Following on form SpaceX's successes Oribital Sciences Corporation are now looking set to start suppling the ISS with their Antares rocket and Cygnus capsule wi=hich had a successful test yesterday following weather delays:

See below

Comet Thatcher will be causing the Lyrid meteor shower tonight (22nd April).

I just thought it was apt seeing as we've (as a nation) have just buried our first lady prime minister of the same name.

Well, I was finally able to get the telescope/camera to produce an image that's at least nominally recognizable. It's not much, and needs a lot of work, but at least it's a start.

You can just make out 4 of Jupiter's moons there (the 4th is barely visible, to the lower right). While not visible in the image, Io is making it's way across Jupiter's disk, in a transit. I was really hoping to be able to capture that particular detail, but I'm afraid I don't have the magnification to do so, yet. But I have more lenses/other kit on the way, so maybe next time.



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Does what it say on the tin

http://distancetomars.com/

Check out their YouTube channel.

This is cool.

As most know I have purchased a Samsung 500t tablet that I had to RMA due to it not charging, and I was sent a brand new one. but the process took close to a month. I been using the new now for a few days and it been working flawlessly. well up until today. I used the tablet for most of the morning, then went out. I came back plugged the tablet in and started it up, after a minute or two of use I heard the dreadful loud sound of a capacitor whine and pop

No smoke, no heat, 20 minutes later the tablet is still running with no other issues, and all appears to be working fine. I tested usb, mic, auto rotation, etc etc etc and all seem to work fine

I cannot test Bluetooth for I have no blue tooth devises.

Now I am unsure what to due, should I RMA the tablet?
if I do I'm sure newegg cannot test for a blown capacitor and seeing all appears too work they would probably turn the rma down and send it back or charge me a 15% restocking fee

other option is to just keep the unit, for I really like the tablet and all that it offers

what would you guys do?

In a bid to justify buying a 3D printer, I've been looking into 3D modelling software.

I have some experience with 3DS MAX and SolidWorks but have never been good at modelling organic things.
I have found a cool, intuitive piece of software for 3D modelling called Silo. It's only 20-25MB and cost $109 but has a 30 day trial.
There is a good tutorial on YouTube (see below) and although I'm not as good as this guy, I have created a robot head on my first attempt with some success. Still learning the controls.