Space Game! Where in the Solar System is Destination Eleven? (day 4)

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Jane Peddicord

Hey Space Bloggers,

After reading the ‘day 3′ clue, I’m guessing that you are almost as confused as Galileo was to see that Destination Ten’s ‘moons’ suddenly disappeared, only to reappear four years later as ‘arms’.  Right?

Galileo Galilee

Hint#1: What Galileo saw was neither ‘moons’ nor ‘arms’. For today’s post, we’ll just call them ‘things’.

Now I’m going to tell you how the ‘things’ did their disappearing act. Then I bet you can tell me just what those ‘things’ really are. Ready?

Here goes: When Galileo could NOT see the ‘things’, he was looking at them edge-on and they were too thin to see through his homemade telescope.  When he COULD observe them, the ‘things’ were tilted at an angle and he could easily see their wide expanse through his telescope.  So that means that the ‘things’ are large and wide, but very thin, sort of like a pizza.

So now do you know what Galileo saw?  [Hint#2: It rhymes with 'things'.]

Christiaan Huygens

But don’t think this means that Destination Eleven doesn’t have moons.  Because it does. Lots. The first one, TITAN, was discovered in 1655 by Christiaan Huygens, a Dutch astronomer.

Just a few years later an astronomer named Cassini discovered four more moons, IAPETUS, RHEA, TETHYS, AND DIONE. Since then, 13 more have been discovered bringing the number of moons orbiting Destination Eleven to a grand total of 18.

So long for now, Space Bloggers. But be sure to check back next week when I announce the answer to that burning question: Where in the world is Destination Eleven?  That is, unless YOU write in with answer first!

Posted in Destination Eleven, Galileo, Planets, Saturn, Solar System, Space Exploration, Space Game | Leave a comment

Space Game! Where in the Solar System is Destination Eleven? (day 3)

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Jane Peddicord

Hey Space Bloggers!

How are you doing? Have you figured out where Destination Eleven is yet?  Let’s see.  From Day 1′s picture clue you know that D11 has ginormous auroras (northern lights).  And on Day 2 you discovered that D11 is lightweight enough to float in water, although its pretty unlikely anyone will ever find a tub big enough to actually try it!

So, have you figured it out yet? What, you want another clue???

Okay, here goes. Galileo Galilee first saw D11 through a telescope 401 years ago. This is how he described that sight in the year 1610:

NASA/SSI

“I discovered another very strange wonder. The star of [D11] is not a single star, but is a composite of three, which almost touch each other, never change or move relative to each other, and are arranged in a row along the zodiac, the middle one being three times larger than the lateral ones…”

 

NASA/SSI

When Gallileo looked through his telescope two years later he was shocked to find that the small ‘stars’ (which he also called ‘moons’) on either side of D11 had disappeared.  And he was even more surprised to see them back again 4 years later. He tried to account for this strange behavior by concluding that the ‘moons’ were actually some sort of ‘arms’.

Does that help, Space Bloggers? What do Galileo’s ‘arms’ look like to you?

Newcomers, wanna play? Just check out Space Game Rules! and join right in.

Posted in Destination Eleven, Galileo, Saturn, Solar System, Space, Space Exploration, Space Game | Leave a comment

Space Game! Where in the Solar System is Destination Eleven? (day 2)

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Jane Peddicord

Hey SpaceBoggers!

It’s day 2 and you know what that means. That’s right. Zip up your space suits and hold on…Here, in the practically immortal words of Destination Eleven, is your day 2 LIMMER-IDDLE !

Though I’m not the biggest of all,

not many would dare call me small.

But what makes me so cool

is when I’m in a pool,

I will float like a huge gas filled ball!

(But I warn you, I may leave a ring. He, he.)

Thanks for that uh, unsinkable clue D11.  I bet there are a lot of Space Bloggers out there just dying to know more about you. Right, Space Bloggers? Well, you’re in luck. Cuz there will be another mind boggling clue direct from D11 in next Tuesday’s edition of SpaceBlog!

Newcomers, check out Space Game Rules! and join in.

Posted in Destination Eleven, Planets, Saturn, Solar System, Space, Space Exploration, Space Game | Leave a comment

Space Game! Where in the Solar System is Destination Eleven? (day 1)

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Jane Peddicord

Hey SpaceBloggers!

Have I got something special for you today, or what!  (The answer would be, yes.) As you know, day 1 of a new Space Game destination is traditionally picture day. Well today you get a fantastic picture from Destination Eleven and THEN SOME! Intrigued?

Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

Believe it or not, these are pictures of the tallest know Northern Lights in the solar system. They stretch above D11′s northern hemisphere for 746 miles. That’s like stretching a curtain of lights all the way from Chicago to New York City! And then tipping that light show on its end so that it’s pointing straight out into space.

Now are you ready for the ‘THEN SOME’?  Just click to download than hit play to watch these fantastic auroras in motion over D11. (courtesy NASA, JPL, SSI) BTW, that white glow in the distance is sunlight shining on D11′s day side.

Cool, right? (The answer would again be, yes. Totally!)

New to Space Game? Check out Space Game Rules! But be quick…the game is aloft!

Posted in Destination Eleven, Saturn, Solar System, Space, Space Exploration, Space Game | 2 Comments

Space Game! Where in the Solar System is Destination Ten? And the Location is…

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Jane Peddicord

Hey Space Bloggers!

Congratulations Bird of the Wind and Archimedes. You were both right! You figured out the location of Destination Ten from the following clues hidden in just three posts:

Credit: NASA/JPL

On day 1 you learned that D10 was a lovely golden ball in space with a very important visitor named Cassini. You probably went right to the Cassini mission website and saw this early picture.

Although Cassini is managed by a committee of three (NASA, ESA, and ASI) it turns out to be a pretty amazing spacecraft, with its own eyes, legs, arm, hands, voice, and brain! Need a little help finding them – no problem. Just click here for a guided tour by our old friend NASA.

For sure, you found out that Cassini has been exploring Saturn and its 62 moons for fourteen years. 62 MOONS !!! You thought. Oh my gosh! How am I ever going to figure out which moon is D10?

But you stayed calm and on day 2 you found out that D10 is unlike any other moon in the solar system. It’s big enough to be planet, with dunes, oceans, and an atmosphere! That narrows it down a lot, you thought. (Good thinking!)

Credit: NASA/JPL

On day 3 you found out that in 2005, D10 was tickled by a probe.  You went right back to the Cassini site and found this artist’s drawing of the Huygens Probe heading for Saturn’s largest moon.

Ah-ha! you say. And rightly so, for you have just solved another astounding Space Game mystery. And your reward — click now for a ride on a very cool virtual tour (courtesy NASA) of Saturn’s spectacular moon….

TITAN!

Posted in Destination Ten, Planets, Saturn, Solar System, Space, Space Exploration, Space Game, Titan | 2 Comments

Space Game! Where in the Solar System is Destination Ten? (day 3)

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Jane Peddicord

Hey Space Bloggers!

Sorry about the interruption, but it was worth it right!  What did you think of the exploding star? (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, just go back one post to Special Edition: SUPERNOVA.)

And now back to Destination Ten.  Ready for your next clue? D10 wants to tell you himself, so in the cosmic words of Destination Ten (I just helped with the spelling), here’s your next clue.

If you read my Day2 limmeriddle you’ve probably figured out that I’m practically a planet, except for the small detail that I don’t orbit the sun. And then, if you hovered over my photo (not my best side, but still rather attractive if I do say so myself) you discovered that my biggest claim to fame is –ta, daaa–I have an atmosphere. That detail got Earth scientists all excited. So excited that about six Earth-years ago they shot a probe right through my hazy outer veil (talk about tickling–sheesh!). That’s how they found out that my air has a lot of nitrogen in it like Earth’s, which got them even more excited. They do have one complaint, though.  They say I’m a little smoggy. But I say, what’s the big deal? So I rain gasoline-like stuff now and then–hey, everyone has a bad air day sometime!

Thanks Destination Ten.  That was very, uh, interesting. Just for that I’ll show your fans a photo of your good side — here you are going around with your little brother Tethys.

Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

Space Bloggers, see you next week  for the exciting conclusion to this edition of SPACE GAME! (unless it’s preempted by another special addition!)

Posted in Destination Ten, Saturn, Space Exploration, Space Game, Titan | 5 Comments

Special Edition: SUPERNOVA

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Jane Peddicord

Hey SpaceBloggers!

We preempt this weeks blogpost of Space Game to bring you a fast breaking report of astronomical proportions. Are you ready? Here it is…

A star exploded in the Pinwheel galaxy 21 million years ago!!!

Fast breaking? (you ask) That’s right! (I answer) Even thought the star exploded 21 million years ago, it did so in a galaxy so far, far away that light from the explosion is just now reaching Earth. And it won’t be around for long.

Light rays from the supernova first hit Earth a couple of weeks ago, Tuesday, August 24th. The explosion was noticed within hours by crack scientists at the Palomar Observatory. It has been getting brighter each night and will reach its peak September 9 and 10, 2011. You can see the real thing – an exploding star – every night this week with a good pair of binoculars.

To see what you’re looking for, check out this Astronomy Picture of the Day:

Image Credit: D. Andrew Howell & BJ Fulton (LCOGT) et al., Faulkes Telescope North, LCOGT

Happy star watching, Space Bloggers!  See you next week with the 3rd installment of Space Game: Where in the Solar System is Destination Ten?

Posted in Pinwheel Galaxy, Space, Supernovae | 1 Comment

Space Game! Where in the Solar System is Destination Ten? (day 2)

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Jane Peddicord

Hey Space Bloggers, welcome back!

Hope you’ve been surviving the hurricanes, droughts, heatwaves, and floods on planet Earth and are ready for a pleasant jaunt back to balmy Destination Ten.  Well, maybe balmy isn’t the right word. Make that frigid. Better yet, decide for yourself.

Here’s your day 2 limmeriddle!

Though I’m not a planet, I could be.

If  I circled the sun, then I would be!

‘Cuz I’ve oceans and dunes,

unlike all other moons,

and I’m big as an inner one should be!

And one more thing…

Credit: NASA, JPL

Know where we are yet? Go ahead, take a guess. We’re all in the same spaceboat…

Newcomers, if you’re confused, check out Space Game Rules! And everyone, come back next week for another clue to the puzzling question: Where in the Solar System is Destination Ten?

Posted in Destination Ten, Planets, Saturn, Solar System, Space, Space Exploration, Space Game, Titan | 2 Comments

Space Game! Where in the Solar System is Destination Ten? (day 1)

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Jane Peddicord

Hey Space Bloggers, it’s picture clue day!

Take a look at our new destination.

Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

Don’t worry about the heavy cloud cover. We’ll be able to see right through that, thanks to our friend Cassini.  But more about her later.  For this post, just enjoy Destination Ten as we prepare for landing. Anyone care to take a guess where we are yet?

Newcomers, be sure to check in at Space Game Rules! Then jump on board.

Posted in Destination Ten, Planets, Saturn, Solar System, Space, Space Game, Titan | 1 Comment

Where in the Solar System is Destination Nine? And the location is…

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Jane Peddicord

Congratulations Bird of the Wind, Gulfstream, and Aidoboy for figuring out that Destination Nine is indeed one of the four moons of the the gas giant Jupiter discovered in 1609 by Galileo Galilei, with a warm water sea that Earth scientists feel just might harbor life, and like a continent on Earth, was named after the mythical queen…

Europa

Thought you might be interested in the Europa Lander Mission plan once considered by NASA.

Credit: NASA

Unfortunately, budget cuts made this  mission unlikely. But not one to give up easily, NASA entered into discussions with ESA about a possible joint mission which they announced in 2009.  The Europa Jupiter System Mission [EJSM] would take a close look at Europa’s potentially life filled seas.

Credit: JPL/NASA

Pretty amazing, eh? Just hope this mission happens…I can’t wait to find out if they’re right!

I’ll keep you updated in future posts. And, as always Space Bloggers, your comments are welcome!

Posted in Destination Nine, Europa, Europa Jupiter System Mission, Galileo, Jupiter, Planets, Solar System, Space, Space Exploration, Space Game | Leave a comment