The digital journal Progress in Earth and Planetary Science doesn’t even bother with “issues” anymore. Oh well, just posted in vol. 12, is: Ulamec, S. Michel, P. Murdoch, N, et al. Science operation of IDEFIX, the MMX Phobos rover art.… Read More »Note, Paper: Red Rover Covered
As of this week (Oct. 28), the Vera Rubin Observatory staff has declared the project “construction complete”, and begun operations (“Early Operations”, to be explicit). In physical terms, this doesn’t mean much. In legal terms, this means that telescope checkouts… Read More »Vera Rubin Ready!
It’s the day before Halloween, but Space Sci Rev (vol. 221) makes it feel like Christmas: Horányi, M. Tucker, S. Sternovsky, Z. et al. Interstellar Dust Experiment (IDEX) OnboardNASA’s Interstellar Mapping And Acceleration Probe (IMAP) art. 102 s11214-025-01230-1Wang, Y. Zhang,… Read More »Space Science Reviews, …whew
Yesterday was Oct. 29, perihelion for 3I/ATLAS. That was the point in its trajectory (not orbit) when it was closest to the Sun. As the comet neared the Sun, it rose in temperature, and thus activity. That activity: Astrophysics >… Read More »3I Behind Prime Sky Light
Andreas Kaufer has been appointed the new Director General of ESO (European Southern Observatory), replacing Xavier Barcons, who had served for ~8 years. Kaufer first joined ESO as the VLT (Very Large Telescope) was in preparation. Now he oversees final… Read More »Drift Into Field, Drift Out of Field (Al Nagler…)
In case you hadn’t already marked your calendar: the Rubin Users Committee will meet on Monday: https://rubinobservatory.org/events/rubin-users-committee-2025a-meeting Rubin Users Committee 2025B Meeting, Oct 27, 8 AM – 10 AM PDT This is your chance to give feedback on initial performance,… Read More »Vera Rubin Users Meeting, Monday
A bit light for this blog, but… ESA has posted an explainer video for the RAMSES mission: www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/10/Ramses_ESA_s_mission_to_rendezvous_with_asteroid_ApophisRamses: ESA’s mission to rendezvous with asteroid Apophis 13/10/2025 This week marks three and a half years until the Apophis flyby of Earth;… Read More »See RAMSES Teaser
In Advances in Space Research, 1 Nov (vol. 76, #9): Chai, J. Mei, J. Gong, Y. et al. Analysis of a conceptual multi-node flexible small body lander: Bounce suppression and active control Pgs 5471 .2025.08.008 Again, landing on an asteroid is,… Read More »Note, Paper: Philae Astray, No Way
The in-depth journal Space Science Reviews (hence, “Review”) scores a hat trick: Cox, M. Cuddy, C. Schneider, J. et al. The Lucy Spacecraft Art 94 s11214-025-01190-6Polanskey, C. A. Elkins-Tanton, L. T. Bell, J. F. et al. Psyche Mission Description and… Read More »Space Sci Review Tri-Flew
Briefly: the PUNCH mission to monitor the Sun states that they are still tracking interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, even though the small body has passed “behind” the Sun (as seen from Earth). In other words, ‘solar conjunction’: bsky.app/profile/kwalsh4a.bsky.social/post/3m2rnxlgigs2v “While 3I Atlas… Read More »PUNCH Sun Conjunction Mention