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September 13, 2021 Archives
Monday, September 13, 2021
THE HAPPENING WORLD: SpaceX Starlink Group 2-1 Launch
The Starlink Group 2-1 mission will mark @SpaceX's 100th successful Falcon flight in a row and the first operational #Starlink launch with inter-satellite communication lasers! Learn more on our Prelaunch Preview, written by @124970MeV https://t.co/ZS6klBW49g
— Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) September 13, 2021
Launch is scheduled for 03:55 UTC on 2021-09-14 (note that this is in the evening of the 13th in Western Hemisphere time zones) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. These Starlink satellites are equipped with laser inter-satellite links, which reduces the need for ground stations in remote areas. If successful, this will be the 100th consecutive Falcon 9 mission, the 125th Falcon 9 launch, and the 70th re-flight of a first stage booster. Both the first stage and both of the fairing halves have previously flown.
Posted at
19:55
THE HAPPENING WORLD: Astrophysical Journal Publishes “If Loud Aliens Explain Human Earliness, Quiet Aliens Are Also Rare”
Our grabby aliens paper has been accepted by the prestigious Astrophysical Journal!
— Robin Hanson (@robinhanson) September 9, 2021
"we actually have enough data to say that aliens really are out there, and to roughly estimate where (some kinds) are, what they are doing, and when we will meet them." https://t.co/Im5tlG4pe7
Read the full paper on ArXiV.
Posted at
14:09
TRACKING WITH CLOSEUPS: From Egg to Monarch Butterfly
Here is the pupation process in real time,
And this is emergence of the mature butterfly from the pupa.
At the end of this process, the wings are soft and will take a couple of hours to harden before taking flight.
Posted at
12:58
CONTINUITY: “SX-70” by Charles and Ray Eames
In 1972, instant photography reached an apogee with the Polaroid SX-70, a camera which was simultaneously foldable, single-lens reflex, automatic exposure, and instant, with the pictures developing outside the camera in broad daylight and requiring no messy coating or throw-away parts. Film was sold in cartridges of ten pictures, each of which included a disposable battery that powered the electronics and motorised machinery of the camera. Focus was manual on the original model; later models added ultrasonic sonar automatic focusing.
This film was produced for Polaroid by the Eames Office and shown at the shareholders' meeting when the camera was introduced and later used by the sales organisation.
Posted at
11:53
TRACKING WITH CLOSEUPS: What Really Happened to the Arecibo Telescope?
Posted at
10:35