Looking forward to 2013 in science and space

I concluded the science year in review 2012 with a programming note.

I'll have science and space events to look forward to in 2013 next at Midnight GMT.

Time to make good on that, beginning with a final look back at the year that was in space  in Happy New Year from NASA Television.


Follow over the jump for what scientists expect to happen in the coming year.

Smithsonian Magazine: 5 Science Stories to Watch in 2013
December 28, 2012

Over the past year, we’ve seen a ton of scientific milestones and discoveries of historic importance, from the discovery of the Higgs Boson to the landing of a mobile laboratory on Mars. Science, though, is defined by its relentless march forward: No matter how much we learn, there are always more questions to answer. So, after our roundup of 2012?s most surprising (and significant) scientific events, we bring you the most exciting studies, projects and science developments we’ll be watching for in 2013.

The BBC has its own forecast in A science news preview of 2013.

Smithsonian Magazine: Six Innovators to Watch in 2013
December 27, 2012

In the spirit of the post-holiday season, allow me to present my final list of 2012: six innovators who are pushing technology in fresh directions, some to solve stubborn problems, others to make our lives a little fuller.

Smithsonian Magazine: Seven Must-See Art and Science Exhibitions of 2013
December 28, 2012

This New Year’s Eve, in addition to the typical resolutions to exercise more or spend more time with family, consider resolving to take better advantage of the cultural offerings of America’s cities and towns. Whether you seek to attend concerts, listen to lectures by authors and visiting scholars or become regulars at area museums, a few exhibitions slated for 2013 on the intersection of art and science will be must-sees in the New Year.

Now to return to the space theme I began this post, here are the highlights of the year from the original predictive science, astronomy.

Space.com: Look Up! 13 Must-See Stargazing Events in 2013
by Joe Rao, SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist
Date: 28 December 2012 Time: 11:40 AM ET

As 2012 comes to a close, some might wonder what is looming sky-wise for 2013.  What celestial events might we look forward to seeing?

I’ve selected what I consider the top 13 "skylights" (get it?) for the coming year, and have listed them in chronological order. Not all these night sky events will be visible from any one locality (you may have to travel to catch all the eclipses), but you can observe many of them from the comfort of your backyard, weather permitting.

The next year also promises two potentially bright comets: PANSTARRS and ISON. As any astronomer can tell you, comets are notoriously capricious; we can only guess at how bright they will get and how long their respective tails will be. We’ll just have to wait and see.

In general, 2013 promises an action-packed 12 months for stargazers.

NBC News has most of these and more in The 'Comet of the Century' ... and other night-sky highlights for 2013.

And that wraps it up for 2012!  Happy New Year!