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This Week In Space podcast: Episode 161 — The TWiS Comedy Hour!

This Week In Space podcast: Episode 161 — The TWiS Comedy Hour!

Yahoo17-05-2025

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On Episode 161 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik catch up on headlines ... and space dad jokes! We're going to update you on the ever-slimming NASA budget, the latest news on the Voyager spacecraft, what's up with the SLS, Orion capsule, and Artemis programs? SpaceX's 9th Starship test flight, AliBaba in orbit, and the end of the universe. And more space jokes than ever for you to choke on.
Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space.Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit
Gilmour Space - "TestFlight 1 - Scrubbed"
The top fell off Australia's first orbital-class rocket, delaying its launch
If Congress actually cancels the SLS rocket, what happens next?
NASA resurrects Voyager 1 interstellar spacecraft's thrusters after 20 years: 'These thrusters were considered dead'
Trump's proposed 2026 NASA budget cuts will cede our space 'position of leadership to other nations', top scientists say
Is NASA ready for the Red Planet? US senator's 'Mission to MARS Act' aims to modernize Johnson Space Center
SpaceX will launch Starship's 9th test flight next week, Elon Musk says
Scientists calculate when the universe will end — it's sooner than expected
China launches first of 2,800 satellites for AI space computing constellation
Starlink Outpaces Launches: SpaceX Enters New Era of Profitability
Cancelled VIPER Moon Rover: New News – Lights-on or Off?
Strongest solar flare of 2025 erupts from sun, sparking radio blackouts across Europe, Asia and the Middle East
NASA Observes First Visible-light Auroras at Mars
Virgin Galactic says production of new spaceplanes on track
TOP TELESCOPE PICK:
Looking for a telescope to see planets and comets? We recommend the Celestron Astro Fi 102 as the top pick in our best beginner's telescope guide.
Finally, did you know you can launch your own SpaceX rocket? Model rocket maker Estes' stunning scale model of a Falcon 9 rocket that you can pick up now. The launchable model is a detailed recreation of the Falcon 9 and retails for $149.99. You can save 10% by using the code IN-COLLECTSPACE at checkout, courtesy of our partners collectSPACE.com.
This Week in Space covers the new space age. Every Friday we take a deep dive into a fascinating topic. What's happening with the new race to the moon and other planets? When will SpaceX really send people to Mars?
Join Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik from Space.com as they tackle those questions and more each week on Friday afternoons. You can subscribe today on your favorite podcatcher.

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Could you see the northern lights over RI, New England tonight? It's possible. See map
Could you see the northern lights over RI, New England tonight? It's possible. See map

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Could you see the northern lights over RI, New England tonight? It's possible. See map

The northern lights may be visible over a large swath of New England tonight due to a large geomagnetic storm, possibly even dipping into northern Rhode Island. "The G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm watch remains in effect for tonight, June 1st (EDT), as CME passage continues," the Space Weather Prediction Center said in a 2 p.m. alert on June 1. "There are indications that the coronal mass ejection (CME) passage is weakening, but the solar wind conditions remain elevated, therefore additional periods of G3-G4 (Strong-Severe) levels remain possible. However, we now anticipate that conditions should weaken enough by tomorrow evening, June 2nd (EDT), that G1 (Minor) storm levels is the most likely peak response." The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center prediction map is showing that all of New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont have a chance to see the spectacle tonight, including a large chunk of Massachusetts. The possible view line is just touching Rhode Island, meaning there's a chance that people will see them. The question is, will the weather cooperate? AccuWeather is currently forecasting partly cloudy skies, so if the lights reach it's possible cloud cover will be a problem. The sun is currently at solar maximum, according to NASA, the peak of activity in its natural cycle, which is creating more opportunities to see the northern lights. Here's what to know. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) aurora forecast, the northern lights may reach to Rhode Island tonight, but only in the northern tip of the state. However, odds improve if people make a trip to Massachusetts where much of the state is firmly in the view line, and become even better in northern New England and New York. The northern lights are typically most visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. according to NOAA. "Best aurora is usually within an hour or two of midnight (between 10 PM and 2 AM local time)," the said. "These hours of active aurora expand towards evening and morning as the level of geomagnetic activity increases. There may be aurora in the evening and morning but it is usually not as active and therefore, not as visually appealing." As always, dark skies make for better stargazing. "We typically suggest getting away from cities and find a open field or hilltop to lay out under the stars and wait for the show to really peak at the late evening or early morning hours," Massachusetts Institute of Technology Technical Instructor and Observatory Manager Tim Brothers said in a past interview with Wicked Local. He continued, "In New England, heading for a local conservation area or park that keeps lighting off at night is ideal. Another option is a coastline away from the larger cities — the benefit being that the constellation where you will see most of the 'shooting stars.'" If you want a chance at seeing the Northern Lights, here are some websites you can monitor the sun's activity: The Space Weather Prediction Center Aurora forecast page (NOAA) Aurora Reach Aurora Alerts This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Severe geomagnetic storm could bring northern lights to RI. See map

Elon Musk tries to stick to spaceships
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Elon Musk's interview with CBS Sunday Morning seemed to get off to an awkward start, as reporter David Pogue asked the SpaceX CEO about his thoughts on his ally Donald Trump's policies, including growing restrictions on international students. 'I think we want to stick to the subject of the day, which is, like, spaceships, as opposed to, you know, presidential policy,' Musk said. Pogue looked surprised, replying, 'Oh, okay, I was told, 'Anything's good.'' 'No,' Musk said, while looking into the distance. 'Well … no.' He did, however, comment on the controversy around his Department of Government Efficiency, which has been making aggressive cuts across federal agencies, and which Musk complained had become "the whipping boy for everything." 'If there was some cut, real or imagined, everyone would blame DOGE,' he said. Musk also suggested that he's "a little stuck in a bind" when it comes to the Trump administration, where "I don't want to speak out against the administration, but I also don't want to take responsibility for everything the administration's doing.' Pogue's interview was conducted before SpaceX's Starship test flight on Tuesday, which saw the ship successfully launch but lose control on reentry. Asked whether there's anything linking his various companies — in addition to SpaceX, there's Tesla (which faces ongoing anti-Musk protests), xAI and X (formerly Twitter), Neuralink, and The Boring Company — Musk replied, "I guess you could think of the businesses as things that improve the probable trajectory of civilization." At the time, Musk was supposedly pulling back from his government work but said he would remain involved for a 'day or two' per week. He told Pogue, "DOGE is going to continue, just as a way of life. And I will have some participation in that, but as I've said publicly, my focus has to be on the companies at this point.' Pogue noted that after their conversation, an interview clip of Musk's comments criticizing the Trump-backed budget bill drove a news cycle of their own — and soon after, Musk said he was ending his time as a special government employee. Trump, however, subsequently said Musk is "not really leaving." Sign in to access your portfolio

Will Georgia see the aurora borealis?
Will Georgia see the aurora borealis?

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Will Georgia see the aurora borealis?

Will metro Atlanta and North Georgia see the northern lights from Sunday night into Monday morning? Short answer: It's possible, but not guaranteed. What To Know A solar flare occurred Friday evening with a piece of energy directed at Earth. A G4 level geomagnetic storm began late Saturday night with northern lights visible as far south as New Mexico. The expectation is that the geomagnetic storm remains at the G4 level into Sunday night, which could pull the northern lights as far south as Metro Atlanta and Northern Georgia. The forecast as of Sunday afternoon calls for the Kp index to be at its highest between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. This could be adjusted as the day goes on. No matter the intensity of the geomagnetic storm, the general rule of thumb is that the best viewing will be away from city lights. There are several possibilities here: The storm is at its most intense just before sunset, causing Georgia to miss the opportunity to see the northern lights. The northern lights are only visible from phone cameras away from city lights and would be just dull enough, invisible to the naked eye. Nothing would be seen near city lights. The northern lights would be visible to the naked eye away from the city lights and only by phone cameras near city lights. The solar storm overperforms and reaches the G5 level. This would be equivalent to the May 2024 event and would make the northern lights visible to the naked eye and phone cameras in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. What To Know May 2024's geomagnetic storm reached a G5 level, making the northern lights visible to the naked eye as far south as Florida. We saw another G4 geomagnetic storm a few months after the G5 storm, which caused the northern lights to only be visible to cameras in Metro Atlanta. A little change in the intensity of the geomagnetic storm makes a world of difference in the visibility this far south. Turn on "night mode" to take pictures Adjust the camera's exposure to the longest possible setting Keep your phone perfectly still, pointed at the sky and away from the moon, to take the picture The Source This report includes information from the FOX 5 Storm Team, FOX Weather, and the Space Weather Prediction Center.

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