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I’ve learnt a lot in the last year, But specifically how I should let go of the past.

Babbar-Sher (via wnq-writers)

Even before you touched me, I belonged to you; all you had to do was look at me.

Louise Glück, “The Burning Heart” (via wordsnquotes)

20 Years of the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory

The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, SOHO for short, has captured the imagination of scientists and the public alike for two decades now. We teamed up with the European Space Agency (ESA) on SOHO, which observes the sun from space. It was launched 20 years ago this week, on Dec. 2, 1995, with the mission to study the internal structure of our neighborhood star, its atmosphere and the origin of the solar wind. SOHO sends spectacular data daily, and has led scientists to a wealth of understanding.

Here are the top 5 things you need to know about SOHO, the sun and other solar observation missions:

1. SOHO Set Out for Space with an Ambitious Mission

SOHO was designed to answer three fundamental scientific questions about the sun: What are the structure and dynamics of the solar interior? Why does the solar corona exist and how is it heated to such an extremely high temperature? Where is the solar wind produced and how is it accelerated? Clues about the solar interior come from studying seismic waves that appear as ripples on the sun’s surface, a technique called helioseismology.

2. SOHO Enjoys a Great View

SOHO commands an uninterrupted view of the sun, while always staying within easy communication range of controllers at home. The space-based observatory moves around the sun in step with the Earth, by slowly orbiting around a unique point in space called the First Lagrangian Point (L1). There, the combined gravity of the Earth and sun keep SOHO in a position that’s always between the sun and the Earth. The L1 point is about 1 million miles (about 1.5 million kilometers) away from Earth (about four times the distance to the Moon).

3. Bonus Discoveries: Lots of Comets

Besides watching the sun, SOHO has become the most prolific discoverer of comets in astronomical history. In September 2015, SOHO found its 3000th comet. Sometimes the spacecraft’s instruments capture comets plunging to their death as they collide with the sun.

4. Extra Innings

SOHO was meant to operate until 1998, but it was so successful that ESA and NASA decided to prolong its life several times and endorsed several mission extensions. Because of this, the mission has been able to observe an entire 11-year solar cycle and much of the next.

5. Keep Your Eye (Safely) on the Sun

You can see what SOHO sees, almost in real time. The latest images from the spacecraft, updated several times daily, are available online. Take a look HERE. 

Also, make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com

Quirky Science Inspired Glassware by Geoff and Kristen Zephyrus

Portland-based couple Kristen and Geoff Zephyrus create quirky science inspired glassware as a full-time job. A trained graphic designer and glass expert from MassArt, Geoff is the artist, while Kristen is the brains, behind the quirky and intelligent collaboration. Their motto is to create “smart gifts for smart people” with a whimsical sensibility.

Scientifically accurate, the glassware pays homage to calculus and chemistry equations. Dabbing into puns, each piece contains the chemistry equation of its designated liquid, i.e., the mug is scripted with the chemical formula of caffeine; whereas the tall glass is etched with “H2O”, the most famous chemical compound.

In addition to the cleverly composed glassware, the duo celebrates some of the most brilliant minds who have contributed to science. Engraved in tall beer glasses are the portraits of Charles Darwin, Nikola Tesla, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein and Rosalind Franklin.

Overall each creation begs the companion of a lab partner to grab a cup of coffee with, have a glass of wine with or a chilled beer. You can find their entire collection in their Etsy shop.

Some people bring out the worst in you, others bring out the best, and then there are those remarkably rare, addictive ones who just bring out the most. Of everything. They make you feel so alive that you’d follow them straight into hell…

Karen Marie Moning, Shadowfever (via wordsnquotes)

Vintage Spaceships Mini Poster