NASA is a wonderful organisation and the time to go is now. Maybe they need to sell lots of their photos internationally for more funds if the government is underfunding that government department. A superpower needs to go into space and lead by example so government needs to fund them better.
I downloaded background wallpaper that consists of 20 images, for free, from the Microsoft Store; it's called 'Cosmic Beauty'. Go to 'Settings'>'Personalisation'>'Themes'>Apply a theme>(then back to)>'Background'>'change to Slideshow'>Change picture every 1 minute>Shuffle(on)>allow slideshow on battery power. It's the most peaceful, serene and beautiful background theme you can ever have. Thank you NASA and the USA.
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In a fun coincidence, I just finished watching a 2017 documentary I'd recorded last August - about the Voyager missions. So seeing the photo of the crescent Neptune and crescent Triton here was seeing it for the second time in less than an hour.
Yes to lower-cost missions. Yes to exploring all we can.
And I cheerfully recommend everyone who can to look at the PBS special I finally watched tonight - "The Farthest - Voyager in Space". I'm saving the recording and will watch it again when I need a dose of the pride and joy of simply discovering new things - just to know.
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This is a great article about basic research and real science, and intelligent government support for it.
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What I think this article and the study missed was how trigger warnings influence whether we decide or not decide to go forward with a given situation. One of my daughter’s friends has extremely sensitive ears so loud noises are something her parents try desperately to avoid. A warning like the one pictured to me would be helpful - it gives them the opportunity to ask more questions and weigh the possibility of sitting out. Having a crying, hysterical child is sometimes not worth it... But getting more information may also allow them to make the decision to go forward too...
I was moved when the project scientist targets to reach Triton before 2040 because after then it will be dark until 2120. What a vision and a determination to grab an opportunity for humankind!
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@Blackbird
I'm not a scientist, but that doesn't sound right. Triton is lit by the sun all the time, except (possibly) for once a week or so when it could be eclipsed by Neptune. Perhaps they are referring to the fact that each pole gets illuminated for half a Neptunian year (just like on Earth), so some part of Triton goes dark for about 82 (earth) years at a time. Somebody with some expertise could enlighten us here.
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Nothing fascinates mankind more than to peek into the skies and learn about unknown worlds.
NASA has wasted a lot of time, as it is not as active as it was in 70's and 80's with the most basic technology compared to today. I hope more planetary expeditions are sent in the coming decade. I know during our lifetime space tourists will visit moon if not Mars. Can't wait to be one of them.
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