Wow, busy day in the world of space and science today. There’s lots to cover, so let’s dive right in:
- Friday, January 29 will bring us the biggest and brightest full moon of the year, and this article explains WHY it’s so much bigger and brighter than all the others. We also learn that the first full moon of the year is called the Wolf Moon, and that anyone with clear skies over their head tonight will be able to see it.
- Speaking of the moon… according to several published reports, President Obama is expected to end NASA’s plan to return to the moon. But that doesn’t mean that he’s backing away from funding space travel. In fact, early estimates say that he’s committing $100 billion dollars to space exploration through the year 2015 — but where and how that money is spent looks to be drastically changing.
- India, the world’s second most populous country and a rapidly-growing world power, is planning a manned space mission for the year 2016. The proposal, which still needs final approval, would send two astronauts into orbit for seven days.
- And last but not least, construction is underway in New Mexico on the runway to space. Expect this to become a much bigger story in the months and years ahead.