APOD - Virtual Flight over Asteroid Vesta

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2019 June 30

Virtual Flight over Asteroid Vesta
Images Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech, UCLA, MPS, DLR, IDA; Animation: German Aerospace Center (DLR)

Explanation: What would it be like to fly over the asteroid Vesta? Animators from the German Aerospace Center took actual images and height data from NASA's Dawn mission when it visited asteroid Vesta a few years ago and generated a virtual movie. The featured video begins with a sequence above Divalia Fossa, an unusual pair of troughs running parallel over heavily cratered terrain. Next, the virtual spaceship explores Vesta's 60-km Marcia Crater, showing numerous vivid details. Last, Dawn images were digitally recast with exaggerated height to better reveal Vesta's 5-km high mountain Aricia Tholus. The second largest object in the Solar System's asteroid belt, Vesta is the brightest asteroid visible from Earth and can be found with binoculars. Using Vesta Trek, you can explore all over Vesta yourself.

Every June 30: Today is Asteroid Day
Tomorrow's picture: sun block

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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
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Sober Curious? The Benefits Of Giving Up Booze

Plus: A microbe that could make you run faster

Julia Robinson for NPR Could You Give Up Drinking For A Month?  Giving up drinking used to be seen as an all or nothing proposition. And for some people with alcohol addiction, it will stay that way. But now people are recognizing there's a spectrum of sobriety. For the "sober curious," that might, mean a dry night out or a month off the sauce. And a slew of sober social spaces are popping up, complete with mocktails and the buzziness of a bar. As many are discovering, laying off booze for just a short period comes with a range of benefits, including weight loss and better sleep. Learn what taking a break from alcohol can do for your health. BONUS  - Meet the entrepreneurs brewing a new wave of nonalcoholic craft beer for connoisseurs. Karrastock/Getty Images We're Getting Angrier - Is There An Upside? Americans are mad -- and getting madder, according to a new NPR-IBM Watson Health poll. This poll found that 84% of people think Americans are angrier today than they were a generation ago. Factors contributing to anger may include reading the news and spending time on social media. But the results aren’t all negative, as many of us think that anger can actually be channeled for good.  Read more to find out what’s making Americans angry. Nicolaus Czarnecki/Boston Herald via Getty Images A Microbe That Could Make Us Run Faster What if the secret to running faster lay in your gut? According to new research in the journal Nature Medicine, mice injected with a strain of bacteria found in very fit athletes had greater endurance in a running test than regular mice. Researchers still aren't sure if a probiotic supplement made of these bad boys would enhance human runners' performance, but they are hoping to find out.  Learn more about the athlete-friendly microbes that may some day give you an edge on the track.  More of this week's health stories from NPR A new way to test for consciousness in comatose patients Hospitals are suing their patients and garnishing their wages for unpaid bills The gap between rich and poor Americans' health is widening We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of NPR's health journalism on Shots and follow us on Twitter at @NPRHealth. Your Shots editor, Carmel Wroth   What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: shots@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to our Health emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002

Pride Month's LGBTQ Stories; Tragedy At The U.S.-Mexico Border; Netflix’s Street Food Star

Plus, 50 years after the Stonewall uprising.

Stories And Podcasts You May Have Missed Documenting LGBTQ Love Stories In China Raul Ariano Italian-born photographer Raul Ariano is currently based between Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He became fascinated by "Chinese people and their way of adapting themselves in the fast-paced change of their society." Over dinner during Ariano's first weekend in mainland China, he says he was talking with a friend who called LGBTQ people "sick and dangerous." "I was shocked to hear that," Ariano says. Over the course of five years, he photographed more than 30 LGBTQ people around the country for a portrait series.   50 Years After Stonewall Scott McPartland/Getty Images It's the last weekend of Pride Month, a month to celebrate the history and contributions of LGBTQ Americans. NPR's Ari Shapiro spoke with Eric Marcus of the Making Gay History podcast about his collection of oral histories on the Stonewall riots, which happened 50 years ago this week. (Listening time, 11:59)   Listen Here The Democratic Party Tries To Pivot To The Future Wilfredo Lee/AP We all tend to remember candidate debates for their emblematic moments. When history looks back on the first round of debates among Democrats in the 2020 presidential cycle, it will see a generational milestone.  NPR's Ron Elving says both nights of the twin bill in Miami put the spotlight on a national party in transition, loosening the bonds of its past and looking ahead to new personalities to propel its future.  A Family's Tragedy At The U.S.-Mexico Border Julia Le Duc/AP There are arguments for — and against — publishing the haunting image that shows a father and daughter who drowned while trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Journalist Julia Le Duc photographed the bodies of Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his 23-month-old daughter, Valeria, as they lay on the bank of the Rio Grande. The photograph first appeared in the Mexican newspaper La Jornada and has since been distributed by The Associated Press. The image of the drowned father and daughter caused outcry on social media and renewed focus on immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. News organizations faced difficult decisions about how to present the disturbing image. Editor's note: This story contains images that some readers may find disturbing. The FBI is urging universities to monitor some Chinese students and scholars in the U.S. As suspicion toward China spreads to academia, U.S. intelligence agencies have advised at least 10 U.S. universities to observe visiting Chinese academics involved in science, technology, engineering and math. American Anthem Donaldson Collection/Getty Images The feminist anthem "You Don't Own Me" is also a swaggering response to powerlessness. Ever since a 17-year-old Lesley Gore sang it in 1963, the coolly mutinous song has moved women to reject passive femininity. Its writers, though, say there are layers of civil rights resistance in its words. (Listening time, 7:12)    Listen Here The 74-year-old queen of Bangkok street food with a Michelin star. Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images Chef Jay Fai cooks everything herself over two blazing charcoal fires in the alley, using only the highest-quality ingredients to serve customers who are willing to wait several hours to nab a table. Her small, seven-table joint in Old Bangkok has earned a Michelin star for the second year running and earned her a starring role on the Netflix documentary series Street Food. (Listening time, 3:53)   Listen Here By Jill Hudson, NPR Newsletters Editor What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: bestofnpr@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to our Best of NPR emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002

Trump Meets Kim Jong Un, Steps Into North Korea

Trump Meets Kim Jong Un, Steps Into North Korea President Trump greeted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas. He briefly stepped over into North Korea, a first for a sitting U.S. president. Read More You received this message because you're subscribed to our Breaking News Alerts emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002

APOD - M83: The Thousand-Ruby Galaxx

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2019 June 29

M83: The Thousand-Ruby Galaxx
Image Credit: Subaru Telescope (NAOJ), Hubble Space Telescope,
European Southern Observatory - Processing & Copyright: Robert Gendler

Explanation: Big, bright, and beautiful, spiral galaxy M83 lies a mere twelve million light-years away, near the southeastern tip of the very long constellation Hydra. Prominent spiral arms traced by dark dust lanes and blue star clusters lend this galaxy its popular name, The Southern Pinwheel. But reddish star forming regions that dot the sweeping arms highlighted in this sparkling color composite also suggest another nickname, The Thousand-Ruby Galaxy. About 40,000 light-years across, M83 is a member of a group of galaxies that includes active galaxy Centaurus A. In fact, the core of M83 itself is bright at x-ray energies, showing a high concentration of neutron stars and black holes left from an intense burst of star formation. This sharp composite color image also features spiky foreground Milky Way stars and distant background galaxies. The image data was taken from the Subaru Telescope, the European Southern Observatory's Wide Field Imager camera, and the Hubble Legacy Archive.

Tomorrow's picture: Virtual Flight over Vesta

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< | Archive | Submissions | Index | Search | Calendar | RSS | Education | About APOD | Discuss | >

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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices
A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.

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Our Favorite Albums And Songs Of 2019 (So Far)

Plus, new music from Thom Yorke and Brittany Howard

Chelsea Beck for NPR Since we’re halfway through 2019, we figured now’s the time to reflect on the music that’s captured our attention this year. Rather than tally votes and compile a ranked list, we decided to ask some of our favorite fellow public radio writers a simple question: What’s your favorite album and song of 2019 so far? The answers span genres and include huge hits and hidden gems. Our album list ranges from Angélique Kidjo’s tribute to Celia Cruz to Weyes Blood’s richly-textured pop; from Beyonce’s spectacular live album to Caroline Shaw’s reimagining of the language for the classical string quartet. On our list of songs, our colleagues highlighted everything from Billie Elish's whisper-core to Ex Hex's edgy guitar riffs; from a confiding reflection by Bill Callahan to what one writer called "the banger of the year so far." We’re proud to present songs worth obsessing over and albums that resonate, as chosen by some of the biggest ears in the country. Here’s to hoping you find something to love, too.  Blame it on the juice, Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna New Music Radiohead's Thom Yorke released his third official solo album, ANIMA, this week. The album’s short companion film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and available on Netflix, feels artful, warm and uncharacteristically revealing. (Plus, it's got some of Yorke’s wildest dance moves yet.) Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard announced her first-ever solo album, which will be released later this summer. Jaime is named for Howard’s sister, who died of cancer when they were teenagers, and the album's first single is a swirling, punch-drunk, funk rumination on the ways repeated mistakes can hold us back. This week — just ahead of the Fourth of July — Lucy Dacus released the latest in her ongoing series of songs for holidays. “Forever Half Mast” is a conflicted song about what it means to be an American. Featuring Harry and the Potters — a punk-ish duo made up of brothers Paul and Joe DeGeorge — helped pioneer the micro-genre of "wizard rock" in 2002 (we all had to do something to fill the long gap between Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix). Now, much like You-Know-Who (but benevolent), they've returned. Ever since a 17-year-old Lesley Gore sang “You Don’t Own Me” in 1963, the coolly mutinous song has moved women to reject passive femininity. In a feature for our American Anthem series, the song’s writers say there are layers of resistance in its words. Songwriter, bandleader and producer Dave Bartholomew died last week at the age of 100. One of the architects of the rock and roll sound, he was best known for his work with Fats Domino, ultimately amassing more than 100 entries on the pop and R&B charts between 1949 and 1963. Tiny Desk Shuran Huang/NPR Betty Who makes summertime pop that’s sunny and celebratory, but she’s also got classical chops as a cellist. In town for a three-night residency at D.C.’s 9:30 Club, Betty realized a teenage dream of hers: to play the Tiny Desk. With studio production stripped away, her intricate melodies and impressive range sparkle. Incoming Over the past year, we’ve been sharing the stories behind songs that challenge, unite and celebrate us in our American Anthem series. Next week, just in time for the Fourth of July, we’ll be sharing a playlist of definitive versions of the songs we’ve spotlighted. One More Thing Happy Pride! xoxo Trixie Mattel What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprmusic@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Books, Pop Culture, Health and more! Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on Spotify and Apple Music! You received this message because you're subscribed to our NPR Music emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002