Monday 22 May 2017

Trilobites: Freeze-Dried Mouse Sperm Survives Trip in Space

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Although tests did find slightly increased DNA damage, compared with freeze-dried earth sperm, the space version did the job when it came to fertilizing eggs.
via New York Times

Star storm

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Space Science Image of the Week: Aoife van Linden Tol, recipient of the first ESA–Ars Electronica residency, created this sketch while researching for her art–science project at ESA
via ESA Space Science
http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/05/Lost_in_the_photosphere_by_Aoife_van_Linden_Tol

A Zodiacal Sky over Horseshoe Bend

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What's causing the unusual ray of white light extending upward from the central horizon? Dust orbiting the Sun. At certain times of the year, a band of sun-reflecting dust from the inner Solar System rises prominently before sunrise and is called zodiacal light. The dust originates mostly from faint Jupiter-family comets and slowly spirals into the Sun. Pictured, in front of the zodiacal light, is a spectacular view of Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River. Emitted from well behind the zodiacal light is a spectacular sky that includes many bright stars including Sirius, several blue star clusters including the Pleiades, and an assortment of red nebula including Barnard's Loop in Orion. The 30-image composite was taken earlier this month in nearly complete darkness only six inches from the edge of a dangerous cliff.

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