Space & Astronomy

Earth-observation products are data and information derived from satellite and airborne sensors that provide insights into the natural environment and resources. These products can include measurements of water quality, land use changes, vegetation health, and atmospheric conditions. In commodity, energy, and environmental sectors, such data help monitor resource availability, environmental impacts, and operational conditions, enabling better decision-making and management.

Earth-observation products often utilize data from multispectral sensors like Landsat and Sentinel-2, which capture images in multiple wavelength bands to analyze vegetation, land, and water. Other sensors include lidar for structural measurements of forests, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for biomass estimation and forest monitoring, and instruments like MODIS and VIIRS for atmospheric and land data. These sensors provide varying spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions to meet diverse monitoring needs.

Yes, several of the top free astronomy courses, such as 'Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space' from the University of Arizona, are designed for beginners and do not require any prior science background. They cover fundamental topics like the night sky, the solar system, and recent astronomical discoveries in an accessible way.

Most of the free astronomy courses allow learners to audit the content for free, but certificates of completion are typically available for a fee. However, among the nine best courses highlighted, one course offers a free certificate, and seven provide certificates for a paid option.

Active debris removal (ADR) refers to the process of capturing and removing defunct satellites or space debris from Earth's orbit to reduce collision risks and ensure sustainable space operations. ADR is crucial because the increasing amount of space debris poses significant hazards to operational satellites and future space missions, threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.

The ClearSpace-1 mission, led by the Swiss startup ClearSpace SA and supported by the European Space Agency, aims to demonstrate technologies for rendezvous, capture, and deorbiting of space debris. Initially targeting the VESPA payload adapter, the mission's target was changed to the PROBA-1 satellite after the original target was damaged by debris. The mission will use a four-armed capture mechanism to grab the target satellite and safely deorbit it, thereby reducing space debris and paving the way for a sustainable commercial sector in space debris removal.

Significant budget cuts, such as the proposed 24% reduction in NASA's overall funding, could lead to the cancellation of critical missions like the Mars Sample Return initiative and the Lunar Gateway project. These cuts would also severely impact Earth science funding and green aviation initiatives, potentially halting progress in these areas[2][3][4].

Budget cuts could limit the scope and duration of research on the ISS by reducing funding for ongoing and future missions. This could also impact long-term plans for lunar and Mars exploration, as resources become constrained, potentially delaying or canceling projects like the Artemis program's lunar missions[3][4].

Astronauts float in space because they are in a state of continuous freefall. They are moving sideways at such a high speed that they fall around the Earth at the same rate the planet's surface curves beneath them. This is not due to weak gravity, as gravity at the space station's altitude is only slightly less than on Earth's surface.

Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena, focusing on understanding the universe through empirical evidence and observation. Astrology, on the other hand, is the study of the positions and movements of celestial bodies and their supposed influence on human affairs, which is not supported by scientific evidence.

SPHEREx creates 3D maps by capturing 3,600 images daily across 102 infrared wavelengths, generating spectral data cubes where two dimensions represent spatial information and the third represents wavelength. This allows it to measure about 100 specific wavelengths per object, providing detailed compositional and physical data.

SPHEREx's 20 cm telescope combines a wide 11°x3.5° field of view with passive cooling, enabling it to survey the entire sky efficiently. While smaller than JWST's 6.5-meter mirror, its specialized design prioritizes broad coverage over high resolution, allowing it to map every celestial object in its path with 100+ infrared wavelengths.