November 15, 2012

The Countdown, Episode 9 - The Real Planet Krypton, Sandy by Satellite, Smart Phone Tricorder, Printing Rockets, Habitable Super-Earth?

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This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

Story 5

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson helped DC comics locate Superman's fictional home planet Krypton in the non-fictional universe. Because Krypton revolves around a red sun, Tyson has placed the planet in the constellation Corvus, which has a red dwarf star.

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Superman's Home Planet Krypton "Found"

Story 4

Many people living in New York City and surrounding areas are still reeling from Hurricane Sandy's landfall on October 29th. Images from NASA, NOAA and the US Coast Guard show the damage caused by the hurricane.

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Hurricane Sandy Satellite Photos: Before And After

Story 3

College kids have invented a tricorder device similar to the one used in the Star Trek series. The device can be connected to a smart phone and sense environmental data like temperature, wind speed and radiation levels.

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Engineers of the Future Design Star Trek-Inspired Tricorder Device

Story 2

NASA scientists are using 3-D laser printing technology to reduce the cost of building rocket engine parts. This technology welds together powdered alloys using a laser beam and can create intricate and complex machine parts.

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NASA Plans for 3-D Printing Rocket Engine Parts Could Boost Larger Manufacturing Trend

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The European Southern Observatory's HARPS instrument has discovered what could be a super-earth exoplanet. Seven times the mass of Earth, the planet is the right distance from its sun to support carbon and water based life forms.

Links:

"Super-Earth" Alien Planet May Be Habitable For Life

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