Physics and Astronomy News Archive: February 2006

Image: NASA Scientist Looks at Olympic Ice in a Frozen Light

NASA Scientist Looks at Olympic Ice in a Frozen Light

Source: NASA   Posted: 2/27/06

NASA scientist Peter Wasilewski's studies of ice using polarized light create beautiful colored pictures of the snow and ice, and enable people to see if the snow and ice is 'right' for each type of sport.
Image: Next Leap in Mars Exploration Nears Arrival

Next Leap in Mars Exploration Nears Arrival

Source: JPL/NASA   Posted: 2/27/06

As it nears Mars on March 10, a NASA spacecraft designed to examine the red planet in unprecedented detail from low orbit will point its main thrusters forward, then fire them to slow itself enough for Mars' gravity to grab it into orbit.
Image: Hackers beware! New technique uses photons, physics to foil codebreakers

Hackers beware! New technique uses photons, physics to foil codebreakers

Source: UToronto   Posted: 2/27/06

For governments and corporations in the business of transmitting sensitive data over fibre optic cables, a new physics-based system offers the protective equivalent of a fire-breathing dragon.
Image: Popular site sheds light on meteorites

Popular site sheds light on meteorites

Source: WUSTL   Posted: 2/27/06

The mysterious orb you find in your backyard that wasn't there just the day before has to be a meteorite, right? Wrong. Overwhelmingly the chances are it's a meteorwrong.