Strudel reports that the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council - began a study of ways to deflect Near Earth objects (NEOs) like asteroids. They will send a massive spacecraft and make it sit next to a NEO which will then be attracted to the spacecraft (and vice versa) via gravity. The spacecraft then will use angled thrusters to slowly move in a direction away from the asteroid, dragging it along without ever needing to make contact with the surface. The resulting space tractor would tow asteroids out of harms way albeit very slowly.



The Bad Astronomy Blog asks us to read the latest press release from the Keck Observatory, as this premier observatory houses the giant twin 10-meter telescopes perched atop Mauna Kea - at an elevation of 14,000 feet. And it claims that there is something serious way up there.



The Astroblogger of blogspot.com did not find the Sunspot group 822 in its best. It said that the Sun shone through a brief break in the clouds as it was setting, and was not possible for one to enjoy witnessing it fully, if he does not set up a proper screen!



Observing the Sky has delicately romanticized the lunar sunset and its encroaching upon Mare Crisium. Peering through the Quantum-4 telescope, it asked us to watch the engulfment of Mare Crisium, the view of which was splendid near 100x.



Spacenews Dancebeat Info informs straightaway, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter successfully fired six engines for about 20 seconds on Friday to adjust its flight path in advance of its March 10, 2006, arrival at the red planet. It further informs that since its Aug. 12 launch, the multipurpose spacecraft has covered about 60 percent of the distance for its trip from Earth to Mars.