February 2014

The GPM Core Observatory satellite at lift off on a H-IIA 202 rocket (Photo NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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It was night in Japan when the Core Observatory satellite, part of the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM), was launched on a H-IIA 202 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, run by JAXA, the Japanese space agency, on the island of Tanegashima. After about 16 minutes, the satellite separated from the second stage of the rocket and successfully entered low Earth orbit. In the following minutes, it deployed its solar panels and started sending signals, confirming that it works.

Artistic concept of some multiple-planet systems found thanks to the Kepler Space Telescope (Image NASA)

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Yesterday NASA announced a truly sensational discovery because 715 new exoplanets were found. These are the results of a new type of analysis performed on the data collected during the first two years of observations by the Kepler space telescope. This new method allowed to confirm that 305 stars have a multiple-planet system. So far, almost 1,000 planets were confirmed therefore confirming other 715 at once is a huge leap forward in the search for exoplanets.

Hummingbird installed in Eye Clinic Maastricht (Photo courtesy Maastricht University Medical Centre. All rights reserved)

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A device called Hummingbird, made during the study phase of ESA’s Darwin project, a constellation of space telescopes, has been adapted for use in the field of eye surgery. The doctors of the University Eye Clinic Maastricht in the Netherlands, will be able to carry out high-precision surgery on the eyes of patients without vibration problem.

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A group of Spanish astronomers published a paper in the journal “Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society” that describes the greatest impact on the Moon ever recorded. It took place on September 11, 2013, when a meteorite the size of a car has caused an impact that generated a flash of light detected by the MIDAS (Moon Impacts Detection and Analysis System) system.

Light by M. John Harrison

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The novel “Light” by M. John Harrison was published for the first time in 2002. It won the James Tiptree, Jr. Award and the Finnish Tähtivaeltaja Award. It’s the first book in the Kefahuchi Tract sequence.

In 1999 , Michael Kearney is going to achieve a considerable advancement in the field of quantum physics with his colleague Brian Tate but is haunted by a kind of spectrum he calls Shrander. He’s convinced that this creature wants him to kill someone periodically, what does all this have to do with the Kefahuchi Tract, a strange cosmic disturbance recently discovered?

In 2400, Seria Mau Genlicher is a K-ship pilot. This means that she’s become part of the starship through surgery and various implants. She stole her spaceship and has become a freelance killer. A job the brings her to face the mysteries of the Kefahuchi Tract.

Ed Chianese is a former space pilot who looks for excitement seeking technological artifacts left by ancient races that have ventured close near the Kefahuchi Tract. He has a sort of addiction to virtual reality and owes money to the Cray sisters, two criminals he’s fleeing from.