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Animals Life on Earth

The Largest Elephant Ever Recorded : Henry

Henry, the largest elephant ever recorded, is prominently displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Henry, the largest elephant ever recorded, is prominently displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Henry, sometimes referred to as the Fénykövi elephant after the Hungarian game hunter Josef J. Fénykövi who killed him, was the largest elephant ever recorded. Weighing approximately 11 tons and standing over 13 feet (3.96 meters) tall, Henry surpassed all known living elephants. He was shot in Angola in 1955, and his impressive body was donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in 1959. Henry’s extraordinary size captivated researchers and the public alike, serving as a crucial reminder of the importance of elephant conservation. His legacy not only highlights the majestic nature of these animals but also underscores the threats they face in their natural habitats today.

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Solar System

All Moons in Our Solar System [2024 Update]

The moons of the Solar System
The moons of the Solar System. If some of these moons were situated in different locations (orbiting the Sun instead of another planet), astronomers would define them as planets. Seven of the top ten largest non-planets in the Solar System are all moons.

As of June 2023, there are 290 confirmed moons in our solar system. A moon, also known as a natural satellite, is a celestial body that orbits planets, and asteroids. This number includes only the planetary moons (moons orbiting a planet) plus Pluto’s moons. Here is the list of the known planetary moons in the solar system.

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Space Exploration Astronomy Earth from Space Mars Solar System

Budget of NASA, Year by Year [1980-1989]

The first Space Shuttle launch: April 12, 1981
The first Space Shuttle launch: Just seconds past 7 a.m. on April 12, 1981, Space Shuttle Columbia carries astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen into an Earth orbital mission scheduled to last for 54 hours, ending with unpowered landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

From 1980 to 1989, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) experienced one of its most eventful and transformative decades. During these years, NASA’s budget reflected the agency’s evolving priorities and the challenges it faced. This era was defined by significant milestones, including the launch and regular missions of the Space Shuttle program, which revolutionized space transportation. However, it was also marked by the tragic Challenger disaster in 1986. Through highs and lows, NASA’s funding patterns during this decade provide insights into the U.S. government’s commitment to space exploration and its response to unforeseen events. This article will detail the year-by-year budget of NASA throughout the 1980s, juxtaposed against the backdrop of its achievements and challenges.

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Space Exploration Earth from Space Mars Moon Landing Solar System

Budget of NASA, Year by Year [1970-1979]

Apollo 15 Lunar Roving Vehicle
Image from Apollo 15, taken by Commander David Scott at the end of EVA-1. Lunar Module Pilot Jim Irwin is seen with the Lunar Roving Vehicle, with Mount Hadley in the background. Seen on the back of the Rover are two SCBs mounted on the gate, along with the rake, both pairs of tongs, the extension handle with scoop probably attached, and the penetrometer. Note that the TV camera is pointed down, in the stowed position. Image source: Apollo 15 Map and Image Library on the NASA History website

The budget of NASA from 1970 to 1979 marks a decade of transition and continued exploration in space science. Building on the success of the Moon landing, this period saw the development and execution of significant missions such as the Viking landings on Mars, the launch of Skylab, America’s first space station, and the inception of the Space Shuttle program. The funding during these years played a vital role in maintaining America’s leadership in space exploration and technology. In this article, we will examine the year-by-year budget of NASA that enabled these groundbreaking achievements and shaped the direction of human spaceflight and planetary exploration.

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Space Exploration Earth from Space Mars Moon Landing Solar System

Budget of NASA, Year by Year [1958-2024]

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon (cropped)
Moon Landing: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot, stands on the surface of the moon near the leg of the lunar module, Eagle, during the Apollo 11 moonwalk. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, mission commander, took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. While Armstrong and Aldrin descended in the lunar module to explore the Sea of Tranquility, astronaut Michael Collins, command module pilot, remained in lunar orbit with the Command and Service Module, Columbia.
This is the actual photograph as exposed on the moon by Armstrong. He held the camera slightly rotated so that the camera frame did not include the top of Aldrin's portable life support system ("backpack").
A communications antenna mounted on top of the backpack is also cut off in this picture. When the image was released to the public, it was rotated clockwise to restore the astronaut to vertical for a more harmonious composition, and a black area was added above his head to recreate the missing black lunar "sky" (Related: Why there are no stars in space photos?). The edited version is the one most commonly reproduced and known to the public, but the original version, above, is the authentic exposure. This image was cataloged by NASA Headquarters of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: AS11-40-5903. Image: Wikipedia

Have you ever wondered what is the budget of NASA? Charting the course of human history, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has turned science fiction into reality since its establishment on July 29, 1958. With an array of incredible feats, from Moon landings to Mars rovers, NASA has continually pushed the boundaries of space exploration. This journey hasn’t been without its costs, however, and the exploration of NASA’s annual budget from its inception to the present day offers a compelling insight into the financial fuel behind these momentous accomplishments. Here’s the budget of NASA, year by year between 1958 and 2024.

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Space Exploration Earth from Space Mars Moon Landing Solar System

Budget of NASA, Year by Year [1958-1969]

Apollo 11: Buzz Aldrin on the Moon
Probably the most iconic event in the 20th century: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the surface of the moon near the leg of the lunar module Eagle during the Apollo 11 mission. Mission commander Neil Armstrong took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. While astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin explored the Sea of Tranquility region of the moon, astronaut Michael Collins remained with the command and service modules in lunar orbit.

The budget of NASA from 1958 to 1969 represents a crucial period in the history of space exploration. During these transformative years, NASA’s funding saw significant fluctuations, reflecting the national priorities and ambitions of the time. This period marked the inception of the Apollo program, leading to the landmark achievement of putting a human on the Moon in 1969. Additionally, other pioneering missions such as the Mercury and Gemini programs laid the groundwork for human spaceflight. This era also witnessed the launch of various scientific and exploratory satellites. In this article, we will delve into the year-by-year budgetary allocations and how they shaped these historic milestones.

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Moon Landing Space Exploration

Moon Landings: All-Time List [1966-2024]

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon (cropped)
Moon Landing: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot, stands on the surface of the moon near the leg of the lunar module, Eagle, during the Apollo 11 moonwalk. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, mission commander, took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. While Armstrong and Aldrin descended in the lunar module to explore the Sea of Tranquility, astronaut Michael Collins, command module pilot, remained in lunar orbit with the Command and Service Module, Columbia.
This is the actual photograph as exposed on the moon by Armstrong. He held the camera slightly rotated so that the camera frame did not include the top of Aldrin's portable life support system ("backpack").
A communications antenna mounted on top of the backpack is also cut off in this picture. When the image was released to the public, it was rotated clockwise to restore the astronaut to vertical for a more harmonious composition, and a black area was added above his head to recreate the missing black lunar "sky" (Related: Why there are no stars in space photos?). The edited version is the one most commonly reproduced and known to the public, but the original version, above, is the authentic exposure. This image was cataloged by NASA Headquarters of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: AS11-40-5903. Image: Wikipedia

In the history of Space Exploration, numerous space missions have been undertaken to study the Moon, the Earth’s natural satellite. Here’s the list of successful moon landings (crewed and uncrewed) with dates and mission summaries.

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Space Exploration

Space Shuttle Endeavour’s Touchdown Meets Columbia’s Salute [An amazing photo from the past]

The space shuttle Endeavour receives a high-flying salute from its sister shuttle, Columbia, atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, shortly after the landing of Endeavour on October 11, 1994
An amazing photo from the past: The space shuttle Endeavour receives a high-flying salute from its sister shuttle, Columbia, atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, shortly after Endeavour's landing on October 11, 1994, at Edwards, California, to complete mission STS-68. Columbia was being ferried from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, to Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, where it will undergo six months of inspections, modifications, and systems upgrades. The STS-68 11-day mission was devoted to radar imaging of Earth's geological features with the Space Radar Laboratory. The orbiter is surrounded by equipment and personnel that make up the ground support convoy that services the space vehicles as soon as they land.

An amazing photo from the past: The space shuttle Endeavour receives a high-flying salute from its sister shuttle, Columbia, atop NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, shortly after Endeavour’s landing on October 11, 1994, at Edwards, California, to complete mission STS-68. Columbia was being ferried from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, to Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, where it will undergo six months of inspections, modifications, and systems upgrades. The STS-68 11-day mission was devoted to radar imaging of Earth’s geological features with the Space Radar Laboratory. The orbiter is surrounded by equipment and personnel that make up the ground support convoy that services the space vehicles as soon as they land.

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Space Exploration Energy Technology

From Orbit to Ordinary: 10 Earthly Applications of Space Technology

Space Shuttle Discovery was first launched on August 30, 1984
Space Shuttle Discovery was first launched on August 30, 1984

Space exploration and programs, often seen as lofty pursuits aimed at the stars, have a profound and often overlooked impact on our daily lives. While debates continue about prioritizing earthly concerns over cosmic exploration, it’s enlightening to recognize that many innovations we rely on daily are direct results of space research. From the solar cells powering homes to the satellite navigation guiding our journeys, space technology has silently woven itself into the fabric of our everyday existence, transforming and enhancing our world in unanticipated ways.

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Categories
Animals

How Fast Can a Cheetah Run?

Sarah the cheetah, running
How fast can a cheetah run? The fastest properly authenticated cheetah was a female South African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) named Sarah that lived in the Cincinnati Zoo. She was known as the world's fastest land mammal according to National Geographic magazine. She ran 100 meters in 5.95 seconds in 2012 when she was 11 years old, and was radar-timed at up to 61 miles (98.1 kilometers) an hour. She died (put to sleep because of her diminished quality of life) on 22 January 2016 at the age of 15. Photo: a captured image of Sarah from a high speed video clip.

The cheetah, renowned as the fastest land animal on Earth, epitomizes speed like no other creature. While we often hear of its unparalleled velocity, a question that frequently arises is: how fast can a cheetah actually run? Across various sources, speeds ranging from 96 to 120 kilometers per hour (60 to 75 miles per hour) are cited. However, the most accurately documented speed comes from an exceptional individual, a South African cheetah named Sarah (c. 2001-January 22, 2016) from the Cincinnati Zoo.

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