This episode contains: We have all three science podcasters on this episode. After going around the horn saying how we’ve been doing we get down to business.
Look Up, Picard: NASA’s Webb Reaches Alignment Milestone, Optics Working Successfully. On March 11, the Webb team completed the stage of alignment known as “fine phasing.” At this key stage in the commissioning of Webb’s Optical Telescope Element, every optical parameter that has been checked and tested is performing at, or above, expectations.
https://www.webb.nasa.gov/content/webbLaunch/whereIsWebb.html
The Week In Space: Moon’s orbit proposed as a gravitational wave detector. Researchers propose using the variations in distance between the Earth and the Moon, which can be measured with a precision of less than a centimeter, as a new gravitational wave detector within a frequency range that current devices cannot detect. The research could pave the way for the detection of signals from the early universe.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220317094755.htm
Follow The Sun: Materials scientists finding solutions to biggest hurdle for solar cell technology. Materials scientists have discovered the major reason why perovskite solar cells — which show great promise for improved energy-conversion efficiency — degrade in sunlight, causing their performance to suffer over time. The team successfully demonstrated a simple manufacturing adjustment to fix the cause of the degradation, clearing the biggest hurdle toward the widespread adoption of the thin-film solar cell technology.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220315141803.htm
Science Fiction: Ben fist gives us his review of the Kobo Sage, which was recommended by one of our Patrons. We then discuss the season finally of Star Trek: Discovery, episode 3 of season 2 of Star Trek: Picard, The Batman, and more!
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