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)
-
04:52
The Sun is a powerful mystery. Good old fashioned Solar Science, I miss you.
Added 732 Views / 0 LikesThe Sun is a powerful mystery. Good old fashioned Solar Science, I miss you.
-
08:41
Hurricane Season predictions are rolling out. Are you ready for it?
Added 294 Views / 0 LikesStay cool. God bless everyone.Tsend mail to 5430 Birdwood Rd. #416 Houston, Tx 77096 www.venmo.com/TEric-Lewison
-
01:46
'Obi-Wan Kenobi' teaser trailer has arrived!
Added 142 Views / 0 LikesThe Disney+ limited series "Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi" arrives on May 25, 2022. Full Story: https://www.space.com/disney-plus-star-wars-obi-wan-kenobi-premiere-dateCredit: Walt Disney Pictures
-
06:42
32 Ft Wave Displacement! Entire Pacific Coast under Tsunami Warning & Watch after 8.2 Alaska EQ
Added 489 Views / 0 Likes32 Ft Wave Displacement! Entire Pacific Coast under Tsunami Warning & Watch after 8.2 Alaska EQ
-
09:56
Storms Saturday & Sunday & Chinese Space Debris hits Earth on Sunday? + New Sunspot!
Added 220 Views / 0 LikesHave a great weekend.T LEWISON5430 BIRDWOOD RD. #416HOUSTON TEXAS 77096https://www.paypal.me/THORnewshttps://www.patreon.com/thornewsspacecowboy2017@gmail.com
-
08:37
Take a Vulcan 'rocket cam' ride to space with epic liftoff and Earth views
Added 39 Views / 0 LikesThe United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket launched on Jan. 8, 2024. See the epic views captured by cameras mounted on the rocket. Full Story: https://www.space.com/ula-vulcan-centaur-first-launch-peregrine-celestis-moon-missionCredit: ULA
-
02:15
SpaceX, Dynetics and Blue Origin team will design Artemis human landing systems
Added 329 Views / 0 LikesNASA has selected the designers and developers of the Artemis human landing systems. SpaceX, Dynetics and a Blue Origin-led team will lead the way. Full Story: https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-moon-landers-spacex-blue-origin-dynetics-selection.htmlCredi
-
04:19
Crazy UFO over St. Louis! WTF is that?
Added 636 Views / 0 LikesCrazy UFO over St. Louis! WTF is that?
-
19:00
Starlink Mission
Added 82 Views / 0 LikesSpaceX is targeting Thursday, January 19 for a Falcon 9 launch of 51 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 7:43 a.m. PT (15:43 U
-
01:03
Pluto's Moons Nix and Hydra Spotted By NASA Probe | Video
Added 725 Views / 0 LikesPluto's Moons Nix and Hydra Spotted By NASA Probe | Video
-
01:09
See M87's Black Hole Jet in Amazing Chandra X-Ray Telescope Imagery
Added 418 Views / 0 LikesThe Chandra X-ray telescope was used to capture a wide view of the Messier 87 galaxy and the jet emanating from the supermassive black hole its it core. -- See the X-ray Neighborhood of the First-Ever Black Hole Photo in This Space Telescope View: https:/
-
02:16
Funky Martian rocks and more in this NASA rover update
Added 151 Views / 0 LikesCatch up on the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers in this NASA Mars update. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
-
04:21
SpaceX Launches GovSat 1 Atop Used Falcon 9 Rocket
Added 416 Views / 0 LikesSpaceX Launches GovSat 1 Atop Used Falcon 9 Rocket
-
03:38
STEMonstrations: Earth Observations
Added 191 Views / 0 LikesWatch NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik as he discusses one of the best parts of an astronaut’s time aboard the International Space Station, the view of our Earth. The space station serves as an Earth monitoring and diagnosis station with astronauts observing
-
08:45
NASA test-fires Artemis moon rocket engines for first time in 2024
Added 42 Views / 0 LikesNASA has begun it's 2024 testing of future Artemis moon rockets with a "full-duration, 500-second hot fire of an RS-25 certification engine" on Jan. 17, according to the Stennis Space Center. Full Story: https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-moon-program-rs-
-
01:06
US Space Force to launch X-37B space plane on OTV-6 mission
Added 307 Views / 0 LikesThe X-37B is scheduled to lift off atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in May 2020. Full Story: https://www.space.com/x-37b-space-plane-secret-mission-otv-6-launch-date.htmlCredit: Space.com / foota
-
04:26
Space Station Live: A Pain in the Back
Added 408 Views / 0 LikesSpace Station Live: A Pain in the Back
-
01:13
China to launch more moon missions! Including 'flying vehicle'
Added 102 Views / 0 LikesChina's Chang'e 6, Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8 missions to the moon are under development. Hear from Chang'e 7 deputy chief designer and learn about the "flying vehicle" that will search for traces of water and ice on the moon's south pole. Credit: Space.com
-
04:20
Winter Storm THOR : The Wintry Mixed Dragon
Added 633 Views / 0 LikesWinter Storm THOR : The Wintry Mixed Dragon
-
02:20
See SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch 23 DOD Satellites in New Animation
Added 346 Views / 0 LikesA SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the Department of Defense (DoD) Space Test Program-2 (STP-2) mission. See the launch in this new animation from SpaceX. -- SpaceX Test Fires Falcon Heavy Megarocket Core for June Mission (Photo): https://www.space.