The Wordsmith's Forge

Asteroid could hit the Moon. 

Aaaand now I'm remembering this.

"Bone" is a gorgeous piece of near-future science fiction with a very classic flavor, about a startling discovery on Europa. 

People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

Should we terraform planets if it means that we may be destroying undiscovered microscopic alien life?

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Folks have mentioned an interest in questions and conversations that make them think. So I've decided to offer more of those. This batch features hobbies.

Stargazing is a hobby of watching the sky at night. This must be among the oldest of hobbies, as humans have been fascinated by the stars for many thousands of years at least. It is easier with modern telescopes though.

On Dreamwidth, see common_nature for inspiration. astronomy and science are dormant, but posting is open to all members so these should be revivable.

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Signs of alien life may be hiding in these gases

Advancing the search for weird life on weird planets.
Scientists identify a new way to detect life in outer space with currently existing telescopes. The method hinges on worlds that look nothing like Earth, and gases rarely considered in the search for extraterrestrials.

Watch as Mars’ moons trade places in the sky in this animation on EarthSky.  I fucking love science.  :D

Wham! Hear a meteorite hit the ground for the 1st time

See and hear a meteorite impact on Prince Edward Island.


It sounds ... crunchy.

Planets form through domino effect

New radio astronomy observations of a planetary system in the process of forming show that once the first planets form close to the central star, these planets can help shepherd the material to form new planets farther out. In this way each planet helps to form the next, like a line of falling dominos each triggering the next in turn.


This makes sense, and relates to spacing.

When do new technological developments become 'realism' and not 'the future'? Writing about humans flying through the air in strange machines was once SF, but Snakes on a Plane isn't.

Discuss.

Hera looks back at Earth and the moon

ESA’s Hera mission launched toward the asteroid moon Dimorphos on October 7, 2024. Its goal is to investigate the aftermath of humanity’s first planetary defense test in 2022, when DART struck the little asteroid. As Hera sailed off on its mission, it looked back at Earth and caught the above view of our home planet and the moon.


So small, so fragile, so beautiful. So infinitely precious.

There is no Planet B.