Outer Space & Universe
Outer Space & Universe
Space, also known as outer space, is the near-vacuum between celestial bodies. It is where everything (all of the planets, stars, galaxies and other objects) is found.
On Earth, space begins at the Kármán line (100 km above sea level). This is where Earth's atmosphere is said to stop and outer space begins. This is not a firm boundary but is a convention used by scientists and diplomats.
Items in space are free to move back and forth; up and down; and left and right. These three dimensions are what make 3D space. Items also move forward through time, which is sometimes called the fourth dimension.
The majority of space contains very little matter and so most of it is a vacuum. Scientists do not know how big space is but we do know that space is extremely big, and is always expanding.
According to the big bang theory, all matter and energy in the Universe was compressed into a very small space. Then it exploded and started expanding. Space is still growing in size today; this means the distance from one galaxy to distant galaxies is getting longer.
Gravity is the force that keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth and the planets in orbit around the Sun. Gravity can stretch and bend space similar to how a heavy ball placed on a stretched sheet of rubber will cause the rubber to stretch. The scientist who discovered that space can bend is named Albert Einstein. How gravity bends space is part of his theory of general relativity.
Astronauts, Cosmonauts, Taikonauts and Spationauts
An astronaut is any person who is trained by NASA to travel and perform tasks in space. Although the space traveler may not necessarily be a United States citizen, each astronaut does go through a rigorous training regiment by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Other space travelers go by other names then astronaut depending on their country of origin.
In the United States, astronaut is derived from the Greek words ástron (star) and nautis (sailor). While, in Russia, a space traveler goes by the name космонавт (English: cosmonaut), which is derived from the Greek words kosmos (universe) and nautis (sailor). Westerners call a space traveler from China a taikonaut, based on the 1998 writings of Chiew Lee Yik and Chen Lan where the term tàikōng (great emptiness), Chinese for “space”. In China, the term yuháng yuán (universe navigator) is used for space traveler.
Only the United States of America (United States), Russia (earlier, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), and the People’s Republic of China (China) have sent manned spacecraft into space. Other countries have assisted these countries by sending their own space travelers on space missions. For instance, a French space traveler is called a spationaut (from the French word spationaute), which is derived from the Latin spatium (space) and Greek nautis (sailor). (plural in Greek nautes = sailors)
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NASA Astronauts Talk about the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
Added 27 Views / 0 LikesNASA astronauts Jeanette Epps and Tracy C. Dyson talk about the April 8 total solar eclipse and their vantage point from the orbital outpost soaring 260 miles above the Earth. Watch the #eclipse live... https://go.nasa.gov/Eclipse2024Live
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NASA astronauts test new spacesuit in pool, plant flag
Added 242 Views / 0 LikesNASA astronauts Drew Feustel and Don Pettit tested the new Artemis program spacesuit in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center. The spacesuit, destined for use on the moon, provides more mobility than the Apollo-era spacesuits.Credit:
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NASA Astronauts Welcome Class of 2017
Added 451 Views / 0 LikesNASA Astronauts Welcome Class of 2017
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NASA at the Big Game
Added 320 Views / 0 LikesNo matter what team you’re rooting for, NASA technology is helping you play the game. Off-planet discoveries have helped develop all sorts of equipment on the field — from shock-absorbent foam in helmets to retractable stadium roofs. ???? Go NASA!Learn mo
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NASA Balloon problems, the Sun & the Weather - THORnews potluck
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NASA Cassini Team Reflects on End of Mission
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NASA Centennial Challenges | Engaging the Public to Solve Big Challenges
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NASA Challenges the Public to Convert CO2 into Sugar
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NASA Chief Believes Pluto is a Planet
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NASA Chief Bill Nelson talks moonshot goal, China and more in exclusive interview
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NASA Chief Calls ISS, Talks Crab Cakes and Gets Advised | Video
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NASA chief cites China's Mars landing & moon plans in budget hearing
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NASA Chief Explains Artemis Phase 1, Announces Commercial Partner
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NASA Chief Talks $1.6 Billion Budget Amendment for Moon 2024
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NASA chief talks latest Artemis 1 launch scrub, possible VAB roll back
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NASA Chief Talks Lunar Gateway, Reusability in 2020 Budget Proposal
Added 338 Views / 0 LikesNASA administrator Jim Bridenstine talks about returning to the moon and building a Lunar Gateway.
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NASA chief talks moving past cost-plus 'plague' with lunar lander competition
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17:06
NASA Chief Talks with Elon Musk About Crew Dragon
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NASA Chief: Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is 'go for launch'
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