Story Archives of 'Space'

When the United States entered the space age in the mid-20th century, most Americans began to wonder when – not if – we would eventually colonize the moon. In 2008, we’re not much closer to living on the moon than we were in 1970. But that doesn’t mean scientists have given up the ghost. In fact, in 2004, President Bush outlined a new vision for NASA that would put humans back on the moon by 2015. But how to get our earthly supplies up into orbit is still a big question. Scientists are working on new space equipment that could help colonize the moon. Reporter Clara Moskowitz joins us to talk about this and some other stories she’s been working on. Clara writes for the news services LiveScience and Space.com.

Stories Discussed in Today's Roundup:

How to Build Lunar Homes from Moon Dirt

Galaxy Surprise Sheds Light on Dark Matter

Bats Shut Traps When Flying in Groups

The Pose of a Champion is Innate

(Photo by Fort Photo)

Two months ago, the Mars Phoenix Lander began drilling and collecting samples to learn more about what is contained below the Martian surface. Meanwhile, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has been circling the planet to learn about Mars’s past. We’ll talk about what we’ve learned about Mars through these missions and what may come next as we explore what’s called the “most Earthlike planet”.

Guests

• Mal Cameron, Coordinator of the NASA Educator Resource Center at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Concord
• Dr. Suzanne Young, research associate and adjunct professor of chemistry at Tufts University and member of the Phoenix Mars Mission

A successful landing on Mars means scientists may finally learn if there was ever life on the Red Planet, a chance sighting of the beginning of a supernova explosion makes the history books, a third red spot on Jupiter means strange new atmospheric happenings there and the appearance of Mars, Saturn and later Jupiter in our summer skies means a great show for vernal stargazers. We’ll look at the latest that’s happening in our skies and beyond.

Guests

• Mal Cameron, education specialist at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Concord and coordinator of its Educator Resource Center
• John Gianforte, astronomy instructor for the Granite State College and co-founder of the Astronomical Society of Northern New England

NASA’s Shuttle program is slated to shut down in 2010 with only a few more missions left. We get an insider's perspective on the past, present and future of the manned space program from someone who has covered the ups and downs of the shuttle program for more than twenty years.

Guest

• Pat Duggins, Senior News Analyst and News Director for WMFE and author of “Final Countdown: NASA and the End of the Space Shuttle Program”. Duggins has covered almost ninety shuttle missions and has been the voice of NASA coverage on NPR for over a decade.

This program was first broadcast on November 15, 2007

As we approach the longest nights of the year, the Winter skies will not disappoint. The Geminid meteor showers make a great show this week, and a powerful comet becomes even more powerful. Plus another mission to Mars and global warming...on Neptune.

Guest

• John Gianforte, Amateur Astronomer, Astronomy Instructor for the Granite State College, Co-Founder of the Astronomical Society of Northern New England and Monthly Astronomy Columnist for Foster's Daily Democrat