A Week of Unforgettable Science Stories
A lot has happened in the last week, and it’s essential to catch up on the most interesting science news. This week’s stories include the passing of trailblazing aviator Wally Funk, the release of a new batch of declassified UFO files, and China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft reaching its asteroid target.
Source: engadget.com
A Legend Passes On: Wally Funk (1929-2023)
Wally Funk, a pioneering aviator and one of the aspiring astronauts in the Mercury 13 program, passed away at the age of 87. Her remarkable life was marked by numerous achievements, including being the first female inspector for the FAA and briefly holding the record for being the oldest person to go to space. Funk’s legacy serves as an inspiration to aspiring astronauts and scientists around the world.
Wally Funk’s incredible life story is a testament to her determination and passion for exploration. Born in 1929, Funk’s love for flying led her to become one of the first female pilots in the United States. Her involvement in the Mercury 13 program, which aimed to select female astronauts for the early American space program, was a significant milestone in the history of space exploration. Although she never had the opportunity to fly in space, Funk’s contributions to the field of aviation and space exploration are undeniable.
The Pentagon Releases New Batch of UFO Files
Since the beginning of May, the US Department of Defense has been uploading files related to unidentified anomalous (or aerial) phenomena (UAPs) on a public database. The fourth batch of declassified documents, released on Friday, includes reports from NASA, the Department of Energy, the CIA, the Department of Defense, and the FBI going back decades. The administration has stated its commitment to bringing transparency around the government’s knowledge of UAPs and will continue to release declassified documents on a rolling basis.
The latest batch of unsealed documents contains scans of paper documents with firsthand accounts of sightings, some with illustrations and photos, along with a slew of videos. This release is part of the government’s effort to increase transparency and provide the public with access to information about UAPs. The administration’s commitment to openness and transparency is a significant step forward in addressing the public’s concerns about UAPs.
China’s Tianwen-2 Reaches Its Asteroid Target
China’s space probe, Tianwen-2, has reached its target asteroid, 2016HO3, also known as Kamo’oalewa. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) shared an image of the asteroid taken from just 12.4 miles away (20 kilometers). The spacecraft is expected to remain in the asteroid’s vicinity for several months, collecting a sample that will be delivered back to Earth in late 2027.
China’s attempt to grab material from the surface of an asteroid follows successful sample return missions by the US and Japan in recent years, which have yielded insights into the conditions that existed in the early solar system. Asteroid 2016HO3 is a quasi-satellite, looping around our planet but never venturing very far away as both Earth and the asteroid orbit the sun.
Asteroid 2016HO3 is very small, with a diameter estimated to be in the ballpark of 100 feet. The observations by Tianwen-2 should allow for more precise measurements soon. After leaving the asteroid next year, the spacecraft will depart for the main-belt comet 311P.
Before You Go: Catch Up on These Other Stories
Before we conclude, here are some other stories worth exploring: metal balls from space are popping up on Australia’s beaches, a photographer has published a DIY tutorial on taking photos of Jupiter with a Game Boy Camera and a giant telescope, China has become the second country to recover a rocket booster, and the FCC has granted approval for a sun-reflecting space mirror that has been widely criticized by astronomers. Additionally, NASA has transferred ownership of a Maryland woodland to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
