Weekly Space Hangout - April 18, 2014

TL;DR

SpaceX successfully launches, while the discovery of an Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone generates excitement.

Transcript

all right well hey everyone my name is Fraser Kane I'm the publisher of universe today and this is your weekly space hangout for Friday April 18th 2014 and we've got a very special event today which is that we're going to try and break in the middle of the show and watch the SpaceX launch check this out hold on uh should be a T20 right now I think ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🚀 SpaceX successfully launches a mission to the ISS, showcasing the potential for commercial spaceflight.
• ✋ The discovery of an Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone suggests a higher probability of habitable planets in the universe.
• 😀 Funding issues for NASA's Opportunity rover and concerns over the validity of the BICEP2 results highlight the challenges faced in scientific research.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the CRS 3 mission and where is it heading?

The CRS 3 mission is a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Dragon capsule is delivering supplies and experiments to the astronauts on the ISS.

Q: What is the significance of Kepler 186f?

Kepler 186f is the first confirmed Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone of its star. This increases the likelihood that there are many more habitable planets in the galaxy.

Q: What are the potential drawbacks of exoplanets orbiting red dwarf stars?

Red dwarf stars are known to have larger solar flares and stronger solar winds, which could potentially strip a planet's atmosphere or make it uninhabitable. Additionally, exoplanets orbiting close to red dwarf stars may be tidally locked, meaning one side always faces the star, leading to extreme temperature differences.

Q: What is the latest update on the BICEP2 inflation results?

A new paper suggests that radio loops within our galaxy could be producing microwave radiation that is affecting the B mode polarization results, casting doubt on the evidence for inflation discovered by BICEP2.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• SpaceX successfully launches the CRS 3 mission, with the Dragon capsule heading to the ISS.

• NASA announces the discovery of an Earth-sized exoplanet, Kepler 186f, in the habitable zone of its star.

• Funding issues for NASA's Opportunity rover and concern arise over the validity of the BICEP2 inflation results.

• Lunar eclipse occurs, and upcoming Lyrid Meteor Shower is anticipated.