back on science duty today while helping the new space travelers get up to speed with station systems and safety procedures. 10 people are living on the orbiting …
Two weeks until launch! Things are moving forward in Kourou, and so we check in with the two leads (one from the U.S., one from the U.K.) of the final instrument in Webb’s suite: “Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) is special – in the wavelengths it covers, the science that enables, its technology challenges, and in …
