Weekly Space Hangout - July 12, 2012

TL;DR

Pluto's new moon discovery leads to controversial public reactions regarding its planetary status.

Transcript

no every all right why don't we get started then because our special guest is here H got some sound issues all right fer hi Mark how's it going all right so uh so what you can you see where the mute is in the upper right hand corner if you need to mute your your audio there's a mute microphone up there okay got it yeah um all right cool well let's ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌑 Discovery of new moons around Pluto sparks debates on its planetary status.
• 🖐️ SEI Institute plays a crucial role in astronomical discoveries and research collaborations.
• 👾 Commercial ventures like Virgin Galactic are driving innovation in space tourism and exploration.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the discovery of a new moon around Pluto affect the debate over its planetary status?

The discovery leads to renewed discussions and speculations among the public regarding whether Pluto should be classified as a planet or a dwarf planet.

Q: What role does the SEI Institute play in space discoveries like finding new moons?

SEI Institute collaborates with projects like Hubble telescope observations to uncover hidden celestial bodies and contribute to space exploration knowledge.

Q: How is the space industry evolving with ventures like Virgin Galactic targeting space tourism?

Commercial companies like Virgin Galactic are pioneering new opportunities for space travel and exploration, sparking interest in the public and investors alike.

Q: What potential impact does asteroid mining have on the future of space exploration and resource utilization?

Ventures such as Planetary Resources are exploring asteroid mining as a means to extract valuable resources from space, potentially revolutionizing the economy and technology advances.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mark Schalter from SEI Institute reveals discovery of a new moon around Pluto using Hubble telescope.

• Discussion on Pluto having multiple moons causing speculation on its planetary designation.

• Space industry booming with ventures like Virgin Galactic aiming for space tourism and asteroid mining.