Copernical Team
ESA and Samsung Introduce Revolutionary Galaxy Time Watch Face for a New Perspective on Time and Space
In a new collaboration, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Samsung have unveiled Galaxy Time, the inaugural watch face designed to showcase our Solar System in unprecedented detail. Coinciding with the commencement of summertime in Europe on March 31, 2024, this innovative feature transforms Samsung smartwatches into a gateway to the cosmos, allowing users to experience time through the lens of
GMV spearheads development in reusable hypersonic avionics at ESA workshop
GMV, a pivotal entity in aerospace innovation, marked its presence at a European Space Agency (ESA) workshop dedicated to reusable hypersonic vehicles, hosted at the European Astronaut Center (EAC) in Cologne, Germany, earlier this month. The workshop aimed to foster collaboration between the aviation industry and research centers, focusing on the development of hypersonic crafts and their aviat
TEXUS rockets propel scientific research with recent successful launches
On March 24, 2024, the Airbus-managed TEXUS 60 sounding rocket embarked on its mission from Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden, at precisely 10:45 CET. This launch successfully achieved an apogee of 251 kilometers, facilitating 362 seconds of invaluable microgravity conditions. Onboard were critical experiments from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), including Simona and GECO, in addition to
Starship's Third Launch: A Glimpse into the future of reusable launch vehicles
In the latest chapter of space exploration, SpaceX's third Starship test flight emerges as a pivotal moment, pushing the boundaries of current rocketry technology. This endeavor highlighted both the innovative engineering driving the Starship program and the complexities of perfecting spacecraft reentry from orbit. The launch from Starbase in Texas was a display of raw power and precise en
Fascinated by Fascination Turret: Sols 4137-4138
Earth planning date: Monday, March 25, 2024: Today, we planned two sols on Mars in a Touch and Go plan, where we do some early morning contact science and imaging followed by a drive to a new workspace on the first sol. As always, we will characterise the bedrock in our workspace. APXS and MAHLI will be deployed on the bulk bedrock at "Sunrise Lakes" right in front of the rover. ChemCam and Mast
Perseverance Pays off When Studying the Martian Atmosphere
Studying the atmosphere with Perseverance can be challenging! Imagine spotting an interesting cloud in a photo taken yesterday; unlike something interesting on the surface, more observations just aren't possible, as it's long gone by now. Or imagine trying to take a movie of a dust devil zooming across Jezero crater, when the rover's daily activities are all planned out before the rover even wak
Totality ready: US braces for April 8 solar eclipse frenzy
US communities along the path of the April 8 total solar eclipse are preparing for the year's biggest astronomic event, with millions of visitors expected to brighten local economies - and snarl up logistics. Near the US-Canada border in Burlington, Vermont, which is set to experience the totality just before 3:30 pm (1930 GMT), many hotels have been sold out for months. The few remaini
SpaceX launches 23 satellites, completing 260th reflight of an orbital class rocket
Elon Musk's SpaceX launched 23 satellites into low-Earth orbit on Saturday, completing the company's 260th re-flight of an orbital class rocket seven years after first achieving the act. This means the company has successfully launched and landed a first-stage booster of a rocket like its Falcon 9 at least 260 times. The first stage of a rocket is the largest and most expensive part of
Finishing touches for South Australia's first permanent spaceport ahead of Inaugural Launch
New launch facilities at the Koonibba Test Range, South Australia's first permanent spaceport, are almost complete ahead of the impending inaugural launch. Located northwest of Ceduna, the range is a partnership between Southern Launch and the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation. It is the largest commercial testing range in the Southern Hemisphere. Space Industries Minister Su
Tips to safely watch the total solar eclipse
On April 8, North America will experience a total solar eclipse, stretching across parts of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, with approximately 31.6 million people living in the path of totality. According to NASA, every contiguous state in the U.S., along with parts of Alaska and Hawaii, will witness at least a partial solar eclipse.
With all eyes toward the sky during an eclipse, Dr. Dawn Davis, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic, says it's important to protect your eyes and your skin from ultraviolet (UV) light damage. You'll need eye protection with special-purpose solar filters for viewing, and you should take precautions to safeguard your skin from the sun's rays during long periods outside.
And when it comes to protection, she says sunscreen is for the skin only—never for the eye itself.
A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely blocks the sun, temporarily darkening the sky. Looking directly at the sun can cause damage to the retina due to the strong amount of UV light.
"If you would like to see the solar eclipse, you will need to have special solar eclipse glasses," says Dr.