This week, off world: The Sun may superflare every 100 years, China launches its 'laser diamond' test satellites, and loads more...

Decades of conflict have devastated the Central African Republic, with especially harsh effects on children. To help alleviate the suffering if this mostly forgotten conflict, you can donate here...

...and here is (one) place you can donate to help children in Afghanistan, caught under the Taliban.

Thank you!

  Pick o' the podcasts:

223: Preparing for something we haven't seen yet with Dr. Holt — Spacepod

 

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From the video store:

China launches “laser diamond constellation test” satellites - SpaceNews

ESA’s Proba 3 mission to form artificial solar eclipses in space 

Nothing from SpaceX this week... I'm kidding:  Blastoff! SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites from California, nails landing 

Reading material:

Virgin Galactic signs agreement to study suborbital spaceflights from Italian spaceport - SpaceNews

Trump’s second term can achieve the bipartisan goal of resilient satellites  - SpaceNews

Firefly Sparkle: 'Christmas' galaxy reveals how Universe formed - BBC News

Flare from supermassive black hole M87 astounds in images | UCLA

Superflares once per Century