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, 26 Jul 2010 18:30:08 EDT Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:30:08 EDT Copyright 2010 WHYY webmaster@whyy.org WHYY Public Radio No http://www.whyy.org/91FM/skytalk.html?rss Virgin Galactic completed its first crewed space flight bringing the company one step closer to actually taking humans up into low space. Just recently they performed a 6 hour full up test of all systems. Originally thought to be this year, flights are supposed to be available in 2011 and some have already purchased tickets. Also, the moon is full this week, but the real viewing action lies with Venus, Mars and Saturn, sliding past each other in the night sky. This is a great time to view these planets. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:20:00 EDT 5:09 Virgin Galactic completed its first crewed space flight bringing the company one step closer to actually taking humans up into low space. Just recently they performed a 6 hour full up test of all systems. Originally thought to be this year, flights are supposed to be available in 2011 and some have already purchased tickets. Also, the moon is full this week, but the real viewing action lies with Venus, Mars and Saturn, sliding past each other in the night sky. This is a great time to view these planets. http://www.whyy.org/podcast/news/st20100726.mp3 http://www.whyy.org/91FM/skytalk.html?rss Tomorrow is the 41st anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon, where were you 41 years ago? NASA wasn't even close to having the sophisticated technology they have now. Because of technological advancements would it be easier and cheaper to go back to the moon now? It's so easy in fact, that Google is challenging private organizations to send a rover to the moon and send images back to earth. A little closer to home the moon is at first quarter now, but will be full by the end of this week. Also, don't miss other highlights of the night sky on this week's Sky Talk. Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:20:00 EDT 5:09 Tomorrow is the 41st anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon, where were you 41 years ago? NASA wasn't even close to having the sophisticated technology they have now. Because of technological advancements would it be easier and cheaper to go back to the moon now? It's so easy in fact, that Google is challenging private organizations to send a rover to the moon and send images back to earth. A little closer to home the moon is at first quarter now, but will be full by the end of this week. Also, don't miss other highlights of the night sky on this week's Sky Talk. http://www.whyy.org/podcast/news/st20100719.mp3 http://www.whyy.org/91FM/skytalk.html?rss Warm nights provide a good opportunity to take in natural and manmade wonders overhead. All of the stars in the night sky are part of our spiral galaxy the Milky Way. We think of ourselves as a large disc, 100,000 light years in diameter. Do you really know what a light year is? How far is it? Also, how do you spot a satellite in the night sky, like International Space Station? All this and more on this week's Sky Talk. Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:20:00 EDT 5:09 Warm nights provide a good opportunity to take in natural and manmade wonders overhead. All of the stars in the night sky are part of our spiral galaxy the Milky Way. We think of ourselves as a large disc, 100,000 light years in diameter. Do you really know what a light year is? How far is it? Also, how do you spot a satellite in the night sky, like International Space Station? All this and more on this week's Sky Talk. http://www.whyy.org/podcast/news/st20100712.mp3