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Rosetta data puts the origin of Earth's water in doubt
Scientists are pretty sure that Earth's water didn't originate on Earth itself, so where did it come from, exactly? Many believe the source is water-rich comets that bashed into our planet billions of years ago. However, new observations from the Rosetta spacecraft have weakened that theory. After it scanned the water vapor streaming from Comet 67P (above), ESA scientists found that there was three times more deuterium (heavy water) than found on Earth. That's significant, because of 11 comets measured to date, only one has the same water we do -- Comet 103P, a Jupiter-class (Kuiper Belt) comet analyzed by the ESA's Herschel telescope in 2011.
Rosetta's camera takes the first color image of its comet
If you thought the comet where Philae recently touched down (multiple times) was steel gray in color, we've got news for you -- it's actually a juicy red-brown. Despite the success of the orbiting Rosetta probe, it launched in 2004 so its camera doesn't have the latest tech. As a result, all images of the Manhattan-sized rock have been strictly gray-scale so far. But an upcoming research paper has revealed new images using the full spectrum of Rosetta's OSIRIS Narrow Angle Camera. The image appears blurry because each color slice was shot from a slightly different angle as Rosetta transited around the comet.
Philae comet lander is sleeping, but not quiet
Philae's fate remains unknown as it snoozes underneath a cliff on comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko. But in the last few days, its ground crew has released a handful of updates that give us a better idea of what it's gone through since it left Rosetta for the comet, as well as of its current state. To start with, the team has released a 3D image of the comet's surface (seen after the break) from two miles above the ground, captured one hour before the intrepid lander was supposed touch down. Philae took the two photos of the original landing site two minutes apart using the Rosetta Lander Imaging System (ROLIS).
Sweet dreams, Philae: ESA's lander goes to sleep in the absence of sunlight
ESA's comet lander Philae has ran out of batteries and gone to sleep at 7:30PM on November 14th, 2014. It was supposed to harness solar energy to continue its operations, but it unfortunately bounced twice during touchdown and settled in the shade. That doesn't mean the project failed, though -- before the machine's power source ran out, the ground crew decided to throw caution to the wind and proceed with the more physical parts of material gathering. See, after landing in a less than ideal position, the team thought it best to just collect molecules from the comet's surface and perform the experiments (about 80 percent of the total number) that didn't require mechanical movement.
ESA's comet lander is stuck in the shadows (and it needs solar power)
When the Philae lander reached the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko after a decade in space, the ESA expected it to draw energy from the sun to power its scientific instruments. Unfortunately, it's now stuck in the worst place possible: in the shade, where it's exposed to the sun only three hours per day. According to the probe's lead scientist Jean-Pierre Bibring: "We are exactly below a cliff, so we are in a shadow permanently." In order for the lander to continue collecting samples and crunching data to beam back to Rosetta, it needs at least six to seven hours of daily sunlight. It's been sniffing and analyzing molecules from the comet's surface thus far, but once its main batteries run out on Saturday (they can only power the lander for 64 hours from the time it separated from Rosetta), it'll have to lay in hibernation unless its situation somehow improves.
Engadget Daily: YouTube Music Key, Rosetta lands on comet 67P and more!
Today, ladies and gentlemen, mankind landed a probe on the surface of a comet. Cool, right? But that's not all that went down -- read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours, including YouTube's Music Key subscription service, Samsung's new 3D camera and our wearables buyer's guide.
Rosetta's Philae lander touches down on comet after 10-year quest (update: new image)
After Rosetta's 10-year journey -- capped off with the smooth 7-hour descent of its Philae lander -- an explosion of elation went up in the European Space Agency's mission control center in Darmstadt, Germany. At around 11:04AM Eastern Time, humanity has, for the first time in history, carefully coaxed an extension of itself onto the surface of a comet. The first few moments after landing turned tense as the ESA team worked to determine if everything worked, but Philae Lander Manager Stephan Ullamec broke the strained silence. "The harpoons have been fired and the landing gear has been moved inside. We're on the surface. Philae is talking to us, more data to come," he said. Spacecraft operations manager Andrea Accomazzo (whom the internet started calling "ESA Hoodie Guy") couldn't quite help himself. "We can't be happier than we are now," he yelped. Update: ESA just released the first image from Rosetta on the surface of the comet (above) with one of its three feet visible in the foreground. The full panorama will be available at 2PM ET.
Watch the European Space Agency's comet landing live
After being launched nearly 10 years ago, the ESA's Rosetta mission is about to reach a major milestone -- and you'll be able to watch as it all unfolds. Over the next few hours, NASA will be live-streaming the mission's attempt at putting its Philae lander on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (say that 10 times fast). The space agency revealed this event would be happening a couple months ago, as it looks to send the 67-pound lander to drill into the comet's surface, learn more about its composition and, subsequently, send that information back to earth. It's also going to be the first time ever any images are captured from the surface of a comet, so you probably shouldn't miss that. The ESA expects the landing to take place at around 11:02AM ET tomorrow (November 12th), which means you still have plenty of time to invite friends over for a viewing party, if you're into that sort of thing.
Scientists say comets smell like hell
Remember Rosetta? It's the European Space Agency mission to drop a probe onto Comet 67P and observe it as it passed around the sun. As the object warmed, it began to emit gasses which, using a pair of mass spectrometers, tell us what the comet is made up of and, more importantly, what it smells like. The ESA already knew that we'd see methane, methanol and ammonia, but were surprised to see hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen cyanide and sulphur dioxide. That means that if you were to stand on the comet and take a deep breath - assuming you hadn't already died - you'd enjoy a heady mix of horse crap, rotten eggs and vinegar. The scientific rationale for the discovery is that we now know a little bit more about how comets are created. But if you ever wanted to recreate the experience of standing atop Comet 67P as it hurtles around the sun, all you have to do is stand outside your local nightclub on a Sunday morning.
The Big Picture: Philae lander snaps a selfie as it passes by comet
The European Space Agency's (ESA) Philae lander has a knack for taking selfies. Last month, it passed by Comet 67P/C-G at a distance of 50 km (31 miles) attached to the ESA's Rosetta spacecraft. This time around, Philae got even closer before snapping the picture -- coming within 16 km (10 miles). In the image above, you'll notice one of Philae's 14-meter (46-foot) long solar arrays in a snapshot that combines two images with different exposures for a proper visual. An on-board CIVA (Comet Infrared and Visible Analyser) employs a collection of micro-cameras to capture panoramas used to study the surface. The Philae lander is set to depart Rosetta next month to get an even closer look when it'll land on the comet's surface for further research. [Photo credit: ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA]
The Big Picture: Scientists pick a landing site for their historic comet probe
You're not just looking at an unassuming piece of rock -- if anything, it's a piece of history. That's Site J, the European Space Agency's long-awaited choice of landing spot for Philae, the first probe built to reach a comet's surface. Scientists chose the seemingly uneventful location because it should offer the best chances of studying the comet's nucleus and other material without worrying about impurities. It should also guarantee that Philae both stays in touch with its Rosetta mothership and maintains just enough power to get its job done. You'll likely have to wait until touchdown on November 11th to get a closer look, but this at least serves as a good preview. [Image credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA]
European Space Agency eyes potential landing sites for comet probe
Now that the Rosetta spacecraft is orbiting its target comet, the European Space Agency is finalizing the plans for the ship's Philae lander ahead of a historic touchdown on November 11th. The team has picked five potential landing sites that meet its requirements, all of which should keep Philae in contact with its mothership, minimize terrain hazards and offer just enough sunlight to maintain power. Don't expect a quick decision-making process after that, though. The ESA won't rank its candidates until around September 12th, after Rosetta has had time to double-check the sites, and there isn't going to be a firm commitment until October 12th. Mind you, it's easy to understand the agency's trepidation -- choosing the wrong landing spot could either limit the amount of potential research or destroy Philae outright. [Image credit: ESA/ATG medialab]
Watch the Rosetta spacecraft rendezvous with a comet starting at 4:00AM ET
After ten years in space and many complex maneuvers later, the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft is finally in position to rendezvous with the 2.5-mile diameter comet 67P. Starting at 4AM EST today (8AM GMT), ESA will broadcast a live webcast discussing the science and history of Rosetta. Around 5AM EST (9AM GMT) Rosetta will begin its close approach and start transmitting the first signals from the comet's orbit. Once in position, Rosetta will execute a final "close approach trajectory insertion," a six minute thruster burn that will bring it near enough to the comet to be captured by its gravity. Later in the year, a 62-pound lander called Philae will leave the mothership and lock itself down to the comet with harpoons. Using onboard instruments, it'll examine its composition and relay the information to earth. In November, Rosetta will tag along with the comet as does a close orbit around the sun, examining how it changes when heated. Meanwhile, enjoy the show (below) as it approaches the giant rock.
Intuit releases Lion-compatible Quicken 2007, as promised
It was late last year that Intuit offered a Christmas olive branch to frustrated Quicken 2007 for Mac customers. The finance software giant promised that it would find a way to make Quicken work on the latest version of OS X; today, it looks like that promise has been kept. Quicken for Mac 2007 Lion Compatible is now available for purchase. While the company had built a ground-up Mac offering in Quicken Essentials that showed some spark and a new look, it lacked some of the key features that users of Q2007 had grown fond of (QIF export, direct bill pay, support for rental properties); unfortunately, the older app was never updated past its PowerPC roots and ceased working when Lion dropped support for the Rosetta compatibility layer. Q2007 users fumed, jumped ship to other finance products, stuck with Snow Leopard, or shrieked with frustration if they updated without realizing the issue. (We tried to warn you, people, really we did.) It's not easily found on the Intuit site, but the Lion-friendly version of Quicken 2007 can be bought online (it's US$14.99). Searching for it via Intuit's built-in tool doesn't work, and it's not listed in the full product rundown; it's possible that it's not officially announced/ready for prime time, but there it is. You can read about the data migration process back from Essentials on the company's support page. No data migration is needed for Q2007 or older versions post-2004. Intuit still recommends that new customers go with Essentials instead of Q2007. You can read our interview with Intuit's Aaron Patzer here, and an external perspective from Intuit's competitor IGG Software here. [via MacRumors]
Snow Leopard update wreaks havoc on Rosetta, luddite users contemplate running with Lion (update)
Normally updates are meant to better your OS, delivering necessary tweaks and performance improvements. But this latest batch out of Cupertino's managed to do just the opposite for users running the Lion 10.7.3 package, as it's caused many applications to force crash and bewildered users to restore Time Machine backups. Well, now the hordes clinging to Snow Leopard can join in the commiseration, as forums begin to flood with reports of failed Rosetta compatibility. That software, essential for PowerPC programs to run on Apple's preferred Intel chipset, has been rendered useless by a just released security fix, prompting one community member to craft a DIY patch. While, Apple is reportedly working on a cure-all for these rampant woes, we'd caution any who haven't taken the plunge to sit this one out for a bit.Update: Good news for those of you on Lion that haven't updated, as Apple's pulled the 10.7.3 delta update (responsible for borked installs), leaving those who haven't taken the plunge to try the larger (and non-problematic) combo one. Unfortunately for users of Snow Leopard, though, the troublesome security update lives on, so until Cupertino rectifies (and we update), sound off on how the temporary fix is treating you in the comments below.
Snow Leopard security update revised to fix Rosetta issues
As noted yesterday, many of the users who updated their OS X 10.6 systems with Apple's most recent security patches found themselves unable to run PowerPC legacy apps via the Rosetta compatibility layer. Today a new version of that update (Security Update 2012-001 v1.1) is now available, and it should resolve the issues. The latest build removes the patch to the ImageIO code that was included in the original version; this, apparently, was the cause of the breakage. 10.6.8 users can download the new version from Apple's site or via Software Update. [via MacDailyNews]
VMware Fusion now virtualizes standard builds of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and 10.6 Snow Leopard
VMware released the latest dot update to its flagship Mac virtualization product today. The free update, Fusion 4.1, improves Lion full-screen compatibility, graphics performance and startup options; it can be downloaded immediately for all Fusion customers. While those changes are certainly nice, they aren't the big story in this build. Macworld's Jason Snell has discovered that alongside the acknowledged changes and improvements, a less obvious adjustment has appeared in Fusion 4.1 in the area of virtualizing Mac OS X itself. Unlike previous versions of Fusion (and other virtualization products for the Mac like Parallels and VirtualBox), which included a built-in limiter to prevent users from installing a non-server version of Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6 in a virtual machine, the new Fusion build simply reminds you to respect Apple's licensing restrictions -- and then lets you go ahead and install vanilla Leopard or Snow Leopard anyway. Up until now, the only versions of 10.5 or 10.6 that were considered 'legal' for virtualization were the pricey Mac OS X Server versions. This may seem like a small difference, but it's a seismic shift in the Mac OS X virtualization landscape, and one that could have a major impact for specific 'abandonware' applications on the Mac platform. With the ability to virtualize Snow Leopard easily, VMware users can create a virtual machine that retains the Rosetta code translation stack Apple removed in Lion -- giving those people back the ability to run PowerPC applications. Quicken Deluxe is the most prominent app on the PPC roster, but older versions of Adobe's Creative Suite and QuarkXPress are also up for revitalization in a 10.6 VM. When I spoke to the Fusion product team during the Fusion 4 announcement, they were somewhat coy about the possibilities for virtualizing Rosetta-capable builds of Mac OS X other than the server versions; the decision on licensing was up to Apple, they said, while they would of course continue to explore their options and keep the lines of communication open to Cupertino. I don't know whether this move towards liberalizing the install was done with or without Apple's knowledge and consent, but I'll ask. In the meantime, if you're still holding off on your Lion upgrade because you've got PowerPC applications that aren't ready (or willing) to make the leap to Intel code, your options just got much more interesting.
Gamers pwn University of Washington scientists, solve decade-long simian AIDS protein conundrum (video)
No gamer's escaped the throes of adolescence without hearing the damning refrain, "Video games'll rot your brain." While scientific research into that claim has so far proved inconclusive, it turns out the preferred pastime of our digital era could potentially cure cancer, and even help prevent AIDS -- in monkeys. Utilizing crowdsourced results from the downloadable protein-manipulating "game" Foldit, scientists at the University of Washington were able to attain a successful model of the simian AIDS-causing Mason - Pfizer monkey virus retroviral protease. For over a decade, researchers have been arduously attempting to reconstruct the folded shape of M-PMV with the aid of the task-specific Rosetta software, but to no avail. Now, in what they're calling a possible first, gamers were able to do what scientific brains and algorithms could not, creating a sufficient model for molecular replacement -- all in just three weeks. Feel like dedicating your leisure hours to this worthwhile cause? Then be sure to hit up the source link below, and transform yourself from couch potato to couch crusader.
Mac 101: How to tell if an older app will run on OS X Lion
If you have a lot of older programs hanging around on your Mac, chances are some of them may not work correctly (or at all) after upgrading to OS X Lion. Most programs put out in the last few years should at least launch in Lion, though it may be some time before they run well. However, there is a certain older class of application that won't even open anymore once you install OS X Lion: PowerPC-only apps. Before upgrading to Lion, it's important to know if you have any of these apps still hanging around, because they'll be useless piles of ones and zeros afterward. In 2009, Mac OS X Snow Leopard moved to Intel-only hardware and dropped legacy support for PowerPC Macs. Wisely (for the time), Apple kept support for PowerPC software as an option for Mac users running Snow Leopard. The PPC-enabling code translation technology, Rosetta, was an optional install for users who still needed the ability to turn PowerPC instructions into something the newer Intel processors could execute. It's been six years since the announcement of the PowerPC to Intel transition, and with OS X Lion Apple has basically said, "Enough is enough," and relegated Rosetta to the software dustbin. In fact, one of the reasons Lion is a smaller install than Snow Leopard is the absence of all that PPC compatibility code in system libraries (which were shipping as 'fat binaries' before, and are now slimmed down to Intel-only). The upshot for Apple is that's a lot less legacy code to worry about -- and unlike Microsoft's traditional approach, Apple is all about ditching backward compatibility for both hardware and software in the name of progress and streamlining. For a certain subset of users who are still running legacy PowerPC programs, however, it means transitioning to Lion may be inconvenient at best and financially ruinous at worst. Retro Techs has a list of software that won't run on Lion anymore because of its PPC-free pedigree, and there are some pretty big (though to be fair, pretty old) names on it. Adobe CS2 and earlier are dead programs walking in OS X Lion, which is why I said upgrading might be financially ruinous for some users -- updating to the latest version of Creative Suite can be defined as "cheap" only if you're one to complain about having to tool around town in your BMW because your Jag is in the shop. Quicken for Mac won't run on Lion either, and there really isn't a one-size-fits-all alternative to the program. Microsoft Office 2004 and earlier won't work under Lion, and neither will AppleWorks (remember him? Ha). Fortunately, Apple's iWork suite is a powerful (and inexpensive) alternative to both software suites. Unfortunately, if you had some classic games like Starcraft and Diablo II still hanging out on your Mac, you're out of luck under Lion. If running classic games like those are critical to your "workflow," you might be best served by tracking down Windows versions of them (and a version of Windows) and running them in Boot Camp or in a virtual PC. If that sounds like a huge pain (it certainly does to me), you might be better off keeping an older Mac around with Snow Leopard running on it so you can still run PowerPC apps, or if you're geekily inclined you can partition the hard drive on your current Mac and dual boot into Snow Leopard (unless you're buying a new mini or MacBook Air that ships with Lion -- they won't boot 10.6). Partitioning and running Snow Leopard on another partition will also work for applications like Office 2004, but the question to "Is it worth the effort to do that?" is almost certainly going to be "No." The easiest way to tell if you're still running any PowerPC applications on your Mac is to select "About this Mac" from the Apple menu, then go into System Profiler (now known as "System Information" in Lion, accessible by clicking on "System Report...") and check out the "Applications" list in the sidebar under "Software." Sort this list by "Kind" and take note of any apps you find that say "PowerPC" -- those apps won't run in Lion. Anything that says "Intel" or "Universal" is good to go. Alas, poor MarbleBlast, I knew him well... If you've been using Macs since OS 9 (in other words, for years and years and years), you might see another kind of app described as "Classic." Those apps haven't been executable on a PowerPC Mac since Mac OS X Leopard (10.5) and have never run on Intel Macs anyway, so chances are you found alternatives for those apps around four or five years ago. Hopefully all that made sense. One thing worth asking yourself is whether the advantages of upgrading to Lion outweigh the disadvantages of discontinued support for your legacy programs. If you find yourself in a situation where you're financially dependent on Adobe CS2, Office 2004, Quicken 2007, or Starcraft (it could happen), then you may want to keep Snow Leopard as your OS of choice.
Intuit's Aaron Patzer hints at Apple licensing Rosetta
One of the big changes coming next month with the release of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion is that apps that operate under Rosetta, the code libraries that allow PowerPC-based apps to run on Intel-based Mac hardware, may no longer work under the new operating system. Current developer previews of Lion do not include Rosetta, a gentle reminder from Apple to developers that they need to free their apps from any PPC-era code. For Intuit, the makers of Quicken for Mac 2007, rewriting their app from scratch was cost-prohibitive. Now it appears that Apple might license portions of the Rosetta code to developers who don't have the time or money to rewrite their apps. In an interview published today by The Mac Observer, Intuit vice president and general manager of the Personal Finance Group Aaron Patzer noted that his team has been working closely with Apple for several months to embed certain Rosetta libraries into Quicken for Mac 2007 just for the purpose of getting the app to run under Lion. According to Patzer, that project won't see fruition until the end of the summer, which means that folks who are enamored with Quicken 2007 might have to wait to upgrade to Lion. There are, of course, other personal finance solutions available for the Mac platform. Patzer is the man behind Mint.com, an highly-touted online personal finance site that was purchased by Intuit. Intuit's own Lion-friendly Quicken Essentials (screenshot above) is a possibility, although many Quicken 2007 users refuse to switch since Essentials lacks the bill paying and investment tracking functions that were in the earlier version of the software. TUAW readers often cite iBank as a much more capable Mac finance app. Patzer's comments should be welcome news to developers who are behind the proverbial eight-ball in terms of making their apps Lion-ready.
