APOD 4.1

the Kepler Spacecraft has been working for some time to find exoplanets. (or Extrasolar planets, if you prefer) Since it's mission started in 2009, it has found 1,235 planets using the transits system.

The above image is a collection of simulated pictures. Kepler looks for the slight, regular dimming of a star as a planet passes over it. The images shown actually show the silhouette of a passing planet, rather than Kepler seeing a slightly dimmer dot. Some of the pictured stars actually have more than planet passing their star, including one with three worlds, 3rd row, fourth down. Our sun is shown for comparison under the first row of stars. What confuses me is the Blue stars among the larger crowd. I though Blue giants were at least 8 times the mass of the sun, but they don't appear that much bigger, especially the blue stars in the second column. Also, I blame no one if they say the first star in the first column looks like an upside-down Pacman. Actually, speaking of that Star, it's planet looks like it's almost as big as the sun if these are to scale. Could it be a binary companion? the mythic black dwarf if it's not giving off light? Or is it just one truly massive planet?

Astronomy Night Observation

Identified all the constellations with stars int he winter "G," as well as Ursa Major and Leo. Also saw the Orion nebula through one of the telescopes.

APOD 3.8

The Valles Marineris is the largest canyon in the solar system, 3,000 kilometers long.

Believed to have started as a crack as the planet was cooling, the massive gash in the surface is 600 kilometers across at its widest point, and stretches 8 kilometers deep. The earth's grand canyon is less than a third of its length, only 1.8 kilometers deep, and a 20th of its girth. to peer down a chasm so deep would certainly be intimidating. This mosaic was build from images taken in the 70 by the viking orbiter.

APOD 3.8

The red square nebula has a star at it's core (MWC 922) and appears, well...square.

It is suggested that during the star's development, cones were ejected at near-right angles. The cone theory has some support with the radial spokes that might run along the cone walls. It is also speculated that the cones from a different viewpoint would look akin to the rings around supernova 1987A. MWC 922 here might also go nova someday (if it's over 8 solar masses). Looks like the camera's peering into a train tunnel, or the hourglass on the underside of a widow spider's abdomen. (no people, it is NOT the most deadly spider)

Apod 3.7

A Mars panorama from the Phoenix lander.
 
Images have been spliced  together for the full 360 degree view from the Lander, showing of the solar panels and various other working of the lander, as well as the vast expanse of this martian plateau. The unit is using its own lab to analyze the area of the possibility of past life on Mars. Ice has been confirms, and Phoenix has found unexpected indications of Perchlorate Salts. It is being debated whether or not life could have evolved around these salts. Hopefully the Phoenix will have a brighter future than the Spirit rover:

APOD 3.6

Discovery Visits the International Space Station

Someone just got inspiration for a new concentration piece for their AP 2D portfolio. The machinery looks far more complex than I regularly give it credit for. It looks like Robo-Kraken is attacking the space station. That would be the space stations Dextre Robot and Canadarm2. The Japanese Kibo Experiment Module is also pictured, on the lower right. The docking discovery shuttle has brought with it six crew members and the Leonardo Multi Purpose Logistics Module to be installed. Other upgrades are to be made to the space station during this venture.