All flights to and from El Paso, Texas, have been grounded for ten days for “Special Security Reasons”, the Federal Aviation Administration announced.

Shutting down airspace of a major US city for such an extended period hasn’t happened since the aftermath of 9-11.

Why curling rocks come from just two spots on Earth The rocks used in the Olympic sport of curling come from one island in Scotland and one quarry in Wales. What makes them so special?

Yes, we talked to a geologist who curls about the very special geology of curling's stones, please enjoy

Possible identification of the Luna 9 Moon landing site using a novel machine learning algorithm - npj Space Exploration npj Space Exploration - Possible identification of the Luna 9 Moon landing site using a novel machine learning algorithm

Possible identification of the Luna 9 Moon landing site using a novel machine learning algorithm: www.nature.com/articles/s44... -> NASA's Lunar Orbiter May Have Spotted Long-Lost Luna 9 Spacecraft, 60 Years After It Vanished: www.iflscience.com/nasas-lunar-...

YouTube video by NASA's Ames Research Center New Supercomputer Simulation Sheds Light on Moon’s Origin

the moon's origin story is also the trippiest screensaver you'll ever watch

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRlh...

Map showing total solar eclipses over Australia

I am continuously fascinated that Australia is going to get FOUR total solar eclipses over ten years, from 2028 to 2038.

Never seen anything like it. What quirk of orbital dynamics has made this happen?

people here seeking individual safety leading to a collective problem is the US thing to do. it's how we got infinite surveillance after 9/11, our gun industry, ever larger SUVs. if there's some way for us to each get scared that leads to society being worse we'll do that 10/10 times that's our deal

China performed a successful in-flight abort test of the Mengzhou crew spacecraft and a reentry, powered descent and splashdown of a first stage CZ-10A today. Big step for its lunar and human spaceflight programs

AST SpaceMobile Successfully Completes Unfolding of BlueBird 6, the Largest Commercial Communications Array Antenna Ever Deployed in Low Earth Orbit

www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...

Glad to see communities protecting and helping their birds like this. 🪶

Radar on-obit is getting better and better, with dwell mode aircraft in shelters are visible...

Source: iceye_global
www.iceye.com/sar-data/ima...

Replacement to the collapsed service platform, that disabled the only launch pad for piloted Soyuz rockets, was now installed at Site 31, according to rumors from Baikonur, marking a major milestone in the repairs of the facility: russianspaceweb.com/baikonur-r7-...

I’ve never liked Berger. It’s not exactly a secret I keep close.

But calling him “Historically a Musk fanboy) is a huge understatement. He is a major reason SpaceX developed such a cult like following, and is also financially tied to their successes from his access journalism and book deal.

The Crew-12 launch is being delayed a day due to weather. Now Feb 12 at 5:38 am ET.
www.nasa.gov/blogs/commer...

Japan Defense Stocks Surge on Takaichi’s National Security Plans Japan’s defense stocks surged on Monday after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s historic election victory raised investor expectations that her drive to strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities will acce...

big things are afoot in japan www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Musk has always been simply an adept salesman. Period.

The spot grew to rivaling the Earth-Moon distance in just a few days. The group also kicked off several X-class flares, which Earth dodged.

Be sure to take one last look, as the spot rotates out of view this week. AR4366 is still big enough to see with eclipse glasses, no magnification needed.

Sunspot growth.

How fast did massive sunspot group AR 4366 grow into existence? Jim Tegerdine of Roseburg Oregon made this amazing graph charting the horizontal versus vertical growth of the group in size from February 1st, through the 8th, based on NASA/SDO data. spaceweathergallery2.com/indiv_upload...

Proton rocket returned to launch pad this morning in preparation for its first flight in nearly three years on Thursday: russianspaceweb.com/2026.html#el...

Chinese scientists have shown for the first time that impact cratering rates on the Moon’s near and far sides are consistent, paving the way for a unified lunar chronology. Using Chang’e-6 far-side samples and remote sensing, they updated the classic crater model. Published in - #ScienceAdvances

Un lanceur unique de par son origine (envoyer des bombes), son histoire (sondes lunaires, martiennes, modules de stations) et son architecture !

Hélas sa production est arrêtée depuis des années et il n’en reste qu’une dizaine en stock. Une fusée emblématique au même titre que Soyouz.

The Indian government prominently refers to things like 'chakras' in its official stuff. How to participate? Aura ka laura ho gaya hai.

SpaceX Gives $1 Million Prize to Literal Nazi Who Has Bragged About His Profound Racism X, now owned by SpaceX, just awarded a $1 million prize to a user who openly brags about his racist beliefs.

WTF DO YOU EXPECT FROM A WHITE SUPREMACIST?
Nazis love nazis.

futurism.com/artificial-i...

The Ring | Mars Perseverance Sol 1764: L/L/R Mastcam-Z Cameras enhanced mosaic panorama NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Left Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast. Feb. 5, 2026 (Sol 1764), 12:15:52 source images: Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1764_0823537809_159EBY_N0840000ZCAM09818_1100LMJ | _ZR0_1764_ | _ZL0_1764_0823537822_ Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Jackie Branc

🔴 The Ring | #Mars #Perseverance

Sol 1764: L/L/R Mastcam-Z Cameras
enhanced mosaic panorama
Feb. 5, 2026 (Sol 1764), 12:15:52
source img: Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1764_0823537809_159EBY_N0840000ZCAM09818_1100LMJ | _ZR0_1764_ | _0823537822_

Image Credit: #NASA/ #JPL-Caltech/ #ASU/ Jackie Branc

#ring

Most of the Sun is pictured peeking over a hill. On the surface of the Sun are several sunspots including a very large sunspot region toward the center-right. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

🔭 Active Sunspot Region 4366 Crosses the Sun

Image Credit & Copyright: Daniel Korona

apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26020...

Jupiter experienced a triple solar eclipse in 2004.

The Sun simultaneously cast the shadows of three different moons - Io, Ganymede and Callisto - onto the planet.

Two of those moons can also be seen crossing Jupiter’s face.

Image: NASA/ESA/University of Arizona/E. Karkoschka

#astronomy

Girl same.

Madhabi Mukherjee should more often be in discussion for India's greatest actresses, IMO, but she is very mis-cast as a
Vyjayanthimala-style Mughal-era princess in this. Biwajeet and his pompadour are similarly out of place. (Garh Nasimpur, 1968) #desiwatch

China builds world’s first 20GW microwave weapon that can fire a 60-second burst Ground-based and compact Chinese technology can disrupt or damage Starlink satellites operating in low Earth orbit.

"Measuring just four metres long (13 feet) and weighing only five tonnes, it is compact enough to be mounted on trucks, warships, aircraft or even satellites." 🤨
www.scmp.com/news/china/s...

China sends fourth ‘Shenlong’ reusable spacecraft mission into orbit Programme for ‘peaceful use of outer space’ launched in 2020 is seen as potential rival to US Space Force’s X-37B.

"State news agency Xinhua described the latest launch as another planned round of 'technology verification' for China’s reusable spacecraft programme" and that "The experiment will provide technical support for 'the peaceful use of outer space'"
www.scmp.com/news/china/s...

Recommended for anyone trying to wrap their heads around what just happed in Japan.