Nick Oakes - Science & Science Fiction Writer

NASA • 13th February 2024

How Uses Simple Technology to Track Lunar Missions

NASA is using a simple but effective technology called Laser Retroreflective Arrays (LRAs) as part of its Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) initiative to determine the locations of lunar landers more accurately.

NASA • 1st February 2024

NASA to Study Effects of Radio Noise on Lunar Science

An overview of an instrument aboard the Intuitive Machines-1 mission, which is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) that aims to make lunar missions more routine by offloading the costs to commercial partners

Astronomy Magazine • 29th January 2024

Exoplanet WASP-69 b is trailed by a 350,000-mile-long tail

One hundred and sixty light-years from Earth, an exoplanet orbits the star WASP-69. Astronomers have just confirmed that the blazing-hot world is trailed by a 350,000-mile-long (563,000 kilometers) gaseous tail.

Astronomy Magazine • 6th December 2023

Hubble measurement reveals another super-Earth, hot enough to cook a pizza

Gives an overview of the recent discovery of an Earth-sized exoplanet using data from the TESS mission and in collaboration with scientists on the Hubble mission team.

Astronomy Magazine • 29th November 2023

How do comets get their names?

Explains the history of naming conventions for comets, and gives examples of the different categories to illustrate how these conventions are presented.

Astronomy Magazine • 26th October 2023

Why Titan should be on humanity's must-visit list | Astronomy.com

When it comes to worlds for humans to visit, Titan may not naturally jump to the top of any travel agency’s list. But Titan has advantages for astronauts looking for a long-term getaway.

The Scifi Nerd • 21st October 2023

Overview of the Dragonfly mission to Titan

Brief video giving an overview of the upcoming Dragonfly mission to Saturn's largest moon, Titan

Astronomy Magazine • 5th October 2023

Scientists found CO2 on Europa. Here’s why it’s important

In September 2023, two teams of scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered carbon dioxide on the surface of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. Here's why this is important.

Astronomy Magazine • 31st August 2023

Will humans ever go to Mars? | Astronomy.com

An overview of the human fascination with Mars, and the ways in which this may pertain to our eventual presence on the Red Planet

NASA • 29th August 2023

How Data from a NASA Lunar Orbiter is Preparing Artemis Astronauts

As astronauts prepare to head back to the Moon for the first time since 1972, they have been trained on how to identify landmarks, spot geological features, and help mark areas of interest for future landings, all using data gathered by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Astronomy Magazine • 16th August 2023

A brief history of exoplanets | Astronomy.com

Since the 1990s, scientists have discovered more than 5,000 planets circling other stars. But what exactly do we know about these distant alien worlds?

dividedbyzerobooks • 1st August 2023

The Argyre Republic - the First Nation on Mars

This project has two aims - one, to provide details about one of the main locations in Spacers: The Erebus Effect, due to be released next January; and two, to provide further background on the United Nations of Mars

Astronomy Magazine • 17th July 2023

Study finds hot Jupiters may form close to stars | Astronomy.com

Gas giant exoplanets similar to Jupiter but orbiting close to their host stars are known as “hot Jupiters.” Recent findings have challenged longstanding ideas about the formation of planetary systems, showing that our knowledge of these strange worlds far beyond our sun is not yet complete.

dividedbyzerobooks • 3rd July 2023

Spacers: The Erebus Effect (Preview)

Take a peek at the opening chapter of Divided by Zero's upcoming sci-fi detective thriller, "Spacers: The Erebus Effect." The story follows a female government operative on Mars in the year 2354, who is tasked with hunting down rogue artificial lifeforms, until she uncovers a conspiracy that may lead to her undoing...

dividedbyzerobooks • 25th June 2023

Solar Space, domain of the ICA & the Alliance

Solar Space is the traditional name for the regions of the Solar System known to be settled by humans. As of 2389, there are approximately 11.7 billion people living in Solar Space, and the various conflicts of the 24th century have kept them all in tension for decades - most recently thanks to the wars between the long-dominant ICA and the newly ascendant Alliance of Free Worlds

dividedbyzerobooks • 21st June 2023

The World of Tomorrow - Earth in 2389

In 1989, an asteroid destroyed Phoenix, AZ, ushering in the New Space Age. This resulted in a solar system-spanning campaign of colonization, and by 2269, there were settlements on hundreds of worlds across Solar Space. But it was also in that year that alien ruins were discovered buried on Saturn’s moon Titan, opening the doorway to an immense Network of ancient knowledge which brought the dream of exploring and exploiting worlds beyond our host star finally within our reach.

Google Docs • 21st April 2023

The Europa Goodbye - Chapter 2

Darius and Lieutenant Hoskins return to Europa, and are called in to J-Sec HQ for a debrief on the situation unfolding in the wake of Regis Pulaski's murder

Google Docs • 19th April 2023

Mars - The Tricolor World

An overview of Mars in the year 2389, the setting of our future setting in "The Spacers Saga: Frontier Wars," an upcoming science fiction storyline.

Google Docs • 16th April 2023

Titan - World of Mystery

A brief rundown on Saturn's largest moon, Titan, as it is in our upcoming future science fiction setting, "The Spacers Saga."

Google Docs • 15th April 2023

The Flags of Solar Space

dividedbyzerobooks • 28th March 2023

Ships of the Line - Spacecraft of 'The Spacers Saga'

These are some of the ships from stories that take place in the Spacers Saga universe, which I designed and modeled in Blender before making infographics on Adobe Illustrator. They are shared here for the purpose of showcasing my 3D modeling, graphic design, and writing skills.

Google Docs • 20th March 2023

The Europa Goodbye - Chapter 1

In the opening chapter of "The Europa Goodbye," Detective Darius Maroney of the Jovian Security Force arrives on-scene to investigate a murder, only to discover that the victim is a well-known syndicate boss

Google Docs • 20th March 2023

Outpost Providence - chapter 3

The MOD-4 leadership staff discusses Lieutenant Suleiman's revelation that the motive for Commander Treadwell's murder may be all too familiar, and could tie into ongoing political squabbles back on Earth

17th March 2023

NASA Instrument Bound for Titan Could Reveal Chemistry Leading to Life

A new NASA mission to Saturn’s giant moon, Titan, is due to launch in 2027. When it arrives in the mid-2030s, it will begin a journey of discovery that could bring about a new understanding of the development of life in the universe.