NASA: October 2011

National Aeronautics and Space Administrion

Since its inception in 1958, NASA has accomplished many great scientific and technological feats in air and space. NASA technology also has been adapted for many nonaerospace uses by the private sector. NASA remains a leading force in scientific research and in stimulating public interest in aerospace exploration, as well as science and technology in general. Perhaps more importantly, our exploration of space has taught us to view Earth, ourselves, and the universe in a new way. While the tremendous technical and scientific accomplishments of NASA demonstrate vividly that humans can achieve previously inconceivable feats, we also are humbled by the realization that Earth is just a tiny "blue marble" in the cosmos. Check out our "Thinking About NASA History" folder online as an introduction to how history can help you.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Wrong Way Planets

There supposed to go the way of the star. WASPS 17, which was discovered in 2009 by David Anderson, was going backwards.

This planet has a year of 3.7 days. It is the biggest planet ever found. It has a diameter, that is a width, of 175,000 miles. That's twice as wide as Jupiter. It's distance from Earth is 1300 light years. A light year is approximately 6 trillion miles.

It's the most puffed planet. It's only as dense as a styrofoam cup.