SPACECRAFT ENTERS EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE, GIVES MAGNIFICENT LIGHT SHOW CAUGHT ON FILM (VIDEO)

On June 13th, the Japanese spacecraft, Hayabusu, re-entered the earth's atmosphere and exploded, giving an unbelieveable lightshow high above the Australian outback, where a science team from NASA, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and other agency members had a front row seat (see video). The spacecraft returned from a 1.25 billion mile journey from the comet Itokawa carrying a sample return canister containing material from the moving asteroid.

The spacecraft's explosion was expected. The intention of the observation of the re-entry was to study how well the heat shield protected the sample return canister upon re-entry to earth. When watching the video, you'll see a small pinpoint of light shooting forward after the explosion occurs. The pinpoint is the canister, which scientists say held comet samples. Okay, we have plenty of questions about this situation. PLENTY! Must do research... [Gawker]

GREAT! NOW WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SOLAR STORMS?!

Scientists predict that around May 2013 earth will experience a geomagnetic storm similar to that of the one in 1859 when a huge solar flare swept over the earth causing telegraphs to short and houses to burn. It also caused a very bright aura that could be seen in Hawaii-- so bright that people could read the newspaper by its light. But no worries! Science is to the rescue! NASA has created a Space Weather Enterprise Forum and selected scientists are meeting next week in DC. There they will discuss how to keep these encroaching solar storms from destroying the earth the next 3 years! One of NASA's biggest concerns is that satellite usage will be mull and void should these storms actually happen. And, you know what we use satellites for? Yup! Most of our technological gizmos and gadgets. Cell phones, internet, TV and radio transmissions, even credit cards transactions! Imagine that. It's end of days, People! Get ready! [Gawker]